Arthritis or lymphedema??

[Slcb]

Hi all, this is the first time iv posted, over a year ago I started having severe tiredness (put it down to being working mother with 4 kids) about a month later started having severe intermittent shoulder, like a burning sensation, then shortly after started having really severe itching on the my legs and back of my head, doc sent me for chest and shoulder X-rays, everything normal, he then referred me to a consultant at the hospital, while waiting for the appointment I started to develop pains in the joints of my fingers which was worse in the mornings, shortly after a developed a swelling just above the crease of my left elbow which is made worse by carrying heavy it's and getting blood drawn from the arm but does also happen when resting and a hardening of the crease of my right elbow, I get swelling from that elbow to the wrist when I'm busy with that arm,  my gp now suspects lymphedema is the cause of my problems, however the consultant totally dismissed me!! Told me lymphoma was a worry but he wasn't willing to do an MRI on someone quite so young, this made me so angry, said he'll see me in 4 months...anyway for the past 3 days iv had bad pain in my right arm but I can't pinpoint the pain if that makes any sense, it's an ache and it's not made any worse or better with activity or resting, my finger pain in both hands have also increased, could this be arthritis??? My doc says no but I'm not so sure, I'm 32 and feel like I'm falling apart, I'm also dealing with bile stone attacks 3 and 4 times a week, I'm at my whits end with it :( all bloods have come back clear, also have a small firm lymph node where the neck meets the shoulder with intermittent swelling over clavicle triangle....any ideas??

[Foggy2]

As I mentioned earlier, swollen nodes are often signs of the body trying to fight off an infection of some kind, and your GP doesn't seem to be aggressive in resolving your situation.  If you feel more comfortable, get a 2nd opinion from a different GP.

You never answered my question above:  Do you run a fever when the nodes are swollen?

I understand that having an undiagnosed illness can be very frustrating, make you angry at times, and sometimes depressed.  Often times it takes time to work these things up, and it requires you (the person who is sick) to be pro-active and keep on top of things to keep the ball rolling so that you don't get left in limbo.  It is important that all doctors involved in your care communicate with each other as well as with you - share reports, diagnoses, and plan of care.  If you have questions, speak up and ask them.

[Slcb]

It's not that that's bothering me so much, it's more my fingers and arms, that's 4 months they've been like this and steadily getting worse rather than better xx

[Foggy2]

Have you ever seen a Dermatologist?  Since you aren't getting too far with your GP, request a referral to one.

Also, instead of a bath, try showering and using a very mild soap and only warm (not hot water).

Do you run a fever when the nodes are swollen?  If yes, see your GP when you have this episode and perhaps he will want to biopsy one or do other testing.  Please keep us informed.

[Slcb]

Thank u so much for replying, the swelling is on the left side, the node is always there but the swelling surrounding it comes and goes. I do have large nodes under both arms, I can't feel them tbh but the doctor could, they showed normal in an ultrasound. Iv never had a rash with the itching....just intense itching on both legs and the back of my head that nothing would ease, if I went into a bath it would feel like I had stepped into a bath full of wasps....that seems to have subsided over the last couple of months but I still hav it on back of my head, I'm at my gp's once a week, she's been really good, but the consultant at the hospital hasn't been great xx

[Foggy2]

You are going through a lot for being young and having to care for children as well.  My heart goes out to you for hanging in there but being persistent in trying to find out what is going on.

Usually lymph nodes are swollen because they try to fight off illness within the body.  Is the swollen lymph node on right side that bothers you?  Do you have any other swollen lumps in this arm (check under your arm pit)?  Have you had a fever?

Do you still have the rash or did this go away?  Sometimes a doctor may need to take a skin sample if you still have the rash to determine what is wrong.  

In addition, a sample may need to be take of a lymph node, but only your doctor can advise you on that.  I would suggest that you either go back to your GP or get  2nd opinion to find out what is wrong  Keep us informed and feel free to ask us questions as you do have a lot of things going on.