I'm being referred to a Rheumatologist . . .

[Kissa]

This is proving to be a real problem Dawn. Wish I could be of assistance.

How long before the appt with the consultant?

[Eieio]

It's a super dupper Ibrofin. Which can hurt ur stomach Fast.
Using the (purple pill) RX. Prilosec 20mg. X2 tabs seem to help.
BUT have to eat aLOT of food with that dang Meloxicam.
After 3 days of taking it, I thought I was going to have heart attach.
My esophagus felt like it was going to blow. Sorry ugly pic there.
But it did scare me so that I don't take it very often like I should.
lso My friend uses M for here knees, taken with lots of food and the Prilosec.
She has no problem with it. She did give her tip on not having stomach pain.
When time comes for her one daily dose. She eats some and then takes the pills then finishes her meal. That helped me tons with taking it... Who kneen hiding pills in between food.
But I have an old calm ulcer.
So I'm not normal!!
I have to keep that way.
The M doesn't help my knees.... But It helps my old should and elbow oldness.
I for sure don't take it on a dd.....never.
Thank God for medicine.

[Babsbabs]

I think the only thing that used to help DH for the swelling before he saw the specialist was icing. He would put ice in a baggy and then let it melt a bit and surround the joint with the bag. It always made me nervous because I was afraid he would freeze his skin but he said he had to get the area very cold to reduce the inflammation. Now he just pops some prescription anti-inflammatory drugs at the first sign of an issue. I am thankful he only has a problem a few times a year. I hope you feel better soon Dawn! It will be good when you get in to see a specialist that can give you a better idea of what can be done to help.

[DD80]

I have psoriasis and my hands are affected right now. When I get a cut, they won't heal by themselves and I have to clean/treat/bandage each and every cut. (Sometimes, I look like a hand mummy or something ). Anyway, I suggest cleaning with hydrogen peroxide, alcohol, then out neosporin/bactroban on, then bandage tightly. I put a bandaid on and then wrap medical tape around that. I wash my hands to try to keep it from getting wet (really annoying). This bandage MUST stay on for at least 24 hours. Then I take it off and do the same thing. Usually 48 hours is enough time to get it underway to healing.

I hope you get this figured out. It looks really painful... Nothing like little cuts on your hands to make everything more difficult. It's all fun and games until you decide to squeeze a lemon into your water...

[LoCarbGal]

Dawn - I'm so sorry you are suffering with this problem! I have nothing to suggest and can't help, but am really sending positive energy your way for a quick diagnosis and relief.

[Rayne_W]

Originally Posted by KeirasMom

You all are the best! It was worse this afternoon, and I ended up going to the urgent care just to be on the safe side re: cellulitis/MRSA. They did x-rays and said there's no sign of infection, and it didn't look like cellulitis to the dr. The x-rays did reveal some inflammation on the bone, only on the worst of the three fingers, and some minor deformity (it's curving now toward the middle finger). He can't say if it's the severe swelling pushing it that way, or the beginnings of RA or another type of joint disease.

He prescribed Meloxicam which I'm afraid to take, but at this point, I need to at least for a while and see what happens. I can barely use my hands, and my job is very keyboard-intensive.

I still suspect gout. Thank you Nell for that information. My uric acid levels are normal, but that doesn't mean crystals haven't been building up over time and just decided to present recently.

I'm also not ruling out some type of arthritis. I took more pictures today and will try to upload them in a little bit.

So the prognosis at this point is unchanged. I have to wait to see the Rheum., but at least I've reassured myself about the cellulitis/MRSA.

Thank you all for your input and suggestions. I appreciate it more than you know.

I'm so glad they ruled out MRSA/cellulitis -- keeping fingers crossed that you're able to get a definitive diagnosis and prompt treatment. I'm so sorry you're in so much pain.

[Kissa]

Fingers crossed, well that is something poor Dawn can't do right now, lol. Sorry, couldn't resist.

[Rayne_W]

Originally Posted by Kissa

Fingers crossed, well that is something poor Dawn can't do right now, lol. Sorry, couldn't resist.

LOL true, very true...it's becoming a struggle for me as well (osteoarthritis vs. psoriatic arthritis), so I'll enlist DD to do it.

[vilanteira]

I'm completely clueless about all of this so don't have anything constructive to add, but I really hope you get this all figured out soon and feeling better! Sending positive thoughts to you, Dawn.

[KeirasMom]

fingers crossed! I'm crossing my toes though! I called my GP and was told they were short staffed on Friday and haven't processed my referral yet. Ugh.

[Carly]

I think I was taking Prilosec or Nexium or Zantac with the meloxicam, too. Can't recall, but it's probably not a bad idea if your stomach is irritated. I went through phases where I wasn't bothered in the least. I took an arthritis pill before that where you had to sit up or stand if possible for an hour after taking it- I didn't know for the first several months- you would think the MD would have said something
I hope you start feeling better soon and that you can see the specialist soon, too. (I should be hearing about my results tomorrow- so toes crossed for both of us )

[leonak]

Dawn!

Sorry to hear about you, reminds me of DH a few years back, he is fine now but it was tough going for a while.

polymyalgia

Google it and see what you think. And yes it is spelled right as i know many will think I meant to use an F and not a P!!

Wishing you all the best!

Leona

[gotitnow]

Dawn...been keeping up with your situation with hope for a good outcome. So sorry you are having to go through it.

Sending up a special for you.

Phyl

[KeirasMom]

to all my caring JBs!

Today's update:

I looked up polymyalgia, and it doesn't seem to match my symptoms, though I'm not ruling anything out at this point.

I called my GP yesterday afternoon and they STILL had not gotten to my referral. I explained that, at this point, it's urgent as my swelling has gotten to the point where one finger is starting to split (sorry if TMI). They promised it would be done by the end of the day, and that the specialist's office will call me to set my appointment some time today.

