Hello I am a 39 y/o female. Prior to October of 2003 I had a few bouts of fatigue, malaise, felt like I was coming down with something. (no fever/chills) These symptoms were attributed to "untreated allergies" based on vague symptoms and chronic/heavy post-nasal drip. Allegra was prescribed...seemed to help.
At that time my new PCP ran some general blood tests only clue was a slightly(?) elevated Sed rate of 26.
Approx. a week receiving a flu shot in Oct. 03, I was hit with a sudden onset of paraesthesias of extremities, deep strong muscle pain in arms and legs, severe fatigue. Had a neuro workup the only thing he noted was clinnically was hyperreflexic of 3+.. all tests were neg. including MRI of brain/neck, NCV study, neuro related blood tests. Symptoms subsided but point through today I have constant tingling in arms to hands (below elbow and legs to feet (below the knee) as well as myalgia in right leg.
I have had several more bouts of severe fatigue, malaise. During the most recent bout (earlier this month) both knees swelled at Pes Anserine bursas (symmetrical and no warmth or redness)tender when touched. I had been on my feet an extraordinate amount of time for several days prior and all the day of the swelling which I noticed that night. I have gained 20 lbs over the last 2 yrs. I also experienced tingling at large joints (wrists, knees, ankles and along spine), waves of faintness, waves of pressure in my wrists/hands and head/neck, achiness, and mild nausea. My PCP dx'd bursitis and ran blood tests which revealed a sed rate of 29, CRP of 11.4 (lab limits 0.0 - 3.0) , neg. RA factor, neg. ANA.
So,on to a Rheumatlogist who did not see clinical evidence of "anything bad" and saw no small joint involvement and I have no morning stiffness as classicly present in RA. Tests for Lymes, Thyroid, protein electrophoresis and chest x-ray, all neg. My knees are better but not back to normal. I did present with many tender points present in fibromyalgia (interestingly, my Mom has all the same ones too) I experience the following symptoms intermittently, my sternum (manubrium area) and ribs are tender, and ache from hip to foot on my right side, shortness of breath, upper back discomfort and generally feel ill.
Could the bursitis alone have caused an elevated CRP? Allergies gone wild? (doubtful I am sure) I don't know where to go from here but cannot imagine having to wait for worse symptoms or poss. joint destruction to appear to get a diagnosis. What are you thoughts and suggestions? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks so much!