What's wrong with me?

Starburst
Starburst Member Posts: 2,546
edited 30. Oct 2009, 11:39 in Living with Arthritis archive
This is the plea of a frustrated 21 year old. I've been suffering from pain for many months now, it's to the point where I'm struggling to function. I wake up with stiff joints and I'm constantly exhausted, so when I wake up from a short nap, I'm stiff all over again. The top of my spine swells, as do my hips, fingers and knuckles. The places that feel the stiffest are my hands, feet and hips.

I've recently been examined by a rheumatologist and I'm still awaiting blood test results. He said he doesn't think I have arthritis and if my blood tests come back clear, I don't need to see him again, unless I want to, of course.
If the blood test results don't shed any light, is it worth getting him to examine me again? Am I right in saying, that if it was arthritis, it would be picked up by the blood test or upon physical examination? He won't have missed anything, would he?

Thank you for reading and listening.

Comments

  • minky67
    minky67 Member Posts: 2,328
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi,im sorry to see your struggling at such a young age.
    Im 42 diagnosed with Osteoarthritis at 40.Ostea doesnt show up in blood tests But RA does.But an examination by a rheumatologist should be all you need for OA.then you should be referred for X-rays & scans,
    Ive recently been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia(on top of the OA)This condition causes fatigue,muscle,ligament & tendon pain.Plus joint pain.
    you really need to fight you corner to get the answers you need to find out whats wrong,pain is there for a reason.

    Finding the right meds is also a must.
    Good luck & let us know how you get on.
    debs
  • vonski
    vonski Member Posts: 1,292
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi

    Welcome to the forum, I hope you get some answers to your question. Even if the blood test comes back clear you could still have arthritis, they don't all show up in blood sorry. When you saw your Dr. he/she think arthritis straight away or did you have tests for anything else, not that I have any idea what it could be. Don't let the Rheumy discharge you, you need to know what's going on.

    You could post on chat to the helpline team or ring I'm sure they will have an idea.

    Try and keep your chin up and there's the young peoples forum too.

    Love
    Vonski x
  • Starburst
    Starburst Member Posts: 2,546
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    minky67 wrote:
    Hi,im sorry to see your struggling at such a young age.
    Im 42 diagnosed with Osteoarthritis at 40.Ostea doesnt show up in blood tests But RA does.But an examination by a rheumatologist should be all you need for OA.then you should be referred for X-rays & scans,
    Ive recently been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia(on top of the OA)This condition causes fatigue,muscle,ligament & tendon pain.Plus joint pain.
    you really need to fight you corner to get the answers you need to find out whats wrong,pain is there for a reason.

    Finding the right meds is also a must.
    Good luck & let us know how you get on.
    debs

    Thank you for your reply. I've been given a tentative diagnosis of Fibromyalgia. The rheumatologist said he wouldn't make a conclusive diagnosis until he's ruled out everything else. I have many symptoms of Lupus but my last ANA came back negative, it's been repeated again. I know need to be patient (at least until I get my blood test results!) but I'm rather fed up to be honest. :?

    Thank you again. I'll update with any new info, if I get any. :)
  • Starburst
    Starburst Member Posts: 2,546
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    vonski wrote:
    Hi

    Welcome to the forum, I hope you get some answers to your question. Even if the blood test comes back clear you could still have arthritis, they don't all show up in blood sorry. When you saw your Dr. he/she think arthritis straight away or did you have tests for anything else, not that I have any idea what it could be. Don't let the Rheumy discharge you, you need to know what's going on.

    You could post on chat to the helpline team or ring I'm sure they will have an idea.

    Try and keep your chin up and there's the young peoples forum too.

    Love
    Vonski x

    Thank you also, I'm very grateful. He didn't think arthritis straight away. I'd been seeing a physio who reckoned I have Fibromyalgia and mild hypermobility. I'm mostly concerned about the swelling to be honest. It's not nice and very uncomfortable.

    Thanks again for yourself useful reply. :)
  • woodbon
    woodbon Member Posts: 4,969
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello, I'm sorry that someone your age has so much pain to put up with. Sometimes things take a while to diagnose, but your blood tests might show up something. If not your GP may well repeat them in a few months, if nothing else has shown up, as sometimes rheumatiod arthritis takes a while to show in the blood tests.

