Bad flare up had to stop infusions

Chinup

Hi All, have been reading your post and sending lots of ((((hugs)))). I have pshriotic arthritis(can never spell it sorry)
Well it has been 28 weeks now since I had my last infliximab infusion, reason being Liver test went up to 200, when are around 30-35 as a rule, so I had to come of all medication, after 13 weeks since my infusion, the flare ups began, knees/wrist/fingers feet all swelling and inflamed one by one, a few weeks ago my back went into spasm and I had to come home from work, since then my back has been in constant pain and im taking painkillers every four hours, over the past few weeks I have been having a very bad ache in my shoulder and all down my left arm, the past few days with this I have constant pins and needles in my hand and fingers. phoned up docs for advice as I have to have a stress test on treadmill in a few weeks and just wanted some advise really, anyway had to go for a ecg, that was ok, doctor examined me and said all my neck and shoulder has inflamation in it and he thinks the pressure is pinching my nerves so all I can do for now is to carry on taking paracetmal and ibroufin, I do not get on with codine which he would have given me. hopefully my next lot of blood test will come back normal and I can start infusions again, I had just got down to half hour infusions, but im guessing they will go bak to a hour or so because I have had to miss a few now. I am amazed really how much the infusions have masked these problems and can not wait to start them again, I had never had the back problems or this bad ache in my shoulder and arm before. doctor was talking about physio and acupunture after my stress test.

frogmorton

Hi Chinup

I am so so sorry you have had to go without your infusions for so very long :shock:

WHAT a flare too you poor thing. Let's hope your bloods have returned to normal so you can re-start asap.

As for your stress-test. If you can't manage to do the treamill (I couldn't and someone else on here couldn't either) they can do one using a medication instead. Puts the same presure on your heart without the pressure on your joints.

When are you having the tests?

Take care

Love

Toni xxx

bubbadog

Hi chinup, I'm sorry your having a bad flare up and it's had to stop the infusions for so long and put a hold on the ones that where planned. Fingers crossed the flare up will pass fairly quick and you can get back to rearranging the infusions. Take care.

Chinup

Hi Toni,
My treadmil stress test is this Wednesday at 11am, not looking forward to it, Well I started my mtrx again and have had two blood test, doc phoned me up and told me I must not take anymore this weekend as liver test has shot straight back up again, so I know my infusions will not be starting again for a long time, I hate the thoiught of going back to how i was, I have been riding my bike daily to and from work, trying to keep my joints working, I have to cycle up a moterway bridge to get to and back from work, I over took a young man cycling up the hill friday morning I was well chuffed as a couple of months ago you would have thought I was going to pass out by the time I had got to the top. I am 48 and last time I saw consultant she said my liver my be caused by fatty liver as most people with fat round there middle get this :shock:, nobody has ever told me im fat, I am 5ft 7 and weight is 12.7 I know im over weight but I felt so ashamed, hence the cycling, it does hurt my knees, but I cant win at the moment, If I walk or cycle I get this bad ache down my left arm and knees hurt, if I take the car I feel lazy Hopefully the stress test will show all is ok with my heart, then I will throw my self into as much excersise as I can, I work at least a 60 hour week, on my feet most of the time and then there is the family to look after so not sure how I will fit it all in. thanks for listning Toni and bubbadog x

barbara12

Aww Chinup
I am sorry your are having to suffer like this, and just to say you are hardly overweight..they do put so much on this.
I do wish I could help, but at least I can listen,and it will help you to get things off your chest (((((()))) xx

arfaitis

Sorry to read this Chinup, I don't know how they expect you to a treadmill test in your condition, I couldn't do it, and had to do the test using drugs.
That test is easy, but I had to go to the hospital 2 days running, firstly you do the test under stress {which you hardly feel} the second the next day was at rest.
Good luck with whatever you do.

Arfa