As I have mentioned a few times, alongside the cancer I've had noticeable oedema in my hands, wrists and ankles. This has been accompanied by stiff, painful joints. This has been going on since October and really held me back from doing some of the things I love to keep me occupied whilst going through treatment and recovery.
I finally met with the rheumatologist yesterday. What a refreshing meeting!! After a year of locums / different doctors getting blood tests done, to have a different doctor call with results to say I was showing inflammation ("no sh** Sherlock, that's why we had the test" I always wanted to say) it was a different experience. I sat down and he said, "I've read your notes, I know about the x-rays, scans, tests and cancer". It was so reassuring. After many questions, an examination of my joints, and another review of my records he determined I have seronegative rheumatoid arthritis. I thought this would be the 1st of a number of appointments to slowly get a diagnosis. When I said that if it was managed I thought I would make a stronger, faster recovery from the cancer he decided to start treatment now.
There was no nonsense about my request for all medication to still be in liquid form and he is liaising with my oncologist to check treatment. I had a steroid injection which will hopefully take effect until the rest of my meds start working. 6 vials of blood later I was heading home.
The cancer scans and regular blood tests, along with a good GP (when I can actually see him) who had sorted chest, hand and feet x-rays already, may have helped speed up this diagnosis. Either way it was reassuring to be getting sorted so quickly.
One thing puzzled me a little in that he mentioned this may have been triggered by the cancer. Has anyone else come across this kind of thing? I know there's a long list of side effects and comorbidities from either the cancer or the treatment, but I hadn't come across this one.
Hi Ronnie. I do know that some cancer drugs like the immunotherapy Checkpoint Inhibitors can cause SNRA and that some cancers are misdiagnosed as it but it’s an interesting point. See if your rheumatologist can elucidate? Yes interesting.
I hope you can get some decent help over it now. I wonder if now the cancer had gone the arthritis might settle?
Dani
Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019
Hope it's not too bad with the joints.
My meds are taking effect now and I can see the difference, no more lego hands! 
Take care
Hope it's not too bad with the joints.
My meds are taking effect now and I can see the difference, no more lego hands!
Take care
So sorry Ashley that you’ve been diagnosed. Please try to stay away from Dr Google. It is a minefield unless you know and understand exactly what you seek. It’s full of inaccurate and alarming information and meaningless stats. The places for answers and support are here and your medical team.
No question is silly. Whatever you need somebody somewhere here has an answer.
I’ll tag Panch who has A similar arthritis and has been treated for tongue cancer. She’ll doubtless pop on and say hello
Best wishes
Dani
Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019