    If you do get a negative result your GP may decide to refer you to another department, as arthritis may not be the problem, or to rule out other things. It can be a long slow process getting a diagnosis, but keep going to the doctor if you feel unwell, don't give up, and you'll get there in the end! :wink: Love Sue
  • minky67
    minky67 Member Posts: 2,328
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi have you got any medication for the pain.
    I got told about the joint hypermobility too from the physio.
    Its took over 2 yrs from OA to Fibro.
    ive just started new meds,Tramadol & Gabapentin,then my orignals oramorph,amptipyline & dicloenacs.
    hope you can get some answers real soon.
    debs
  • elnafinn
    elnafinn Member Posts: 7,412
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Princess

    Welcome to the forum. I hope you can find help from here. It makes it easier in a way when one has a diagnosis rather than being in limbo, because then you feel something can be done about it. As has been said Osteo Arthritis does not show up in a blood test but Rheumatoid Arthritis may not either at the very beginning but you can still have it. I am sure that the rheumi you are seeing would be a good judge of whether you have arthritis or not, that is, if he is a good rheumi, because that is what he presumably specialises in.

    If after you have had the blood test results and if he says you do not have arthritis perhaps you could ask him why he thinks this? Seems a reasonable question to ask, don't you think and also ask him what he thinks it may be so you can be referred to the relevant person.

    I do hope you get some answers soon, I am sorry you are suffering so, at such a young age.

    Look after yourself,

    Luv
    Elna x

    ps have you had any xrays taken? Rheumis sometimes have xrays taken of the feet if they suspect RA because even if you have no problems there, changes caused by RA can be seen in the feet before they appear in other joints.
    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.
  • sharmaine
    sharmaine Member Posts: 1,638
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi

    Sorry to hear about your pain. Make sure they do xrays too as this can indicate signs of OA - not sure of RA. I have OA in both knees, hands and right shoulder. Periods of inactivity (sleep; sitting etc) make me stiff and joints swell - this is normal. I'm unable to stand in one place for even 30 seconds!!

    I hope you get your results soon. I'm on meds for the pain and arthritis. I used to have real problems sleeping but with the right balance of meds - I sleep better. If you sleep then coping with the rest of the day is easier.

    Take care and I hope everything works out for you.

    Sharmaine
  • joyful164
    joyful164 Member Posts: 2,401
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi
    Have just been reading your message and can understand feeling like you do at my age, 65 but poor you. You must be really worried. If the rheumatologist does feel he cannot do anymore for you then you really must put pressure on your GP to investigate further. As mentioned you need to get xrays done.

    Like you this last week or two, I have been feeling very much like yourself with both of my hips extremely painful and at one point, I fell down - my legs just gave way under me. Never happened to me before.

    I hope you get some answers very soon and willo let us know how you get on

    joyful
  • c4thyg
    c4thyg Member Posts: 542
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Princess,
    I haven't had time to read all the replies but I wanted to say that the type of arthritis I have (psoriatic arthritis) doesn't show up on blood work or x-rays until many years after you've had it. Don't let your rheumatologist discharge you without answers and something to help you function day to day. Even if it's not arthritis, you still have a problem that needs to be addressed.
    Good luck.
  • dachshund
    dachshund Member Posts: 8,899
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Princess.
    When i had a blood test i was just told i had wear and tear when i asked if that was arthritis i was told no.
    then in june i had a mri scan and was told i had arthritis of the spine hips hands feet.
    good luck i hope you get your resuilts soon.
    joan xx
    take care
    joan xx
  • duskstar
    duskstar Member Posts: 25
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Good luck getting it all sorted out. Im 22 and have hypermobility and OA. Its not easy getting people to take you seriously at our age, they seem to think your over reacting when you get tested for a disease that supposedly only affects the 'old'

    Thinking of you
  • Starburst
    Starburst Member Posts: 2,546
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I just wanted to say a massive thank you for your support and helpful replies. Today, I got a call from the hospital and they told me my blood tests showed some inflammation and I'm seeing the rheumatologist next week. I'm not exactly sure what this means but I guess I'll find out soon!
  • elnafinn
    elnafinn Member Posts: 7,412
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Princess

    Just to wish you all the best at your rheumy appointment next week. Hope you get some answers. Refuse to leave until you do! :wink:

    Have you seen Jonathan's posting on the Young People's zone? He is 23 and would like a hello from some one around his age. Vonski and I have replied as he looked so lonely there and I am sure he would love to hear from you. :):wink:

    Luv
    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.
  • vonski
    vonski Member Posts: 1,292
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Princess

    Nothing to worry about with the Rheumy appointment, I had my 1st this month. been under ortho for past 25yrs. Just had to have bloods and x rays done and then she will sort out my meds.

    Good luck

    Elna glad you replied too, poor lad did look lonely but young ones are a bit quiet :)

    Love
    Vonski x