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Bad pain + negative tests = getting depressed

I'll cut to the point. I've been in and out of doctors offices for the past five years trying to deal with a moderate to severe back and chest pain problem.

I'm a 22 year old female with a past history of stomach ulcers, and no other major health problems other than the one I am describing. I eat well, weigh around 120 pounds, keep reasonably active (no high impact activities) and would consider myself healthy.

My lower back pain is deep in the tissue, not restricted to joints, but not restricted outside of joints either. I can't sit in one position for more than 20 minutes without the pain becoming unbearable, and most nights I am unable to sleep without medication. Though the pain is mostly confined to my lower back and sacral area, when I am having a bad pain day, I can feel shooting pains going down towards my feet when walking. I have also had weeks at a time where the pain has progressed up into my chest, making it difficult to breath, as if I had broken a rib. Most days it is manageable with ibuprofen, but occasionally it is so bad I need my boyfriend to help me walk to the bathroom.

Ok, thats the physical, now to the medical:

I have had tests for rheumatoid factor, they came back negative
I am negative for the HLA B27 gene that is implicated in most spondyloarthopathies
I have had X-rays and bone scans (to check for signs of ankylosing spondylitis) that show nothing more than diffuse inflammation

I have tried amytryptyline, to little effect, diclofenac to little effect, physiotherapy to no perceived benefit, and am currently taking celecoxib, which is helping a little, but no more than ibuprofen would.

I have an appointment with a rheumatologist, but I live in Canada, so this isn't until December!

In the meantime, can anyone help me? I have kept my chin up about this for a long time, but it is starting to get to me.

Thanks very much for your time and any help you can give!

Melissa
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Avatar universal
In addition to the other great responses you all ready received, another blood test that might help is Cyclic Citrullinated Pep IgG.  After a long time I got diagnosed with RA even though my RF is negative.  My CCP was extremly high and I was told it is more specific for RA than Rheumatoid factor is.  

It was the 3rd rheumatologist that finally ordered the test.  She only ordered it because for once a joint was actively red and swollen when I had an appointment.  It can take a long time to get an autoimmune dx.

Hang in there, it's a long road.  Try not to get too down. maybe your primary dr. can order the different tests that have been suggested due to the long wait!

Hope it helps,
K
Helpful - 0
1243848 tn?1268460072
Have you had an MRI of your lumbar spine.  Shooting pains down your legs can be indicative of a herniated or ruptured disc.  Often times those will not show up very well on X-Rays.  An MRI is best for determining whether is is a disc problem.  Also with regard to your chest pain.  I have a condition that is called Costochondritis pronounced (kos-toe-KHON-dri-tis).  Costochondritis is an inflammation of the cartilage that connects a rib to the breastbone (sternum). It causes sharp pain in the costosternal joint — where your ribs and breastbone are joined by rubbery cartilage. Pain caused by costochondritis may mimic that of a heart attack or other heart conditions.  

But Chest Pain is nothing to dismiss.  Even though I have Costochondritis, in 2006 I had a heart attack.  At first I was thinking it was just the costochondritis, but when I started having pain down my arm, I decided it was best to get to an ER.  It was a good thing I did.
Helpful - 0
483733 tn?1326798446
Hi there.  Yes, getting a diagnosis when dealing with these auto-immune issues can be extremely frustrating.  Sometimes it can take quite a while for your bloodwork to catch up with your symptoms as well.  I'm in that same boat.

For your chest pain, does it hurt when you breathe?  If it does then you should head to the ER.  It could mean that you might have fluid around your heart or lungs and if so, it needs to be treated and can also help in forming a diagnosis.  If it is more in your connective tissue it might point to something else that causes pain in your fascial tissue.  

There is a good stretch that can help your pain.  Sit straight on a chair, place the ankle of the leg of the side that is bothering you on top of the opposite knee.  Press down on the raised knee that is now sticking out to the side and arch your back at the same time.  

Both my son and I have issues with this kind of pain and have found relief with massage therapy.  Find an experienced registered massage therapist.  It will at least allow you some relief while you wait for your appointment.  
Helpful - 0
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