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.
RF test only positive in about 55% of RA patients. Slightly positive anti-CCP indicates you’ll likely have a non-aggressive progression of RA. Initial US negative means u fortunately caught it early. No US progression means MTX is working for u, especially if ur 5 mo ESR and CRP have declined significantly...did they? Think u should consider staying with what ur doing...but of course always follow the advice of ur rheumatologist.
PS u still have swelling and some pain cause u DO have RA (u must have met 6 out of the possible 10 dx criteria). Also, realize RA med success does not mean zero pain or zero inflammation for all patients. Discuss all this with ur doc. Best wishes
PPS. More months after only 5 on mtx can result in even more pain and swelling relief, btw.
