Erosive Osteoarthritis

Posted by anniebrook @anniebrook, Feb 12, 2021

I have been trying to get answers for many years to find out why my OA in my hands is so painful and debilitating. It doesn't look as bad to the eye as many other people I have met that also have OA but have huge joint nodes but say it's not too painful. I had the traditional basal thumb surgery on left and right hands,left went well 10yrs ago but right which I had one yr later has never been pain free.. About 6 mths ago the pain in the back of my right wrist became so much worse at the same time a large lump appeared.I thought this was probably a Ganglion then a few weeks later a softer round lump appeared on the dip joint on the inside of my right little finger which as made the joint very swollen. Eventually got Xrays of both hands which have now been diagnosed as Erosive Osteoarthritis which I have never heard of. Prognosis doesn't look good with this type of OA. Has anyone else been diagnosed with this and do I ask to be referred to a Rheumatologist ? How do I deal with this ? Is there any meds I can take for pain and to slow down the progression ? Thank you

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@lioness

@anniebrook Hi I'm not @parrotquern but have followed her recommdations as I have o.a.all over hands the worse I started of slow and increases to 2in am 2 p.m I noticed then how better I felt I'm doing 3 a.m. @3 p.m and feel none now in my back which for me was the worse outside of hands .So keep taking it been on it now about 2months Haven't taken any pain pills for awhile now She has a lot of knowledge

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Thanks for your reply! I also ordered boron and just got it three days ago. I took 3 mg capsule for breakfast and dinner. Today’s the third day, I’ve taken two so far. Have not noticed any difference yet but it’s early days!

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@sueinmn

@anniebrook Erosive osteoarthritis is a subset that principally affects hands and fingers. It may be associated with general osteoarthritis, or occur by itself.

I have found that topical NSAID gel or cream (Voltaren or Diclofenac, for example) is helpful in easing pain without taking the meds internally over a long period of time. Other soothing treatments can include heat or ice - I like a paraffin hand bath when I ache. Steroid injections also work, but if you choose to have one, it may delay surgery because the presence of steroids inhibits healing, so there is a waiting period.

As to your question about who to consult, the Rheumatologist can evaluate your condition, but the hand surgeon (a specialty certification that can either be sought by a plastic surgeon or an ortho surgeon) can operate on it if warranted - you may wish to see each of them.

You do need to act sooner rather than later, though. The swelling on the back of the wrist may well be related to your erosive osteoarthritis - a condition my best friend and I both have. When my wrist became painful & swollen at age 50, my very wise mother sent me posthaste to the hand surgeon, who monitored if for a time, then performed a carpectomy, removing the worst eroded bones, and scraping others. Now, nearly 20 years later, the wrist is shorter than the other but pain free & functional. I have likewise had successful CMC repairs on both thumbs. My friend was afraid to have surgery, and put up with the condition, using splints and Kinesio tape for 10 years. By the time she sought help, wrist fusion was her only choice.

Good luck seeking treatment, and if you choose surgery, make sure to see a good hand therapist after to regain full use.
Sue

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Thank you for your input much appreciated. Yesterday I had a phone consult with the pain management Dr,he has been treating me for back pain it seems he thought I only had that. After having had MRI's and the result showing normal for my age( 67) degeneration no one can understand why I have such chronic pain in my back. I went on to ask him to look at the Xrays of my hands also and that I had not heard of 'Erosive' Osteoarthritis I finally plucked up the courage to ask "Do I have Ankylosing Spondylitis" ? and that it's not just the pain that I have other issues such as dry eye/nose/mouth,I have bowel problems too among other issues " I heard a sudden intake of breath when he said this is sounding more like an Inflammatory or Psoriatic arthritis and had I had a work up ? "No don't be silly" I told him at the age of 14 for 2 yrs and again at 28 for a few more yrs I had pustular Psoriasis under my feet that I had to walk virtually of tip toes. I think that might have been a light bulb moment for him. So he is writing to my GP to refer me to a Rheumatologist and to get a blood work up ,hopefully the HLA B27 and maybe now I will get some answers. Thank you to everyone on these pages I am learning a lot about what to say to Dr's and what to demand that I am worth more than "It's your age and it's osteoarthritis there is nothing we can do"

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@anniebrook

Thank you for your input much appreciated. Yesterday I had a phone consult with the pain management Dr,he has been treating me for back pain it seems he thought I only had that. After having had MRI's and the result showing normal for my age( 67) degeneration no one can understand why I have such chronic pain in my back. I went on to ask him to look at the Xrays of my hands also and that I had not heard of 'Erosive' Osteoarthritis I finally plucked up the courage to ask "Do I have Ankylosing Spondylitis" ? and that it's not just the pain that I have other issues such as dry eye/nose/mouth,I have bowel problems too among other issues " I heard a sudden intake of breath when he said this is sounding more like an Inflammatory or Psoriatic arthritis and had I had a work up ? "No don't be silly" I told him at the age of 14 for 2 yrs and again at 28 for a few more yrs I had pustular Psoriasis under my feet that I had to walk virtually of tip toes. I think that might have been a light bulb moment for him. So he is writing to my GP to refer me to a Rheumatologist and to get a blood work up ,hopefully the HLA B27 and maybe now I will get some answers. Thank you to everyone on these pages I am learning a lot about what to say to Dr's and what to demand that I am worth more than "It's your age and it's osteoarthritis there is nothing we can do"

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My goodness, it sounds to me like you have candida overgrowth big time. Please get a book called "The Candida Cure" by Ann Boroch. I got it off Amazon.com - you can get it used or for your kindle. I think if you would do that diet for three months you would see a huge change - the psoriasis and everything would be better. I had brain fog, dizziness, all sorts of weird things and psoriasis is a big sign. For your arthritis, seriously - try Boron. I take 6 mg at breakfast, lunch, dinner and before bed - I have NO PAIN. I can crochet and play piano again and my back, neck, hips - all of it is improved - no pain. It is dirt cheap. If you decide to do the diet, you can message me and I can put you in touch with. private, free support group that has a library of recipes. I've been on the diet for six years. I did it for three months and felt so great, I decided to stay on it. I feel like I'm in my 20s and I'm 70 years old with very serious osteoporosis. The diet was the answer to most of my problems.

