No synovitis or joint damage on hand ultrasounds. What's going on?
No synovitis or joint damage on hand ultrasounds. What's going on?
Hi all,
I had a hand ultrasound done when I was first diagnosed 5 months ago, and another one a few weeks ago. Neither one of these showed any joint damage or swelling in the joints, even though my hands are visibly swollen. The ultrasound tech said it looks like the swelling is in other areas of my fingers, but not in the joint spaces. The radiologist said there is no evidence of synovitis both times. I have all other symptoms of RA minus this and… read more
@A myRAteam Member, my RA only shows up in MRIs where I have "synovial enhancement".
In this past year my pain in my hands started to get much worse, without much swelling, so it took awhile to convince my Rheumatologist to start me on Erelzi, after 3 months, the pain in my hands improved.
I have added you to my team.
A myRAtea...
Same situation with me. All lab work came back fine. Dr. said that’s good as no systemic damage to my body. Currently titrating down my prednisone and started methotrexate. I can’t wait to be off the prednisone completely!
@A myRAteam Member. I wasn't told the results of my ESR and CCP re-test when I got the ultrasound result; I'll have to ask about that. Thank you so much for your help! I hope you're right-caught it early and maybe I'll be able to avoid joint damage all together as long as I can tolerate the drugs. I already have one chronic disease to manage (meniere's/migraine) and didn't need another one but maybe I'll be lucky enough to have a milder form of RA at least.
A myRAtea...
@A myRAteam Member. Imaging doesn’t lie. Joints don’t damage themselves ...only a disease can do that. What was your initial anti-CCP?...nothing else matters (except bilateral small joint pain /inflammation symptoms) nearly as much in diagnosing RA. Always follow the recommendations of your doctor.
A myRAtea...
I did not test positive in blood work but the ultrasound showed I had RA. Early diagnosis. I’ve wondered too if I really have it but the Methotrexate medication helped me within a few days so I guess I do. Had to get off it due to extremely elevated BP which was stellar in the past. Now on Humira. I haven’t had a 2nd scan yet but would like too soon. Not sure how often they do that but curious.
