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Multiple Arthritis issues - Is this unusual?

Posted by jdnc2023 @jdnc2023, Aug 26, 2023

Hi everyone! I have had joint issues for over 40 years, but doctors blew me off because rheumatoid factor was negative. I have recently been diagnosed with serum negative rheumatoid arthritis, erosive osteoarthritis, osteoarthritis and inflammatory arthritis. My hands are the worst, with pretty much all joints affected.
Is this unusual to have so many things diagnosed?
The erosive arthritis is the worst and apparently there is no good treatment for it. I'm allergic to NSAIDs and Tylenol. I'm pretty good at handling the pain, but I'm not looking forward to not being able to use my hands.

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jimma | @jimma | Sep 1, 2023
In reply to @ihanrath "Hi there, I have had negative RA factor arthritis for over 30 years. My diagnosis is..." + (show)
@ihanrath

Hi there,

I have had negative RA factor arthritis for over 30 years. My diagnosis is psoriatic arthritis based on my symptoms and because I had psoriasis at age 11. Methotrexate and hydrochloroquin (also known as plaquenil) has helped me the most. Last few years they have also diagnosed me with osteoarthritis. So the rheumatoid/psoriatic arthritis is an autoimmune disease and the osteo is a wear and tear of the joints disease. I am also off NSAIDS as it gives me gastritis despite taking something to protect my stomach. I do well with long acting tramadol, which is called tridura for painl. I have tried different biologics but none have helped or the side effects are not tolerated well. One, I had an allergic reaction that landed me in ER.
Unfortunately autoimmune diseases have some common elements but each individual can respond differently to treatments. There are other drugs out there like lefludamide and sulfazalazine but I did not tolerate them either.
My worst pain is when winter turns to summer and summer turns to winter. In Canada this happens quickly and my immune system just doesn't like that. Humidity is also not good for me.

I am surprised that a doctor would ignore your symptoms just because you had a negative RA factor. I hope you are seeing a rheumatologist. I see mine every 6 months and she is wonderful. Get someone that works with you and is a good listener. I had better luck at a teaching hospital.
My hands can be useless at times and so can my lower back and hips. The best thing for me is to keep moving. I enjoy going to group exercise. Even though I may be the youngest in the class, I can increase the ankle weights and the dumb bells. You may have to take more breaks but don't stop moving; at least for me that works.
Wishing you well,

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Have you studied high dose Boron?

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jdnc2023 | @jdnc2023 | Sep 1, 2023
In reply to @jimma "Have you studied high dose Boron?" + (show)
@jimma

Have you studied high dose Boron?

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I haven't! I have taken smaller doses of boron off and on through the years, but I will definitely look into that. I also saw something about LDN and will research that further. Thanks much 😊

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jdnc2023 | @jdnc2023 | Sep 1, 2023

Yikes! I think I may have uveitis. My eyes are always red and sort of swelling on the surface. Once my ongoing treatment is figured out, I'll see if my eyes improve.

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