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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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beachmoma16 | @beachmoma16 | 1 day ago

I have erosive arthritis in both hands. They are very stiff and the joints have nodules and I cannot fully close my hands. It is not rheumatoid arthritis. If you have access to your xray films you will notice that the joints have “wings”. Years ago I was told the FDA was fast tracking a drug for this particular problem. Whenever I paint or do remodeling or do heaving cleaning the pain increases. I take pain medication when needed. I can no longer wear rings.

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loriesco | @loriesco | 1 day ago
In reply to @genie15 "@loriesco Wow, you gave me so much new and helpful information! Thanks so much. I also..." + (show)
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@loriesco
Wow, you gave me so much new and helpful information! Thanks so much. I also have multiple arthritis sites and no overall diagnosis. I had a knee joint replaced but the inflammation keeps raging and the whole "recovery" has been a miserable mess. I also have had difficulty handling sugar all my life. You have given me a new path of inquiry. So glad you posted.

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@genie15 glad I could offer some suggestions! I hope they provide some relief!

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mcchesney | @kathleen1314 | 12 hours ago
In reply to @heyjoe415 "Hi Elle, Its was definitely the chronic use of the Rx NSAID diclofenac that caused my..." + (show)
Profile picture for heyjoe415 @heyjoe415

Hi Elle,

Its was definitely the chronic use of the Rx NSAID diclofenac that caused my creatinine number to rise above normal. Any NSAID used regularly can possibly cause this. It was a surprise to me. And a high creatinine number means the kidney is not working at 100%.

So in just a few weeks, and by cutting my diclofenac use by about 70%, my creatinine number went from 1.5 to 1. The top range is 1.3, so I was above that line.

As for no NSAIDs before surgery - My shoulder was really hurting, so yeah I missed having it. I was able to take Tylenol and use a lot of gel pads from the freezer! The surgeons insist on stopping those meds because they thin the blood, and they don't want that during surgery.

And when my blood was taken just before surgery, my creatinine number dropped to .9 - so the diclofenac NSAID was definitely affecting my kidneys. The lesson is to not use NSAIDs on a regular or daily basis. I didn't even know that.

I hope that helps you Elle. I'm two months now post-op for my shoulder replacement and I'm off any painkillers, even Tylenol. I've had my knees and a hip replaced before, and the subsequent pain relief is glorious.

Don't get me wrong, joint replacement is a significant and traumatic surgery, and the first few days post-op are the hardest. But the satisfaction rate among patients is generally in the 95% range, so these surgeries have really been refined and are incredibly safe, IMO. The rehab work done by the patient is very important.

Any other questions Elle? Thanks so much for reaching out.

Joe

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@heyjoe415
Was this oral diclofenac or topical diclofenac which gave you the reaction?

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