Joint pain,chills,fatigue

[brindall]

For over a year now I have been suffering from periodic episodes of joint pain (mostly in my hands, feet and knees), chills (I get freezing cold), and extreme fatigue (people have alot of difficulty awakening me and even then I can't stay awake for long). As the episode progresses I also have nausea and eventually night sweats. It's been getting worse. This past episode lasted almost 2 weeks, the pain in my hands was so severe I couldn't button my daughter's pants or open a pepsi cap. I slept for three days straight. I'm miserable. I've been tested for lupus and lyme's disease and came up negative. I have been treated for depression with no results. I don't know what else to do but this is REAL and it is ruining my life. Any suggestions or ideas?

[HAMSter99]

Husband labs just came back with high RF, read all of your posts, he suffers with almost all the same symptoms as you all!!

He is deteriorating before my eyes. There is only one Rheumatologist in Corpus Christi,TX, that accepts our insurance! ONE!

Scared

[Gustalynnp]

I. In the fort Myers Cape Coral area too it's been a long painful journey . I wish I could find one too. I have psoriatic arthritis. They sent me to a pain management dr in Cape Coral but his medication is not stopping the pain. Then I was only given a 10 day supply which meNs I have to go back to  more medications. I've tried steroid shots. Physical therapy and I still hardly. Get any relief. I'm awake now from pain

[Salburr7]

Twenty years ago I was told I had RA.  Pain was in all my joints.  Needed help getting out of bed an off toilet.  Meds helped, and after a couple month, I was able to function..although never completely without pain.  Through the years I have had repeated UTI`s .  I am always tired and cold.  I get chills even at the slightest movement. The chills are on my scalp, face, back etc. It seems I can`t move without chills! The past few years my eyes have symptoms of dry eyes. Meds from eye Dr. don`t help.Lately my eyes are getting worse, although this past April Dr. said my eyes are fine 20/20.  I have to keep blinking to see clearly, and at night was seeing double on road signs.  For years I have had numbness in all my toes. Just recently my back gave me severe pain, and neck pain is always present. Pain extended down my right leg and into my foot. Numbness now in my lower right leg.  My thighs are sore to the touch. Also tenderness on my upper arms.  I never feel really rested.  
I have two adult daughters who, like me have low thyroid function and have joint pain. oldest daughter has deformed feet, and as a teen was diagnosed with RA.  Youngest daughter was recently diagnosed with SA. Her doctor is wonderful for her, but unable to take more patients.
Because we have moved often, it has been difficult to establish with a doctor who specializes.  Now retired, my husband and I spend part time in Florida and part time in the NE. I would be forever grateful if you would recommend a doctor in the Ft. Myers, Fl. or Cape Coral Fl. area. who would be able to pin point my type arthritis and treat me.  It is getting cold here in NH, and they say it will be Feb. before a spec. here will be able to see me as a patient.  
Thank you for your help.
Salburr7

[Salburr7]

Twenty years ago I was told I had RA.  Pain was in all my joints.  Needed help getting out of bed an off toilet.  Meds helped, and after a couple month, I was able to function..although never completely without pain.  Through the years I have had repeated UTI`s .  I am always tired and cold.  I get chills even at the slightest movement. The chills are on my scalp, face, back etc. It seems I can`t move without chills! The past few years my eyes have symptoms of dry eyes. Meds from eye Dr. don`t help.Lately my eyes are getting worse, although this past April Dr. said my eyes are fine 20/20.  I have to keep blinking to see clearly, and at night was seeing double on road signs.  For years I have had numbness in all my toes. Just recently my back gave me severe pain, and neck pain is always present. Pain extended down my right leg and into my foot. Numbness now in my lower right leg.  My thighs are sore to the touch. Also tenderness on my upper arms.  I never feel really rested.  
I have two adult daughters who, like me have low thyroid function and have joint pain. oldest daughter has deformed feet, and as a teen was diagnosed with RA.  Youngest daughter was recently diagnosed with SA. Her doctor is wonderful for her, but unable to take more patients.
Because we have moved often, it has been difficult to establish with a doctor who specializes.  Now retired, my husband and I spend part time in Florida and part time in the NE. I would be forever grateful if you would recommend a doctor in the Ft. Myers, Fl. or Cape Coral Fl. area. who would be able to pin point my type arthritis and treat me.  It is getting cold here in NH, and they say it will be Feb. before a spec. here will be able to see me as a patient.  
Thank you for your help.
Salburr7

