Newly Diagnosed Undifferentiated Inflammatory Arthritis

Queenie1

Hi all

I am 47 and was diagnosed with UIA last week. Rheumatologist is leaning towards RA. I have started on Hydroxychloroquine (Doc wanted me to start on Meth but I asked to try HCQ first) since Sunday and apart from some gurgly tummy and gas it's been ok so far.

My questions are (these things are before starting HCQ)

1) Does anyone experience chest pain (if I try to take a really deep breath my chest feels like there's a band squeezing it) and shortness of breath after even the slightest exertion? I've been told I may have Costcochondritis but nothing says it should cause me shortness of breath.

2) Does anyone feel they unbalance easily? Today I was literally standing still and kinda unbalanced sideways. Twice!!

3) Hip pain. I know I have spurs on both hips and L5/S1 disc disease with bilateral nerve root involvement but does this explain the pain in the hip? I understand the pain down my legs and buttocks is sciatica. I've been prescribed Amitryptiline (sp?) but I can't start it until 4 weeks after starting HCQ.

I am looking forward to joining this community as this all feels very alarming and uncertain. The Rheumatologist was nice but very much like 'this is the diagnosis, here's the drugs to try, see you in 3 months'

Any guidance will be greatly appreciated.

Are there any face to face groups?

PJoanne

Hello @Queenie1 and welcome to the forum.

Here is a link to the VA 'In Your Area' page which will help you find out if there's anything going on near you.

https://www.versusarthritis.org/in-your-area/

Going through your questions, I think you should see your GP if you are experiencing chest pain and shortness of breath and mention the feeling of being unbalanced as well if they could be related? I'm not medically trained but yes I think that conditions you mention for the hips could well explain the pain.

There is a lot of information available on the VA site and I don't want to overwhelm you, I've posted a link to a page where you can search for various topics. On the far right next to the red Donate button you will see a magnifying glass symbol 🔍️. If you click on that you can type in your search word.

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/

Best Joanne