I have chronic pain in pretty much every joint since this started I have got severe fatigue. The pain makes movement very limited and I find it very hard to do certain things, this has lead to a replace mentally and l know have fallen back into depression and my anxiety has gotten much worse.
I've had blood tests for literally everything which have all came back normal. I have started physio, as of now have had one sessions and have to do a few exercises everyday. If anyone has anything to suggest that may help then please don't hesitate to do so
Hi hannah2802
Have you had an ESR blood test...Erythrocite Sedimentation Rate blood test?... that tests for inflammation in the body
Yes I have, I have also been naproxen (500mg anti-inflammitory) which didn't help with the pain at all and there's no swelling in any of joints so there's no inflammation
Gosh, you are having a hard time! I do not know how to help you, but I do want to send a hug your way. My best wishes are heading your way. I admire your courage and I do know about pain and it just messes up everything. 🕊☘️🌷🎄☃️
Aww thankyou!! 🙈🙈 I'm also currently in my GCSES year which is just being made harder but I'll get through it. You've really boosted my mood. I hope you're okay with your pain always here if you need a chat
Hi hannah2802
Well that is a good thing you have no inflammation going on!!....have you had your B12 tested...if it is low you can experience the symptoms you are describing...if you haven't had it tested ask your doc for a test...i do hope you get an answer Hannah not much fun to be in pain and I wish you well with your GCSES....
Ermm to be totally honest I'm not sure? How is it tested?
Hi hannah2802
It is tested the same way as all blood test when blood is taken from you and tested..it is called a serum B12 blood test..under the Freedom of Information Act
you can request to see a print out of your blood tests..if you are a UK resident...this happened to me when i checked the print out my B12 were very very low..i had a course of B12 injections and im fine now....docs sometimes omit to tell you or they dont even check.....hope you can get to see your blood results and sort things out.....best wishes...
Hi Hannah
Just to say i presented with symptoms similar to yours...aching all over muscles and joints, extreme fatigue, lack of brain clarity (B12 important for neurons in the brain) poor memory, very weak...you can however, take B12 complex tabs to keep your B12 levels up...from the pharmacy....but check your blood results anyway..B12 is absorbed by eating eggs, yogurt, milk, fish, legumes there is none in fruit and veg..what is your diet like?? B12 is not toxic and you cannot overdose with B12 any surplus in the body with be excreted by the urine...or stored in the liver......it is an extremely important vitamin along with the other b vits for our wellbeing...best wishes...
My suggestion to you is that you go see a rheumatologist. Joints are the rheumatologist area of expertise. I can think of several diseases that can cause painful joints. Two that come to mind that don't cause visual inflammation like rheumatoid arthritis does is fibromyalgia and Poly Malaysia Rheumatica. Fibromyalgia does not have a blood test for diagnosis but the doctor can do an exam and determine if you have that. PMR can be diagnosed with blood tests indicating inflammation. Now I know you indicated that you said you did not have the inflammation markers. But it is possible to have PMR without elevated markers. Also the disease is typically for people over the age of 50. But it is possible for it to inflict people below 30 years of age. The problem is convincing a doctor that both of these situations are possible especially if it is a doctor not well-versed in PMR. But one sure way to find out is to take a course of prednisone 15 to 20 milligrams and if your pain subsides within a day or two then it's a sure bet you have PMR. Whether it's either one of these diseases or another it is the rheumatologist's job to treat this whatever you have. So you I think your GP is doing you a disservice by not referring you right away.
Aww right thankyou! I will mention at my next Hospital appointment and see what they say, you've been very helpful!
I was referred to the hospital a while ago, I seen a doctor there and they referred me to a rhumetoligist, I have only seen the rhumetoligists once and they have just referred me back to the doctor I seen before at the hospital as they decided that they didn't think there was rheumatalogical illness. I've seen a few doctors at my local doctor's surgery and once I seen my registered GP he referred me straight away and now gets any appointment under an emergency straight away and also frustrated that I haven't been given a diagnosis
Can any of the 2 diseases you mentioned occur in children as I'm only 15
Hi Hannah
Happy to help...keep us posted.....best wishes...
Hi Hannah
You are very young indeed to have Polymyalgia Rheumatica or PMR this usually occurs in older people.....some autoimmune diseases can develop in the young but I am sure your doctor or rheumatologist would have picled up anything of an inflammatory nature if you have had an ESR blood test an Eythrocite Sedimentation Rate blood test have you had this test??
Yes I think I have, I had 3 lots of bloods requested by the GP and another 3 lots that where requested by the doctor at the hospital because she wanted to make sure that everything has been covered. I'm not if it's the right thing but she did say that something that is always high in people with rheumatoid arthritis was slightly high but not worringly high. So really all the blood tests have came back normal which I suppose is good because hopefully it means there's nothing to serious going on ( that's what they're trying to tell me anyway
) but also rather frustrating. I'm still going to appointments and hopefully will come out with an answer at some point but I'll make sure I keep you all posted
No not very likely. I didn't realize you were that young. I can't believe you have gone through this much trouble and still have no diagnosis. And to be only 15. I have nothing else to share with you no other ideas. I assume you have regular menstrual periods. The only reason I'm asking is and this is pretty far-fetched but the problem might be hormonal. Your Ob-Gyn can run a test to tell if your hormones are level. In other words it will say what your levels of estrogen testosterone and progesterone are. That might give you a clue in that regard
I just had another idea and I don't know a thing about this disease really and so you might look it up but that's Addison's disease. It is a serious disease and it has to do cortisol levels. I don't know that it causes swollen joints but I do know it causes fatigue. I'm just spit balling here. (That means coming up with different ideas) that's all I've got for now. If I think of more I'll get back with you. Sorry I couldn't be more help.
Thankyou for all your help and ideas! I'm going to try and find a bit more out about the things you have mentioned but there's not really a lot I can do. It's up to my doctor's at the end of the day
Hi Hannah
Yes, that it is good that your blood tests have come back normal, but do check if your B12 levels were tested .. ...hear from you soon with good news hopefully..🤗👍
Hi hannah
Have you tried steroid injections to manage the pain ? It is very painful to receive but really helped me so far
I had a kidney stone last summer followed by 5 months of pain. Doctors thought the pains were urology related until I saw a rheumatologist who suspected an inflammation of the rib cartilage and he did these injections.
It's only been a few days but it has been life changing so far. I used to stuff myself with anti inflammatories, paracetamol and codeine, all maximum dose each day ! Now i started to decrease the painkillers and no relapse (episode of pain)
If it is really your joints that hurt, I strongly suggest you to see a rheumatologist and discuss steroids injections to at least relieve you until you get a proper diagnosis
Hope it will help
Good luck !