Aaron has finally been diagnosied with a form of Rheumatoid Arthritis called Palindromic Rhuematism. As we were in the waiting room, I got really emotional and pretty scared about the things we might be facing. Out of 10 people we saw there in the waiting room, 6 of them were using some type of assistance to walk. I got very teary-eyed imagining Aaron having to use a walker or wheelchair. I had already made a decision that we would not save for retirement anymore, but use any extras now to enjoy while Aaron can walk. After a long wait and a very long appointment we found out that Aaron has Palindromic Rheumatism. We are very happy because he will be taking a medication that has been around for 100's of years and it doesn't seem as though he will have any permanent joint damage that will be crippling to him later in life. I bursted with joy to hear this news. We are grateful for all the prayers and know that Heavenly Father has been mindful of us. Aaron is doing well. He has moments of discouragement because of the pain but he is making it and adjusting. We are grateful to have 3 strong, capable children who are willing to learn, work and help. We are trying some changes in diet in our family that the kids have been so supportive of which has been helpful. We have been so blessed to have so many people offer suggestions, books, blogs, friends and information that will be helpful in this process.
Here are some definitions below on how the medical world diagnose PR or view the symptoms.
'The attacks usually affect only one or two joints at a time. They start abruptly and can last for hours or days. The attacks may recur with unpredictable frequency — from every few days to every few months. Although Palindromic Rheumatism can recur over many years, it doesn't usually cause permanent joint damage.'
'The large joints are most commonly involved.
The soft tissues - are also involved with the swelling of the periarticular tissues, especially heel pads and the finger pads.
Nodules may be found in the subcutaneous tissues.
Constitutionally, the patient may or may not have a fever, and swelling of the joints.'
'Palindromic Rheumatism describes a syndrome where there are recurrent episodes of pain swelling warmth and stiffness of joints. The problem usually involves 2 or 3 joints, which have onset over hours and last days - weeks, before subsiding. However episodes of recurrence form a pattern, with symptom free periods between attacks lasting for weeks to months.'
'The unusual features of this syndrome consists of the sudden and rapidly developing afebrile attacks of arthritis or periarthritis, occasionally paraarthritis, that continue for a few hours or a few days and then disappear completely. There is pain, redness, swelling, and disability of one (usually) or multiple joints. The interval between recurrent attacks is extremely variable. There are no joint deformities or roentgenographic manifestations.'
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