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@ga29

Thanks for your reply! I also ordered boron and just got it three days ago. I took 3 mg capsule for breakfast and dinner. Today’s the third day, I’ve taken two so far. Have not noticed any difference yet but it’s early days!

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Also you are only taking a small amount. I take it breakfast, lunch, dinner and bedtime and I take 6 mg.

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@lioness

@anniebrook Hi I'm not @parrotquern but have followed her recommdations as I have o.a.all over hands the worse I started of slow and increases to 2in am 2 p.m I noticed then how better I felt I'm doing 3 a.m. @3 p.m and feel none now in my back which for me was the worse outside of hands .So keep taking it been on it now about 2months Haven't taken any pain pills for awhile now She has a lot of knowledge

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Lioness - you are such a sweetheart. I'm glad to know you are getting pain relief on such a low dose. It makes me so happy to know something helps... Boron is such a miracle.

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@parrotqueen

Also you are only taking a small amount. I take it breakfast, lunch, dinner and bedtime and I take 6 mg.

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Thanks I want to start slowly as my stomach always gets upset with supplements. This is doing the same, but not too bad! I am starting to notice less stiffness and pain in my hands. I hope it helps reduce the pain in my fusion!

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@parrotqueen

Lioness - you are such a sweetheart. I'm glad to know you are getting pain relief on such a low dose. It makes me so happy to know something helps... Boron is such a miracle.

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@parrotqueen Thanks Your advice does help but today is one of those days when nothing is helping just ice gives me some relief. I see Dr and x-rays this week .My rt lower back and hip are given ng me problems now but thanks for the tip on Boron

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@parrotqueen

My goodness, it sounds to me like you have candida overgrowth big time. Please get a book called "The Candida Cure" by Ann Boroch. I got it off Amazon.com - you can get it used or for your kindle. I think if you would do that diet for three months you would see a huge change - the psoriasis and everything would be better. I had brain fog, dizziness, all sorts of weird things and psoriasis is a big sign. For your arthritis, seriously - try Boron. I take 6 mg at breakfast, lunch, dinner and before bed - I have NO PAIN. I can crochet and play piano again and my back, neck, hips - all of it is improved - no pain. It is dirt cheap. If you decide to do the diet, you can message me and I can put you in touch with. private, free support group that has a library of recipes. I've been on the diet for six years. I did it for three months and felt so great, I decided to stay on it. I feel like I'm in my 20s and I'm 70 years old with very serious osteoporosis. The diet was the answer to most of my problems.

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Remember the recognized upper limit of safe boron intake is 20 mg per day, including in foods and vitamin supplements. Less if you have low kidney function or take estrogen supplements. Everyone should consult with their pharmacist or care provider before considering this, as it is difficult to eliminate through the kidneys. You can see it here: https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Boron-HealthProfessional/#:~:text=The%20amount%20of%20boron%20consumed,alopecia%2C%20anorexia%2C%20and%20indigestion.
Sue

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@lioness

@anniebrook Hi I'm not @parrotquern but have followed her recommdations as I have o.a.all over hands the worse I started of slow and increases to 2in am 2 p.m I noticed then how better I felt I'm doing 3 a.m. @3 p.m and feel none now in my back which for me was the worse outside of hands .So keep taking it been on it now about 2months Haven't taken any pain pills for awhile now She has a lot of knowledge

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Thank you I love when others have success it gives me hope.

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@parrotqueen

My goodness, it sounds to me like you have candida overgrowth big time. Please get a book called "The Candida Cure" by Ann Boroch. I got it off Amazon.com - you can get it used or for your kindle. I think if you would do that diet for three months you would see a huge change - the psoriasis and everything would be better. I had brain fog, dizziness, all sorts of weird things and psoriasis is a big sign. For your arthritis, seriously - try Boron. I take 6 mg at breakfast, lunch, dinner and before bed - I have NO PAIN. I can crochet and play piano again and my back, neck, hips - all of it is improved - no pain. It is dirt cheap. If you decide to do the diet, you can message me and I can put you in touch with. private, free support group that has a library of recipes. I've been on the diet for six years. I did it for three months and felt so great, I decided to stay on it. I feel like I'm in my 20s and I'm 70 years old with very serious osteoporosis. The diet was the answer to most of my problems.

Jump to this post

Thank you for your input. Actually my Pustular Psoriasis I suppose is in a sort of remission if you will. At the age of 14 for 2 yrs it was so bad on the soles of my feet I used to walk pretending to put my heels down so I wouldn't get bullied at school we all know how kids are. The reason was my feet were so raw they would split and bleed. I had all the treatments ,tar baths, light treatment that was so strong I had to stand naked in a room of sunlights with only goggle on for 1/4 of a minute the 1/2 a min,3/4 min, 1 min then back to the beginning.I had a fantastic tan. I had 4 injections at a time in the soles of my feet which was awful.Anyway that cleared as soon as I left school and didn't come back for 14 yrs and lasted a few more yrs where I then had Tetracycline for a yr which cleared it. Now at the age of 67 I only get the odd break out around my toes.So, that's only a small part but my GP doesn't seem to think it has anything to do with my pain for osteoarthritis DUH ! I have started taking Boron 3 times day but it's only 3mg per tab and wonder if I should now 2 weeks in should up the dose >Any thoughts.

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