I May Have Arthritis?

[SadBabyGirl]

Hi All. This is kinda embaressing but I wanted to see if anybody can relate to my problem. Im a 25 year old female and for the past maybe 2 months Ive been dealing with like HARDCORE body pain. For example, sleeping at night has become a nightmare. I wake up in the morning and both of my shoulders feel stabbing, nightmarish pain inside and around them that travels through my upper arm muscles to where my arms bend. My hands are fine.

 

Along with that, my back hurts from my neck to my hips, I get sciatic nerve flare ups and I feel like Im plagued with the "flu-like" body aches 24-7. Its like i feel sick all the time without the upper respiratory, and when I really DO get a cold, its terrible. Dont even ask about PMS! It gets the worst that time.

 

So I go to the dr. at a clinic. She takes a blood test, however she tells me well I doubt you have arthritis because your hand are fine Well I said, they are about the only thing on my body that isnt in pain! So I keep taking Motrin, which helps a Bit, but doesnt eliminate the problem. I am physically fit, not overweight, Im a painter, I do stretches every day and lift 10 lb. dumbells to keep my arms nice and stretched. So its not like Im not active. Most ppl have referred me to that as being a cause but Its not me!

 

I have researched the different diagnoses such as fibromyalgia, osteo and roymatoid (ok terrible spelling i know LOL forgive me ) and it seems each have symptoms that Im feeling. The only differences is

 

I dont feel hot on the pressure points. They dont feel hot or turn red. They just hurt like hell! Well all, thats about it. If you have experienced anything like this pls tell me. Im working on buying a new bed and computer chair and today I bought a memory foam pillow. I just feel im too young for this stuff

[Outcast]

Could it be a pinched nerve or nerves? Why not try another doctor?

[erika2610]

Hi All. This is kinda embaressing but I wanted to see if anybody can relate to my problem. Im a 25 year old female and for the past maybe 2 months Ive been dealing with like HARDCORE body pain. For example, sleeping at night has become a nightmare. I wake up in the morning and both of my shoulders feel stabbing, nightmarish pain inside and around them that travels through my upper arm muscles to where my arms bend. My hands are fine.

 

Along with that, my back hurts from my neck to my hips, I get sciatic nerve flare ups and I feel like Im plagued with the "flu-like" body aches 24-7. Its like i feel sick all the time without the upper respiratory, and when I really DO get a cold, its terrible. Dont even ask about PMS! It gets the worst that time.

 

So I go to the dr. at a clinic. She takes a blood test, however she tells me well I doubt you have arthritis because your hand are fine Well I said, they are about the only thing on my body that isnt in pain! So I keep taking Motrin, which helps a Bit, but doesnt eliminate the problem. I am physically fit, not overweight, Im a painter, I do stretches every day and lift 10 lb. dumbells to keep my arms nice and stretched. So its not like Im not active. Most ppl have referred me to that as being a cause but Its not me!

 

I have researched the different diagnoses such as fibromyalgia, osteo and roymatoid (ok terrible spelling i know LOL forgive me ) and it seems each have symptoms that Im feeling. The only differences is

 

I dont feel hot on the pressure points. They dont feel hot or turn red. They just hurt like hell! Well all, thats about it. If you have experienced anything like this pls tell me. Im working on buying a new bed and computer chair and today I bought a memory foam pillow. I just feel im too young for this stuff

 

Outcast is right.. try a different doctor. A couple of years ago, I took a bad fall on some ice. A while after, I started having immense pain. I was waitressing at the time.. I went to maybe 4 different doctors who told me it was just strain from waitressing and nothing else. It wasn't until I had to go to the ER a year later, that he found out I had Fractured Vertabrae. I'm still in immense pain to this day. If the first or second doctor had bothered to really try to find out, it would've saved me alot of money, pain, and time off from work.

[magda]

It sounds similar to cases with a pinched nerve. If you're unhappy with what your doctor told you, you'll just have to try another.

 

Might be worth a visit to a chiropractor, too, but you'd better find out what has caused this! Has life become a lot more stressful in the past 2 months?

