Palindromic is turning into Rhumatoid

SilverSpots
SilverSpots Member Posts: 9
edited 2. Jun 2016, 13:48 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hi,

I'm new to the forum. Just wondered if anyone else here had Palindromic Arthritis? I was diagnosed in 2007 and have been able to manage in the most part with naproxen, however over the last 12-15 months my symptoms have been severely worsening.

Just had a specialist appointment and he says that I am showing signs of rheumatoid in several joints, mainly in my hands/wrists.

I've been prescribed depo-steroid injections monthly for the short term and have started hydroxychloroquine, although apparently that takes a couple of months to kick in.

I'd welcome any information about what I can expect going forwards, as I am feeling very pessimistic about the diagnosis.

Comments

  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 3,635
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi and welcome to the forum,I dont have any experience but there are many that do,if we can be of any technical assistance please ask - you might consider giving our helplines a call.
    Mod Al
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,697
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello SilverSpots and welcome from me too. I have R.A. not Palindromic Rheumatism / Arthritis but I just wanted to say hello and maybe reassure you that a diagnosis of R.A. doesn't have to be a cause for pessimism.

    I think you are unfortunate in that, according to Arthritis Research UK, only 30%-40% of people with Palindromic Rheumatism go on to develop RA or another form of inflammatory arthritis. http://tinyurl.com/goyk2fl

    However, your rheumatologist has clearly flagged this up early and got you onto a DMARD (Disease Modifying Anti Rheumatic Drug). Hopefully the hydroxychloroquine will control it but, if not, there are more DMARDS and stronger ones available. I've taken hydroxy with methotrexate for about 16 years and they've helped enormously.

    All DMARDS can take several weeks to kick in but you might be one of the lucky ones for whom it works more quickly. The steroids will be to tide you over until that happens.

    There are no hard and fast rules about what happens next, nor any timescales but, as yours has been spotted early, and deemed only to require a mild DMARD, I'd be optimistic.
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • SilverSpots
    SilverSpots Member Posts: 9
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thank you for the replies, and it is useful to have the helpline.

    I'll have a read through those links.

    I've been started on the Hydroxychloroquine to see how that goes, without jumping into the stronger stuff straight away.
    Also though I'm early 30's and prior to my symptoms worsening we had been considering trying for a baby. The specialist says the H is safe to take with that in mind rather than some of the stronger drugs which would not be safe.

    He also said that the some would see symptoms disappearing through pregnancy, so that is something to look forwards to ! :)
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,697
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    It makes sense for you to take hydroxy and, if it works, so much the better as you won't need a stronger DMARD.

    Pregnancy - yes, my RA disappeared for the duration of my first one. We began calculating how many children we'd end up with if I kept pregnant for the rest of my childbearing years :lol: Alas, No 2 son wasn't so accommodating so there was no number.3 :wink:
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright