Any ideas at to what's up with me? Aches / Pains / Joints

[roseybud73]

For the last 7 weeks I've been suffering with awful back aches (lower & middle), pelvis & hip pain.  I also often get a severe muscle ache in both flanks.   One knee is swollen & I'm experiencing pain in the tendons around my elbows, knees & thumb.  I'm currently on NSAIs but they don't seem to be helping.  I just feel awful (oh, and when I move my joints / back make loud clicking noises!).
5 years ago I suffered what my doctor called a post viral illness where I had muscle / joint aches for about 2 years.  I'm terrified my new symptoms are a flare up of my past illness and that they'll never go.  Can vague autoimmune illnesses cause these symptoms without showing up in blood tests?  Any advice would be most welcome.

[Coolio Hernendez]

Lymes disease....All of what you described is Lymes to the T....

[LindaS]

From one who has fibro, ask the Dr. about it.  However, it is difficult to find a Dr. that knows alot about fibro.

[roseybud73]

Thanks for your help.  My blood tests came back negative except for raised antibodies.  Read out Ankylosing Sponylitits and it does sound very similar to what I've been experiencing.  Am off to Docs again tomorrow so fingers crossed.

[susanlackey]

read aboutankylosing sponylitis on Webmd.com.  It sounds kinda like it.  good luck

[C124Ace]

Have they tested you for Lymes Disease?
Fibromyalgia can now be treated with FDA approved LYRICA. Check their website.
Swollen knee: has the doctor referred you to an ortho?  I had similar symptom with knee.  XRay showed no break/damage.  Doctor drained the knee and it did the trick.  It was incredible to watch how the knee swelling went down. At the same time he injected some steroids into knee. The 'liquid' was sent to lab to be tested. Crystals (that can't be seen by just looking at liquid) present. Nothing else needed to be done with knee.

Good luck (p.s. don't let the doctor send you away without helping.)  If he isn't an internist, I would definitely change to an internist. When my doctor asked me how I was doing I replied:  of okay for an old woman - I accept the pain etc as part of growing old.  

The doctor's answer was: WRONG.  There is a reason and we will find it and treat it. There is no reason for you (me) to live in pain!  Don't ever use the 'old woman' term again....:).    He made me feel so good to know I didn't have to live with pain because I was getting older.....and he has tried it all.     Hope you have the good luck.  

[PlateletGal]

Hi ! Do you know if your physician has checked your ANA titer ? This would be done via a sample of your blood. It would indicate whether or not your problem is autoimmune.

I am thinking though that you may want to also ask your physician about fibromyalgia.... especially after reading your symptoms and your history.