[SadBabyGirl]

Thanks for the replies everyone. Well the last few months, Id say as far as mental stress, im fine. But its been SO COLD like omg, its been freezing out and my room has been so cold. So when i sleep-- i Dont budge! So ultimately, when I wake up im all stiff, crackling, cant put my arms behind my back. Reaching out to grab stuff is hard.

 

Several comments I got from dr's were: have u ever had an injury (no), accident (no). One dr. said Im having muscle spasms from sleeping on a cold room. Another dr. commented that im sleeping on 2 twin size mattresses stacked (without a box spring underneath) therefore they are too soft and lastly, my computer chair has a broken back piece on it so theres nothing supporting my back. One guy who is non-chiropractic but has his own like therapy company pretty much told me my muscles in my back were all stiff and to use tennis balls to massage the areas on the side of my spine but not over the spine. And when i said well sir the area that hurts most is my arms, he said well thats because its all connected, ur nerve center is on the lower part of ur back and until u get therapy.. yeah. After i saw therapy costs 100 dollars a week after a 300 dollar membership.. i was like Doh! so on to plan B

 

this week Im buying a new bed, and a new computer chair. I just bought one of those awesome chair pads at Mervyns with built in massager via remote control. If none of these things help, im going to go get an x ray done in the radiology center. I hope I dont have arthritis...but boy sometimes i begin to wonder:o its painful stuff

[jen_jen_heartbroken]

Have you seen a Rheumatologist? There are like 140 different kinds of arthritis out there, and a Rheumatologist is the right kind of doctor to diagnose which one, if any, you might have.

[Neptune]

Quote SadBabyGirl

Im a painter

 

Is there any possibility that you are breathing chemicals in paint that affect your body? It is possible.

[Outcast]

Did you try putting more blankets on your bed and using the tennis balls?

[whichwayisup]

Have you seen a Rheumatologist? There are like 140 different kinds of arthritis out there, and a Rheumatologist is the right kind of doctor to diagnose which one, if any, you might have.

 

Definately look into to seeing a Rheumatologist.

 

I don't know that much about Fibromyalgia but the body pain sounds familar that you're experiencing. I know someone who has it and has RA too. Talk to your DR to get a referral.

 

Also, keep a diary of everything that you feel. All the pains, times of day when it gets worse. And write down what you eat. Could be food allergies too! Who knows.

 

Hope you feel better and keep posting!

[Becoming]

I've lived with pain since my early 20's that drs. are mystified by as well.

 

Read up on chronic myofascial pain. It's like fibromyalgia and arthritis.

 

Drink lots of water. Dehydration can make it worse. If it's some kind of immune something, as arthritis is, food allergies can make it worse.

 

The new bed and chair can help immensely.

 

This kind of pain sucks and will start to take over your life unless you find a dr. who can treat you. I take an NSAID that makes it possible for me to work. Without it, I'm gone--Relafen generic.

 

Chiropractic helps me, as does Tai Chi, swimming. Lay off the weights; they could aggravate something.

 

I just went on Phase One of South Beach diet with no bread or sugar and am finding my pain better. My mother swears by tumeric 1/8 tsp./day. 1200mg of Omega 3 essential oils helps me.

 

I do nutritional supplementation that helps.

 

And Super Blue Stuff works wonders as well. I tried the generic, and it was worthless. You can google it to get the link and order it. It's pricey, but one bottle lasts a year or more.

 

Good luck. Find a dr. who deals with chronic pain.

[SadBabyGirl]

I have the next dr. appt on feb 24, but I think I should make another appointment to see another dr. who can refer me to a Rheumatologist. I called several Rheumatologists that told me I have to be referred to them first by the Dr.

 

Today I used the new pillow, didnt help too much. I do feel spasms though in my upper arms and around the shoulders. I was actually feeling this before I started painting, so I know I can x out the paint factor. Nobody in my family deals with this, so Im not sure if its genetic. Sometimes the pain is so great id like to inject cortizone shots into it just to relax it for a few months. I thank you for all of your replies.. this week I am going to do kind of a little study for myself. Im renting a fab hotel, with hot tub and sauna, and an actual bed to sleep on, not mattress lol. I will spend some good time in the hot tub and sauna and have friends help massage me and see if the 'new bed' helps. Ill keep u posted on what happens

[Becoming]

Great idea, and if the hot water doesn't work (it can make mine worse), try alternating with ice or just ice alone.

