Just got a diagnosis today

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I am Sharon. I am 57 and just got the diagnosis today from my

Rheumatologist that I have PA. They did all the usual blood work. RA

negative, lupus negative, slightly elevated sed rate and positive x-

rays for arthritis of the SI joints and positive HLA-B27 test. I

don't have any skin lesions...just painful swollen middle finger

joints. Actually have osteo of the first joints of the fingers

(closest to the nails) and then the really bad joints are the next

ones. This is of both hands. Have suffered for..oh about 10 years.

Was told 10 years ago it was a touch of osteo and a touch of

rhematoid and put on naprosen. Took 1500 mgs a day for 8 years.

Helped some but the damage to the joints continued. I quit going to

the rheumatologist back then because it was so expensive and they

weren't helping me that much. But, in the last year it has gotten

really worse because I had to be taken off Vioxx and then Celebrex

because of making my liver enzymes rise too high. Had to wait 3

months for appointment with new Rheumatologist on November 21. She

called with the diagnosis today. Wants to start me on Azulfadine.

Anyone on this list tried that? If so, did it help and what were

your side effects. My Rheumatologist is sending me some reading info

on it and wants me to read it and decide if I want to take it or

not. I have been on a short course of Prednisone (10 mg a day for

two weeks) which has made me feel almost like a new woman but cannot

stay on it because I am a diabetic and it has made my blood sugar too

high. Glad to find ya'll.

Sharon