Autoimmune disorder or back pain?

[GracieGirl]

Hello,

I usually post on the back problems board, but I am not sure if that is my problem anymore. I have 4 drs and they all seem to say different things. My family dr seems to think I have some connective tissue problem, and my rhuemy thinks I have lupus. The others seem to think it is just my back. I obviously do not know what to think. The problem with all this is that nothing shows up in my blood work. The rhuem dr says that I could have lupus, but it is not showing up. I don't know. I know I have a back problem (DDD and facet arthritis), but I also have a few "unusual" things that do not relate to my back. These include:

-Mouth sores (although I was on vioxx, and it could be a reaction from that)
-muscle spasms (in my back)
-wierd rash on my back (not itchy though)
-strange burning sensation in my stomach
-night sweats occasionally
-afternoon chills (so cold fingernails turn blue, not painful though) off and on
-an Mri that showed trace amount of fluid on lungs (since has cleared up)
-TMJ
-history of skin eczema

Could this be autoimmune related, or just coincidences? I would think that at least something would show in my blood work. Do these symptoms sound familiar to anyone? Any info would be appreciated. I feel so lost.

Thank you for reading,
Graciegirl

[Takbeer]

Hi Graciegirl,
There are lots of autoimmune diseases and disorders. Dermatomyositis causes rashes. I went undiagnosed until my CK enzymes were checked in a blood test. Hope this helps.

[MargieRuth]

Hi GracieGirl - I was glad to read your post. I, too, am having terrible back pain, everything I do results in muscle pain, and spasms. I have had an MRI on my lumbar back because of lower back pain, and that indicated arthritis, but this is different. It's a little higher up. My Doc is considering Polymyalgia Rheumatica. I've just finished a round of blood work including "auto immune antibodies" He took X-rays of my spine both lumbar and thoracic and the arthritis is no worse. He had ordered Morphine tabs for the lower back because I also have two herniated discs and spondylolithesis. However, I got sick to my stomach on that. So right now I'm winging it and taking Ibuprofen 2 tabs twice a day, along with Ultram 2 tabs 3 times a day, which I've taken for years for arthritic knees. He didn't want to order any pain medication until he knows what's wrong, because if it is Polymyalgia Rheumatica, that is treated with Prednisone. I'm waiting to hear the results of the tests. Oh, he also did a bone density test to rule out osteoporsis. The pain was so bad, I couldn't get out of a chair, and my daughter put a pillow case around my waist and helped pull me up and out. Hope you find out your diagnosis and I hope I find out mine also. Good luck. Maggie

[papillonisback]

Hi

I cant believe what I have just read in your post............I would have sworn blind that someone had written your letter on behalf of myself.

I have had a back poroblem for about 9 yrs now (DDD and facet joint problems)
I have recently started having other symptoms psorisis (which I thought was exzema - but it is now too bad for that) Ulcerative Colitis(tummy pain and bleeding basically - this also causes bad mouth ulcers) and other joint pains.
Nothing shows up in blood tests - no inflamation.
DDD shows with MRI.

My back specialist last week said there was nothing more he could for me - that he now thought I had an AUTO IMMUNE PROBLEM.
He is going to refer me to a Pain Clinic and a Rheumatologist.

I dont know what this means for me, It sure scared me to death and I was so upset......the bottom to my world fell out!

I know how you are feeling!

Are you in UK or abroad?

I would really like to get to know you as we are so similar.

[MargieRuth]

Hi all - the tests that I've had taken indicate Rheumatoid Arthritis and not Polymyalgia Rheumatica - so I have to see a Rheumatologist. Not exactly good news, but at least now I know why I have so much pain. Good luck to all. Maggie