Aa
Could this be my answer?
I have had joint pain for YEARS. My big toes specifically have hurt for 3 years (and the ball of my feet) and I have flare ups of other joints. for the last 3 weeks I have had pain in my right knee and left pointer finger. I also have a chronic sore throat that sometimes goes away and other times lasts for months. I have had tons of blood tests over the years and have been tested for thyroid, lyme, autoimmune diseases, etc. About 9 months ago I had liver pain (or upper right quadrant pain/pressure) that last 3 months. Liver tests came back normal and so did an ultrasound. Is it still possible I have had hep c all this time?
I may not have been clear. My statement " I especially find it annoying when the original question has been answered in many posts and someone says something that brings another question to mind...." What I find annoying is the posters who claim we are off topic and then, to make it worse, they redirect the patient (kick him out)....what a warm and fuzzy feeling for the newbie.
Sarah, you are the first person I have seen stand up and say what happens on a discussion board. Kudos to you. I always think of those people who are so anal about a post that goes off a bit as thread cops......a bit unnecessary. And can't we all learn something new when "other" things are brought in. to the discussion? I especially find it annoying when the original question has been answered in many posts and someone says something that brings another question to mind. What's the big deal? A bit OCD....maybe those people should go to the OCD forum??
As for Lauren's question, Lauren there are over 100 different types of arthritis, caused by a myriad of issues. People with autoimmune joint problems are often frustrated for years because nothing shows up in their lab work, sometimes for a decade. My best advice for you is to get tested for hep C since it seems a major concern of yours, although it is very doubtful that is what is causing your pain because you claim no risk factors and you are young to have late stage disease when most of this stuff happens. If you are negative, you might want to have a chat with your primary and tell her/him about your frustrations and ask for advice on what type of doctor to see. A second opinion from another rheumatologist may be a good idea. So may an infectious disease doc.Wishing you the best.
As for Lauren's question, Lauren there are over 100 different types of arthritis, caused by a myriad of issues. People with autoimmune joint problems are often frustrated for years because nothing shows up in their lab work, sometimes for a decade. My best advice for you is to get tested for hep C since it seems a major concern of yours, although it is very doubtful that is what is causing your pain because you claim no risk factors and you are young to have late stage disease when most of this stuff happens. If you are negative, you might want to have a chat with your primary and tell her/him about your frustrations and ask for advice on what type of doctor to see. A second opinion from another rheumatologist may be a good idea. So may an infectious disease doc.Wishing you the best.
Oh for crying out loud. Who doesn't have a conversation without getting off topic occasionally. When you're new here you just ask with the hope someone will have an answer. Hopefully, people are helped and then next time they will know the appropriate place to post their questions. Sorry, I never was big on anal anything.
There ya have it as Sarah said it. I pegged it right. BINGO! It sure seems like arthritis or burritis especially if it runs in the family.
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This forum is for questions about medical issues and research aspects of Hepatitis C such as, questions about being newly diagnosed, questions about current treatments, information and participation in discussions about research studies and clinical trials related to Hepatitis. If you would like to communicate with other people who have been touched by Hepatitis, please visit our new Hepatitis Social/Living with Hepatitis forum
The OP doesn't even know if she has hep c, she is just guessing.
@lauren, testing is the only way to diagnose hep c, if your worried get tested.
@lauren, testing is the only way to diagnose hep c, if your worried get tested.
Some conditions and disease don't show up in the blood. CPPD is one. The only way to diagnose it is by withdrawing fluid at the joint and then examining it under a microscope to see if there are crystals. It was years before I was finally diagnosed.
Neuropathy is another condition that is hard to get diagnosed. I also had it for years before it was diagnosed.
Both conditions were from Hep C. This is why it is imperative to get treated as early as possible. Before cirrhosis.
Neuropathy is another condition that is hard to get diagnosed. I also had it for years before it was diagnosed.
Both conditions were from Hep C. This is why it is imperative to get treated as early as possible. Before cirrhosis.
Hello , if you are worried about hcv , the only way to kow would be to get tested for it .
Have you spoken to your doc about fibromyalgia !!
unexplained pain and discomfort for years when your blood work is normal is something i too have dealt with .
its hard to explain and justify that you are in pain al the time to others when u look normal and your blood work is fine too .. I know that feeling soooooo well .
i hope that you feel better soon .
my best wishes .
Have you spoken to your doc about fibromyalgia !!
unexplained pain and discomfort for years when your blood work is normal is something i too have dealt with .
its hard to explain and justify that you are in pain al the time to others when u look normal and your blood work is fine too .. I know that feeling soooooo well .
i hope that you feel better soon .
my best wishes .
