RA? PA? something else? Please help!

[Kim703]

I have a story here...and hope that someone out there can give me some insight. For reference, I am 2 weeks shy of 40, and female.

About 2 months ago, I started with severe pain in my hands and wrists. It got to the point that I couldn't button my pants or pick up my kids. So, I went to the dr, and my bp was also very high: 160/110. It has never been that high for me. Gradually, those symptoms have subsided, including my BP, which eventually dropped down to normal levels. I am left with a variety of symptoms that come and go. In the meantime, I have gone to my GP 5 times, had numerous blood tests, xrays, etc. I thought maybe thyroid, but all my tests (including ultrasound) have been completely normal. Most everything else has come back normal, except for my CPK and CRP, both of which were elevated.

I am now going through a "flare" and have the exact same symptoms I started with.  The pain in my hands, wrists and arms is becoming unbearable, and I just want to cry.

Symptoms include:
~Low back pain--Off & on; radiates down leg and up back; Worse on the right side (sacroiliac joint?)
~Hand/wrist pain
~Arm/Elbow pain--hurts when leaning on elbow
~Knee pain--especially in right knee
~Swelling--Ankles; hands/wrists; face/neck (glasses are now pressing into face and causing "dents") At one point - all over
~High Blood Pressure--At worst: 160/110
~Eye symptoms--Developed more floaters; Vision is more blurry (eye dr says no issues)
~Digestive problems--Have been constipated for months, recently having bouts of diarrhea; Gas/bloating
~Skin symptoms--Dry, itchy skin all over; Rash on back, chest
~Fatigue
~Restless legs--Have had this for at least a few years, very severe
~GERD--Take Prilosec OTC every day - Major symptoms if dose is missed(vomiting, acid in throat)
~Anxious feeling--comes and goes
~Numbness/tingling in hands--comes and goes

Saw the rheum on 6/6, sent me for repeat blood tests (CPK, CMP, etc); also xray of sacroiliac joint, and EMG. I go for the EMG on Monday. I think the rheum is thinking either Spondylitis or something similar. Of course, when I saw him, no symptoms other than some minor back pain. Figures. I do have a history of psoriasis on my knees and elbows (very mild), which makes me start thinking PA.

The other night, and tonight, a strange new symptom: the veins on the tops of my hands were HUGE and bulging, like they were really swollen.  My wrists are also looking the same way - my forearms are looking blue, because my veins are so prominent.  Also, today, I have a very tender spot along my jaw.  I can't even touch it, it hurts so much.  Feels like someone punched me there (but that has not happened as far as I know!).

So anyone have any ideas, or have similar symptoms? Any thoughts greatly appreciated.

Thanks for reading, and hope someone can help me!
Kim

[smittygirl]

WOW, you have a lot of different symptoms so I'm not sure how to respond.   Have they tested you for Lyme disease?   AS is another possibility, I have it, as well as Reactive Arthritis.   I've also just had an EMG done as well as other tests for MS.  The first rheumy I went to told me I had psoriatic arthritis and when I told him  I didn't have psoriasis he said " you'll get it"!     I didn't have PA and went to 3 dr's before being properly diagnosed so don't give up until you get the right DX.    Before your symptoms did you have any kind of an infection, UTI or any type of digestive problems.  Also ask the dr. to test you for the HLA-B27 gene when they do blood test, it they already did blood work make them run the test for it.   Like myself you can have more than one type of auto immune disease going on.  Please stay in touch with us and let us know what you find out.  

Sue  

[Kim703]

Thanks for responding...I know, lots of things going on, which is starting to make me think that there's more than one diagnosis.  I think the rheum was considering AS, hence the xray of my sacroiliac.  But, that doesn't seem to fit with the wrist/hand thing.  We also discussed Lyme, which is not common here in FL, but...I'm originally from New England and lived in PA for a while, so it's definitely a possibility.  I'll definitely look to get the test done anyway.  Also had read about the HLA-B27, so I'll be asking for that.

Someone else asked about an infection, and the only thing I had was a mild case of strep end of January.  About 3 months or so before this started.  I have had 2 yeast infections in the last 4 months, which is unusual for me as I hadn't had one for almost 10 years.  But, if I have an autoimmune thing going on, it kind of makes sense.  Digestive wise - I was dx with IBS about 15 years ago, but haven't had a flare of that for quite a while.  The GERD started after my last pregnancy, (actually, during) which was about 2 years ago.

As you can probably understand, I'm just getting really frustrated without a diagnosis.  And, the GP I was going to had no clue, and didn't seem to care about helping me.  Big practice, hospital affiliated, lots of residents.  Obviously, I'll be switching.  But, at least I got the referral to the rheum, so I'll continue there.

Thanks for the suggestions.  My next rheum appt is Wed, so if my symptoms keep up at least I have something to show him this time!  I'll let you know how it goes.  Thanks for helping, and letting me vent!

Kim

[smittygirl]

I live in NY now but lived in Fla for 20 years and that is where I got sick.  I was tested for Lyme about 10 times, but they always asked if I had been out of the state, which makes sense with what you said.  Where in FLA are you, I lived on the West Coast near Tampa.  Left there a year ago to be near family since these diseases can take their toll and I had no family there.    Please stay in touch with me and feel free to vent any time you want!

Good luck Wednesday.

Sue

[zmombomb]

these are classic symptoms of female heart troubles!!!  get your heart checked deep for aortic vein blockage!!!

[Kim703]

Sorry, I don't see this as a heart problem, and certainly not "classic symptoms" of one.  Except for the high bp, which can be raised for lots of reasons.

Anyway, just back from the EMG, which was normal.  I had one dolt that was trying to tell me that it was carpal tunnel, so we can now rule that out, as well as all the muscle diseases.  This definitely has to be joint related.  (if it was heart problems, I'd be dead by now, with the symptoms going on for 2 months!)

Hope the rheumy will have some thoughts for me.

[txsilver]

Reading your symptoms reminds me of mine when I was trying to get a dx.  Don't be surprised if there is more than 1 disease at work here.  Autoimmune diseases like to arrive with guests and it certainly makes it harder to dx when you have more than 1 thing going on!  
I did not know I had psoriasis until the Dr asked pointed questions and showed me a little bitty spot