Is this Arthritis? What kind?

I have always had muscle/joint problems.  When I was 15 I had surgery on my ankle because I had tendinitis, and the tendon had stretched so far it was pulling over the bone.  My family has a history of rheumatoid arthritis, but according to WebMd that doesn't sound like what I have.  My symptoms include a lot of pain in my ankles, knees, hips, wrists, hands and shoulders.  If I step on my foot wrong I get sharp pains starting in my arch that shoot up through the back of my heel and into my leg.  My hands do the same thing, if I "strain" it, I can't even lift a jug of milk without pain throbbing in my palm.  My knees have bothered me the most lately... I'll be walking along and it will hurt all of a sudden, and nearly drop me to the ground. Since I was little, all my joins crack really bad... my ankles snap with every step.  My knees do it pretty often too.  I'm just wondering if anyone else has the same problems and if you've been diagnosed with anything?  I would really hate to make a doctors appointment just for this, seeing as I know they would just send me to a specialist.  Expensive!  The only thing is, I'm planning on starting an exercise routine (god knows I need it!) and its hard on me sometimes.  I know, lots of water and stretching before and after... I do that.  But does anyone know what I have?

[txsilver]

Welcome to the forum!  We are here to help in any way we can.
I am sorry to read you are in pain and suffering.  As much as the web is a great tool for collecting information, I would not rule out RA as it can affect more than just your joints.  I hope you will reconsider and get in to see a rheumatologist.  Yes, seeing a specialist is expensive (many will set up a payment plan or even reduce the cost if you do not have insurance), but if you have something degenerative you need to catch it early so that you can slow the progression.  It could make a drastic difference in your quality of life.  
You also need to know what you have so that you do not find yourself on an exercise program that makes things worse.  This has happened to a few people I have encountered.  No point in making a bad situation worse or incurring more expense when you can do some leg work up front and find out what you are dealing with.
Let us know what you decide.  If you do make the appointment, we have some pointers to make that first appointment easier and to help you evaluate your doctor.

[hldeskin]

That sounds great... I actually bumped into information on Fibromyalgia and it sounds a little too familiar.  I had never heard of the disease before.  Stress fits, for sure.  I've always had horrible migraines, problems sleeping, and sensetivity to smells.  I just never combined them with my achiness.  My dad has the exact same problems as I do... he's had them since he was young.  But being 50 years old, his problems are much more severe.  Maybe If I can get to a doctor, and find something that helps me, it will urge him to go to the doctor too.  By the way, I do have insurance...  So maybe it won't be as bad as I thought.  

[txsilver]

I was diagnosed with Fibro and it took 2 years before I got to a doctor who said it was RA and AS.  Fibro is a very real condition, but it is overly diagnosed.  The only true way to be diagnosed with Fibro is to be tested for everything else using more than just blood work and x-rays.  If you come back negative for everything they can test or scan for, then you have fibro.  
I do believe you could be the "test biscuit" your dad needs to see before he will get the help he needs.  I know it has worked that way between my friends, we take turns leading the way through the labyrinth.  
Start keeping a log of everyhting you experience that is a symptom of something, even if it does not seem to be related.  Dry eyes count.  Flaky, crusty spots on toes count.  Keep a log of the pain, where it is, how long it lasts, if it gets better or worse with exercise, what kind of pain is it (burning, stabbing, dull, throbbing) and start to compile a family history of who had what.  Start a history for yourself, too.  Write about accidents, surgeries, infections, growing pains, anything you can remember.  All of this will be helpful to the doctor.  It also can keep you from filling out a lot of forms!  I maintain a list of meds I am on too.  If you would like to see a blank spreadsheet I use, let me know and I will gladly share it with you.
Keep us posted!  We want to be here to help you or just be sounding posts if you need us.