Mystery joint pain and fatigue

[Ellmay]

Hello, I do not have a diagnosis so I’m sorry if this isn’t really the place for this kind of dilemma. I’ve had bouts of ill health for years- but more of a neurological nature. Now for the past 6-7 months I’ve had joint pain that seems to get worse each month. It started in my fingers, and my feet were overly painful. Now it is in my ankles, knees , wrists and tops of my shoulders . It comes and goes and is sometimes truly awful stabbing pain. I had blood tests but they show nothing. I don’t have much swelling,, my joints have felt a bit squidgy to me and make horrid crepitus sounds but having seen a rheumatologist, he didn’t notice anything. Now I have awful fatigue, and my feet are so so painful. I’m just worried I’ll be left in the lurch by the drs because I’m not showing as having anything wrong yet I feel like something is really not right at all. Has anyone been in this situation? The rheumatologist did take xrays ans further blood tests, but I have not heard anything back about them.

[Deniseelk]

One consideration to look at is pre-menopause.... apologies if I am way off the mark with that one but as a female of 50 and battled RA for last few years I wondered why I was still having lots of issues ... fatigue, pains etc after feeling my RA was under control on my medication. If you think this could remotely be an issue do take a look at menopause_doctor as they have some very helpful, current and accurate findings which may help when approaching your GP about it. As said, apologies if I am on the wrong track!

[Ellmay in reply to Deniseelk]

I did think about this at first. But it’s just got worse and without any other peri menopausal symptoms. But can it really cause such mimicking symptoms ? Even some swelling? Interesting

[Boxerlady]

I'd second that advice. I started peri-menopause over 10 years before I developed RA and crashing fatigue and various aches and pains were just two of the horrible symptoms I developed.

[Ellmay in reply to Boxerlady]

I’ll look into it more but ,as above ..I’m unsure. I’ve never had any problems with running through most pains and this has stopped my running pretty much altogether.

[Ellmay]

Perhaps I should add a bit more detail. Aside from the problems with my feet which started back in summer and have got progressively worse despite cutting back on running almost completely...I’ve also had cubical tunnel syndrome off and on in both arms. De Quervains tenosynivitis in both hands, and raynauds in my feet.

[Deniseelk in reply to Ellmay]

Well that’s certainly sounding more like an autoimmune issue ( purely in my mind). My blood results have never shown raised inflammation markers although I have clearly got a great amount of inflammation. An anti-ccp result demonstrated RA along with my symptoms so my rheumatologist goes on what I feel / how joints look rather than blood results. I would keep pushing for a definite diagnosis OR ask to see a different Rheumatologist for another view? In the meantime I suggest you keep a diary of symptoms/ photos / note of what you have done that day that may set a symptom off, etc. Invaluable when you do get to see a specialist! Best of luck.

[Ellmay]

Thank you for your messages it helps to chat about this. I will take all advice. The Dr did say they may schedule ultrasounds, but I’m not sure if that depends on my recent blood results. I’m thinking they would have been in contact by now but maybe not... It’s been 4 days. It just worries me how it’s getting worse when I’m trying everything (diet/sleep/gentle exercise ) to calm it all down.

[Soundofmusic52]

I was the same in the beginning they said it was arthritis did blood test all normal did x rays nothing to worry about got eventually to see top consultant he said it’s osteoarthritis it’s the better one . Gave me painkillers physio etc went on for 2 yrs things got worse hands fatigue etc went back kept pestering them . I knew something was not right then I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid arthritis on two injections weekly now slowly getting life back so my advice to you is keep pestering them be a nuisance and hopefully someone will listen good luck x

[Ellmay in reply to Soundofmusic52]

Thanks. A lot of people have said the same about pestering. I think we do know when something is pretty off really don’t we ? All the best to you