Joint pain in hands, wrists ankles, feet: nausea: rash on arms/legs, fatigue

[mrsdennen]

I have had severe pain in my hand/feet joints, knees, base of neck.  Swelling in my hands/feet, a rash on my calves and forearms (like dermatitis, yet no change in soap/detergents, etc.), temperature ranging from 97.6-100.9 daily for many months now, daily nausea and diarreah, increased migraine activity and mental fogginess and eye problems (loss of focus/dry)as well as unprovoked anxiety.  Have had blood tests and all come back within normal parameters.  Symptoms are getting worse over time.  I am miserable and can't live life like this.  I am a teacher and highly depended upon.  Stress is a major factor in my life.  Job quality is being lost due to these problems.  What tests should I be asking for?  What diseases can I suggest?  I used to live up north (Cape Cod, MA) and now live in South (FL).  I have been told I have FM, but these latest symptoms (pain especially) are totally different and excrutiating.  Can anyone help me?

[PlateletGal]

Hi mrsdennen,



To my understanding, fibromyalgia does not affect the joints. Also, the swelling and fever you have, I don't believe could be related to the fibro. It sounds like you could have lupus or now have CFS (chronic fatigue syndrome), along with fibro. Rashes can appear with fibro, but not CFS. Also, dermatitis is common in patients who have lupus. Sometimes people diagnosed with fibro will get CFS and CFS patients' get fibro sympdromes. I do know that 65% of people diagnosed with CFS have joint pain and 85% of people with CFS have a fever or sensation of a fever.



I would schedule an appointment with your physician ASAP and ask him to rule out lupus and other autoimmune conditions. He should order a bunch of labwork, including an ANA test. It sounds like they probably did this in the first place, but now you have more symptoms).



To check a list of symptoms for CFS, go to google.com and type in "CFS symptoms" + "Dr. David Bell". For a list of lupus symptoms, visit the Lupus Foundation of America website.



Please let your physician know how these symptoms are affecting your daily life and especially with work. If worse comes to worse, they can put you on short term disability or the FMLA (Family Medical Leave Act).



Good luck !

[PlateletGal]

fibro sympdromes.



oops - I meant fibro "symptoms".

[PlateletGal]

P.S. -- Make your physician also checks you for lyme disease. Also, if your test is negative, often physicians' will repeat the test if they have yet to diagnose you.

[mrsdennen]

Thank you so much for the input... It helps to have some suggestions.  I did go to the Doctor, and he just looked at me.  I could see an appologetic look in his eye, like, "Gee, I really would like to help you, but I haven't got a clue".  I asked for any test for anything he thinks it might be, and mentioned Lyme disease as well.  I had a rheumatoid factor, lyme titre, ESR, and a comprehensive pannel drawn.  I don't care how painful the test, I just want someone to say: "It's this"... and help me ease the symptoms. I am slowly loosing my life to this "whatever it is".  I appreciate your thoughts and quick response!

[PlateletGal]

Hi again..



I can relate to how you believe because I have CFS and have so many symptoms. Your story sounds all too familiar. I'm currently on the Marshall Protocol as a treatment and possible cure for my condition. It is fairly new and still listed as a research protocol, but has helped numerous people with CFS, lyme disease and other inflammatory diseases.



I don't know how long ago your physician did labwork on you, but if it was before the joint pain, he/she should run another lupus panel on you, as well as other labs to rule out Sjogrens & another RF. Also, many times a test for lyme disease will be a false negative, so many physicians have to repeat the test again if their patient still has symptoms. That is very important.



Here are the usual labs to R/O lupus:



Anti-nuclear antibody test (ANA) to determine if autoantibodies to cell nuclei are present in the blood

Anti-DNA antibody test to determine if there are antibodies to the genetic material in the cell

Anti-Sm antibody test to determine if there are antibodies to Sm, which is a ribonucleoprotein found in the cell nucleus

Serum (blood) complement test to examine the total level of a group of proteins which can be consumed in immune reactions

Complement proteins C3 and C4 test to examine specific levels



There is a new lab test to diagnose CFS, but it hasn't been approved yet by the FDA. The website address is http://www.redlabsusa.com  



Keep me posted!

[myproblem]

I agree with the previous post that you should be tested for Lupus, and other autoimmune problems. Fibro does not affect the joints, but I had a Dr. suggest it to me too about 5 years ago. I turned out to have an autoimmune disorder classified as Mixed Connective Tissue Disease. It has characteristics of Lupus ad Scleroderma. Ther are medications that will help you feel better, and slow the disease progression if you do fall into an autoimmune category. Whatever you do, don't let them tell you it's Fibro, because the rash and joint pain just don't fit.

[mrsdennen]

Had all the blood tests... came back normal.  Pain and fever and rash