Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group

I introduced myself awhile ago but only posted once (so far!) I am waiting not so patiently for a Rheumie appointment and do not have an official diagnosis of anything yet. I would not be surprised if RA though, since it runs in my family on both sides. Whatever it is, this seems like a good place to gather information and talk because we share the misfortunes of pain in common.

Random History ~*~ (Feel free to skip ahead to 'Now ~*' ~

I have always had joint/bone pain. It started when I was a juvenile, and my back was the worst. All doctors did was check for scoliosis, confirm I did not have it, and send me on my way. For years I would have very light aching in my wrists, sometimes feet, and the back pain that came and went varying in severity. Last year (age 22) my spinal pain was awful, it was an intense ache that seemed to pinch an radiate to the front of my body. They tested to make sure it was not my pancreas or gallbladder due to where the pain was radiating to, but sent me on my way refusing to take my insistence it has something to do with my back seriously. My pancreas and gallbladder were fine.

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Now ~*~

The past year ALL symptoms have intensified, especially the past couple of weeks. While awaiting an appointment I started keeping a pain journal and it looks ridiculous with all of the symptoms. Several days I will have:

- Pain in both feet and ankles, some stiffness in the morning.

- Pain and stiffness in both hips

- Intense aching and stiffness in both wrists.

- Pain and lately, stiffness in both hands and fingers on both sides. I can still move them but especially on my right hand, if I curl my hand around the handle of a coffee cup, it takes great effort to 'unbend' one of my fingers.

- Lower back pain (it was always upper back before) and stiffness, like it doesn't want to "move" with the rest of my body.

- The same old intense aching in my upper back/neck. Tender to touch.

- Numbness and tingling in hands/legs/feet (I've had 'pins and needles' for years and a tendency for my feet to 'fall asleep').

- As of last week, a burning sensation on the soles of my feet that's worse at night. I have to put cool cloths on the bottom of my feet not to go loopy. Usually my ankles seem a bit swollen then.

- TIRED. I never put two and two together, but it may be related. I need naps or feel tired after only a couple hours of being awake.

Thank you for patiently reading this. My main questions are, have you all had any of these symptoms? What about burning feet? I know it's not diabetes or thyroid problems, because I was tested while complaining of something else.

All the best,

Christina

Hi Christina

Yes, Yes and Yes again. All of the above are things I have had pain in at times or consistently have pain in.

For a few years before my DX my feet hurt me, but I called it off to standing for long periods of time. It wasn't till one morning my hands were badly inflamed and I couldn't do anything that I went to PCP and was Dx with RA

EVERYDAY -Pain in both feet and ankles, some stiffness in the morning.

ON OCCASION- Pain and stiffness in both hips

EVERYDAY- Intense aching and stiffness in both wrists.

ON OCCASION- Pain and lately, stiffness in both hands and fingers on both sides. I can

still move them but especially on my right hand, if I curl my hand around the handle of a coffee cup, it takes great effort to 'unbend' one of my fingers.

EVERYDAY- Lower back pain (it was always upper back before) and stiffness, like it doesn't want to "move" with the rest of my body.

MORE AND MORE OFTEN- The same old intense aching in my upper back/neck. Tender to touch.

EVERDAY- Numbness and tingling in hands/legs/feet (I've had 'pins and needles' for years and a tendency for my feet to 'fall asleep').

EVERYDAY - As of last week, a burning sensation on the soles of my feet that's worse at night. I have to put cool cloths on the bottom of my feet not to go loopy. Usually my ankles seem a bit swollen then

NOT ANY MORE SINCE DR DOUBLED DOSE OF FOLIC ACID- TIRED. I never put two and two together, but it may be related. I need naps or feel tired after only a couple hours of being awake.

It's great that you kept a pain diary. I would highlight symptoms in different colors and not let them off the hook until they say something. I write down questions on paper and put the answer them. When the Dr says any thing else. I'm quick to look over my questions.

I wonder if looking into test names and what they show would be nice to have on hand. Ask the Dr to take them. I go further to get a copy of the results from the hospital lab.

Good luck and its good to be prepared.

Post edited by: claphappy, at: 07/08/2012 01:24 PM

Ditto!!!!!!!!!!!

Have you been checked for pinched nerves, bulging discs, Sciatica, spinal stenosis, OA, Psuedgout?

I have peripreal neuropathy and Sciatica that causes alot of nerve problems which differ in the pain from the arthritis pains.

The nerve pain is like scalding water running through my veins. It is hot/intense. It tingles. It feels like being stuck with hundreds of sharp needles.

The spinal stenosis feels like something is pushing my shoulders down crushing my lower back if I stand for more than a few mins. Relief can be found if I sit down taking pressure off.

There are so many areas of the back (spine) that can cause referred pain.

As much as I despise the pain I doubly detest the overwhelming fatigue. Pain makes me know something is wrong...the fatigue makes me feel sick.

I am sorry you have been hurting so long. Hopefuly, the cause(s) and treatment(s) will be identified soon.

Hugs

Thank you! Not for hurting, but I feel less like I am being dramatic about symptoms that are just difficult. The joint pain I normally have is a bit different from the pain in my back. *If* there is something being pinched in my back (I wouldn't be surprised), or compressed, the pain it causes is sharper and more of a sting/stab than an ache. The back itself/wrists/hands/ankles/feet/etc are an intense dull aching and feel swollen. Sighs, a new ailment by the week.