Interesting and well-written post, Cathy. Dang, I'm sorry the rheuma gifted you with those nodules! It seems that no matter what good or pleasant or nice thing we experience--in your case, much less pain and disability than before, thanks to MTX and your own hard work on your diet and lifestyle--there is always a price to pay. Thanks for writing about this. You've made something that has always seemed a bit mysterious and frightening to me more "normal", if you know what I mean. Ach, I'm rambling. I'll stop now... 
Thanks for sharing. I was diagnosed with RA 16 years ago and have had my share of RA nodules on elbows and other joints. For years I was most concerned about the truly ugly ones on the outside of my big toes. They never hurt unless I wore shoes that fit the rest of my foot! Ultimately I found a pair of Propet sandals that can be adjusted with velcro belts and ankle straps and bought every color available in width 4X. Fortunately, I live in Arizona and can wear them with or without socks 95% of the year. Here in North Central Arizona, we do get a few snow days a year and then I wear an oversize pair of boots.
So: coped with vanity, coped with necessity, but never counted on finding out in May, 2009, when I was hospitalized with a pulmonary infection, that I had a 5mm nodule in my lung too! I've will have my final follow up CT Scan next week, but the nodule never grew, in fact, one time it shrunk a little, so they've pretty much ruled out the possibility of it turning malignant (who knew?), but it did bear watching.
One of the very first things the docs did when I was hospitalized was to take me off the methotrexate I'd been on for 14 years. I still have pulmonary problems and have done more research and any chemo can contribute, but methotrexate is the big baddie for those of us with RA. Still haven't heard anything clear about the biologics. Been on those too for years.
Basically, just wanted to advise everyone with RA nodules to be aware that vanity may be a good thing if it makes you conscious of the fact that those ugle nodules can also show up in vital interior places and need to be watched closely. Also, pay close attention to the meds you take and their side effects. The nodule can be a sign of something additional going on in your body.
Good luck to everyone out there!
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Hi, Cathy,
I have also read that MTX does increase a person's chances of developing nodules. I have had nodules on my PCP joints for years. They are small, but when I am in a flare they turn red and ugly. I am lucky because they are so small, I guess.
Sorry to hear you have developed a new one. I have read you can have nodules surgically removed, but they often return.
I found that interesting. So...guess I will be like you and accept my little bumps as just part of the new me. Having little bumps sure does beat having RA pain.
Blessings,
V
V,
I read the same thing about nodules that they can be removed but grow back. Not really worth it.
Good luck and thanks for commenting. I always appreciate your thoughts and words.
Cathy