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Date: 05.07.2012
From: Sindy

Subject: Looking for answers...

Hi.
Thanks for taking the time to read this post, I feel very lost at the moment & am desperately looking for some answers.
I am a 22yo female & ever since I can remember I have suffered with pains in my knees, ankles and hips (predominantly on the right side of my body, although it does affect the left side as well).
These joints constantly click and crack when I walk, which I know is not always relevant but the pain when this happens at times can be excruciating.
Recently it appears to have gotten worse & the pain is getting to the point where I am limping when I walk because my right leg is so stiff & painful. As well as this more joints now seem to be affected, when I wash my hair my shoulders crack out (which is very painful), my elbows are often sore as are my fingers & my back & neck also seem to be suffering! These pains seem to be on both sides of my body, but definitely more so on the right side of my body.
I have and have never had any sort of swelling (to the best of my knowledge), but my right leg/hip seems to be growing stiffer by the day.
Last year I bit the bullet & went to my GP. He rushed me for a blood test for RA (despite the fact I have no swelling & it's not symmetrical) which came back normal.
He prescribed me some Diclofenac, told me I probably had a type of arthritis (although didn't bother to try & find out which type out of the 100 I have!) & sent me home.
The symptoms died down & I felt ok for a couple of months apart from a few minor aches & pains. Then I started complaining to my boyfriend about bruises on my hips, but there was nothing there, they just felt bruised. And now it's all spiralled out of control again & my right leg feels as though it has seized up. When I lay in bed at night I get terrible burning pains in my knee that feel like it's burning from the inside out, whereas the pain in my hip is more of a dull ache.
Went to see another doctor, who has sent me for blood tests (urate, CRP & Rheumatoid Factor again to check level has not gone up) & x-rays (pelvis & knees).
PLEASE if anyone has any advice or any idea what could be causing this, please shed some light on it for me. I really feel at the end of my tether.
Thanks.
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Date: 05.07.2012
From: Colin W

Subject: Re: Looking for answers...

Hi Sindy
hope you fell better soon , if the Diclofenac helped you it could be some arthritis , dont sound like RA , most would have raised Rheumatoid Factor but not all but would have raised CRP itf its not under control , it shows amount of inflamation

would ask to get refered to a rheumatologist , there is several other things it could be
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Date: 05.07.2012
From: Sindy

Subject: Re: Looking for answers...

Thankyou for the response. I don't think it is RA as the majority of the pain seems to be on my right side & there is no swelling. I'm so confused trying to work out what this could be, there seems to be so many different variables and I don't seem to fit in any diagnosis.
X-rays and blood tests come back on the 16th, guess if that shows anything then I'll go from there. If it doesn't show anything I suspect I will be referred to a rheumatologist.
Sometimes just think these pains are all in my head, & don't feel like anyone believes me. But I know it has been going on for years. Just want to know what's wrong with me!
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Date: 05.07.2012
From: rhona

Subject: Re: Looking for answers...

Hi Sindy,

It must be very distressing for you, especially when you don't know what is wrong and it is always a worry waiting on blood results. There are many types of arthritis and if it turns out that you have one of them then they will be able to treat it. Your doctor may refer you to a rheumatologist. There are many drugs now that make a huge difference and will make you feel well again.

Hope you feel better soon. Good luck. x
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Date: 05.07.2012
From: sue d

Subject: Re: Looking for answers...

Hi sindy,i was told i have ra around 7 years ago didnt want to know anything about it untill now ,i just took whatever meds rhmy gave me but now feel pain is getting unbearable at times and worrying about keeping going at work as i have no intention of giving up work.i started reading post a while back and felt i also didnt fit in the norm for ra i also suffer most on right side.i have never had visual swellings and untill now all pain has been in areas between joints and i never feel stiff just everything hurts but now knees sound like yours burning up in joints at night.hope you get sorted soon i find hot baths and wheat bags help.will read posts to see how you get on look after yourself
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Date: 06.07.2012
From: Sindy

Subject: Re: Looking for answers...

