Questions
Welcome to the questions section. Please leave Dr.OP Garg any questions you would want him to answer in detail. Interesting topics will be dealt with as detailed blog posts.
You can ask him other questions on the discussions tab of his facebook page. If you like the information here, don’t forget to click on the ‘like’ button on the right hand side facebook box.
-
I’m glad to have found you online. I had consulted you 2 months back and now I’m feeling much better. Will come to Dwarka and see you again. Thankyou.
Reply -
Dear Dr. Garg:
I would like to know if Synovitis is another form of RA.
Reply -
sir,i am 33year old woman with two kids.Since past 8-9 years i tend to have deep pain in my hands(between the elbow and wrist area) and legs(calves) as soon as rain starts or during cold weathers. the pain is neither in the bones or in the muscles as far as i know. but it is some where deep inside . when i keep on pressing at particularly in some areas where there is pain for around some minutes the pain disappears instantly. since the pain is not in the joints i don’t think it is arthritis or gout. Please help me.
Reply -
As per your description, you don’t seem to have arthritis. It’s likely to be a muscle / ligament pain. Are you overweight? Are your joints too flexible? How much do you expose yourself to the sun? As, these conditions can cause this type of pain. To find out the exact cause it’s better to meet a rheumatologist in person for consultation.
Reply -
Synovitis is the inflammation of synovium which is a membrane that lines the joint cavity and secretes the lubricating fluid called the synovial fluid. This fluid is a source of nutrient to the cartilage. Inflammation of this is called synovytis and can occur in any form or arthritis, not only Rheumatoid arthritis. Therefore, synovitis can be detected in many forms of arthritis like gouty arthritis, Lupus, Oasteoarthritis (OA) etc.
If you have any more questions, let me know.
Reply -
[...] Questions [...]
-
Your primary header is strange inside Opera, buddy.
Reply -
Hi, I just checked on the Opera. It shows fine to me. Which version do you use?
Reply -
Dr. Garg, I have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia. I need to confirm the diagnosis and also need a good doctor who can help me manage the sickness. Do i need a rheumotologist or some other kind of doctor? Would be really grateful for your advice. Also, is there a good book I can read on fibromyalgia?
Thank you.
Shubha MenonReply -
Keep posting stuff like this i really like it! Good job friend!
Reply -
I find myself coming to your blog more and more often to the point where my visits are almost daily now!
Reply -
Dear Dr. O.P.GARG JEE,
MY SON AGED 26 YRS OLD HAVING RHEUMATIOD LUNG DISEASE ASSOCAITED WITH ILD/UIP. DO U HV ANY TREATMENT?
Thanks & RegdsReply -
Hey…thanks for that. Great content material. I’ll be checking back shortly for much more information. Cheers!
Reply -
Hi Sir,
My sister is having this problem ( rumotology artritis ) from almost 5 years and almost all the joints ahve been affected and even not able to walk.
Could you please suggest something on this.Reply -
@Rishab, Your sister seems to be having Rheumatoid arthritis. I suggest you that if you do not want the joints of your sister deformed, take her to a Rheumatologist immediately get her fully evaluated and treated by modern tested medicines. Rest is your faith and your wish. Time is running out and you know that time does not come back. Best of luck
Reply -
DR Garg- I was wondering what your learned opinion is regarding the use of MSM for RA? On the internet, I have read that it does not help RA although studies show inprovement for OA patients. I have also seen it touted as a viable supplement that can help RA. Additionally, please address the use of SAMe for RA. Thank you in advance for your time.
Chris from the RA groupReply -
sir i hve been having both knee joints pain for last one year,got CT SCAN done,the diognasis was MILD SYNOVIAL FLUID,i was advice to perform some physiotheraphy exercise but it was of no use,i have problem in walking down slop,i cant get up immediately from a chair or from a floor without support,im 35 years old,sir please help me out
Reply -
Hello Dr. Garg Good evening
My wife is diagnosed with Ankylosing spondylitis in Pune. Although it is very rare in women. She is 25 years old and we recently marry. She often suffer from lower back pain on left side and upper thigh also on left side. She had difficulty in walking during the pain and it lasts from 2-3 days and repeats 1-2 times in a month. She also had to take pain killers to subside pain.
Kindly advise what more we can do to relieve her from this daily suffering.
Reply -
hello sir
this is about my brother.he is 20 yrs old.from the past 1-1.5 yrs i am noticing that his finger nails are becoming abnormal in shape and size,hez having clubbing of finger nails.it started wid he having low grade fever for many months which doctors dignosed due to UTI. He didnt had any respiratory or cardiac symptoms.last year in nov 2010 we got his CT scan done for chest and abdomen.it was normal. now at present hez not having any fever only clubbing of finger and toe nails is there and hez nt gaining weight inspite of gud appetite,though there has been no weight loss also. His height is 5’9″ and weight been only 50kgs.Reply -
Hi, do you have a facebook fan page for your blog?,,..”
