Guest guest Posted August 28, 2010 Report Share Posted August 28, 2010 Hello everyone, I am new to the list, and newly diagnosed with RA as of June 2010, although every single blood test I have taken comes back completely normal - which is confusing and strange. It was a bit of a cluster to get to the diagnosis, but once I went to the Rheumatologist, I was diagnosed almost immediately with an Ultrasound of my hands/wrists. I had a lot of swelling in my hands/fingers/wrists - I have not been able to get my wedding ring on since March. This started basically overnight - from nothing at all to wham! I initially thought I had a pinched nerve or something! I am 43 years old and the mother of 7, so it was very frustrating for me to be in constant pain and not know what my problem was. My Rheumatologist has me on Methotrexate, Prednisone and Folic Acid - I am beginning to reduce the Prednisone slowly, I have been on 10mg for a couple of months and just took it down to 7.5 and am supposed to reduce 2.5 mg every couple of weeks. As soon as I went to 7.5 I can feel just a little more soreness in my hands and wrists, but no synovial swelling so far. Not sure if the Methotrexate is doing anything at all - I am only on 10mg (4 pills) once a week, which I was told is the lowest dose and it will probably get increased (oh goodie). I know the prednisone works, because I have been on it a few times now since this started and as soon as I stop it, everything comes back. The one weird thing that has recently started is muscle twitching around my eyes. Does anyone know if this could be a side effect of one of the medications, or is it a symptom of RA? I have noticed a tendency to have muscle cramps in my legs/feet at night, but this eye twitching is new and annoying. I don't go back to the doctor until next month - is this worth calling about? I am so glad there is a e-mail list like this! thanks for any input! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 28, 2010 Report Share Posted August 28, 2010 Hi - welcome to the group. I am new here too I guess. I also have been recently diagnosed with RA which came on suddenly. I also take Methotrexate and Pred ( 20 mgs each ). I dunno about th eye thing, but for the leg/feet cramps, my old Rheumy had me sip Tonic water w/ Quinine in it mixed 50/50 with whatever I wanted to drink with it. I just sipped it throughout the day and my cramps vanished. You prolly should consult w/ your Rheumy first since I dunno about the DMARD and the Quinine- it was before I was diagnosed, so I wasn't on the drugs yet. You just never know. I hope you learn as much as I have on here. I am not the brightest bulb in the box, but can understand parts of the technical lingo they toss around in here. If you ask, they will explain. Nice folks. Welcome, and may your days be pain free. in SC Hello everyone, I am new to the list, and newly diagnosed with RA as of June 2010, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 28, 2010 Report Share Posted August 28, 2010 Hi , Welcome. I read mostly on this site but wanted to welcome you. You sound similar to me. Seems like it came on kinda fast and my wrists, fingers swelling, stiffness and pain. My neck hurts, hips, knees and feet. But as like you. All bloodwork comes out perfect. I too use to get muscle cramps at night in bed pretty bad and I looked it up and started taking magnesium sulfate vitamin and 1 month after all stopped. I have to believe it may have helped. I continue taking it because it can only help and isn't bad for you. I also am osteoporosis and it helps absorb calcium. I have been on plaquenil for almost 3 months and to my knowledge no significant help. Too bad too I was hoping. Plus, my nails are starting to get white blemishes under nailbed and I noticed today they are lifting!!!! I need to call my RA dr. on Monday. Good luck. > > > Hello everyone, > > I am new to the list, and newly diagnosed with RA as of June 2010, although > every single blood test I have taken comes back completely normal - which > is confusing and strange. It was a bit of a cluster to get to the > diagnosis, but once I went to the Rheumatologist, I was diagnosed almost > immediately with an Ultrasound of my hands/wrists. I had a lot of swelling in my > hands/fingers/wrists - I have not been able to get my wedding ring on since > March. This started basically overnight - from nothing at all to wham! I > initially thought I had a pinched nerve or something! I am 43 years old and > the mother of 7, so it was very frustrating for me to be in constant pain > and not know what my problem was. > > My Rheumatologist has me on Methotrexate, Prednisone and Folic Acid - I am > beginning to reduce the Prednisone slowly, I have been on 10mg for a couple > of months and just took it down to 7.5 and am supposed to reduce 2.5 mg > every couple of weeks. As soon as I went to 7.5 I can feel just a little > more soreness in my hands and wrists, but no synovial swelling so far. Not > sure if the Methotrexate is doing anything at all - I am only on 10mg (4 > pills) once a week, which I was told is the lowest dose and it will probably get > increased (oh goodie). I know the prednisone works, because I have been > on it a few times now since this started and as soon as I stop it, > everything comes back. > > The one weird thing that has recently started is muscle twitching around my > eyes. Does anyone know if this could be a side effect of one of the > medications, or is it a symptom of RA? I have noticed a tendency to have muscle > cramps in my legs/feet at night, but this eye twitching is new and > annoying. I don't go back to the doctor until next month - is this worth calling > about? > > I am so glad there is a e-mail list like this! > > thanks for any input! > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 28, 2010 Report Share Posted August 28, 2010 Thanks for writing -- I will look into the magnesium sulfate vitamins - I am already taking Biotin because I'm a freak about my hair -- if it starts falling out all bets are off with the Methotrexate. Although my doctor said if that happened they could give me something -- isn't happening yet, actually no side effects other than fatigue that I have noticed. Unless of course it causes muscle spasms. Isn't it odd to have obvious visible inflammation -- the ultrasound showed it and it was severe -- but have completely normal blood work??? The doctor who performed the ultrasound said it looks aggressive -- but a normal sed rate?? Makes no sense to me, but what do I know. I do know the prednisone works like a charm - at least at 10mg -- we shall see about the lower dosages. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 28, 2010 Report Share Posted August 28, 2010 Hi -- I am also not the brightest bulb all the time -- getting dimmer all the time! Thanks for writing -- we are practically neighbors, I am in NC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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