Osteo-arthritis-like symptoms but no such signs on MRI

[Jocelin]

Hi all,

I've been suffering from deformation of my PIP-joints since a few years. Diagnosis first was osteo-arthritis with osteofytes. Deformation developed so quickly that the reumatologist later decided to make röntgenphoto's and MRI's of my hands. It appears now that there is hardly any osteo-arthritis visible. The area where my joints have thickened is black on the MRI's. I have problems with closing my fingers, making a wrist, because of the thick fingers. There also are a few superficial ganglions and cysts in the bones of my wrist. Also, since about one month, there is a thickening of, or very close to, the sterno-clavicular joint. Does anyone recognise this? Does anyone know what is happening, what might be the cause, what might be solutions?

I'd be happy to hear from you.

Thanks!

Jody

[Marz]

Conditions ending in 'itis ' - usually mean inflammation somewhere - and usually starts with the gut. Is your thyroid well treated ? How much T4 are you taking - How much vitD ? - also as you are a vegetarian then it is possible your B12 is Low Low B12 can affect the myelin sheath surrounding the nerves ...

[Jocelin in reply to Marz]

Hi Marz,

Thanks again for your reply, for the effort you make to help me, on this and my other question I posted.

I find my thyroid not well treated. I take 0,125 levothyroxine in the morning and 4x 5 mg t3 (Cytomel) spread over the day. Despite that I have lots of hypo symptoms but my internist only steers on TSH which is 0.02 (0.25-3.1) and FT4 which is 16.5 (12.5-23.2). I have told her about my symptoms (and indeed I think my gut is not OK because I have constipation) but she is not interested. What she did do was arrange a DEXA-scan because in her opinion the low TSH could lead to osteoporosis. When reading the result I learned that my bone density is even better than average for my age :-). I have asked her last week to write a letter for my insurance company to allow me to get a second opinion from another specialist. I would like to have my FT3 and rT3 checked and get someone who uses the symptoms for determining correct treatment.

Very educative to learn from you that B12 affects the myelin sheats surrounding the nerves. I have CTS also in both wrists and specialists advised to get surgery. But I hesitate because I think the problem comes from the neck-shoulder region, maybe in combination with a mineral deficiency or low grade inflammation or intoxification. B12? Tomorrow I see a manual therapist to check/find out more.

[Marz in reply to Jocelin]

Constipation can be linked to LOW thyroid hormones ! Have you tried taking Magnesium - research which one is best for constipation. Most of us are low in range - so not worth testing.

b12deficiency.info/signs-an...

The link above will take you to all things B12. Neurological ones come first.

Look around this Forum for posts about Low TSH and Osteoporosis risk - there is very little risk shown by Research and it would seem your Doc is not up to date.

When you have the FT3 tested - you may learn more about how your thyroid hormones are performing.

CTS - lots out there about the connection with the thyroid and also low B12.

[Jocelin in reply to Marz]

Hi again, Marz! Also here at this post: thanks so much!

I do use magnesium citrate 400 mgs to try and relieve my constipation, but no satisfying result so far. Also extra fiber like grinded flaxseed or psyllium, and drinking enough, eating lots of veggies, has not helped. Maybe increasing the magnesium is an option, but is still feels like an unnatural way. That's why I try to find a better doctor for my thyroid issues.

But for now: with all you provide me with, you really help me to easier and quicker find what I'm looking for. Thanks, Marz!

[Marz in reply to Jocelin]

Also VitC x 3 daily should help constipation !

[Jocelin in reply to Marz]

Thanks!