Reply -
sir,
Iam suffering from rhemotoid artharites from last one year. Iam suffering with unbearable pains in moy whole joints and body. I have visited all the arthrites doctors in my Kurnool town i.e in Andhra pradesh. kindly suggest me what can i do. other wise my life is burden to my family members. I had taken medicine from Dr. Narashimulu rheumatologis at NIMS. But it will not help any more. Kindly help me to live without pains.
Reply -
sure, I have a facebook fan page; here’s the link
http://facebook.com/againstarthritisReply -
Yes, it’s here;
http://facebook.com/againstarthritisReply -
Mr Akash: You are suffering with AS and disease is progressive. But the with correct and supportive advice and with medern medicines and interventions by Rheumatologist disease can be adequately managed. as you have already visited a Rheumatologist, I would like to see you in person before commenting further.
Reply -
@Bhawna, As Clubing of the fingers is main problem and no other abnormality has been found. pl luk the presence of clubbing in other family members. Are his hands, wrists are getting thickened?. Does he sweat more with stinking smell? How are the facial skin, any joint Pains. You answer these Questions and Visit if possible for seeing the case in detail.
Reply -
@Sahera Bhanu
Obviouly your case seems to be complicated and heart wrenching as you seem to be undergoing lot of pain. I need to see your case in detail and At present i can only assure you that much can be done but your co-peration in the management is required to achieve the desired goal.Reply -
@Sanjiv,
It is not clear whom you have consulted, Ideal Dr to consult is Trained Rheumatologist. You are suffering with Oligoarthritis, Cuse may be some Autoimmune disease like RA. So Cosult a rheumatologist as fast as possible to control this demon of arthritis. It can be controlled.Reply -
@Imran Ali Khan,
Firstly in young individuals we have to rule out the any possibility of Infections, most importantly Tuberculosis of the Sacroiliac joints. I have to see the complete picture of the case. I assure you that much can be done to relieve you from the pain.Reply -
@Shubha menon, You should consult a Rheumatologist to confirm the diagnosis as well as treatment. Regarding the literature on Fibromyalgia there are many good articles if you search the internet.
Reply -
@Rahul Gupta, This complication in the lung usually develops in long standing uncontrolled and RF positive arthritis. Steroids and cytotoxic drugs can be partially effective if used in the early stages of the disease. If you are looking for the cure, it does not exist in present circumstances. However, RA activity should be tightly controlled by a Rheumatologist.
Reply -
55 year old female, with family history of autoimmune-mother, uncle, and now my son has a thyroid autoimmune problem. I have body pain, arthritis of neck, spine, knees, hands, wrists, etc.via MRI evidence. Have a V-shaped rash on chest with some spots that look like no pigment and the rest is red small and raised, and both sides of my neck have a rash type presentation that looks like tiny red dots very close together.My face has a weird look to it also, the skin on my cheeks looks similar to my neck, with red dot like appearance that waxes and wanes daily. Biopsy of neck showed a non specific mononuclear infiltrate. Had lymph node biopsy, as my lymph nodes are always inflammed-they said reactive lymph node. Have lumps growing on my joints-hands, and many small round lumps growing under my forearms and some on my thighs. Hands are very swollen each morning and hurt alot. My cuticles are overgrown, and the skin around my finger nails peel all the time. My lips peel too. Hard skin growths (not very thick) on knuckles, knees, and on the joints feet/ankles that are darker than my normal skin color.Very dry eyes, being treated with restasis.Extreme fatigue, and dizzy spells, falling alot, dropping things all the time. Vision is somewhat impaired with double vision. CBC normal. Ana direct positive. ENA testing-positive low titer U1RNP antibody-only antibody present. Normal sed rate, normal AST,GOT, and CPK levels.My rheumy says it is just fibro. I read that less than 1% of the healthy population can have a positive U1RNP antibody. I am clearly not healthy.She said at first it was MCTD, then decided because the titer is so low, that it is not MCTD-just fibro. After research, I found that a low titer RNP can mean systemic sclerosis, possible limited sclerodoma. My symptoms seem to match this disease, which in my mind could mean sclerodoma due to the skin presentations. In my research too, I found that genetics can play a role in autoimmune. One research site said that thyroid autoimmune problems in the family could lead to other family members with systemic sclerosis.
I am a lot of pain each day which makes life a little difficult.My rheumy had me on Plaquenil, but since she insisted that I just have fibro, I stopped taking the plaquenil. Can’t take other “fibro” type meds, have severe allergic reaction.I just want a definate diagnosis….that’s all. She refuses to take any of my symptoms to be something other than fibro.
What is your best guess-timate of what I might have?
