Thyroid and joint pain whats going on?

L1985
L1985 Member Posts: 120
edited 23. Oct 2011, 05:24 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hi everyone

I started with joint pain about 18months ago which as got steadily worse. Eventually after mentioning the joint pain to my thyorid speacalist at every appointment which was every 4 weeks for over a year he decided to carry out some blood tests. One of the tests came back with raised imflammation so I was refered to a rhuematologist.

First two rhuematologist I saw said it was the start of RA as there was imflammation on scans, family history of auto-immune diseases etc etc.

Third doctr I saw blamed all the joint pain on my thyroid and once removed it when stop. Said there was no long any swelling on the scans and no arthritis showing in my blood. All brilliant apart from I have still had the joint pain. They gave me a cause of steroids to take both tablet and in injection in my bum and neither helped.

The doctor said that as the steroids didnt help it was indication it wasnt ra.

Only cut a long story short I have had my thyorid removed and still in alot of joint pain. The surgeon for my thyroid said my levels are normal so that any symptoms im having now is not thyroid related.

I was in so much pain last night with my hands I couldnt sleep.

Just wondered what it could be? If you are sero-negative can you got react to steroids?

Any help/ adivce would be great

lulu xxx

Comments

  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Steroids don't help everyone, there are some who are resistant to their benefits, but from what you have said you are sounding more arthritic to me than anything else. I hope the thyroid removal has helped those health problems but if your joints are still hurting etc then I think you need to pursue this further. Keep a diary of what is what, what helps or aggravates matters, tiredness levels, whether you feel worse after a busier day, better after a quieter day. Sero-negative can mean some form of inflammatory arthritis is present, my version of this malarkey comes under that heading. I wish you well and please let us know how you get on. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • L1985
    L1985 Member Posts: 120
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    The doctor did say I could be steroid resistant but then changed it at this last appointment to saying if there is no swelling then the steroid wouldnt help. She thinks physio will help and thats all I need.

    Its so frustrating as I am in alot of pain. not only my hands but my knees. I will do the diary thats good idea.

    Just wondered if there was anything else I could suggest testing for?

    I dont want to have something wrong but I know there is if that makes sense.

    xxx
  • elnafinn
    elnafinn Member Posts: 7,412
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Lulu

    I cannot really help with your questions but I do sympathise. These consultants etc rarely seem to look outside the box do they? I had a nodular goitre removed at age 16 (hereditory on my father's side for some of the females :roll: ) and I have taken thyroxine tabs ever since. I developed Osteo Arthritis, beginning probably in my early thirties. I have also asked from time to time, if there is a link between the two but the reply has always been "no". Both are auto immune diseases though, aren't they?

    Elna x
    The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.

    If you can lay down at night knowing in your heart that you made someone's day just a little bit better, you know you had a good day.
  • Mat48
    Mat48 Member Posts: 1,075
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Might be wrong about this but I'm pretty sure osteoarthritis isn't an autoimmune disease? Hypo and hyperthyroidism are though and there are links to thyroid diseases and PA, RA, PR, gout, diabetes etc because all are autoimmune. Mat

    Ps I did a post on thyroid probs and related joint pains a few weeks ago and quoted the joint related symptoms I learnt about online. If you are on the correct amount of Thyroxine then joint pain should not be an issue anymore but I did read somewhere that normal levels of TSH is worked out on a somewhat spurious basis? I think you should really push to go back to a rheumy.
    If you get lemons, make lemonade
  • hileena111
    hileena111 Member Posts: 7,099
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi
    You are right.....OA is not an auto immune disease.......its what the call wear and tear.....wonderful isnt it....Thats what i have.
    Elna is right.....these specialists rarely think outside of their own specialiaty. I'm sorry....having OA I cant really help
    Love
    Hileena
  • Mat48
    Mat48 Member Posts: 1,075
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Perhaps you have Palindromic Rheumatism - although inflammatory markers usually raised for that. My hands are constantly hellish even when not in flare - especially right hand with knuckles now permanently swollen. There other triggers for Arther such as hormonal fluctuations I believe? I've wondered if mine might be menopausal or thyroid related and OA is often triggered by menopause I believe? All worth researching while doctors twiddle their fingers I'm sure!
    Mat
    If you get lemons, make lemonade

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