I am beside myself with frustration and fear about this malady that has been attacking?

Question

my joints! I am in alot of pain and I have three people that are totally dependent on me (two young children and my older,sick Mom.) My Dr. did the blood work for confirmation of RA or Lupus finding no evidence of either. This is all over joint pain. It's been going on for a few months, begining in my left knee. I began using a cane and sometimes walker when at home. Now, the other knee, my hands are also my feet and ankles. My knee is very swollen and hurts like mad! My hands are stiff and every little joint in them hurt. In the morning, they are as stiff as boards and difficult to move and they go numb alot. My energy level is low and my life is starting to fall apart! My Dr.said that there is a virus that can attack the joints and lasts for four or five months (I'm hoping it's that vs. RA! ) We live in a three story home and my day involves constant runnnig up and down the stairs! An suggestions or knowlege about this awful pain?I am only 42! I would really appreciate it! Cindy

Answer 1

I would be a little skeptical of using only a blood test to rule out Lupus because there is no definitive blood test for Lupus. I would also get a second opinion.

Its odd that your doc didn't test you for Lyme disease after ruling out RA and Lupus. The next two most likely things are fibromyalgia and Lyme disease. There is really no way to test for fibromyalgia. Lyme disease is carried by deer ticks, which are very tiny and often unnoticeable. It causes the symptoms you are describing, and there is a blood test to detect it. Lyme disease is treatable in early stages, but less treatable the longer it persists.

If I were in your situation, i would also ask the doctor to test for Lyme disease, and if the test is negative, i would ask to try a course of prednisone to see if it stops the inflammation. This would just be trial and error, but to me it would be worth it.

Answer 2

Could this be a symptom of a more serious problem? Seek second opinion from another physician, as obviously your doctor didn't help much. Do you have a history of diabetis in your family? Numbness is a telling sign of this disease, but then again I'm no MD.

On colder months, I usually have muscle pains too, and I'm only 28. They say it's because of a high uric acid content in my bones. I take magnesium tablets and those homeopathic remedies for cramps to alleviate the pain.

Answer 3

I wouldn't buy into that viral thing. Have him send you to a specialist to rule out RA etc. I wouldn't venture to say but joints don't flare like that for no reason. Your GP is not equipped to make this diagnosis for you obviously.

Good luck.

Answer 4

You might want to check for diabetees which can cause tiredness, numbness and joint pain. You might have another cause of poor blood circulation too.