[jen_jen_heartbroken]

You don't need a referral to see a pain specialist (who could also refer you to a Rheumy if need be).

[Guest]

Hi All. This is kinda embaressing but I wanted to see if anybody can relate to my problem. Im a 25 year old female and for the past maybe 2 months Ive been dealing with like HARDCORE body pain.

 

My advice, and very hard-won indeed: Forget fibromyalgia, it probably doesn't exist, hence its treatment with tricyclic antidepressants.

 

INSTEAD: Go now, run if you can, and get yourself tested for LYME DISEASE. This DEFINITELY does exist, and causes all of your symptoms. If left untreated, it will slowly take you down, mentally and physically. There is much info online.

 

Good luck!

[jen_jen_heartbroken]

My advice, and very hard-won indeed: Forget fibromyalgia, it probably doesn't exist, hence its treatment with tricyclic antidepressants.

 

Are you a medical doctor? Who are you to question all the medical evidence that it does exist?

[erika2610]

My advice, and very hard-won indeed: Forget fibromyalgia, it probably doesn't exist, hence its treatment with tricyclic antidepressants.

 

INSTEAD: Go now, run if you can, and get yourself tested for LYME DISEASE. This DEFINITELY does exist, and causes all of your symptoms. If left untreated, it will slowly take you down, mentally and physically. There is much info online.

 

Good luck!

 

Fibromyalgia most certainly does exist. I know quite a few people who're dealing with it. It's a very hard thing to deal with.. takes quite a toll. Or am I wrong, and you went to medical school?

[HokeyReligions]

Definatly get a second opinion. It could be any number of things.

 

I was diagnosed with rhumatoid arthritis when I was a child. It started in my feet and legs and has progressed to my spine and is now going into my hands and arms.

 

It could be so many different things and only a lot more testing is going to give you a proper diagnosis.

[Guest]

Hi,

 

I have been reading all the posts with interest. I am a fully qualified chiropractor in Australia and whilst i will not diagnose someone without seeing them and can provide some information.

 

There is truth in parts of what you have been told.....the spine is a protector of the nervous system. Your nervous system is made up of the brain, spinal cord and the nerves. These nerves connect to all of the body's tissue, organs, muscles...everything. They are the connector between the brain.

 

During our daily lives from birth through to we die the body (ie. the spine) is exposed to all different types of stresses (chemical, physical and emotional)and depending on how well our body is balanced will depend how we can deal with it.

 

If you imagine that your nerves are like a hose then different pressures will alter the amount of water that comes out....the same is for the spine. With any minimal alterations in the spine it can cause these change in nerve in flow......this sets up a cycle in whatever the nerves are supplying. A muscle for example is designed to be able to contract and relax.....in most cases a small amount of constant pressure is enough to cause the muscle to spasm and be caught in a cycle of constant contraction. Pain develops as the lactic acid begins to build up (like a stitch when you have been running). When a muscle becomes chronically spasmed its nutrients eg blood supply is reduced and therefore the muscle cannot function to its full capacity and then the surrounding muscles have to cater for this and then begin a huge cycle involving more and more muscles until there is not just one pain but multiple areas.

 

The neck is where the supply of nerves travel from and into the arm. Chiropractioc focuses on allowing the spin to function correctly without causing the disruption to the nerves encased inside the vertebrae.

 

There are many problems/diseases that have responded quite well to chiropractic, and whilst not always as a cure it certainly can work as a co-management. It is best to get a definate answer from someone then to just start taking medication as all medications have side affects!

 

From my experience problems such as fibromyalgia have been named purely due to the unknown nature or occurence of the so called disease. It has also been known to be a "myth" disease or the one that u get diagnosed with when no-one can work out whats wrong with you. Don't label yourself as having any sort of diease because it tends to cause more problems psychologically. And don't always believe everything that is on the internet as it tends to make people paranoid cause of misdiagnosing.

 

As suggested before if heat doesn't work then try ice. As ageneral rule ice should be used on the spine and heat on the muscles.....especially if there is no form of trauma.

Try and avoid having a cortisone injection (if u can bear the pain) as this also can cause scarring in the muscle which trust me can cause alot more problems down the line.

