As guess, what condition (s) do you think I have? Random and general, but might strike accord with someone. Thanks

[AmbientCrystal]

Left leg: ankle hot, pain and tight (constantly) - been this way several years. Same leg: foot: top two inch hot band and pain as if bruised - 80% of the time, resting or not - from middle of instep and all the way over; like a tight band. Also tingles as if being stabbed by tin needles (all the time - for the 80%, as above). Similar tingles and hot area just over the bony bit right beneath the big toe - not under the toe/underside. Sometimes the whole ball part of the big toe can hurt - more likely after lots of walking (which I do a lot of, as a non driver). 13 years ago I had an operation 'bunion? ??' as a connection between my big toe

and the next one, kept spasming - resulting in crossed toes and it was like cramp. The bunion I had/have was not removed, but the operation cleared up the issue of the spasming (which was sudden and very painful; dangerous too as could happen as I crossed busy roads when I took my daughter to school!). The operation area can flare up - I call it the zip as it reminds me of one. The area can flame up and get sore as if it is fresh. More rare but can still happen.

I am being blood tested for RA (the above has not really been taken into consideration - limited time during appointments - so I would like to know (question 2, if willing to answer) I know RA affects jpints symmetrically, but dies that mean both to the same intenduty, and can one cause problems one day, then the other cause greater issuespecially (I have noticed in my wrists, knees and the ankle - detailed above) all have issues. At some times my toes on either or both feet cause issues too - tingle/warm to hurt and pain on top; this is rare but often enough for me to notice it). These symptoms don't seem to match OA?

For the past three years I have had very bad headaches, to the point where a Consultant - more about that later - says he thinks I have severe migraines. I am.now on Amitriptaline which I have to say has had a fair bit of success; my constant - and I mean constant -headache has subsided; If I don't get stressed (family, study and health issues - as above - are the main stress causes, but what I had could be with me no matter what I was doing. I was beginning to think I had cluster headaches (but they go away, mine didn't) due to severity of pain over - generally my right eye. When I first started thinking "this isn't normal/usual" I thought I had bad sinusitis

Then as the months of the year moved on, I thought - as it was time (like now)- that it was hay fever. That time came and went, so I thought it must be my glasses; so I bought new ones. I was just getting to the point when I thought the trial/settling in period was over, and not much difference - in fact I thought my eyes were much worse as the new prescription seemed too powerful. I was due to discuss this with Spec Savers when I had an 'episode'. Basically, I ended up unconscious outside of a shop (embarrassingly where my daughter works and we'd been going in there to shop for me, on her day off, to use her store discount! We didn’t get to do any shopping. I had something skin to a panic attack as if darkness was coming up behind me; I felt I'll nauseous and dizzy) and tried to get outside into the air, which I thought might help. I lasted less than 2 minutes before I apparently did a 'diving movement' hit the floor and rolled over a bit. That was two years ago - unless the headaches caused 'it', 'it did not cause the headaches! I had concussion for over a year and thought I was rid of it, but have recently felt similar feelings. The Consultant I saw recently thinks this may be tied to the migraines?

Before the tablets, I hadon't the whole of my head 'on fire and in pain (heavy duty stress head and also burning hurt where I banged my head during the episode; it felt like it was freshly done, minus the open sore and bleeding). I also had virtually constantly, pain over and around my right eye. It was that side, near the top that got 'beat up' but issues over my right eye started at least a year before the episode (which until recently everyone - personal and medical - called it seizure-like). The Consultant I saw two years ago, two weeks after the episode, was brusque and I didn't have a lot of confidence as he diagosised "likely" Synchro" I had had no texts, other than a CT on the day of the episode. I have had many tests, which has I now know have all come back as fine (This Co sultana left and if hadn't asked my GP - then the Neuropath you Secretary to look into getting me can appointment to discuss everything - I still didn't have a definite diagnosis, until the results came back which should have generated a follow up; which never came. Finally one came for November this year; I let everyone know I wasn't happy about that; finally - again - I was called about time this past weekend, which I 'snapped up' one of the Saturday slots. I attended - never miss appointments - and saw a new Consultant. Seemed ok at first (and did get me on the recent tablets) but I feel that he spent too much time accepting the two week oiks opinion - not fully formed - of the previous Consultant, and he feels I am no longer needing to be seen by him. I am hoping the migraines are the issue and the Amitriptaline works.

However, there is still the issues with feet and joints. Following my episode, my left side does not work as well as it should/used to: sometimes my left leg forgets what to do, when going downstairs - I have nearly missed a tread and slipped several times. That knee is most likely to buckle or bend sideways when I am out walking. My left had does not grip too well and sometimes just let's go ; so I'd I carry items I make sure you grip really tightly, thus making myself more aware and not complacent. The grip strength is poorer tha ny daughter's, who has RA!

The pain onot my head - injury site - is still tender to touch (over two years later ????, but not nearly as bad as it was before my new medication).

Ok

If anyone wants to give that information an appraisal, then I am extremely grateful.