How can I confirm or convince my rheumy this isn’t just fibro? She won’t do any other biopsies like the nailfold capillary test, or muscle biopsy. I am at a loss….and basically want to give up.Reply -
@Cindy, Please send me photographs of the involved parts before commenting further. Also send the scanned copies of the Inv reports. Get Serum creatinine phosphokinase (CPK) and Lactic dehydrogenase level.
My email id is onkpg@yahoo.comReply -
Dear Dr Garg,
I am suffering from from stiffness and spasm of the paraspinal muscles for the last 23 years. The doctors are unable to locate any cause. All rheumatic tests (SI joints, inflamamtion, MRI etc) are normal. My rheumatologist here has said that we can take opinion of a serious rheumatolgist. Now, I have a specific query for you sir – whether my problem could be a case of what is called Undifferentiated Spondyloarthropathy ?Regards,
Pranjal Das,
Guwahati
Cell: 9864261164
Email – pdas.law@gmail.comReply -
As you have written that all the inv are normal. It does not seem to be a case of Undifferentiated Spondyloarthropathy. However before answering your question in firm affirmative, I have to ask you many questions and examine you. So as you know your disease is still untraceable, I have to take a closer look to solve the mystery.
Reply -
Thanks for your response. I will try to visit Delhi and meet you.
RegardsReply -
Dear sir
I am a 40 year lady and suffered from chickungunya in October 2010. Since then There has been pain in all the body joints which is quite sever in hands and legs. Also there is stiffness in the body. Can you please suggest some remedy for the same.
Reply -
Neha,
Post Chikunguniya Pains can continue for even one year although in reduced intensity. However, if it is persistent or you are developing swelling of joints, then you have to get serious diseases of joints excluded by a Rheumatologist. After going in details, appropriate medicines to control your symptoms will be prescribed.Reply -
Sir: Thanks for your valuable comments. But there is no swelling in any body part. Just the pain is persistent throughout. It becomes severe at times and is quite bearable at times. Pl suggest.
Reply -
It seems that you have post chikunguniya polyarthralgias and myalgias. You may need Tab HCQs for few months. but I insist that you should not start anything without consulting a rheumatologist.
Reply -
My contact no is 8792652860
Reply -
As you are a case of RA, and this is joint damaging disease until we control the inflammation. So to that end, we have to find the alternative as you are not able to afford the biologics. To be able to help you I have to see your whole case, request to come for a visit , so that we can work up a management plan to contain the ill effect of your disease.
Reply -
Sir
I have cervical spondlytis with C5/C6 gap very less.Also the gap has lessened in from CI to c6 also have stiffness in the whole back.I have been told that i have dgenerative disease after as CAT SACN Was performed.What further examinations and tests do i require to correctly identify the cause of arthritis.also for the past 16 years i have bee suffering from depression,Anxiety and associated symptoms.Could this disease be a result of depression.Pleae advice I plan to come to Dwarka and would love to seek your advice.At the moment iam taking homeopathy and the pain is manageable but still have stiffnes in neck and back.Have heard that this is not curable in allopathy is that true and pls let me know what i should do???Reply -
Yes, no chronic disease is curable in any system. Only its progress can be slowed down or halted, symptoms can be managed. I can only say that If you are comming under Allopathy, you will be reaping the benefits of more than 50-60 yrs of medical advancement. If you are happy with 50 yrs old unproven therapies, your choice. Best of luck for a life with lesser pains.
Reply -
dear sir,
my self SANJAY MOCHI,NATIVE-AHMEDABAD
my sister is diagnosed of rheumatoid arthritis.so pls let me know that is it controllable by medication or ayurved ? SHE HAD MASCULAR PAIN BEFORE TWO YEARS,AND WE HAVE CONSULTED LOCAL DOCTOR,HE HAD DONE EXPERIMENT AND GAVE HIGH DOSE OF STEROID (TILL 2 MONTH).CAN IT BETHE REASON BEHIND IT? from ur experience about RA tell me what should i do at the earliest,we haven’t inform her about this disease and b’caue of severe pain she is not able to do even the regular work.pls advice what to do? it will be nice of u if u give ur valuable appointment or suggest any doctor in ahmedabad or any other city. thanking u and waiting for ur prompt reply.Reply -
RA is a autoimmune disease which causes the inflammation of multiple joints and pain and stiffness is worst in mornings lasting for more than an hour. Now, in modern science it is treated best by Rheumatologist with modern disease modifying medicines which should be started as early as possible to avoid the damage of joints. One thing to remember that disease can be controlled like diabetes and can not be cured completely. If somebody advice that it can be cured please run away from him as he is ignorant about the real nature of the disease. as far as the appointment is concerned, you can plan your move to Delhi and let me know when you are coming. With appropriate medications, she will do excellent. many patients from Ahmdabad are under me and doing well.
