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AnnieB
#1 Posted : Monday, September 12, 2011 10:22:12 AM Quote
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Hi All,

For a good eight months I've had a good time on the MTX no real pain just a few blips.

This weekend my right hand, well below my thumb and around that area was so so painful it felt as if someone had taken a hammer to it and it looked as if I had broken it, if I didn't have RA I would assume it was broken and gone to hospital, although ok now, it is bruised and slightly swollen. I have had this many times in the past on various parts of the body.

I would say it is a minor flare but I would like to know in simple terms exactly what is going on instead my body when this happens.

All answers appreciated.

Anne x
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jeanb
#2 Posted : Monday, September 12, 2011 12:22:54 PM Quote
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Hi Ann

I'm sorry, but I don't have any answers. I have something similar in both my thumbs from time to time - they swell up and bruise and are extremely painful and then settle down after a few days. I have never thought to ask my rheumatologist what is happening when this occurs, but have been told that when similar things happen to my fingers it's because the sheath which holds the tendon in place has become inflamed and swollen and the tendon is stuck. It is definiely worth asking for clarification. Glad it is getting better.

Love Jeanxxx
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jenni_b
#3 Posted : Monday, September 12, 2011 1:29:59 PM Quote
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There is a thread about what constitutes a flair on here so I wont repeat it all.

On the most basic terms it works something like this.

1) Your body has an over active immune system. No one understands why, RA has got you. RA likes to chew joints particularly.
2) The signals that trigger an immune response to protect the body from sickness or damage are triggered (falsely) and today, fancied your thumb. There is a complicated relay race (more of a pyramid in some diagrams) of passing on the information to make more cells and send them to your thumb through the immune system.
3) Your brain reads these signals and sends lots of killer cells down there to sort out the damage- thinking you have broken it/ sprained/ hurt it.
4) These cells multiply and together with other things fill the joint with fluid. The relay system is at full tilt now.
(This can make you feel unwell as the whole body reacts and makes lots more killer cells)
5) The fluid in there stops it being moved and allows the cells a capsule to work in.
(A bit like the carpenter fixing a wonky door- stops it moving and puts a cordon around it to allow space to work)
6) The swelling causes pain.
7) You have to rest it, get that inflammation down and the thumb swelling will go down.
8) Some people find the joint settles quickly but one way or another it never feels quite the same.
9) After lots of repeats of this- or prolonged swelling in the joint, the joint capsule becomes permanently swollen and the fluid inside the joint capsule becomes thickened. The bones become damaged, tendons disconnected and muscles weaker.
10) The drugs we take for the ra try and interrupt this process. Either by dampening your immune responses as a whole (MTX, Sulphazalazine and steroids etc) or reducing swelling (Anti-inflammatories/ steroids) or targetted action on one part of the immune system relay (Anti-TNFs and biologics).


Its a guard dog attacking its owner.

Is this any help?

Jenni x
how to be a velvet bulldoser
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AnnieB
#4 Posted : Monday, September 12, 2011 3:01:51 PM Quote
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Jenni,

Thankyou very much for this information.

Will read it a few times to absorb it, think it must also be attacking my brain cells at times.

Anne x
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Julia17
#5 Posted : Monday, September 12, 2011 5:45:51 PM Quote
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Very well put Jenni, I struggle to " get it " at times and this has helped.

Many thanks, Julia xx
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LynW
#6 Posted : Monday, September 12, 2011 7:31:23 PM Quote
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Well put Jenni ThumpUp

Lyn Smile
My son, Ian, completed the BUPA Great North Run on 15th September running for the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society (NRAS). You can read his story at http://www.justgiving.com/ianlukewilson

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sheila_G
#7 Posted : Monday, September 12, 2011 10:49:20 PM Quote
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Thanks Jenni

Brilliant

Sheila x
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rheumatoidymummy
#8 Posted : Tuesday, September 13, 2011 8:25:36 AM Quote
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Excellent description Jenni - thanks! :-)
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