 

Also any change to a bed or pillow whether it is good or not can take 2-3 weeks for the body to adapt to it, so it is better not to use that as a decider on what the problem is.

 

Make sure you have x-rays taken as that can rule out alot of the diseases previously mentioned.

 

I hope this has helped in some way.....and whilst i am not so much as promoting chiropractic, I am making you aware of the other possiblities that unfortunately the Dr's do not consider.

[unhappily_married]

Hi,

I have been reading all the posts with interest. I am a fully qualified chiropractor in Australia and whilst i will not diagnose someone without seeing them and can provide some information.

 

There is truth in parts of what you have been told.....the spine is a protector of the nervous system. Your nervous system is made up of the brain, spinal cord and the nerves. These nerves connect to all of the body's tissue, organs, muscles...everything. They are the connector between the brain.

 

During our daily lives from birth through to we die the body (ie. the spine) is exposed to all different types of stresses (chemical, physical and emotional)and depending on how well our body is balanced will depend how we can deal with it.

 

If you imagine that your nerves are like a hose then different pressures will alter the amount of water that comes out....the same is for the spine. With any minimal alterations in the spine it can cause these change in nerve in flow......this sets up a cycle in whatever the nerves are supplying. A muscle for example is designed to be able to contract and relax.....in most cases a small amount of constant pressure is enough to cause the muscle to spasm and be caught in a cycle of constant contraction. Pain develops as the lactic acid begins to build up (like a stitch when you have been running). When a muscle becomes chronically spasmed its nutrients eg blood supply is reduced and therefore the muscle cannot function to its full capacity and then the surrounding muscles have to cater for this and then begin a huge cycle involving more and more muscles until there is not just one pain but multiple areas. The tiny little pain nerve endings are also affected from this cycle.

If there is no pins and needles, or pain extending down into the hands then it is most likely not a compressed nerve (pinched nerve), and more so related to the cycle i have just explained above.

 

The neck is where the supply of nerves travel from and into the arm. Chiropractioc focuses on allowing the spin to function correctly without causing the disruption to the nerves encased inside the vertebrae.

 

There are many problems/diseases that have responded quite well to

chiropractic, and whilst not always as a cure it certainly can work as a co-management. It is best to get a definate answer from someone then to just start taking medication as all medications have side affects!

 

From my experience problems such as fibromyalgia have been named purely due to the unknown nature or occurence of the so called disease. It has also been known to be a "myth" disease or the one that u get diagnosed with when no-one can work out whats wrong with you. Don't label yourself as having any sort of diease because it tends to cause more problems psychologically. And don't always believe everything that is on the internet as it tends to make people paranoid cause of misdiagnosing.

 

As suggested before if heat doesn't work then try ice. As ageneral rule ice should be used on the spine and heat on the muscles.....especially if there is no form of trauma.

Try and avoid having a cortisone injection (if u can bear the pain) as this also can cause scarring in the muscle which trust me can cause alot more problems down the line.

 

Also any change to a bed or pillow whether it is good or not can take 2-3 weeks for the body to adapt to it, so it is better not to use that as a decider on what the problem is.

 

Make sure you have x-rays taken as that can rule out alot of the diseases previously mentioned.

 

I hope this has helped in some way.....and whilst i am not so much as promoting chiropractic, I am making you aware of the other possiblities that unfortunately the Dr's do not consider.

[RubixCube28]

Hello sad well it might be the nerve probs like the other poasters have said.. But the way your describing it like a bad ake.. It could be arthridas is there any family history of that in your family?? Or were you in some way injured that might have triggered it?? I'm 28 and I had been hit by a car a few years back and now have major back probs.. And servere arthridas down all of my spine one good way to tell if it is arthridas.. Now this may sound cheesey lol but belive me here..Is if you can feel the change in the weather like when it's cold or rainey or damp.. Dose it ake more also it usualy has some starting point in the body..It's verry unusual for it to start all at once hurting all over.. My best advice is to go to the doctor and get a second opinion.. Belive me the docs are some times hesetent to say a 20 some thing can have it.. But it dose happen you should try and keep your self warm too.. If it dose turn out to be arthridas the cold is your worst enimey.. Well good luck to you hope it all turns out ok...