General Arthritis Q & A

I was diagnosed last May 2005 with Adult Onset Stills’ Disease. I am not happy with what my physician is trying to get me to use (Kinaret), I was reading that Etanercept has shown to work. Would I be able to see someone at John’s Hopkins for my disease. Do you have any information websites that I can access to help me understand what is the best treatment for me. I work in a hospital and I am exposed to viruses all the time, I have been on Methotrexate for 9 months now, I have gotten my flu vaccine, my pnemonia vaccine also. I just like to stay proactive in regards to my disease so I know I am doing what needs to be done to maintain a healthy lifestile the best that I can. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I had a pustular rash on hands and feet, and began experiencing pain, stiffness and swelling in the larger joints of both hands and feet about 1.5 years ago. I had blood work and xrays done at that time and was told I had Osteoarthritis since everything was normal. I was prescribed salsalate which helps some. Since then I have had (along with hand and feet problems) lock jaw, swelling in my ankles, pain in knees and wrists, and now most worrisome, pain and stiffness in my neck and shoulders. I returned to the doctor and was given steroids and a muscle relaxer which was miraculous. I felt great until the steroids were gone. I went back to the doctor a couple of weeks ago, and the lab work was repeated. Everything was normal again, but I insisted on a referral to a rheumatologist. He claims that my referral request was rejected due to the normal blood work. What action should I take now? I am in pain, and worried. My activities have been limited a great deal by this condition. I used to be a distance runner and professional musician. I cannot pursue either of those interests any longer. In fact I find it hard to even take my daughter to the mall most days. I have absolutely no energy and it takes all I have to make it to work every day.

I am 57 years old and described as fit! I weigh 8.5 stones and eat healthily and take regular exercise. However, for some years I have notice an increased stiffness in my joints ie. knees, hips and fingers. I have been told that I have degenerative change in the lower lumbar spine but no significant bone lesions in my hips? Blood tests have revealed nothing out of the normal range with regards to RA 3 years ago a reading of 12 and now this week 10, however my GP still feels I have many symptoms and a history that might indicate otherwise . A am to see an RA consultant end of next week and feel I will be dismissed as I was a few years ago even though my GP feels cause for concern. Is there any useful questions I can put before the specialist, as my healthy appearance seems to put them off going any further. My fingers are sore and the skin feels tight when I bend them and I have nodules appearing on the first fingers. When sitting for even short periods my hips ache and when standing severe stiffness in hips and knees which does improve a little once moving. I would very much appreciate any comments/advice.

My doctor send me for x-rays of my hands, feet and side joints. Which was basicaly my hips and pelvis area. The lady taking the x-rays had to take the ones of my hips 4 times. She said that she couldn’t get the join space to open. I am a little worried about that comment could that mean that there is a growht there like cancer? Where I am on Prednisone too could it have done damage to my hip? What does this mean?

I would like to know how common uveitis is in SpA. My daughter has been diagnosed (10) with Enthesitis related SpA and is ANA positive (1:160). She has been screened for uveitis and is clear but what is the liklihood of her developing uveitis in the future?

I have recently begun to study herbology and one of the big claims is that Arthritis is badly affected by ice cream from the various components of the mixture. Do you find this to be possible? I ask because my 89 year old grandfather has begun to eat a lot of ice cream (daily) and now the arthritis in his neck has become unbearable. I understand age is a factor but it seems that when his consumption went up so did the pain. He is still active (mows his own lawn, goes out for weekly cards, walks and shops on his own.) The only thing I have noticed different is this consumption.