What could be causing my joint pain?
I have seen my personal physician, a hand surgeon, a chiropractor, and a rheumatologist for this, and none of them can figure out what is wrong with me. I have been tested twice for Lyme, lupus, and arthritis, and all three have come back negative both times. I’m a 22 year old female with no history of severe injury or health problems.
Several months ago the joints on the left side of my body suddenly started to hurt. Most affected were my left wrist and knee, both of which have been injured in the past - tendonitis in my wrist two years ago, mild knee injury six months ago, but neither had given me problems till then. Also affected were my shoulder, elbow, knuckles, and ankle. The pain comes and goes in waves. Exercise and movement seem to make it worse, though staying still does not make it better. It gets worse all the time despite my taking a prescription anti inflammatory every day. The doctors have given me no painkillers. (Out of room for question, will add more details.)
It is severe to the point where I get very little sleep anymore, and have little appetite. I’ve lost five pounds in the last three days (I have very fast metabolism, but this is still abnormal for me). It does not hurt all the time, but when it does I am unable to focus and generally incapacitated if I am at work (I am a secretary). I have been limping regularly as putting weight on my left leg seems to make it worse. In the last few days my right leg has also started hurting, and the pain has started to spread out from the knees all the way to my feet and groin. My right arm is completely fine so far.
I’ve no idea if it’s relevant, but I do have other chronic health problems. I have mild-moderate asthma, vocal chord dysfunction, chronic dry eye, and acid reflux. I have suffered from a chronic stiff neck accompanied by pain for years, though I’ve always assumed that was caused by stress.
If anyone has any idea what might be causing this pain, please tell me. Thank you.
Appropriately enough, I have forgotten to mention a few other symptoms that I have been experiencing: short-term memory loss, difficulty concentrating, and confusion/disorientation, as well as muscle spasms and occasional pins-and-needles tingling in my fingertips. I’ve no idea if all of this is related or perhaps just due to sleep deprivation. The rheumatologist also mentioned to me that my blood tests showed that there is no inflammation.
The rheumatologist suggested that my pain is caused by tendinitis, though he gave no explanation as to how I would suddenly develop tendinitis all over my body without having engaged in any notable physical activity. There is no swelling or other outward physical symptoms, and my family has been very unsupporting, implying that I may be faking this for attention - this is incredibly difficult to deal with and I’m desperate to find a solution. I appreciate the suggestions so far, thanks very much to all who can help.
- A messed up health insurance issue and question, I will explain? I had surgery on both arms for tennis elbow/tendinitis. My arms were not healing as fast as my doctors thought they should, so I asked my doctor for a prescription for deep tissue massage in my arms (to help the tendinitis). He gave me one and I called a licensed......
- pain in all my joints and muscles are sore? I know this is something I should be going to the doctors about, which is why I am going to the walk in tomorrow. But anyways, Saturday I woke up and my hands and feet were swollen, I had to pry my rings off and my sandals wouldn't fit my......
- Prolotherapy For Lateral Epicondylitis Prolotherapy is a medical technique where a irritant fluid is injected in the transition between the ligament and bone. The purpose here is to manipulate the repair and strengthening ligament to reduce chronic tennis elbow pain. In other words, prolotherapy is used to strengthen structural weaknesses in the arm. Muscular......
- Is this Tennis Elbow?...And what can I do?...*? I played tennis for so long the other day, about 7 hours. That night my arm was in such pain, the muscle from just below my shoulder stretching along my inside arm and inside elbow. I tried stretching it out along the pillow to help it but nothing would work.......
- How do i get rid of this annoying elbow pain? I have tried everything.? I am 15 and have been working out for about a year and a half and i have had this terrible elbow pain when i do any triceps or bench press. I took a break for around 4 to 5 months and started back up slowly. its still very painful......
- What Is Tennis Elbow? Tennis Elbow, a small term that is able to inflict such unbearable pain upon the once who suffer from it. What is Tennis Elbow, and what causes it? Let's take a look. Tennis elbow pain can appear a few days after an overload. The symptoms come in the form of......
