I was diagnosed with RA about five years ago after an unrelated surgery. It came on like gangbusters shortly thereafter and affected both hands with extreme pain and swelling. I found an excellent rheumatologist who prescribed the right medication for me and it is now in remission, knock on wood, with no joint damage. It's a terrible disease.
Ray,
This started for me in January 2017, woke up with hands swollen lots of pain couldn't close them, wrists, elbows shoulder's, back of neck, and lower back. I waited until I could walk then went to the Emergency Room. Gave me Methyprednisolone. Have Kidney issues that disallow me to take just anything. Very difficult to get an appointment with a rheumatologist if you can find one in a 50 mile radius. Waiting for Dr visit {6th Apr) to tell me what the MRA's and blood test told them. I take a total of 16 mg of the Prednsone each day 8 in the morning and 8 in the evening plus one OTC Tylanol mid day.
Just wondering if it goes away, some say yes some say no.
Thanks for the info.
Chuck
I too had the inability to close my hands when the arthritis was raging. It made it kind of hard to hold on to a fishing pole. Hopefully you will be able to get off the prednisone but be sure they wean you off of it. By the way, were you in Argentia back in 1967-68?