I am 31 yrs old and from some months until now I have been feeling extremely tired, besides that I wake up with terrible muscle and joint pains. I went to see if my thyroid was ok and my blood and urine tests came out a bit weird but nothing alarming so they retest my blood and everything came out fine. I kept feeling tired, my right hand fingers (2 of them) started to swell and get hot from one day to another my neck started hurting a lot and my hair started to fall out. Went to see the doctor this time a new one, he sent me for a MRI and blood test for Rheumatoid factor, sedimentation rate, ANA, HIV, hormones, etc. Everything came out fine except my ANA test which came out + with and 80% speckled and my MRI showed degenerative changes in my C6-C7. He wants to give me antimalarial medicine but I don't want to take it before I know what I have, has anybody gone throu something similar and know what it is? He says it could be arthritis, but does arthritis give you all this symptoms?
2006-12-20 14:53:09 · 7 answers · asked by mishi408 2 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Other - Diseases
I would definitely get to a Rheumatologist as soon as possible and bring your blood tests. Antimalarials are usually given to help with symptoms of Systemic Lupus, but Lupus can be hard to diagnose. A Rheumatologist specializes in that disease, plus you do not want to be a very strong drug like that unless you absolutely know that you have Lupus. It took a few months for a final diagnosis of Lupus for myself. They diagnose using a set of criteria of symptoms and you would need to meet a certain number of the symptoms....these can include fatigue, muscle and joint pain, rashes, certain types of anemia, and certain problems with kidneys, heart or lungs, and they also look for certain markers in your blood such as ANA's, SED rates which measure inflammation, C3-C4 compliments, etc. A Rheumatologist can do all of this bloodwork. Arthritis will not give you all the symptoms that lupus does, and the medical treatment is different , so please go see a specialist and dont get discouraged. It may take some time to figure out exactly what it is, but then you and your doctor can plan the best treament for you. If you have any other questions or are just frustrated feel free to email me. I am 28 and have had Lupus for 4 years now. I ws a nurse, but am no longer able to work. Take care - feel better!
2006-12-21 01:32:00 · answer #1 · answered by Mleigh23 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your ANA shows something is going on, probably arthritis or inflammatory disease, especially with the degenerative changes. The malarial medication will not hurt you. It is very safe and will help calm down your symptoms so your joints dont degenerate as quickly. It will also help if you have Lupus. Another one that doesn't always show up on the antibody teiter.
It sounds like arthritis possible with fibromyalgia. The fibromyalgia will not degenerate your joints. But it could also be Lupus. There are many possible causes for these symptoms. They should test you again later to see if perhaps the rheumatiod factor changes to positive. There are a small amount of people who have rheumatoid arthritis without a postive test result. The antimalarial medication did a world of good for me. This confirmed that it was a problem that didn't show up on the blood test. Do what you can you don't want to risk any more degeneration than you have to.
Chronic pain is exhausting and can lead to depression which then in turn messes with your pain receptors. It's a vicous cycle.
The American Arthritis Foundation has a lot of information that can help you on Arthritis, fibromyalgia, etc.
I feel for you, it is very painful. You may want to go a neurologist just to ensure there isn't more than one issue going on. Especially the hotness you are feeling, sounds suggestive of nerve pain.
When you are hurting it's hard to sleep and that again messes with your pain receptors. Perhaps they can give you something for sleeping?
Good luck, I highly suggest asking for physical therapy to help you deal with the symptoms. Water therapy has been a godsend for me.
2006-12-20 18:31:57 · answer #2 · answered by Proud to be APBT 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This Site Might Help You.
RE:
Fatigue, muscle and joint pain, +ANA test 80h?
I am 31 yrs old and from some months until now I have been feeling extremely tired, besides that I wake up with terrible muscle and joint pains. I went to see if my thyroid was ok and my blood and urine tests came out a bit weird but nothing alarming so they retest my blood and everything came out...
2015-08-26 14:29:53 · answer #3 · answered by Hulda 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would have your doctor check for other autoimmune diseases, like Lupus. I had a high ANA, and my doctor immediately pointed out Lupus (which the ANA test is commonly used to diagnose, although it is not strictly a Lupus test).
The symptoms of Lupus are: rash on your face, a high ANA, joint inflammation, fever, fatigue, lesions on skin, sensitivity to sun, muscle pain, joint deformities, hair loss is also common
Antimalarial meds are common treatment with Lupus
From what I hear, it is very hard to diagnose. I'm not saying that you have Lupus, I'm just presenting what I know. It could be many things, but I hope you find out what it is.
Good Luck
2006-12-20 17:37:41 · answer #4 · answered by Lauren M 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Get a second opinion from a Rheumatologist. I had some simular symptoms years ago, and I had a +ANA and a high sed rate. I was told by one doctor I might have SLE, one type of Lupus, but got a second opinion from a Rheumatologist and did not have Lupus. I think degenerative changes in your spine could be normal if you are active. My niece taught aerobics and developed degenerative disc changes in her 30's. Rheumatoid arthritis could be causing your symptoms, but please get that second opinion for your peace of mind. Good luck.
2006-12-20 15:18:43 · answer #5 · answered by marsha 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Making dietary changes is your first line of defense in treating hypothyroidism. Learn here https://tr.im/O2nY2
Many people with hypothyroidism experience crippling fatigue and brain fog, which prompts reaching for non-nutritional forms of energy like sugar and caffeine. I’ve dubbed these rascals the terrible twosome, as they can burn out your thyroid (and destabilize blood sugar).
1. Just say no to the dietary bungee cord. Greatly reduce or eliminate caffeine and sugar, including refined carbohydrates like flour, which the body treats like sugar. Make grain-based carbohydrates lesser of a focus, eating non-starchy vegetables to your heart’s content.
2. Up the protein. Protein transports thyroid hormone to all your tissues and enjoying it at each meal can help normalize thyroid function. Proteins include nuts and nut butters; quinoa; hormone- and antibiotic-free animal products (organic, grass-fed meats, eggs, and sustainably-farmed fish); and legumes.
2016-04-21 12:54:53 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds alot like Fibromyaligia. That causes all these and sometimes more.
2006-12-20 14:56:31 · answer #7 · answered by cailieco 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