Possible reactive arthritis?

Hi,

I'm new to these forums. I'm 39 years old and wanted to share my story in case anyone can relate to it or offer any words of advice...

About 6 months ago, I had a bout of gastritis that lasted around 2 months. As the gastritis got better, I was left with pain in my lower back and left hip. A few weeks later, I started to get pain in both hands. I work in IT and it became so bad that I couldn't do my job.

There was no visible inflammation, no redness and blood tests were clear. Due to the breadth of symptoms, my GP "didn't know who to refer me to" and told me to "get some rest". The decline in my health was terrifying and I've never felt so utterly abandoned in my life.

I took some time off work, but things only got worse. My knees started clicking when I walked, then seized up. They were so painful that, for a few days, I could barely stand. I also started to get pain in both shoulders.

At this point, I gave up on my GP and saw a private orthopaedic surgeon about my hands. More blood tests and X-rays later, he couldn't help and referred me to a rheumatologist. He didn't know what was wrong either, but prescribed amitriptyline, which only made me feel worse.

At this point, I switched to a different GP. My new GP recommended having a test for colitis, which required me to stop taking ibuprofen (which I was only using sparingly, because of my gastro problems) for 6 weeks.

Somewhere around here, my left ankle seized up and became so painful that I couldn't put any weight on it without getting pins and needles in my foot.

After having to have the colitis test done twice(!), it came back negative and my GP recommended taking ibuprofen again. Almost immediately, the pain in my joints got better and the gentle fever I'd been suffering from went away.

Within 24 hours, however, my stomach started to hurt again. After 4 days, it got so bad that I thought the ibuprofen must be to blame. I stopped taking it and got a bit better for a few days. Then, it suddenly got a lot worse and the joint pain came back with avengeance. I also developed a new pain in my left buttock(!). I was in so much pain that I ended up in A&E the week after Christmas. They couldn't help either and sent me back to my GP.

My GP now thinks that I might be suffering from reactive arthritis and has again referred me to a rheumatologist. Based on the details here, I'd be inclined to agree:

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

Why the rheumatologist I saw before didn't suggest this, I do not know. I can't get an NHS appointment until April, so I'm having to go private again.

So, here I am now with pain in my stomach, stiff legs and shoulders that hurt so much when I lie down that I can't sleep. On the bright side, my hands and ankle have now mostly recovered and my knees aren't quite as bad as they were.

Trying to get help has been like pushing a boulder up a hill. There have been days when it hurts so much that I can't think about anything else - it feels like my body is no longer mine.

I'm supposed to be moving house next month, but I'm dreading it right now. My employer is sympathetic, but I can't pretend that I'm not worried about paying off the mortgage in my current condition.

I'm seeing a rheumatologist (this time, recommended by a fiend) on Saturday. I have a better understanding of what might be wrong now, but, after the last 6 months, I'm finding it difficult to remain positive. My GP suggested steroid injections in my shoulders. At least that might help me to get some sleep?

Sorry for the long post. I'm sort-of using it to help get my thoughts in order ahead of the appointment. I'll post again if I manage to make any progress.

To anyone suffering from any form of arthritis, you have my sympathy. This sucks.

Thanks for reading,
Ross