I will call my GP when they open this morning and make sure the referral was sent, then I'm going to call the rheum. to schedule my appointment rather than wait for them to get around to calling me. This system is so frustrating.

I'm generally in a fairly good mood and don't get overly emotional. Yesterday, between TOM, my pain, and work, I was so grumpy and emotional. I nearly cried a couple of times, and that's just not like me.

Thank you for letting me come here and vent. It really helps.

[pooticus]

Awwwww!!!! Honey!!!! Look, if your finger is splitting open, go camp out in his wating room and insist on being seen. Demand heavy pain meds! And insist they get you in to see a rheumatologist tomorrow. Wait at their desk while they do that. Or go to the BIG ER and get treatment and pain drugs!!!!!

[Eieio]

AMAZING DAWN
I thinking like Pooticus.
First I'd make sure the specialist is in office TODAY.
Pack me a water bottle, and head to the office.
Stick your hands out to the front desk person and say help.
They should take care of things after that!
I'm so upset.
let's us no as soon as u no something.

[gotsomeold]

Dawn!

If the specialist cannot see you today, please consider ER (not Urgent Care, at this point they will probably just send you to the ER so cut out the middle doctor).

And for goodness sake, whoever you see, don't tell them you have a high tolerance for pain (most doctors take that one with a grain of boulders) tell them you are in agony and your ability to work is severely impacted.

[LoCarbGal]

Dawn, I'm so sorry! This sounds really painful, and yes, you DO need to have someone help you ASAP. I agree that you need to make yourself a pain in their butts until they get you an appointment. Waiting like this is ridiculous.

Please keep us posted and let us know how you're doing and what you find out.

[deedee]

Oh Dawn, I truly hope this gets better for you. You're such a helpful and wonderful person on this forum, my heart goes out to you.

And for goodness sake, whoever you see, don't tell them you have a high tolerance for pain (most doctors take that one with a grain of boulders) tell them you are in agony and your ability to work is severely impacted.

I second this completely. I had an accident a few years ago and had to have physical therapy and was unable to attend classes for weeks. The doctor didn't want to prescribe me painkillers, only ibuprofen, but a kindly nurse advised me to demand painkillers just in case. Sometimes you have to push doctors to give you the relief you need. It sounds like such an ordeal just getting to see your doctor!

[LoCarbGal]

Yes, I agree. I learned several years ago, especially at an ER or Urgent Care, when asked to rank your pain on a scale of 1 - 10, say 8 or 9. Everyone else is, and you'll be sitting there waiting forever if you don't assert yourself. I always thought I should be honest so they could better evaluate my condition, but you can always clarify that once you get back to see a doctor. When trying to get the initial care, SAY YOU'RE HURTING!

[Flutter]

Holy crap, Dawn, you poor thing! I'm so very sorry you're in such pain and that things are even worse today! How long has this been now? I agree with the others, go to ER if there's another "hold up" with the referral. You can't wait any longer!!!! Huge, huge hugs to you! I'd be crying, too!!!

[Jbinme]

I'm so sorry Dawn. It sounds so painful.

[Star73]

Dawn, are you on steroids? If so, ask if your GP can increase the dose until you see a rheumatologist. Most rheumatologists are booked up for quite a while. It took me 3 months to get a new patient appointment. There just aren't very many rheumatologists anymore, so the ones that are practicing are overloaded. That may not be the case in your area though. I sure hope you can be seen soon. I have RA. My RA didn't present like this, but I have sure seen others who had a swollen finger like yours. Also, psoriatic arthritis can present like that.

I would ask for steroids or an increased dose. Tell your GP it is getting worse and the skin is splitting. An ortho may need to drain fluid off the joint to relieve some pressure. Hugs to you !

[KeirasMom]

No steroids, and I'm resistant to the idea of taking them. I will if it's recommended, but I'm honestly afraid to gain weight.

Thank you all. Your kind thoughts and words are a big help. I threw a little fit this morning, when the rheum. office told me it would be the end of January before I could be seen. I have an appointment now in an hour.

I sure hope to learn something soon.

[pooticus]

Yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Rayne_W]

Originally Posted by KeirasMom

No steroids, and I'm resistant to the idea of taking them. I will if it's recommended, but I'm honestly afraid to gain weight.

Thank you all. Your kind thoughts and words are a big help. I threw a little fit this morning, when the rheum. office told me it would be the end of January before I could be seen. I have an appointment now in an hour.

I sure hope to learn something soon.

Excellent!!!

[SlimNana]

Praying all goes well at your appt. today!

Get Well Soon!

[Star73]

Originally Posted by KeirasMom

No steroids, and I'm resistant to the idea of taking them. I will if it's recommended, but I'm honestly afraid to gain weight.

Thank you all. Your kind thoughts and words are a big help. I threw a little fit this morning, when the rheum. office told me it would be the end of January before I could be seen. I have an appointment now in an hour.

I sure hope to learn something soon.

Good luck! I'm glad they could work you in! A short course of steroids shouldn't cause weight gain, maybe some fluid retention that will come off once you stop. If you keep following your diet you shouldn't gain that much. The first time I took a steroid pack I lost weight cause I had no appetite. On the daily low dose though I gained a lot. I would be surprised if he doesn't want to give you steroids with the way your finger looks.

[krow134]

Let us know how it goes!!!

Vasoline on your fingers will help the split and keep dirt and germs out if they dont give you anything for it. Hope they figure this out soon for you!

[LoCarbGal]

Good for you, Dawn, for throwing that fit. It got results. The squeaky wheel, and all that. It sucks to have to fight so hard for something that is so obviously necessary. Good luck with your appointment. I sure hope you get some help and relief.