Arthtitis

**Sportychick** · 13-07-2011, 09:53 PM

Great stuff Hula, glad to hear they are working for you

**Hulababy** · 14-07-2011, 05:28 PM

Continued improvement and knee swelling greatly reduced now. Get the odd twinges but no longer relying on painkillers, just the steroids.

I have noticed that my fine motor skills, such as dexterity with my hands - I am talking work at school here ok! - are more clumsy than normal. Amd I am shockingly weary and tired. I am guessing it might be down to the steroids. Still much much better than I was and looking like I will be far better off for Florida than I thought I would be.

**Hulababy** · 27-07-2011, 11:12 PM

Have had a couple of weeks of steroids now and was back at the GPs last on Tuesday, been there weekly recently. The steroids have helped a lot. The swelling was much reduced and the aches and pains in neck, head, hands and knee pretty much gone. The GP did reduce the meds down though and the swelling started again after this and was getting more aches again. I am also getting off crackling noises when I move my head, app all related. Had mor ebloods taken last week too.

So, on Tuesday, I saw the GP again. Because of going on holiday on Friday he got me a very quick referral to the rheumatologist, who I saw today. I know, very lucky!

Rheumatologist agrees that is sounds like psoriatic arthritis.

He has given me a steroid injection right under my knee cap today. Was rather unpleasant it has to be said. And my knee is very achey tonight but apparently this is normal and should settle down in a day or two.

I have also had more bloods taken, plus x rays of my hands, feet and chest.

When I get back from holidays I will have had a referral appointment for an MRI of my upper spine/neck/head too. Apparently the meds for tackling arthritis there is different to big joints hence having a look.

And I get to see the consultant again in about a month's time.

And then after all that I should be looking at starting some longer term other meds, but not sure what they are or what they involve as yet tbh.

I am staying on my steroid meds and have been told to what level I can up them to whilst on holiday if the long hours of walking and the roller coasters cause me increased discomfort/pain.

**Hulababy** · 20-09-2011, 10:05 PM

Latest update.

I had an appointment with the rhuematology consultant yesterday. The MRI, xrays and bloods are all fine. All signs suggest psoriatic arthirtis so that is what they are now treating.

Although the steroids have been doing their job they were only ever a short term soloution. I have been on a reduced dose anyway but now have a gradual withdrawl process. It takes about 3 months as has to be done very gradual. Not looking forward to that in some ways as on the reduced dose I get a fair bit of pain in my knee and neck, so this may increase again.

But i am also starting a long term course of DMARDs drugs which as designed to try and tackle the actual arthritis itself so hoepfully they will kick in. I start on a half dose for the first two weeks and then full dose after that.

I am also being referred to a physio for the neck pain, and all being well a dietician to have a look at the dairy thing.

So, fingers crossed the collection of meds all start working well together and I become pain free again for a while at least.