Rheumatoid Arthritis (and its variants) :

searching for answers...again!! - - Posted by Helen (Helen), 27 May 2003

Hi folks

After my disasterous visit to the rheumy I thought Id pick your collective brain and see if any of you had any thoughts on what on earth may be up with me. I realise this is no substitute for a dx but as we all know, getting one is much easier if the patient has some idea of possible causes.  My GP, Mum, med student friend and myself thought it was lupus for several reasons, but the rheumy was so dismissive that Im now looking for answers elsewhere. I have LOADS of symptoms that are basically making life a misery at the moment:

- very sore joints that lock up and grate for days, esp thumbs, big toes, knees, jaw and hips
- an area of discoloration on my forehead and ruddy areas on my cheeks that get worse in the sun
- shortened cycle
- low grade fevers
- intolerance to noise
- forgetfulness and confusion (V embarassing  )
- swollen ankles, feet, wrists and fingers
- painful areas on my skin
- sore/tired muscles
- heavy limbs
- constant headaches and frequent migraines
- tinnitus (sp?) and blurred vision
- susceptibility to bugs
- chest pain

There are a few others but that'll do. This is a long shot, but Im getting desperate. I just dont know what is going on. If Id known how bad things where going to get as a result of knee surgery Id have run a mile (well hobbled quickly anyway). I was under the impression that RSD could cause a lot of my symptoms, but my pain Dr doesnt agree. Mind you, as far as he is concerned RSD doesnt spread!!   I cant even talk to my GP anymore because he thinks Im crackers.

Any thoughts?? Help!
Helen
Posted by Helen (Helen), 29 May 2003

Yeah that was me M. YOu have a good memory. I had thyroid function tests done last month and they came out normal. Very frustrating. Everything was normal apart from the IgM (immunoglobulin summat or other) which was high. As for the virus, I have no idea, but this has been going on for years, flaring up and then dying down again for a while. This is the worst Ive been, but that could be due to the RSD complicating matters.

Ive run out of ideas. Thanks for the thoughts.
H
Posted by Kolleen (Kolleen), 30 May 2003

Helen:
Starting on April 2nd, 2003 I started having severe stomach, chest, and back pain everyday until 2 weeks ago. I also started having episodes where my arms and legs would go numb, have pain going through my neck and jaw as well.  I ended up in the ER 3 times because of it, had low grade fevers and a lot of pain.  I have had every kind of test imaginable, and everything came back normal.  I saw a gastroentroligist, because they thought it was a problem with my eshopogus, I was lucky to find a great doctor.  He just diagnoised me with Fibromyalgia, and put me on a 2 week supply of Prednisone and Elavil, which gave me the first relief since April 2nd.  Those meds seems to work, I haven't had an attack since I started the steroids, and am feeling great.  I still have general acheness, but definetly something I can deal with.  Fibromyalgia may be something you want to discuss with your doc.
Good Luck and hope you feel better soon  .
-Kolleen

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