Good morning. I am 67. I have Morphea and Rhuematoid arthritis. Symptoms started in 2022. At first was thought might be polymyalgia rhuematica. Just kept getting worse. After several ER visits, a cardiac catheterization, skin biopsies, MRI and X-rays, many medications, and much lab work, found a rhuematologist. He says not PMR, but it is RA.
Today I am feeling much better and can function reasonably well again. Inflammation markers way down.
I chose to do self administered methotrexate injections weekly to avoid the gastrointestinal side effects. I’m eight weeks in and no big problems. I continue to have some unsteadiness, fatigue, brain fog, some pain and stiffness hands, knees, elbows, and takes me a couple hours to get going in the mornings. My skin is so much better, and am not developing new Morphea lesions. Morphea was a nightmare of constant burning and itching skin all over my body. I’d pick RA symptoms over the Morphea, if given a choice. Luckily methotrexate treats both conditions.
For the methotrexate injections I use a short, thin needle on a tuberculin syringe. Just a tiny little sting when I inject the medication. I rotate sites on my abdomen and thighs. Am currently tapering off prednisone. Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) did not help me. Gabapentin made me very dizzy and vision blurry. I took that for the nerve pain (felt like electrical zaps) from the Morphea.
Today it feels pretty wonderful to have actual diagnoses, effective treatments that I can tolerate, and to be able to enjoy life again. I accept that my old normal is gone, but so grateful to be here with my family! Hoping the prednisone taper down doesn’t mess this good space up!