Rhona - thanks for your message. I know there is a lot that can be done but just so frustrating not knowing what is wrong with me or what I'm supposed to do. Hopefully the blood tests & X-rays will show something - just feel lost because if they do show anything it will be bad, but if they don't it will be bad as well because I still won't know what's wrong with me!

Sue - wow that sounds very similar to what I am going through, have you tested positive for Rheumatoid? I have been tested and it came back negative, but now they are testing again.
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Date: 06.07.2012
From: sue d

Subject: Re: Looking for answers...

Hi sindy, to be honest i have never asked if i tested positive but at the time i had lots done xrays all over scans and mri,all i was told is i had ra in all joints and would eventually need hip replacements then given medication to help with pain and stop joint damage.if you are seeing gp and get nowhere you want to insist you get an appointment with rhumatologist,hope you feel better soon
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Date: 06.07.2012
From: Sindy

Subject: Re: Looking for answers...

Yes I am hoping the x-rays will enlighten me a little bit! If not the doc has said it will be a trip to the rheumatologist so I can be poked & prodded.
Does anyone have any problems with their scalp? I have pains all round my neck and shoulder & sometimes it feels like my hair is being pulled very tight around my head.
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Date: 06.07.2012
From: sue d

Subject: Re: Looking for answers...

my mum had something called polymialgia could be spelt wrong dont know much about it but she had a very tender head to touch and difficulty lifting arms above shoulder level and pains in joints think its related to arturitus not sure.sorry about spelling.
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Date: 06.07.2012
From: Sindy

Subject: Re: Looking for answers...

There's so many different things it could be I feel so lost trying to work out what's wrong with me. Bought an "arthritis for dummies" book today but guess I should really leave it to the docs to try & figure out. On top of it all my mum got diagnosed with cancer of the liver today. If it's not one thing it's another.
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Date: 06.07.2012
From: sue d

Subject: Re: Looking for answers...

Hisandy sorry to hear that,that must be the worst day ever for you both,take care,be possitive and look after each other.
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Date: 06.07.2012
From: willis

Subject: Re: Looking for answers...

HI Sindy
Just want to say that when you get to Rhuematologists they shouldn't actually poke and prod too much and if they do and you say ouch - believe me they'll soon stop :) given there are so many types of Arthritis but all with similar symptoms is why doc will not be sure. I am surprised they didn't refer you sooner however. but.. as long as they get you to the specialist they'll will find out what it actually is I'm sure and as the others say, the meds nowadays are much better than years before.
I hope you find out soon and get the help you need. both you and mum can be strong and support each other. come on to forum anytime you need a hug xxx
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Date: 06.07.2012
From: Yasmin

Subject: Re: Looking for answers...

Hi Sindy,

So sorry to hear about your mums diagnosis...recentley I had to face my father-in-law and my mum both going through tests for stomach cancer and prostate cancer...it was a very traumatic and difficult time for me as I was having to deal with both their diagnosis around the same time without other family members knowing...Fortunatley for them they have been cleard for the time being...Sindy, hopefully your mum has been diagnosed early enough for her to have successful treatment...In my prayers...x
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Date: 06.07.2012
From: Sindy

Subject: Re: Looking for answers...

Yeah it's not the best week of my life but these things are sent to try us! Sure my mum will be fine she has been through it before & come out the otherside & the prognosis is quite good for her.
Tingling in my hands tonight really bad. Just want to know what is wrong with me as seems to be getting worse and worse by the day now.
Thankyou for all your kind words and advice.
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Date: 06.07.2012
From: Sindy

Subject: Re: Looking for answers...

Yasmin I am glad to hear your mum and father in law have been given the all clear x
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Date: 07.07.2012
From: Sindy

Subject: Re: Looking for answers...

Getting dry skin on my hands now don't know if this has anything to do with it feel like I'm losing control of my body & everything's changing.
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