Subject: It has been 4 years. Please help...

Hello everyone. Im not too sure if I am on the right place to begin my post so if anyone can let me know where it is more appropriate, please don't hesitate to let me know. Firstly, i thank you for taking time to read my novel, I do apologize for the length of my message. Thank you very much in advance for any inputs you could give. It is much appreciated.

I first experience a pain on my left ring finger around september 2008. It eventually spread to almost my entire body until I was almost bed-bound. I was first being seen by my GP who continuosly prescribed me with different kinds of painkillers that didn't helped at all. We tried to persuade my GP to refer me to a specialist but he insisted that It isn't something that he cant handle himself, that I should continue to take my tablets, change my diet and lifestyle. 3 months have gone by, I was a constant guest at A&E, until such a time that my husband needed to roll me on the bed just to change my clothes, help me get up and do basic necessities such as having my bath and nature calls. At 32, I was devastated. It is then that he insisted that I should be seen immediately.Ê

Alas, I was referred to a Rheumatologist. After several blood tests, The consultant told me I have Reactive Arthritis. I was on prednisolone 5mg fo a year and I must admit, It did helped me get back on my feet. During that year, I also had steroid injections on both of my jaws, physiotherapists appointments and numerous painkillers. A year of steroids and I was finally tapered of. January 2010, I was totally off steroids. While being tapered off, I noticed Bald spots on my head. Ignored the first small one until such time I've got several bald spots the size of a 2pound coin. Informed my doctor, but dismissed the fact that it is due to being taken off steroids. It was this year that I was also pregnant with my 2nd child,gave birth on April 2010, my hair had grown back and I went back to work on February 2011. I occasionally get the minor aches and pains but this time it was more tolerable. I guess with what I have gone through, my pain threshold is absolutely high.Ê
May 2011, when it all began...again. As days, weeks, months gone by, it became worser and worser. I'm back at the rheuma office by July. My original consultant is now gone from my hospital. In July-Nov 2011, I may have seen 3 differrent rheumatologists which gave me either a steroid shot, painkillers and kind advice. The last I saw said he wasn't convinced by the way I was diagnosed and told me I have to be re-diagnosed. i have been offsick from work (I work in microbiology by the way) for quite a few times in between July 2011 and March 2012. I can tolerate alot of pain, but I guess I also got my limits. The pain robbed me off my sleep, my time with my kids and my joy with my job. On February 2012, I was supposed to be started with Sulphasalazine, which didn't pushed through because the nurse wasn't happy this time with my liver enzymes levels. I had to have another set of blood tests, on March, which needed to be repeated on April because apparently, some of the tests requested were missing or not done. I had liver scan which turned out normal, my enzymes are still higher than normal, my EBV ab was positive but still, no definite diagnosis.Ê

Since April I was off from work because there isn't a day that passed that I am not in pain or swollen. I am currently on 150mg diclofenac sodium but I still got fingers that looks like sausages now, my wrists are now straight because of the swelling, my shoulders, knees and feet are also not spared, I've got a sorethroat-like pain that feels like I have a lump on my throat and painful/difficult to swallow, and pleurisy-like pain on my right torso. My thumb and big toes on my feet is now deformed because of a painful growth/bump that have been there since february. I had an xray of my feet and hands Êabout a month ago and I am now awaiting my next appointment next week. The last thing that stuck on my mind since my last visit ( with a new rheumatologists ), was, she too is unsure of what my condition was. All my blood results since 2008 were not that significant. It is either borderline or slightly elevated. My BUN's apparently are normal so there is no way that I can have gout. I also asked the possibility that I may have lupus, but she returned the question to me and asked me what makes me think of that. On which she eventually dismissed the fact and told me not to think of it.Ê

Please, please, help me. I am lost and I've got the feeling that the situation is starting to get over my emotions. I can't be depressed, i dont want to, I've got kids, my youngest just turned two and I cant carry her anymore. I pray to God that there is one soul out there that can give light to what's going on. What is wrong with me? I have tried turmeric, honey, apple cider and was also thinking of having accupuncture.

Thank you everyone for your time and God bless everyone.Ê

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Subject: Re: It has been 4 years. Please help...

Hi Rubi, sorry about your problems, it seems to me you need just one good Rhumetolagist. Maybe you could ask to be referred to a different hospital. This is not impossible to do as you have a right to a complete new second opinion. This would mean starting from scratch, but it seems you are not being given the help you need.
Have you had CT or MRI scans.
Reading through the posts on here some Ladies do say they go into remission when they are pregnant
with Rhuematoid Arthritis.
Yes they can test for Lupus with a blood test my daughter-in-law was tested for this and was given the all clear.
Her rhumy diagnosed very quickly her feet and hand pains are caused because she is double jointed, it sounds odd but after taking advice on excercise and learning how to hold herself better it has helped her a great deal. I am not suggesting for one minute this is what you have. Just letting you know with a good rhumy team they will get to the bottom of it all.
I have Osteoarthritis which means for me constant pain and surgeries but at least I have the satisfaction of knowing and you sweetheart should have the same.
I hope Colin and I have helped somewhat. Take Care !!

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Subject: Re: It has been 4 years. Please help...

Hi Rubi,
Welcome to the forum,

Linda is right there are so many different types of arthritis and there are similarities between my form which is pshoriatic arthritis and some of the symptoms you have.

i know how dreadful it is to have your life changed so much with an illness, as my children were young when I first had mine amd must admit did cry many a time wondering how I was going to cope.

but with the help of my husband and a few changes to my life I have managed.

I hope they will be able to get you sorted out and if you are on the right meds they can make such a difference Deborah.

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