August pain! Anyone else get this?

[Andi_L]

Although no test have confirmed it, I have what I believe to be arthritis in most of my major joints. It started last August in both knees came on suddenly and then moved to other joints and then POOF...gone, for a while. My wrist seemed to be my most constant problem (year round), but starting a few days ago, my knees started up with a vengeance. It's seems odd because most people feel better in the warmer months and the fact that mine flared almost the same time as last year is weird. Has anyone else had this happen. I also notice much more cracking and popping of the joints right now, I feel (and sound) like I'm eighty, but I'm only twenty-nine! HELP! I see my rhemuy in a week, but I'm sure nothing will be flaring then, like always! Murphy's  Law I guess.

[Jenbean03]

I too have just been diagnosed with pallindromic arthritis (at the age of 27). I had a huge flare up but just in my right index finger! It was so bad I couldn't even open bottles or twist the lock on the women's bathroom stall door. Then a couple of months later...nothing...everything seemed fine! I went to a rheumy even though I didn't know why I was going. After blood work was taken, my inflammatory factor showed up positive. The plan from here I guess is to go back to the rheumy if I have a flare up. I just wanted to share my story in hopes that you may identify or maybe someone else reading it can. I hope things turn out well for you.

[michelvis]

It sound A LOT like what I have, Palindromic arthritis. Your symtoms sound so identicle to mine and I can pretty much guaranttee you won't have any symptoms when you go there. You should ask about it as it is REALLY rare (only about 200,000 people with it in the country that's way less than 1 in a million) and may not be something that they guess right off. It took me YEARS to get a diagnosis and as I have Lupus too it was sort of brushed off. Traditional arthritis and autoimmune treatments don't effect as well as say RA, so the approach for treatment is different, it can also cause extreme pain I mean EXTREME but it usually DOESN'T cause bone damage, so that's good. Let me know how it goes and if you need to talk I think we have a lot in common.I know how hard it is when you just flare up and then poof it's gone. It makes empathy from others somewhat difficult as they can't really SEE what it is. I'm only 35 and I  definently feel 85 most of the time.

Oh and Palindromic arthritis also has a tendency to affect pairs of joints, not one side or the other. knees, wrists ankles hands elbows shoulders, arrg, lots of pairs.

[Andi_L]

Thanks for the response! I will definitely post what my finding are!

[txsilver]

That does sound like it might be arthritis.  I am glad you are going to see a rheummy.  Just because you might not be in flare does not mean you cannot get a lot of benefit from the appointment.  Document your symptoms, how they affect you, how long they last, what kind of pain they cause (burning, stabbing, etc.), when they started, what affects them (like weather, food, activity), what activities you can do and for how long (stand still for 10 minutes?) etc.  This way even if you are not in flare the doctor can assess your symptoms.  Let us know what you find out!