Background information:

I have just turned 54. I am obese - not morbidly obese, but not going you lie and pretend I am a UK 12 (a size 20-22 depending on store and item). Since my aggrevating head and a further injury to "my Rotator cuff" and likely tendon damage too (I over stretched and felt/heard a tear in my left arm) and now see (virtually - due to the Covid -19 virus keeping everyone, where possible, at home - I do not have it, as far as I know. I only go out for my part time job in GPS where I work on my own at night) a Physio'. I have exercises to get my left arm working and two weeks ago I had a cortisone injection into my shoulder - I was terrified, but I got some movement back, now working on exercises, so it was worth it. Still hurts, but I can do more now. That's the 'cuff' being treated and see how that goes before the other issue can be looked into (unless it self-corrects).

Before two years ago - I wasn't fit or slim, but I was in a much better position than now - it took ages to get anywhere during the concusion year, and things dipped badly due to lack of the exercise I took as a routine (including weights, dancing , cardio - all home gym, but done with care; no cheating as would only ever me loosing out).

If anyone is still bravely reading, and now can offer possibilities - I am keen to know facts from Doctors or first hand knowledge patients. I thank you, in advance.

[cyberbarn]

Sorry to have you have had so many things happen to your body. I have had various surgeries on my feet so you have my sympathies!

Have you come across hypermobility type of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome or joint hypermobility? At our age our joints usually aren't hypermobile anymore, but were when we were younger, and the condition can lead to early onset arthritis.

hypermobility.org

ehlers-danlos.org

[AmbientCrystal in reply to cyberbarn]

Thank you for our reply - to my long question. I have not heard about the condition you wrote about, so I shall look into that. Thank you again. I hate mentioning things to do 'with me' but fear someone will tell me one day, "well, why didn't you say something.." and pathetic excuses won't do, for not having time, or not feeling like 'it isn't very important (or others have more to deal with etc)'. If anything comes of my researching, then I will repost.

[PainConcernProjects Partner Community Champion Pain Concern]

Hi there,

Thank you for your post, and I am sorry to hear that you are experiencing this. From reading what you have described above, some of the symptoms you are experiencing are quite serious and would be best advised to seek help from a doctor. We can advise on some self help to cope with ongoing pain concerns, which I will link below, however it seems that for your concerns over headaches, and fainting, this would be best looked into by your GP. From this, they would perhaps be able to refer you to a more specialised doctor who could perform more in depth research into the underlying problems. As you are aware the current circumstances may not be the best timing to look into this, however there are possibilities of arranging over the phone appointments with your GP in the meantime until the parameters put in place regarding the virus are uplifted.

I have linked our pain concern web page which may be useful for you to have a look through, as it details various conditions and coping mechanisms for pain. painconcern.org.uk/resource...

Please do let us know if there is any further advise you would like from this, or queries answered

On behalf of pain concern

[AmbientCrystal in reply to PainConcernProjects]

Thank you , so much, for replying to my lengthy question. With regards to symptoms, a person never knows if they are connected, or one - or more - things are going on/happening (and the one that gets treated? is the one brought up in the limited time at a GP appointment - if you can get one; not going to complain during these difficult times (at least I don't have Covid-19). I haven't had my blood result back for RA - so assume that is good - until I find out differently. I cannot say if the recent tablets that I am on are going to 'cure all' in relation to these symptoms: - headaches, dizziness (passing out), anything else of a similar nature; I have only been on them a week now. My head definitely is not threatening to burst open with pain - that's good - but I still have the headache in the background. I sleep a little better - not a full 7/8 hours in one go, yet. I think these pills are making me claggy headed, but that could be the hay fever that I get at this time of year. I won't know for sure which is which, until June when the hay fever usually goes - for me. I know I get the background headache coming to the foreground, as soon as I get stressed (like feeling lost when trying to complete a task - for instance, my study, or dealing with the needs of my daughter - who is 21 and has RA - and who's needs can sometimes be presented clearly, or not, if she is feeling unwell or angry with how she is feeling; due to the latter point, I can feel myself getting stressed - I know what is coming!). I am taking myself away from the cause, and allowing myself to calm down; that wouldn't have been possible before the tablets; so something is changing. I won't know, until I have been on this new medication for a few months - and into the warmer/hotter summer months, to see if I get heat triggered symptoms - heat rush, sun stroke, low blood pressure; any which may have caused me to faint/pass out, two years ago. The New Consultant doesn't think I have Epilepsy (that is good) as no further incidents since the one back in 2018. 'the jury is out' regarding what could have been the cause; so far the first Consultant (the one who left me 'hanging' and judged me two weeks after the event) said likely 'Syncho' - which I looked up. The confusion attached to this is the symptoms didn't match, and that to have fainted fitted more - especially the epilepsy, as 'you have to go unconscious for over a minute - I went at least three (though I did start talking to the First Aider and then the Ambulance Crew, before I was put into the ambulance and then later recall coming to in the ambulance and being spoken to; usual "where am I/What is happening" from me, before the remembrance of 'Oh, I remember'; then embarrassment because of all the fuss! Before I make any more queries to my GP, I have to wait and see what the blood test result is; also wait for a significant time and see how the new medication affects me. Life could be worse......