MS and Rheumatoid Arthritis
TLDR: I’ve had MS for 6 years, and being tested for RA
I (38F) have been diagnosed with MS since 2020. It started with optic neuritis and I was completely blind in one eye for 3 straight months. My vision partially restored, but since the ON, my MS in the last 6 years has been very active. I have mobility issues, foot drop on my left leg, spasticity, extreme pain all over. All the bs MS can throw at someone, I’ve had at some point throughout my time with MS. Bladder and breathing issues have even been a problem and I’ve been to just about every specialist for each symptom that arises.
I’ve also been on 5 DMTs in the past 6 years, and so far my longest has been Kisempta. I’ve been on K for almost 3 years, and it’s kept me the most stable without the brutal side effects (which is why I’ve had to find the right med). As much as I still suffer with MS symptoms, the last year has been more manageable. That was until about a month ago.
I’ve had joint pain before over the years, I was a barber for a long time and I had bilateral carpal tunnel surgery 8 years ago. This new joint pain in my hands however, is unlike anything I’ve experienced before. It started with my thumb and pinky small joints, just swollen, red and tender. Over the last 2 weeks now, it’s my entire right hand spread to my left thumb and fingers as well. My knuckles are red and swollen and so stiff. There’s also weakness and I can hardly lift anything without strain and pain. I see my neurologist next month, but I went and saw my GP last week since the pain and stiffness has gotten so bad. He knows about my MS and said it could be a symptom, but he asked me about any rheumatoid family history. I’m not close with any extended family to dig into any history, and my grandma had arthritis as she got much older. My heart sank when he brought up rheumatoid arthritis.
They ran a ton of blood work, and I’ll get results this week. Even now I’m in so much pain but I’ve always blamed MS. Has anyone else been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis on top of MS? I did some digging and it does list joint pain as a side effect of Kisempta. I’m also changing up my diet a bit to eliminate foods that irritate the joints. But what would treatment even look like for someone with RA and MS? I am far more terrified of how fast MS has taken so much from me that I’d rather stay treating my MS with the best I can. But now with this join pain, especially in my most dominant hand, what in the actual fresh hell is going on?! I’m sick of this shit and I need to know if anyone else has gone through this. Thanks