I have been a little confused lately and this post is likely to confuse you, so lets be confused together : )

Back in early 2007 I was diagnosed with non-effusive, seronegative inflammatory polyarthritis based on the onset of symptoms in mid 2006. Polyarthritis does not show up on diagnostic tests. This diagnosis according to my Rheumatologist was based on subtle clinical signs and an excellent response to a prednisolone (cortisone) trial which saw eighty percent improvement in joint pain and fatigue. The cortisone therapy trial was used by Rheumatologist to establish what treatments to consider regarding the long term management of my debilitating joint pain and was to be used for short term use only due to its potentially dangerous long term side effects.

Cortisone, taken orally; allowed me to live a half decent life. I was able to work between three and four short shifts a week. The pain relief I got from that drug was bliss! After taking the maximum dosage of these tablets for nearly a year, I started to develop mild side effects such as weight gain and acne.This meant that because I was now beginning to experience mild side effects, the likelihood of developing side effects that could harm my health because of the potential long term health risks associated with the drug was a much greater possibility. I really didn't care about gaining weight if it meant that the pain was more manageable. Squeezing into my clothes was totally worth it! However, I reluctantly stopped the trial following my Rheumatologist's order. Apparently I was very lucky to get away without side effects for as long as I did. People usually develop side effects within three months and I lasted almost twelve! Go me!

Stopping the cortisone therapy was extremely difficult. It's pretty addictive stuff. Throughout the trial I made several failed attempts to cut down the dosage only to be met with raging joint pain and overwhelming fatigue. Even to this day I'm still amazed at how I managed to stop it and somehow survive. On a bad pain day I wish that I could take a dose just to get me through the day. I still crave that pain relief.

Based on the overall results of this trial my Rheumatologist deemed it necessary for me to take disease modifying medication. I was prescribed plaquenil and methotrexate (which I will explain about in future posts). I have now been taking these medications for more than two and a half years for the treatment and management of polyarthritis. In regards to the cortisone treatment, these drugs just don't cut it. They don't even come close. They help control the pain to a much lesser degree and they certainly do not give me the quality of life that I long for. I've gone from working three to four short shifts, to barely managing two short shifts a week. This is the life that I have slowly and unwillingly grown accustomed to.

Initially when I was diagnosed with polyarthritis I had no idea what it meant and how it was going to affect my life. It wasn't properly explained and my Rheumatologist has never given me clear cut answers when I have asked. She told me that the arthritis that I have at the present does not have an identifiable source, so it was just a waiting and watching game to see what the joint pain decided to do next and because every diagnostic test came back clear it was assumed that there was no long term damage being done to my joints as a result of the pain. She even told me that at some point, although she couldn't say when, the joint pain would settle down and even disappear! Oh how grand that day will be! At the time, I was relieved to hear this and it gave me hope.