Please Help

Cookie531 · 08-02-2007, 04:11 PM

A week ago I woke up with horrible joint pains all over, knees, shoulders, elbows and literally couldn't get out of bed because of the pain. I've had episodes of back pains and hip pains before this but this is the first time my entire body felt like it was hit by a truck. I am still experiencing this pain and although the past few days weren't quite as bad, again, this morning I couldn't move. I've been living on ibuprofen which can't be good but it's the only thing that helps somewhat. The pain is there all day long and hurts with movement of the affected joints but is especially bad after sitting or lying down for any length of time.

I am 53 years old, post menopausal if that has anything to do with it. Can someone tell me what this might be? If it doesn't improve in another week I'll make an appointment with my doctor but after looking through the web it seems they can't always find an answer and then when they do they prescribe steroids which I have no intention of taking.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks
Linda

Kissa · 08-02-2007, 05:18 PM

My husband who is 37 is going through the same thing. His started with horrendous pain while at work and then high fevers through the weekend. He is still not much better though the fevers are gone.

I made him see our family doctor who has run a series of tests to check SED rate, RH factors, tests for Lupus, infections. Lyme disease and more. We are still awaiting answers.

Being I have arthritis I understand the symptoms well and felt his were very arthritic like so he is seeing my favorite Rhuemy in a few weeks because for the last few years about once a month he'd wake up with severe joint pain, sometimes a fever sometimes not, would take a Motrin or like product and it would be gone by morning. This is the first time it happened in the middle of the day and did not let up.

My suggestion to you is that you seek out your family physician and let them know what is going on. They may or may not run similiar panels or tests but it is best to at least get your RH factor and SED rate's tested (bloodwork) to give them an idea if it may or may not be rheumatoid related.

There are so many diseases and syndromes that cause severe joint pain it's really hard to say if it's one thing in specific or not which is why the best thing to do is to get tested as soon as possible especially during a flare. Getting tested when you feel great may lead give false results so right now would be the key time to get it done.

Good luck and let us know how it goes

Kissa · 08-02-2007, 05:20 PM

I forgot to add:

Doctors may or may not prescribe steriods. A good doctor will not prescribe until they do proper testing. If you have an infection of sorts cortisone or steriods will do little to nothing for you. Motrin is fine you can safely take 800mg 4 times a day before there's a cause for concern. There are many non steriodal products that are also available to treat arthritis but again the key is knowing what the problem is instead of blindly trying to treat something they are not sure of

Cookie531 · 08-19-2007, 09:51 AM

I have an appointment with a rheumatologist on the 28th. I had a whole bunch of bloodwork done at my internist's. RA factor came back negative; in fact all the bloodwork was negative. This is the third week of pain and now my hands and wrists are blown up and so are my ankles. I had heard that you can still have RA even if your RF comes back negative if it is still early in the disease. Has anyone had a diagnosis of RA with a negative RF?
I can't stand this pain anymore, can't sleep, can't walk up and down stairs like a normal person, can't brush my hair properly. Does this go on forever? What kind of meds do they put you on if its RA? and will they even give you meds if they're not sure whether its RA if the RF is negative?
Sorry for rambling, can't deal with this crap anymore; had to put a freeze on my gym membership, can't finish my bowling league, I guess I'm just depressed.

Baybreeze · 08-19-2007, 10:42 AM

Cookie, sorry you are having all that pain. I know how you are feeling b/c I am going through something similar right now. My ankles, hips, neck, one shoulder, and my hands have been killing me now for 6 weeks. I also have a low grade fever. Then just last week my lumbar spine started in with spasms and nerve pain, though I am sure I herniated more discs (b/c I have a history of this, plus stenosis, DDD, and spondylosis, so these are seperate issues from the rest of my joints). I've already made an appt with my rheumy but can't get in til Aug 27th. I did go to a walk in care center for my herniations and they gave me percocet and skelaxin, but these don't really do anything for me. It has tylenol in it, though, so maybe it'll help my fever. I was diagnosed with lupus and it does feel like I'm having a flare, though it's not going away. As far as I know, i've only had one high ANA test many yrs ago that this Rheumy didnt see. BUt this rheumy has seen me while in flare where I could not move, he saw with his own eyes how bad I was one time and he did start me on Prednisone after other anti-inflammatories werent working. In my case, it was a miracle drug for me. But my dose was tapered and stopped over time. It can be a horrible drug used long term ,but yet can also be a miracle or life saver for some. This is not to say that you will put on it. SOmeone else said it.....they have to go by test results, your symptoms, and will probably try other less potent drugs first. I wish I could help you as I know how you feel, but try to hang in there until you see the doctor.

I know this may not help, but, you might want to try putting some moist heat over your joints, take ibuprofen or Aleve (as long as you can tolerate it), and I wish you luck with your appointment. Let us know how it goes.