Strange Happenings and not sure what to make of it

rugbygirl
rugbygirl Member Posts: 691
edited 25. Jul 2011, 15:28 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hi All

I am hoping that someone maybe able to help me or give me some advice.

I know no one here is a doctor but I was just wondering if anyone else had similar symptoms.

I have been having a lot of pain in my right arm mainly hurting in my shoulder, between shoulder and elbow, the wrist and hand. I get the aches in my upper arm and then swelling and pins and needles in my right hand. I can either push through it and end up really hurting or I can leave it and apart from taking the pain dullers I ache constantly.

I have also started having problems with my feet - my toes have been swelling and the soles of my feet have been hurting if I walk. It doesnt matter if I wear shoes, boots, thick soles, thin soles or walk bare foot.

Can anyone give me any advice?
Jakib0644.gif

Comments

  • valval
    valval Member Posts: 14,911
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    hi think you need to see doc it sounds as if you have some inflimation but could be wrong so get an appointment as soon as you can they can do blood tests to show if it is good luck val
    val
  • Poppyg1rl
    Poppyg1rl Member Posts: 1,245
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Jaki,
    I agree with Val, go back to your GP and let them know whats hurting/swelling and ask for a blood test. Let us know how you get on
    Take care, love and hugs xxx
    'grá agus solas'
    'Love and Light' translated from Irish. X
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    That sounds like inflammation to me too. My toes are sausages, my feet are very tender, I too get the pins-and-needles thing occasionally in one or the other (and occasionally both) hands, which could be a circulation issue. I think that for most of us the pain associated with arthritis is continual which is one of the things that makes life so hard sometimes. I am afraid I cannot remember which strain of this plague assails you, rugbygirl, I do apologise :oops: but it sounds as though a trip to the GP could be on the cards. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • julie47
    julie47 Member Posts: 6,041
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi jaki

    I cannot add to what the others have said, Just want to wish you well

    Juliepf x
  • rugbygirl
    rugbygirl Member Posts: 691
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Well I have been to the doctors and told him about the issues. He checked me out but because things arent following the 'normal' route (ie feet and hands apparently cant tingle at the same time and the soles of my feet shouldnt be sore!) he decided to send me for a blood test!!

    Now me and blood tests dont get on as I have veins that run away as soon as a needle is in sight. The lovely doctor wanted to check for Diabeties, B12 level, Thyroid levels, Rheumy levels (only because I asked for it) and loads more.

    As my doctors is outside the hospital I went to have my blood taken. The Phelbotomist took one look at me and said 'you again? dont your doctors like you or something?' I was expecting the usual routine of 9 attempts to get one little bit of blood out of me (if they are lucky to find a vein we normally pray to get any thing and filling more than one is nigh on impossible). I think some one was looking out for me as the blood test was the easiest I had ever had. I have now got to wait for the results and hopefully I will find out what is going on.
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  • Ros33
    Ros33 Member Posts: 20
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hey there

    So glad to hear the blood tests weren't too traumatic for you. Also just wanted to say don't pay to much attention to the doc saying that the pins and needles in hands and feet aren't normal with arthritis. I was told that I couldn't possibly have RA as the pain and swelling was only appearing on my left side and it was normal with RA for both sides to be affected. I do have RA and have had for years. Everyone is individual and symptoms will be different for everyone.

    I wish you lot's of luck and hope you get to the bottom of this soon

    ps I had alot of pain inbetween the shoulder and elbow and it was constant too I don't get that too aften now :smile:
  • sharmaine
    sharmaine Member Posts: 1,638
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi

    I hope the blood tests don't show up any nasties. I was having lots of problems with my shoulder/collar bone which caused my lower arm to hurt - I was diagnosed with a frozen shoulder. I think one pain is often linked to another. I've heard that people who have hip problems generally feel pain in the knee. I have OA in the knees (one knee has been replaced) and one of the signs was stiffness in the morning; trouble getting out of a chair; difficulty standing etc. Funny how the body works!

    It's not easy to diagnose someone else's condition!!! I can only sympathise and hope you get a diagnosis soon.

    Let us know what they find out.
  • rugbygirl
    rugbygirl Member Posts: 691
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi All

    Thanks for the support. Right I have had the blood tests done and they came back normal apart from a slight infection - no treatment.

    I have been sent to see the nerve specialist, for my shoulder and tingling hand, who gave me a thorough poke and prod before saying its not nerve issue but you have a bit of carpal tunnel in your hand and possible muscular problems in your neck and shoulder. I will send you for physio.

    I have had the physio and the exercises she gave to me have made my shoulder worse. I go back to see her next week and I will tell her the problems I have had. Basically I have had issues with clicking joints and I sends a shooting pain down my back as well as generally being painful.

