Synovitis

[Nite Owl]

Anyone have it? How long did it take to heal? I have it in my ankle and the mornings are excruciating to walk, after I take the meds it feels bearable. It started the beginning of June and is still with me. I have RA, taking methotrexate and prednisone ( along with motrin). Spending a lot of time time on the couch with the foot elevated. Will it ever get better, the doctor thinks it might not.

[Warpy]

1. It's an integral part of my RA

and it tends to wax and wane in severity. The biologicals might offer some improvement if the MTX and steroids don't, but your doc is wise to give them an adequate trial first since the biologicals can be risky. Ask the doc if Celebrex might be better than Motrin, short term. Taken once a day, its side effect of cardiac disease is reduced. In other words, there are other things to do besides elevating it, which doesn't do much good at all, and your doc is your best friend when it comes to discussing what's right for you.

Still, having the pain bearable on Motrin isn't such a bad thing. "Bearable" is often the best we can hope for with this rotten disease.

[Nite Owl]

2. Thanks Warpy

My doc did recommend Celebrex but I tried it before (years ago) and it wore off. Then I'm left with nothing until the next dose. Maybe I didn't take it long enough, enough for it to saturate my body.
I'm taking 17.5mg of the MTX, going up to 20mg. I want to avoid the biologics as long as I can.

[Warpy]

3. Good, I think you and your doc have it covered

My last experience with Celebrex gave me good relief during the day when I was most busy.

Unfortunately, it also shut my kidneys down, so that was that.