joint pain / synovitis?

Has any of your X-rays shown osteoarthritis which in my experience can be very debilitating. Also my mom was diagnosed with polymyalgia rheumatica in addition to osteoarthritis. With polymyalgia rheumatica she did well on long term steroids but she decided she was doing much better and had quit them cold Turkey never something one should do. She refused to have her knees replaced and suffered for years. There are many types of arthritis!
Also could you be taking any medication that is causing any side effects?
Keep searching to find that right physician who can help?
Best of luck

Hello @awilst. So sorry you have been going through this for so long.

I noticed you posted in both this group and the Autoimmune Group. In order to allow members to respond to you in one post, you will notice I have removed the duplicate but added this post to both groups.

I agree that if you haven't had success with a diagnosis just yet, perhaps it may be time to consider a second opinion?

gave up on my civilian dr. Went to VA got blood tests & xray of knees. they called it synovitis. My gp never got that far??? waiting for VA feedback.

Hmmm- Synovitis is an inflammation of the joint capsule - the synovium that surrounds the bone at the joint & provides lubrication to make joints move smoothly.

Blood tests can determine if you have markers for rheumatoid arthritis, but not synovitis. The C reactive protein results show you have some inflammatory process going on, but I don't think they can determine exactly what. X-rays are not usually able to capture synovitis on small joints, but sometimes work on knees. You say the original ortho did an MRI - what was the diagnostic result? I ask because the steroids are the correct initial treatment for suspect synovitis, but also for other inflammatory conditions.

Please understand that it is not at all uncommon to experience systemic inflammation that never gets an exact diagnosis, no matter how many doctors try & no matter how many tests are run. At that point, doctors are left to treat the symptoms, using their best medical knowledge, consultation with colleagues, and research. I dare say many in this group and the chronic pain group will tell you the same.

So then what? As the pain becomes chronic, we need to figure out how to live with it. The symptoms are treated with the best tools the doctors have. Sometimes, as counterintuitive as it seems, physical therapy and exercise are recommended. Also helpful can be NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen), massage therapy, ice, heat, acupuncture, and maybe referral to a pain management clinic where alternatives are taught.

I hope the VA will be able to provide more answers for you. Their possible next steps may include either MRI or ultrasound imaging.

Sue

re: findings from mri of right hand. (this whole mess started with pain in right wrist)

Hello there.
Gosh you are struggling aren’t you. Have you been checked for Polymyalgia Rheumatica.
I started with wrist and thumb pain in 2020. Pain and stiffness rapidly spread across my hips, neck and shoulders. I just couldn’t move without being in agony. It’s like my body was totally locked. Sounds strange I know.
I have synovitis in my hands and wrists. Polymyalgia Rheumatica was diagnosed 4 months after I saw my GP. I have a seronegative blood test for Rheumatoid arthritis but this doesn’t mean I don’t have it.
I’ve been on 10 mg Prednisolone for 2 1/2 years and I have reduced twice, but as soon as I get to 8 mg it comes back. I also have a biological injection of Humira every 2 weeks, but want to come off it as it can have really horrible side effects. My Polymyalgia was in remission but I had a hip replacement in June and unfortunately it triggered it again.
It sounds like you could have this condition.
I really hope you get some answers soon and get some pain relief.
Wishing you all the best.
Gill

@awilst, I removed the MRI imaging results that you posted with your message because they also contained personal identifying information. If you wish to share the findings on this public forum, we recommend for your security that you remove all identifying information such as name, location, doctor, hospital, and patient number, etc. before posting.

This all sound very similar to my condition.
After a bunch tests and things being eliminated I was put on 20 mg of prednisone and the symptoms all went away within days. This was effectively a diagnosis of PMR.
4 mg of prednisone isn’t enough initially to give significant relief.
I started at 20 mg and have now tapered down to 6 mg and I am totally pain free.
Good luck.

So glad you have your PMR under control. Pray it continues. Good luck

question on my undiagnosed c reactive protein problem. If my problem is inflammation, should I take the latest covid shot. My gp reluctantly said dont.
But he hasnt come up with much else. any ideas on taking latest covid & flu shots this year? will they possible make things worse?