Reply -
I am Babul , my wife is a SLE patient we got married resently after marrage we came to know that she was suffering with it ,at present under doctor’s adwise she is taking medicine and know my question is what will be the future of her and what kind of family life we have to life?.
thank you
Reply -
Hi Sir,
My wife was suffering from Gastritis, due to H pylori. She got treatment from Fortis. During that treatment she got some joint pains(wrists, knee, ankles, shoulder joints etc), to which doctors said is Reactive Arthritis. Now the Joint pains are gone but she is still suffering from acute pain in back side of shoulder, this pain is sometimes in backside of shoulder, sometimes between shoulder and elbow and sometimes in between elbow and wrist and Rarely in hands. She feels very weak these days. We are taking treatment from a Senior Consultant, Internal Medicine. He says it could be due to cervical degeneration(Neck Xray says there is a minor to moderate degeneration of neck muscles) and has suggested physiotherapy(IFT) and some medicines which are not strong coz that can affect her stomach again. Please guide us as she is in trouble since last 3 months.Regards,
ManuReply -
Hi Sir,
I am surya from hyderabad and my age is 30 years. I went to a ayurvedic docter,he said that I have symptoms of arthiritis.Now i was undergoing for ayurvedic treatment.
I have few questions :
Can the disease be prevented with ayurvedic treatment or shall i go for allopathy.
If the arthiritis is in initial stages can it be cured or prevented.
I have another question raised in my mind whether to marry or not after knowing that I have arthiritis problem.
Please suggest a good docter for arthiritis problem.I will be very much thankfull to you, if you answer to my questions.
Thanks & Regards
SuryaReply -
Dear Dr Garg, My mother 68 Years a housewife suffers from a peculiar ailment – on the onset of fever her knees get locked and she is unable to walk for a few days then. This has happened more post her typhoid attack in May 2011 and this has been repeated 2 times and the last on 2nd October 2011 has only made it worse. The physician though seems to have managed the fever but has suggested that we see a rheumatologist for further advise. Your guidance would be much appreciated
Reply -
@ Mr. Chadha, Your mother is most likely is having Osteoarthritis with loose bodies in the knees which are getting locked. So please show to a Rheumatologist for confirmation of the diagnosis and also to see the extent of damage to the knees. then he will be able to guide you further.
Reply -
@Surya, answers to your queries: 1. Go to allopathy, Ayurvedic medicine do not halt the progress of the disease if it is RA. ( There are at least 100 type of arthritis). 2. It depends on which is the type of arthritis. Generally arthritis can be effectively controlled and joints can be saved with modern medicine. 3. If your disease is well controlled, there is no bar for marriage, provided you get a guy who can understand your illness and co-operate with you. 4. You have to consult a physician trained in Rheumatic diseases called rheumatologist.
Reply -
Hello Sir
My brother is suffering from Ankylosing Spondaylitis from the age of 18 ,can this diesease bbe cured ,and if yes request your suggestions
Reply -
Dear Dr. Garg,
For the past couple of months, my wife (42 years) has been complaining of some swelling at knees or fingers or other joints which used to stay for a period of 3-4 days and then subside of its own, but recurred after a gap of 25-30 days. But now this swelling, stiffness and pain is persistent for the past 10-15 days. She is also having problem in keeping her hand raised for long and has some stiffness in the shoulders also. She was tested with positive RA factor 2 months back. She had now been advised some more blood tests whose results are
Anti CCP – 24.5
Vitamin D3 – 18.5
CPK – 173
Serum Ferritn – 8
Seems to be a case of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Could you please confirm based on these results whether the diagnosis is correct? Also guide as to what should be the course of action regarding treatment, medication, exercise, diet etc. What is the best treatment and their side effects, if any? What is the future of such cases?
An injection of Depo Medrol as SOS was given about 10 days back and she is now much better. Even otherwise it appears that the flare is gone and has now much subsided.
If treatment has to start, what should be the initial dose to start with as the disease is in early stage? Should we consider taking the injection as SOS since it is a steroid and may have side effects?
Please help as starting the medication at the earliest is the key to better treatment.
Your guidance would be much appreciated.
Thanks & RegardsReply -
I have read your wife’s complete history and I am of the opinion the she is developing a Palindromic onset Rheumatoid arthritis, I am of the opinion that perhaps you are already consulting a Rheumatologist. If not, consult and follow his opinion as continuous monitoring will be required, do not worry about side effects, let your rheumatologist worry about it, side effects can be handled, if they occur. But side effects of the untreated diseases will be permanent damage to the joints. Choice is yours. And by any mistake do not indulge in the so-called centuries old remedies offered by all and sundry, if you really want to save the joints.” You are lucky to know about a Rheumatologist in the beginning of the disease.”
Reply