anybody had escalating problems like this?

Fit and healthy 43 year old. At chrismas I caught what I thought was a virus that effected 2Million people in the UK (projectile vomitting, diarhea (diarrhea)). Thought nothing more, within a couple of weeks was getting pain in my wrist and elbow. One month later pain in my ankles and knees and found it hard to walk distances. With persistent diarhea (diarrhea) and pain went to the doctors and started blood tests. Two weeks later I was having to use a stick to walk. I went into hospital for one week and had numerous tests including a colonoscopy. The colonoscopy revealed inflamation (inflammation) but was otherwise ok, the doctor suggested colitis and that this had caused polyarthropic arthritis?
I was put on prednisalone 8 x 5 ml tablets, reduced after a month to 2x5ml plus paracetamol and tramadol and 4x1 Sulfasalazine. Now I know I was told it would take a while for Sulfasalazine to work but over the last month I have become worse and am now only able to walk with two crutches. The pain is different every day, ankles one day, knees the next. Today Im at my wits end, stuck in bed. Within 3/4 months I have gone from a fit workaholic to lying in bed waiting to take my next painkillers.
Has anyone had this kind of escalation?

[missteri]

I just had something like this happen only on a much smaller scale.

I had been having pin in my ankles for about a year, but as a former dance skater, i just figured it came with the territory. Then 2 weeks ago I could barely walk. by the next day my wrists, shoulders hips and knees had joined the party, then bu the time I was able to get into the doc, the only thing that didn't hurt was my left elbow.

They did a rheumatoid factor and mine came out at 174. They put me on prednisopne and painkillers for a week and that helped, now I'm just at my regular pain level.

I don't know what to tell you, I'm pretty new to this and I don't even have a dx yet. All i can say is I sympathize (I'm a semi-fit workaholic myself). Hang in there! and if things don't get better soon, start demanding options. Doctors get just as busy and distracted as the rest of us and it's up to you to make sure that you are getting the help that you need.