    I mentioned my feet again to my doctor when I saw him last and my shoulder. He just told me to wait until I see the Pain Specialist on 23rd August and the chronic pain clinic on 7th September. He told me that he had done all he could.

    Since then my hips have joined in the ache.

    I basically feel like I am being a hypochondriac complaining all the time and then I think if he could feel the pain I am in he would understand what I am going through. I am trying not to worry as I know it will only make things worse but it is difficult especially as OH has been so poorly and I have to be strong for him.

    I cant do this - I hurt too much but I have to carry on for my family. I just want to cry all the time but that isnt going to help. I thought I had OA (well that was the diagnosis in February) but now I am beginning to wonder if it is all in my head and I am what people who dont know me well think I am.

    On top of all this I had another pregnancy scare with my younger daughter but now she has had the implants to make sure that things dont happen. I am trying to look for work but hey who wants to employ a disabled person who cant do heavy lifting and is likely to have a lot of time off for appointment and things.

    My parents have been adding to my stress levels too. They have my children (long story) but I am not allowed to tell my parents how to bring up my children. I am not even allowed to say that my son who is 11 (starting senior school in September) is going to bed too early at 7pm!!

    They keep throwing in to any conversation - you chose to give them up, you rejected them, we are the parents. I was forced to sign the paperwork because of a seriously bad situation which no longer exists but I am not allowed to challenge this now as they are with my parents until they are 18. Having said that my 18 year old comes to see me and my parents get annoyed if she is out past 8.30pm!! How many 18 year olds do that now.

    Sorry about that- it had to come out. I cant talk to anyone who really understands. I feel completely alone in everything that is going on and my life is falling down around my ears.

    I hope I havent upset anyone or overstepped the mark. I do however have an interview on Tuesday so hopefuully something good will happen.
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  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 29,827
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Oh Jaki

    Bless you you have a heck of a lot on :shock:

    I am so sorry you are still suffering and the doc is not listening to you.

    Why we have to go through this all the time l just do NOT know :sad: Jak you WILL get sorted in time you WILL and persevere is what you have to do. We will be here for you when you need us to encourage you on for the next battle.

    It sounds like a flare which is just not under control doesn't it? Have you had a shoulder Xray? If not then maybe that is the next thing you should ask for?

    As for the kid l am sorry you are in this position....l guess you are too far more than me :sad: You parents are behind the times and control them too much l agree. They will loose out long term as the kids might disown them when they are independant.

    Lucy at 13 in year 9 - 9.30 weekdays and 10.00 weekends. Charl and Tia 16 - when they like. As for time in at night...negotiated according to whet they are doing....normally in for about 9ish ynless, like last night a party - MIDNIGHT!!! (brought home by a responsible parent).

    Jak - HUGS for you and brilliant about your interveiw....you show them your sparkly personality and you might just have it in the bag :wink:

    Love

    toni xx
  • Melrymax
    Melrymax Member Posts: 226
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Jaki. Sorry to
    See you are having such a rough time :(
    I would suggested stressing to the doc that you want an xaray or MRI or both. Glad the blood tests went well. As for your children, may it be worth a chat with the sw? Hope you can sort things x
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,764
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    You certainly are having a rough time, Jaki, and it's all the stress that's making you doubt yourself. Don't go down that route. What you have is, unfortunately, real, whatever form of arthritis you have.

    I hope the physio next week will be able either to explain what's happening, why the exercises hurt you so much and the clicking joints. I'm sorry, so much of this disease is long haul rather than the quick fix we'd all like.

    Well done on the job interview.
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • nanasue
    nanasue Member Posts: 465
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Jaki, I'm so sorry you are having such a rough time, I can't help, but just wanted to leave you cyber (((()))) and lots of love, I will be thinking of you and hoping things will improve. Don't forget we are all here for you.

    Sue x
  • rugbygirl
    rugbygirl Member Posts: 691
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thanks for all your support. I have been trying to do everything recently and I think it was a bit more than I should have been. I am not going to overdo it so I am heading to bed for a much needed early night and to be ready to fight the new day in the morning.
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  • Poppyg1rl
    Poppyg1rl Member Posts: 1,245
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Jaki,
    I can't offer much advice hon, except to say please rest when you can, your poor body is struggling and needs to recoup.
    Have you ever thought of ringing the helplines here? Even if all you do is mumble and blub down the phone (exactly what I did) it can really help.
    Meanwhile if you want to pm me for a chat anytime I'd be happy to talk?
    and Good luck for the interview :grin:
    Thinking of you and sending buckets of hugs (((((()))))) Xxx
    'grá agus solas'
    'Love and Light' translated from Irish. X