Swollen ankle for the past 8 years

• By WidowMother
• Reply 2699188
• December 19, 2011 at 2:15 pm
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I couldn't tell you the number of times I was JUST walking along like always, and BANG ~ Swollen, sprained, bruised ankle. Same thing happened multiple times with my lower back & later my neck. The number of things that went unexplained is amazing.

When I was asked the 'typical' questions about RA and if I had this or that... I was like, I have other medical issues that could explaine some of it so I didn't think much of it. I was diagnosed with a connective tissue disorder first. And recently with sero-negitive (Doesn't show up in the RF factor) rheumatoid arthritis.

I am not on RA medications that has been a lifesaver. BUT still have general swelling that has not gone down. I also take a water pill to take most of it away...

• By Gimping
• Reply 2699308 · In reply to 2699188 by WidowMother
• December 19, 2011 at 2:55 pm
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Thanks for the reply. So you also have a swollen ankle? What do they think is causing the inflamation? As much as I hate being on medications like those prescribed for RA and Psoriatic A I am concerned that my good ankle will soon get inflammed and then deteriorate as well.

• By jamin (Inactive)
• Reply 2699383
• December 19, 2011 at 3:19 pm
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I don't know if your swelling is like an edema, fluid retention.

I had 2 series of fluid retention; one from a new BP med and the

other "edema" after hip replacement surgery last year.

Both times I upped the dosage of Grapessed Extract for a while and the edema is GONE.

I've been taking GSExtract for 16 yrs and it addresses so many issues.

I do have a sore ankle from pain and OA issues, pain coming from the hip replacement and back stuff, but NO MORE edema. I wear an ankle3 brace now too.

• By WidowMother
• Reply 2699523
• December 19, 2011 at 4:12 pm
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My feet & ankles was so swollen I walked around without socks because the socks dug into the skin to the point of causing additional pain. I am in Minnesota where we get nasty cold winters with ALOT of snow. I walked around in my extra wide sneakers with no socks all last winter.

• By Gimping
• Reply 2701053 · In reply to 2699383 by jamin
• December 20, 2011 at 9:24 am
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Thanks for the grapeseed extract suggestion. I have tried taking flax seed to reduce swelling but it didn't really help so perhaps the grapeseed extract might.

• By Gimping
• Reply 2876856
• February 29, 2012 at 6:01 pm
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Well after 7 yrs or more of not knowing what the swelling of my ankle and consequent joint damage was caused by, my Rheumatologist has determined it must be a non specific rheumatoid problem - not RA and not PA- so she talked me into starting Methotrexate injections. I was on a oral metho 5 yrs ago for about 6 mos with no results so that was when she determined I didn't have RA and was sent back to Orthopaedics. I questioned why Metho again and now injections and she is saying that the injections will work better and also that most insurance will not cover Enbrel or other treatments until Metho has failed. Has anyone else been told this?
I am concerned about being on Metho as I know it is a form of chemo and has many side effects. Since the swelling is confined to only one ankle I am concerned that, in addition to further detoriation of that ankle, it could also spread to other joints so that is why I agreed to taking the metho injections.
Does anyone take Naprelan? I relative of mine has been on it for years to treat her RA and doesn't seem to have any significant side effects and also it is taken orally.

• By bookcrazzzy
• Reply 2877995
• March 1, 2012 at 7:55 am
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Do you have problems with other joints? You don't say anything about that but I think it is critical. If you have had problems with just one ankle for 8 years, I doubt that it is a rheumatoid problem because you would expect other joints to become involved over time. If I were you, I would go to a major hospital like the Mayo Clinic or Cleveland Clinic for a full workup to determine what is wrong. They will have several doctors collaborate to figure out the problem instead of you bouncing from one specialist to another with no communication between them. JMHO.

• By Gimping
• Reply 2878083
• March 1, 2012 at 8:33 am
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Thanks JMHO, I go to the Lahey Clinic in Ma. which has a very good reputation. The swelling is in my right ankle only and because the origin of the swelling has not been determined I have not been on any treatment other than a cordisone shot a few months back that definitely helped but was short lived. I have minor aches in other extremities which I attribute to the aging process but nothing significant and a cause for concern. RA doctor told me it is not RA but said there are many different type of auto immune diseases that are similar.

• By bookcrazzzy
• Reply 2878265
• March 1, 2012 at 9:40 am
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It isn't a matter of reputation. There are wonderful docs and wonderful hospitals all over the US. But at places like Mayo and Cleveland Clinic, they collaborate immediately, not send you from one specialist to another. The doctors in different specialties actually talk to one another while you are there. Patients travel long distances to go to these places so it isn't a matter of see Dr. A then wait 2 weeks to see Dr. B. It is a completely different way of working.

• By Gimping
• Reply 2878414 · In reply to 2878265 by bookcrazzzy
• March 1, 2012 at 10:33 am
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ok, I understand now. Well for me I guess I should give the Methotrexate and chance and if no results then decide on a new course of action. Thanks for your suggestion.

• By Rosetazoriginal (Inactive)
• Reply 2878980 · In reply to 2878414 by Gimping
• March 1, 2012 at 2:13 pm
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Have you had a needle aspiration done to study the fluid around the actual joint? I think I'd ask someone to do that. You may have some kind of bacteria infection.

Or maybe you have gout in your ankle. The big toe isn't the only joint that gout can affect.

I'd ask that someone study the synovial fluid right away. Especially before you start taking dangerous medications for a disease that you probably don't have.

• By Gimping
• Reply 2879140 · In reply to 2878980 by Rosetazoriginal
• March 1, 2012 at 3:12 pm
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Tthanks Roseta,
I did have the needle aspiration done about 6 mos ago and while there was alot of fluid it tested negative for infection, gout and other possibilities which is why my Orthopaedic doctor had me to back to RA. He actually remove fluid twice and also gave me a Cortisone shot that worked great for a week and then the swelling started returning. My RA feels it is one of those strange auto immune problems that they can't label RS or PA to it since the tests didn't indicate it. She actually said there is no test to determine PA and if I had any Psoraisis she would think that is what I have. She also said I could eventually develope Psoraisis if I do indeed have PA.

• By Rosetazoriginal (Inactive)
• Reply 2879599
• March 1, 2012 at 6:01 pm
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I'm sure there's a doctor out there who's seen this before and has the answer for you.

Perhaps you could get opinions from specialists if you are willing to send your test results and diagnosis histories to specialists at teaching hospitals or maybe even the Cleveland Clinic. Basically having the doctors with the most experience and vast knowledge sources.

I was amazed at the skill of the doctors there when I had my thyroidectomy and thymectomy surgery. I wouldn't hesitate to go there again, and since my symptoms seem to puzzle my doctors I may end up back in Cleveland to find answers to what is causing my increasing disability.