Disease progression - Should I freak out?

[Guest guest]

I was diagnosed six weeks ago. I had one knee and one shoulder that

were bad at that point - swelling that I could see. I started MTX.

Two weeks ago I had a follow up appointment - I knew I wasn't seeing

much improvement with MTX. And there was a little swelling in one

wrist and my hands were stiff. Dr said that both wrists, both hands,

both knees, ankles and hips were affected. Dr upped MTX and I

started Humiria yesterday. (I'm happy that I haven't had any

adverse affects) The combination is a GOOOOOD thing. I have energy

enough to do household tasks in the evening...

Today I have a boney lump on my thumb - it looks as if the first

joint has been moved aside by a half inch. My hand is starting to

hurt.

My question is: is it 'normal' for the joint involvement to

progress this rapidly? (from a couple of joints to most of them in a

month?) will it do a dance of better for a while, then worse?

Should I contact rheumy about this totally sudden and dramatic

change (I SWEAR there wasn't anything wrong with my hand yesterday!!)

and I thought that the boney lump disfigurations of the hands were a

hallmark of RA, not PA.

Despite the bumps, I AM feeling pretty good right now. My boss says

I've shed ten years from the new medicine, and ten more since DS is

home from Iraq!

any input is appreciated!