Hi Lauren,
I have an arthritis disease with the same symptoms you describe here. It is CPDD or Calcium Pyrophosphate Deposition Disease and is unusual enough that it is often missed by doctors, even some rheumatologists. It was probably a result of my lowered immune system when I had Hep C. It used to be referred to as pseudo gout since the symptoms are the same as gout except that you don't have high uric acid. It can be extremely painful with flareups and is the result of calcium crystals on the joints. I presently have it in my foot, knees, hands and neck.
CPDD is diagnosed by removing some joint fluid from a joint that has flared up. There is a med that can help with flares.
Here is an interesting article - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3658656/#!po=2.63158
Arthritis.org is good. Just Google cppd. Good luck to you.
I have an arthritis disease with the same symptoms you describe here. It is CPDD or Calcium Pyrophosphate Deposition Disease and is unusual enough that it is often missed by doctors, even some rheumatologists. It was probably a result of my lowered immune system when I had Hep C. It used to be referred to as pseudo gout since the symptoms are the same as gout except that you don't have high uric acid. It can be extremely painful with flareups and is the result of calcium crystals on the joints. I presently have it in my foot, knees, hands and neck.
CPDD is diagnosed by removing some joint fluid from a joint that has flared up. There is a med that can help with flares.
Here is an interesting article - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3658656/#!po=2.63158
Arthritis.org is good. Just Google cppd. Good luck to you.
If you are concerned about Hepatitis C.....get tested. Only then will you know if you have Hepatitis C or not. This is a Hepatitis C forum.
I went to a rheumatologist and said there were no clear signs of it. No swelling, heat, etc. Also my inflammation markers came back normal. I thought that I had some type of arthritis too!
Thanks Kim, I appreciate the reply. However, I am certain that my symptoms are not caused by anxiety. Do they promote some anxiety? Of course. But every single day for 3 years I have had pain, and have not discovered the reason why. I think it is pretty normal for the mind to wander and think that maybe something more serious is going on. I go weeks or months at a time just living in pain NOT worried, just living my life. Then when things get worse or I get ANOTHER symptom, I feel like I crash back down in frustrating and fear. I exercise often, meditate, never have caffeine, and have experimented with all types of diets (eliminating potential food intolerances). I am not meaning to sound defensive. I think your thoughts are well deserved. I just feel the need to state that I know this isn't anxiety, and I know that a 28 year old "healthy" female should not be feeling this way.
Lauren. Went back and reread some of your posts. I honestly think that you are suffering from an anxiety disorder. Your internal focus seems to be causing you magnified symptoms which can be alarming and frightening. You've obviously been checked for every malady and everything comes back normal.
Typically this syndrome occurs in the late teens and early 20s. Predominantly this is found in females. Your symptoms sound like a classic example and often a diagnosis is rarely achieved. The patient tends to believe that it's a physical problem and therefore overlooks the fact that it could be psychological along with internal manifestations. It can be caused by a misfiring of adrenaline and made worse when caffeine is present. A fight or flight behavior can ensue and cause further symptoms. Sometimes too having a benign condition called Mitral Valve Prolapse can make it worse.
Exercise, meditation, and avoiding caffeine will alleviate the symptoms.
Be well
.......Kim
Typically this syndrome occurs in the late teens and early 20s. Predominantly this is found in females. Your symptoms sound like a classic example and often a diagnosis is rarely achieved. The patient tends to believe that it's a physical problem and therefore overlooks the fact that it could be psychological along with internal manifestations. It can be caused by a misfiring of adrenaline and made worse when caffeine is present. A fight or flight behavior can ensue and cause further symptoms. Sometimes too having a benign condition called Mitral Valve Prolapse can make it worse.
Exercise, meditation, and avoiding caffeine will alleviate the symptoms.
Be well
.......Kim
It sounds like RH. There is a RH (Rheumatoid Arthritis) forum you can use here.
I have never asked to get tested for it but i've had at least 6 blood tests over the last 2 years trying to figure out what I have. Though I just realized after doing research it seems it can only be transmitted blood to blood so I don't know how I would come in contact with it. Thanks for your reply!
"Is it still possible I have had hep c all this time?"
Have you been tested for hep c, it's impossible for someone to try and diagnose you over the internet, if your worried get tested.
Have a great day
Have you been tested for hep c, it's impossible for someone to try and diagnose you over the internet, if your worried get tested.
Have a great day
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