Flu Like Symptoms

PollySid

Hi,
My OA seems to have changed monthly over the last year.
I have had burning Sciatica in my lower legs, 'coat hanger' pain across my neck and shoulders, cramp like pain in my upper back and ribs, swollen feet and painful toes, legs that do not want to move smoothly, aching legs and of course the old familiar back pain.
Luckily for me these things seem to come one or two at a time, last a week or so and then it changes to something else.
The last couple of weeks it has been flu like symptoms, something I have not had before (only when I have had flu). My hands really ache and feel weak, especially when I first wake up. Everything else joins in - legs, arms, feet, shoulders. I can hardly put one foot in front of the other.
The Co-codamel and Gabapentin help, but I have to be very careful to take them on time or I feel terrible, and have had to resort to going to bed a few times.
It has been waking me up 3-4am and I have had to read or do puzzles to try to take my mind off it until time for my tablets.
Do others of you with OA and spinal degeneration/disc bulges get this or do you think a trip to the Drs is in order in case I have an inflammatory arthritis simmering in the background?

dreamdaisy

I don't know how usual it is to aquire an auto-immune arthritis after OA (I know it can be done the other way round 'cos me and others on here have done it) but surely there's nowt wrong in going to the doc, detailing these symptoms and asking at the very least for blood tests. We all know that we are unique and if you're doing it the other way round then you need to know. Don't expect an instant diagnosis though, us auto ones are slippery beasts. DD

Boomer13

Hello;

I'm with DD. Talk to your GP. You're having pretty wide-ranging symptoms and it would be worth a consult. Maybe all coincidental, in which case it would put your mind at ease.

Take care,

Anna

stickywicket

Me too. Auto-immune>OA is an acknowledged route but there's no rule that says someone with OA is not allowed to have an inflammatory arthritis too. I hope you don't but, for the sake of a blood test, it would be better to know.

Numptydumpty

I agree with the others, talk to your GP, ask for the appropriate tests, and take it from there.
Wishing you well,
Numpty

DebbieT

I completely agree that a trip to ure gp is needed. Id also request a viral panel to be done & vit levels to be checked, just to make sure you aren't brewing anything like glandular fever or are low in D3 etc.

Good luck.x