“Question”
Hi,
It started by an occasional pain in hands around a year ago and started medications for rheumatoid then became worse and changed doctors. I have been diagnosed by many doctors many different diseases. Some doctors say I have ankylosing spondylitis, others say rheumatoid (even though my R.F is normal), and others say I do not suffer of anything but some stiffness, and I should lose some weight. I have been taking cosentyx for about 8-9 months with salazopyrine and other things. I started to feel weaker and more symptoms started to appear like cracking sounds and feeling of the joints gliding on each other or others doing friction with each other after I started the medication. My question is if I really have nothing, what is the effect of the medications and the cosentyx on my body? And might it be causing me those symptoms.
It started by an occasional pain in hands around a year ago and started medications for rheumatoid then became worse and changed doctors. I have been diagnosed by many doctors many different diseases. Some doctors say I have ankylosing spondylitis, others say rheumatoid (even though my R.F is normal), and others say I do not suffer of anything but some stiffness, and I should lose some weight. I have been taking cosentyx for about 8-9 months with salazopyrine and other things. I started to feel weaker and more symptoms started to appear like cracking sounds and feeling of the joints gliding on each other or others doing friction with each other after I started the medication. My question is if I really have nothing, what is the effect of the medications and the cosentyx on my body? And might it be causing me those symptoms.
Male | 22 years old
Complaint duration: A year
Medications: Slazopyrine- cosentyx- omega 3 plus- folic acid- L.Carnitine
3 Answers
RheumatologistRheumatologist
Hi, Thanks for your message. Your case is a tad more complicated, with small joint disease (more associated with RA) and back pain (more suggestive ank spond); psoriatic arthritis is also a possibility but I'm guessing they looked closely at the skin? Psoriatic could explain some of the hand and back symptoms- but truthfully it rarely affects the back. Given your age, male sex- I would be leaning towards more of an ankylosing spondylitis. I do not know why Cosentyx was immediately started. I would ask about TNF inhibitors like Humira, Enbrel, Remicade- that usually works for either. It is possible that Cosentyx is usually known for causing too much trouble in the correct usage- except if there is inflammatory bowel associated arthritis. But if you didn't have anything going on, perhaps from the scientific perspective it could block normal cell "turnover"- not commonly. If you haven't had an MRI, then you should with dedicated views of the sacroiliac joints and then definitely switched to the more traditional TNF inhibitors. Since starting these medications, you've felt weak, and joint symptoms began. These symptoms may result from the medications' side effects or from your condition's progression not well controlled by these treatments. They should also have a CCP lab in addition to the negative RF for your "possible RA"- which I'm guessing it's not. I would assume they did. You can adopt these measures: 1. Contact Your Rheumatologist: Discuss all the new symptoms you've experienced since starting these medications. 2. Deep Evaluation: Extensive re-evaluation may establish if you suffer from ankylosing spondylitis or a different illness. 3. Another Opinion: If conflicting opinions arise, seek another opinion from a well-trained and seasoned rheumatologist. Monitor side effects and jot down new symptoms or changes in existing ones. This helps your healthcare provider decide if it's related to medication or disease progression. Don't stop any medication without your doctor's advice to avoid flare-ups or worsening of your condition. Hopefully, this will lead you to more comprehensible answers about your health situation. Best regards, Dr. Friedman
it must be very frustrating to be going through this
I think that you need to determine which physician he you trust the most the most and work with that physician. Importantly, you may want to ask that physician if you should get a referral to a tertiary care hospital and or teaching hospital. I hope you get the answers that you need to feel better
I think that you need to determine which physician he you trust the most the most and work with that physician. Importantly, you may want to ask that physician if you should get a referral to a tertiary care hospital and or teaching hospital. I hope you get the answers that you need to feel better
Strongly recommend that you see an “academic” rheumatologist, usually located at University health care systems, medical students, medical residents and possibly rheumatologists in training (Fellows) for a definitive diagnosis and treatment plan. Best of luck, success
