Looking for help for my mom

Hello, Welcome to Healing Well.

I am sorry your mother is having so much pain. Is she seeing a specialist, like a rheumatologist? If not, that would be my first suggestion. It can take many visits, much blood work and several other tests for a rheumy to make a final diagnosis. But, a rheumy can give her some medications to treat her symptoms until the official diagnosis is made.

Another suggestion could be an orthopedic doctor. They could look for arthritis and/or meniscus tears in the knees. This type pain can run up the leg to the hips or even down the leg to the ankles. It all depends on how she favors her knees when she walks. They can also order the proper tests to show what is going on in these joints.

As far as exercise, I would suggest just getting up and walking. It helps with stiffness and doesn't cause any additional harm. Meaning, until she knows what is going on, an exercise regimen may not be a good idea. But walking, especially outside, helps with mood and stiffness.

Other things that may help is nice warm baths, a heating pad or * bed buddie. Sometimes even ice on the joints will bring relief.

I hope these suggestions help. It really is hard to tell what could be going on. Please let us know how she is doing. I hope you continue to post or even have your mother come here. Its nice to share with others that suffer the same as you.




*Bed buddie - sock filled with whole grain rice that can be heated up in microwave and wrapped around neck or other sore joints. Just be careful, it can get very hot.

Thank you both for your responses.
She has an appointment with rheumatologist in late February. She made the appoint back in November and that was the soonest she could get in. Although she got the name of a rheumatologist from one of her friends. She wants to try that doctor because it's closer to her house, but she has to check if that doctor is covered under her insurance first.

She has been checked for Lyme disease. It was negative.

I don't know why but rhuematologists have long waiting lists....tell her to call and ask to be on the cancellation list. If her schedule is flexible she will get in much quicker.

Wonderful! let us know how she makes out!

All that medicine might be hard on her stomach so have her report any stomach upsets to her RA Doctor,
and it sounds like she got the medrol dose pack for the prednisone and yes that is a decreasing doseage for
each day and the methotrexate is only taken once a week, all at once...maybe every Thursday...and
make sure she is taking it correctly do not have her take the methotrexate more often... make sure
she follows that one to the "T" as prescribed or it can be dangerous...
Sure hope the medicines help and make sure she takes the folic acid 4 hours before the methotrexate
it helps to prevent the hair loss from the methotrexate....do keep us posted and many well wishes
sounds like she has a good doctor...

Responding to prednisone is one of the indicators that you are dealing with RA is what I was told. Being on a burst pack it probably will not affect her sleep as badly as when you are on a long term - high dose. It is then better when you take it in the AM. I was on 40 mgs. a day long term. After awhile I was taking 30 in the am and 10 at noon so I could sleep better at night.