Oh gosh! This sounds awfully painful and very distressing that there's no hope of it healing quickly. I don't have any experience of fractures since i got RA but I'm sure someone else will step in here. Could the rheumie cut back on the meds for a while?.......though obviously this would bring its own problems. Good luck. I hope there is an answer for you. xx

Oh Anne, that sounds awful, and quite limiting, sorry I can't help as have experience of this. The thing I don't understand is that there are now many of us on immunosupressant drugs, yet some us us heal okay (hopefully) albeit a little slower, so it must be fairly unusual. Do they just intend to leave it?
I was interested in what you said about Alendronic Acid as I also take that and Adcal D3 as well, all a bit scary really. Hope they come up with something soon.
Best wishes
Sheila

I badly twisted by ankle and broke my fibula last summer. I did wonder about the effect of immunosuppressants (I am on methotrexate) on the healing process. I had the plaster on for six weeks but my broken bone hurt beyond that time. However, after about four months I seemed to be back to normality, though no x-rays have been done beyond the original at the time of the accident, and a further two at accident plus two and four weeks. I guess that your elbows have been x-rayed because of the continuing pain. With my current flare I am experiencing a lot of pain in that foot - all over it - but I have no idea, and don't suppose the medics would either, whether that is because of the trauma my foot suffered (I have some very colourful photos!) or whether it is just the way things are with RA. Hydrotherapy sounds perfect and am just so sorry about what you are experiencing it must really get you down.
.....eve x

Hi Everyone

Thanks for all your lovely encouraging comments. Had been feeling really fed up with it all.

I am still taking the humira and the steroids as we had a good discussion about the effects of coming off for 3 months - and that would mean I'd end up not being able to walk!!! - as my knees are my biggest problem when I'm off the immunosuppressants - so we decided that wasn't a good plan. I couldn't use crutches if I couldn't walk either!! So the plan is to just keep going and see what happens. I have stopped the alendronic acid though!! - seeing as my dexa scan was ok.

I am ok with the plan! Just very frustrated with everything!

But if anyone does know of anyone where broken bones have eventually healed after 8 months of not healing, I'd love to know!

love to you all.

Anne xxx

Hi Anne

So very sorry to hear about your elbows not healing after all this time. So unlucky to break both:-(

I'll just tell you of my experiences and if it helps at all, the meds that have been prescribed for me.

I had early osteoporosis in my 30's, started RA 10 years before. My 1st shoulder replacement went wrong due to 'egg-shell' bones.
I have had 5 fractures, through doing small things like coughing or starting to walk after coming out of plaster and leaning on crutches. Didnt actually know I had done them until weeks later upon x-raying.

I recently fractured my pelvis after a bone graft was taken for my neck fusion. They wanted to operate but I wasn't keen as a good result was not nearly a sure thing (and weeks of immobility after, not like a replacement).

Sorry abut the boring background but the positive bits - I am now on 6 monthly injections of Denosumab for the osteoporosis, which apparently has good results and no side effects. Due another bone scan in August and crossing my fingers metaphorically.

I recently had a vitamin D blood test and was found to have almost none, likewise folic acid. I take ADcal too, but my rheumy is suggesting a vitamin D capsule instead (something like Fulia sp?) which he says is better absorbed as I have coeliac disease and malabsorption can be a problem.

My surgeon hopes that some 'fibrous tissue' will be formed in my pelvis to stabilise it and I do hydro to help.

I empathise with the elbows as I had both shoulder replacements removed and now have none. I do manage with lots of restrictions. They want to replace both elbows as there is double nerve crush, but I have had so much surgery.

Great that you can still drive, well done - I miss that so very much, the independence of it.

I really hope that you have some improvement and less pain soon, these things do take so long.

Take very good care,
Lizx

Hi Liz et al

Thanks for your information, much appreciated. That's interesting to hear about your shoulders. I am presuming it is fibrous tissue that is growing in the gaps on my 2 elbows. I am obviously not alone with this problem.. sorry to hear you have it too.

I take Calceos - which is says it is Calcium and Vit D3 supplement. It says each tablet contains 1250 mg calcium carbonate (eque to 500 mg or 12.5 mmol elemental calcium and 10 mcg of colecalciferol (400 iu Vit D3). I take 2 a day. It sounds like it must be something similar to what you have.

I have to admit I did visit the canary Islands for a week at Christmas to get some sunshine!!!! Now got to wait until summer... but I am tempted to book again for the canaries for next Christmas!! It was so nice soaking up the sunshine. Special assistance at the airport makes it so easy to do something like this.

I see my Chest Consultant in 2 weeks so I will double check with him the medication I'm on to make sure it is all ok (I have bronchietasis).

Next Xray on the elbows is in 5 weeks.... so we'll see if there are any changes.

love
Anne xx