- Would you go out with me? okay, i have blonde curly hair about down to my elbows and dark blue eyes. i like to read and write, and want to be a journalist. i have straight A's in advanced classes. i'm a little bit shy around people i dont know, but once i get to know......
- how can i enjoy having sex with a man that bullied me at the begining of our relationship? my last relationship i lost any desire to have sex. and we broke up. the relationship i am in now has had a lot of problem since the begining almost a year and a half ago. he put me down alot and compared me to x girlfriends, and i was......
- Bear Mountain Ski Resort, Big Bear Lake, CA Bear Mountain Ski Resort is located in: Big Bear Lake, CA Phone: (909) 585-2519 Website: http://www.bearmountain.com/index_winter.php About the Resort: Bear Mountain Ski Resort is sumptuously appointed, and it is a true skiers paradise. This resort is known for their terrain parks and snowboarders from all over the world flock here......
- Wednesday Lotto AU 750K Sticking with current strategy: SMALL numbers, 33 or less, having hit in the last 7 draws. A couple of odd ones thrown in. 18 games + Double up, Cost $9.15 1 6 12 18 27 33 1 6 10 11 22 24 1 6 11 12 18 22 3 10......
- One Hundred Pushup Challenge -- Knee Push ups, 1 Handed Knee Pushups, and Full Push ups Well if you haven't heard by now then you aren't paying attention to the Health and Fitness blogosphere... Everyone is doing the 100 push up challenge at 100 push ups. It is a 6 week training program geared toward a final test where 100 consecutive pushups are completed. (My first......
- DOW JONES Index Fibonacci Review This week we look at the chart for The Dow Jones Index as our example of using the Fibonacci series. Most Stock market technical analysts/traders commonly use tools such as Fibonacci & Gann analysis methods as part of their investment strategy, as they prove useful in showing points of high......
- Where do I begin to love my wife again....? I never really had the deep feeling for her, but I'm committed to her and our children. I've never cheated or strayed, but she's been such a negative person and about a week ago we had a argument that just hit me dead center and it feels like something in......
- Monday Lotto AU 1million The last 3 draws have been pretty amazing with the smallest number in each draw being 19 20 21, and most numbers coming from the top of the field (big). The Saliu ANY Filters have been large and point to a drop, ie: all 6 numbers for 1st prize will......
Like this post? Subscribe to my RSS feed and get loads more!
It’s possible you may have a condition called Fibromyalgia.
Here is a brief list of common symptoms of this disease:
Chronic pain throughout the body
Burning, numbness and tingling
Tenderness when pressure is placed on or around the neck, elbows, hips, thighs and knees.
Sleep disorders
Chronic fatigue or exhaustion
Depression
Anxiety
Facial Pain
Jaw Pain (TMJ)
Memory Loss
Irritable Bowel
Tension or Migraine Headaches
High sensitivity to foods and medications (allergic type reaction).
Minimal tolerance to heat and cold
High sensitivity to bright lights and sounds
Hair Loss
Because symptoms develop gradually, this disease is often misdiagnosed. It is often diagnosed as a repetitive strain injury; sleep disorder condition, irritable bowel syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis or any other type of medical problem. Based on the American College of Rheumatology a person is diagnosed with Fibromylagia when he or she suffers pain throughout the body for at least three months and has 11 out of 18 tender points present.
I suggest you see a different rheumatologist and see if you can get a fresh approach to your problem. the medication that is now being prescribed for this condition is called Lyrica and many people feel that it helps tremendously.
I suffered through years of seizures and chronic pain before my Lupus was diagnosed. Apparently this is the norm. If one rheumatologist won’t work with you, and you can afford it, find another. You could also have chronic fatigue syndrome or fibromyalgia. Hope you get better. You are in my prayers.
The tests for Lyme disease are very unreliable, in some cases missing over 50% of cases.
I suggest you see a Lyme literate MD who can look at you’re symptoms, history, etc and do some more reliable tests to see if you can have Lyme or not.
You can find one on the "seeing a doctor" section of Lymenet here: http://flash.lymenet.org/
I have had it for 5 years, during this time tested negative 3 times and positive 5 times - the tests are absolutely hopeless.