Wednesday, June 13, 2012 Leslie asks

Q: New, sharper pains in my joints, is this normal with RA?

Since all this started I have had a lot of pain in the affected joints, but mostly aching pain with occasional sharper pains. I was diagnosed with seronegative RA and I am on MTX and mobic, flexerol and tramadol,etc. I have recently increased to 8 of the MTX per week and my pain and swelling are down but I have been having more very sharp pains in my joints - needle like pain - especially when I try to use too much pressure with my hands. I am feeling well enough to work in my flower beds but if I try to use the clippers on anything to hard to cut - ow! Anyone else out there?

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Answers (2)

V, Health Guide

6/13/12 10:17pm

Hi, Leslie,

I do have a shooting pain in my right hand from my MCP joints almost up to my wrist several times a week. Ortho I saw last week, says it is a tendon issue. My RA affects my joints and my muscles and tendons, etc. Dr M calls this "extraarticular manifestations" of my RA. Do you have alot of tendonitis/bursitis? The better my RA is controlled, the fewer sharp, shooting pains I have. When I flare, the sharp pains increase. So sorry you are having this problem. Sounds to me as though your RA is active, but I am not a doc. Best to mention it to your RD.

Blessings,

Leslie

6/14/12 10:35am

I am currently receiving treatment for tendonitis in my shoulder and upper arm - it's been going on for a while. PT and prednisone and increasing my MTX has made this somewhat better - I have less pain in my shoulder and increased range of motion. The increased MTX has definately helped although I am now having some side effects with it - nausea and intestinal issues for a day or two after my weekly dose. I'm waiting on a call from my RD. He is checking my bloodwork since I now have anemia and he wanted to see how it looked after a month at the higher MTX dosage.

Elara

6/15/12 11:05pm

Leslie, you are definitely not alone. The sharper pains are a lot of fun, aren't they? (Not!)

I have them, as well, and have learned to be careful with how I grasp objects, or carry things (dishes, glasses, pitchurs, buckets of water, etc...). If I am not, it is a struggle to keep from dropping something due to the extreme, sharp pain. Constant pain is easy, sudden sharp pain is such a shock to the system that it can't be prepared for and controlled as easily.

For the nausea try ginger root supplements (or ginger ale). I use them for nausea and the occasional dizziness, and they have helped me a lot. Check with your Rheumatologist. It also helps to take chemo (Methotrexate), with a bite of food or with milk, just as you lay down to sleep, that way it cuts down on the chance for feeling sick or for your mind to convince you that you are sick.

Q: New, sharper pains in my joints, is this normal with RA?

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