Anyone also have RA/OA?

[SjoGirl]

Hi all,

Long story but I've been off my meds for a few months. I developed a trigger finger on my left-hand ring finger, the third time, with a lump on my palm. I got that shot up then my index finger started to swell and become very painful and was triggering too. I just got that shot up, only two weeks since the last shot.

The sonograms as read by three doctors, orthopedist, rheumatologist, and yet another one all said could be one or the other or both. I seem my rheumy in about a month but just wonder if any of you have been down this path.

My rheumy before this one said I had SjS but also seronegative RA. The newer rheumy said SjS but no RA but now she's backtracking.

[meirish]

That is a dilemma isn't it. I am wondering if the doc has tested you fork RA now or in the past. The problem with Sjogrens is that we can have some miserable joint issues plus we can have another autoimmune disease and RA is a very common one to have. The thing is you needed the steroid injection and it is good that you were able to have it. I would ask if being on a burst and taper of oral prednisone would help for this attack.

I know that they don't like to give steroid shots close together and usually I think not more than 4 times a year. I know that I have had steroid injections in a really sore, throbbing joint and I don't have RA. I have osteroarthritis that can get pretty darn miserable but it usually calms down before I need to go to the doctor. Hope that his can be figured out for you. Take care and get better. meirish

[Deb 27]

I've been through this same thing with RA/Sjogrens. Actually, seronegative RA was my first diagnosis. It's so crazy. I don't seem to have any damage and it bothers me that my current rheumy wants me on stronger meds ( other than plaquenil) yet he hasn't ordered the first x ray or scan of my joints.

Lately I've been in the worst flare I've had in ages. I got out my paraffin bath, got some paraffin at Salleys and cranked it up again. It's so helpful for the stiffness I get in my hands and feet. It's a bit messy, but worth it.

[Carolina]

I have very extensive Osteoarthritis.  No Rheumatoid Arthritis, thank goodness.

Elaine

[meirish]

I would ask your rheumy what your sed rate (and other blood work that indicates inflammation) show as he may be medicating you because of high inflammation showed in your blood work. Also you ANA etc could be quite high and he feels that stronger medication will bring some of these numbers down and decrease your symptoms. Good luck. meirish

[jazzlover]

I have osteoarthritis and at times I really worry about RA. I've been tested for it several times.

I'll have joints swell and become painful off and on. Thankfully, it usually goes away.

For me, I find that if I stay away from dairy and gluten.

[Jenny]

I have widespread OA. I am blood test positive for RA, but doc says I don?t have it and that it?s common for Sjogren?s patients to test positive without actually having it.

[Scottietottie]

Hi SjoGirl -

Did anyone suggest Dupuytrens? the trigger finger and lump in the hand sounds awfully like it.

Take care - Scottie