Newbie

[Nessynu]

Hi all. I'm new here. I don't have a diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis but I do have hashimotos disease. What were your symptoms that lead to a diagnosis? I have widespread body pains. Lower back, wrists, fingers but the worst is across my mid to upper back. Sometimes I get burning sensations in my thigh etc. I'm unsure how to approach it with my Doctor as I've been to see her so many times feeling crap with my hashimotos that she thinks it's all in my head! It's definitely not! Thanks in advance.

[Aliceeliza]

Don't know whether yours is RA but I certainly got the pain across the upper back, lower back pain and burning in the thighs. Originally I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and now my hands, wrists and one foot and knee are involved I have an added diagnosis of sero negative RA. I have hypothyroidism too. Definitely not just in my head but made worse by stress and pain. Keep asking questions.

[Nessynu in reply to Aliceeliza]

Thanks for replying. I also have pain in one knee and one foot. I've just started reading up on RA and it mainly says that pain is usually in both sides of the body simultaneously so that's why I wanted to find out about other people's symptoms. Do you have Hashimotos hypothyroidism or just hypothyroidism?

[Aliceeliza in reply to Nessynu]

To be honest I'm not sure about the thyroid they have never used that as a description and I haven't asked. The pains move about by the way it can be either knee or foot

[Nessynu in reply to Aliceeliza]

Hashimotos is an autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks the thyroid. It's very different than an underactive thyroid regarding symptoms and treatment.

[Madmusiclover in reply to Nessynu]

My RA is not symmetrical! That’s text book; not reality.

[Nessynu in reply to Madmusiclover]

Thank you for this information. I totally understand the reality of autoimmunity versus textbook. I've been dealing with it myself regarding my hashimotos disease.

[Madmusiclover in reply to Nessynu]

Great! Keep sticking up for yourself.

[medway-lady]

Hashimoto's is easily treated just pop the Thyroxine and no problems I've had it for over 30 years, No one can say what your pains are and I'm sure your GP will be happy to do a bloodiest for RA and then you can take it from there. Try not to panic as that can cause all sorts of symptoms and some of those you describe do sound like anxiety. So to suggest it could be RA is also true but just as well your not taking enough Thyroxine or have a virus or even it is overthinking and looking inwards too much. That doesn't mean its not real but I would suggest that you try to stop thinking about pain and ask for the blood test. At least you'll know and also make sure your hydrated and getting checks on your thyroid too.

[Nessynu in reply to medway-lady]

Thank you. I've tried different doses of thyroxine but never seem to feel better. I either have symptoms of underactive or overactive thyroid. I really do try to forget about my health woes but I've been waking up with bad pain in my upper and lower back and now pains in my knee, ankle and fingers and wrist all on the right side of my body and Ive seen studies suggesting that once you have one autoimmune disease your more susceptible to getting another.

[medway-lady in reply to Nessynu]

Hashimoto's is under active, and your blood will advise GP if you need more or less.You must not take more than you need because you'll feel very ill. I'd suggest that you talk to your GP and try not to read Dr Google too much. We are not doctors and you need to get professional medical advice. Its too easy to read about symptoms and then get them only a doctor can really help so please do make an appointment and just ask for a blood test.

[Nessynu in reply to medway-lady]

I have had lots of bloods done for my thyroid but I am due more. Thank you.

[medway-lady in reply to Nessynu]

Yes but the test for RA is a different one, your GP can advise you. Best of luck you don't want RA but it could be any number of things so don't imagine yourself into depression.

[Nessynu in reply to medway-lady]

Thank you. I appreciate your advice.

[Runrig01]

You may want to look at ankylosing spondylitis, which as well as affecting the spine can also affect peripheral joints. It is usually diagnosed by MRI of the spine. Although they will take bloods, unlike RA, with AS 50% of patients ever have raised inflammatory markers despite having severe pain and flares

[Nessynu in reply to Runrig01]

Thank you. I will look into it.

[lidoplace]

You want to look carefully at your thyroid blood tests to see where you are in range and the percentage through them. Low T3 is something to be aware of. Not all people can convert T4 into active T3 adequately which was my answer to many of the pains I had along with good levels of b12 and vitamin D and other essential minerals.

[Nessynu in reply to lidoplace]

Thank you. I was also wondering if my aches and pains were due to conversion issues. My new doctor is willing t prescribe T3 only as I've never felt well on Eltroxin and Nature Thyroid gives me sweats and palpitations even on 1/4 of a grain.

[AgedCrone]

Show your GP the information you Have written here and ask to have a blood test to confirm or deny you have some sort of rheumatic involvement.

The sooner you do that the sooner it will put your mind at rest.

[Nessynu in reply to AgedCrone]

I will do that. Thank you.

[Brushwork]

Have you been checked for Coeliac? My niece has Hashimotos but also Coeliac and similar pains and aches, took ages for a diagnosis.

Your pain doesn’t sound like classical RA, if there is such a thing!

[Nessynu in reply to Brushwork]

My doctor did a celiac blood test but at the time I had cut put gluten for 8 months due to my Hashimotos so if came back negative. My stomach always feels uncomfortable like a dull ache so I have suspected some irritable bowel issue.

[Sheila_G]

I have a very unusual issue with thyroid. It would take too long to explain on here but last year I had hospital tests for several weeks because my T3/T4 readings were the opposite of what they should have been. To cut a long story short. My Consultant wrote to my GP to say that my blood tests would show that I was taking too much thyroxine but they must not reduce it. They were very puzzled by my tests. I still don't know why they are like they are. I have RA too. It is definitely the case that if you have an autoimmune problem, you usually have one or two more. Keep asking questions. x

[Nessynu in reply to Sheila_G]

Thank you for replying. The thyroid can be so complicated to get it right. Is there a name for what you have? My doctor has said on numerous occasions that I'm optimal on my T4 meds but I would still have massive brain fog, some constipation and weak muscles after doing very little. And now I'm getting additional symptoms like random pains and very dry eyes with blurry vision when I wake each morning even though I have z humidifier by my bed. It's so frustrating.

[Sheila_G]

It is. It is difficult to know which symptoms are caused by which illness. What a complicated lot we are. I hope you feel better soon. x

[Nessynu in reply to Sheila_G]

So true. Thanks again.xx

[Thingybob]

I have been told that blood results are not the most reliable indicator regarding medication level if used alone. Everybody is individual in their needs and physiology. Being within the norm range may not be the appropriate normal level for you.

Ask your gp to refer on to a endocronologist (sp?) or thyroid specialist who could determine more precisely you needs.

I have hypothyroidism as a result of surgery, and have RA which developed later. I believe the two are linked.

Dont be fobbed off , always ask to be reffered on to a specialist is my advice . Hope you get sorted out 🙂🤞

[Nessynu in reply to Thingybob]

Thank a mill.