As mentioned in another post, I now appear to have RA (LORA).
The only visible signs are in fingers and very swollen/stiff ankles. The most pain I have in the ankles is in the middle of the night (wakes me up several times)😡. Is this usual?
Is there any way of telling if the hip pains are RA or PMR? Probably another of my silly questions!!!!!!!
Thanks in advance for any advice.
I am sorry for your diagnosis and the pain you are going through. I can't answer your questions but DO NOT think any questions are silly! That's the only way you are going to learn anything! Eventually you will find the answers, maybe not on here but it's possible! Your doctors most likely will figure everything out with you!
good luck and keep us posted!
Probably with x-rays/MRI. PMR does not lead to joint damage, RA can. But unless there is joint damage there's precious little difference.
I had a feeling you'd say that! I believe RA is treated with Pred? Is that correct? If so, why should I bother with PleonRA (or any other of the 'so called' excellent additions)? Wouldn't it just be better to up the Pred?
I'll be seeing my doctor next week and will discuss it with him.
Thanks for your reply.
C.
Because if there IS joint damage then you need a DMARD and without very frequent scans you wouldn't know plus by thetime it is there it is too late. Pred won't stop that, it just manages the inflammation. And the perception is that these other drugs have fewer side-effects than big bad pred. In RA pred is usually used as a taper to manage a flare whilst the other medicaitons kick in - either at a higher dose or using a different drug.