[cacomins]

When I was 14 yo, I was told I had "serum negative rheumatoid arthritis. I experienced severe pain throughout my teens and twenties ..mostly knees and elbow. I am 49 now. When I get up in the morning, I am stiff but not in pain. By 7pm almost every night, I experience fever and chills....chills are the worst....and horrible pain concentrated in my hands, elbows, hips, and knees. The rest of me just hurts. my right had goes numb constantly off and on throughout the day. At night the "numbness" wakes me up. It feels as though my hand is an overfilled balloon.

The only relief I get is the time I spend in a steaming hot bath.

[momma_k]

I have been having some of these same symptoms on and off for about 6-8 months now. I feel the pain mostly in my knees, but also in the knuckles on my hands and occasionally my hips. Yesterday was the worst I've ever felt - I could barely walk. I also get very tired, but I am a training specialist and i'm moving around and up constantly when I have a class. So thanks so much for the advice to research the AF site.

But it's so wierd... the pain is never a constant. Some days I just wake up and BAM. I am glad to know it's not just me, but I hate knowing that other people are living in pain. :(

[txsilver]

If you are willing to drive over to Dallas, Dr. Cheatum or Dr. Zashin are highly recommended.

[Pineypooh]

I live in Texas and my hubby is having a horrible time.  We have gone to One place in Texas and the dr. just doesn't have time to sit and talk.  In a very big hurry.  Who do you recommend for a Rheumotologist??  Living in the Ft. Worth area.  She gave him a scrip and said their was only 2 choices for what is wrong with him. One was very, very expensive we just couldn't afford it.  Right - time to look for a new dr.  

[smittygirl]

Welcome to our forum family!   I agree with TX that you may need to seek out a new rheumy.  Her advice about keeping a journal is excellent,  we are veterans at this now as we have been through the journey of finding the correct DX and the right doctor.  I went to 4 before being properly DX.  You could also have more than one disease going on, so the journal is a great tool.  I sound like a broken record but it is important to ask for copies of all your lab work, keep a file for yourself.  Find out what your Sed Rate is also, it is a test that measures the amount of inflammation in your body.  Are your hands, feet and knees swollen?  Before this happened had you had any kind of infection such as a UTI?  I went to one of the most respected rheumy's in the country, he has written books etc and he completely misdiagnosed me.    I used the Arthritis Foundations website to do my own research based on my lab tests and by the time I got to the Mayo Clinic I had figured out what I had and the doctor at the Mayo said he couldn't charge me for the visit because I had done all the work.  We need to be our own advocates sometimes and research the heck out of our symptoms.  There are over 100 types of arthritis and the AF's web site is a wealth of information.  Please feel free to private message me and I will give you more info.   I look forward to hearing from you, hang in there and don't give up!  We are here for you!

Sue
smittygirl

[txsilver]

Hello and welcome, I am glad you found us!  There are many of us here who have suffered similar symptoms prior to diagnosis and treatment.  I know exactly how miserable it is and the terrible impact it has on your life and affects your family.  I am certain you do feel depressed, who doesn't when suffering?  I was treated for that through the diagnosis period and until we found a treatment that worked.
You mention you have been tested for Lyme and Lupus, have you been to a rheumatologist for those tests?  Have you been tested for anything else?
There are a few things that will affect joints on both sides of your body, I am most familiar with rheumatoid arthritis as a cause because that is one of the things I have.  
If you do not already, please maintain a journal of the pains you experience, how long it takes you to loosen up, the impact it has on your life (cannot button shirts, etc.)  Also include the fatigue and any symptoms you have that you are not sure are related such as any eye symptoms you have.  You would be surprised at how many symptoms you can have not related to joint pain that will aid in diagnosis!
If you are seeing a rheumatologist, it may be time to see a new one.  Some people see many before they find one who is able to help them.  Look for a doctor that is recommended by other patients or that is known for their diagnostic abilities.  I spent a year seeing a doctor who specialized in RA, but because I did not present in a standard manner and had other issues, it took going to another doctor to get diagnosed.  (Wish you were in Texas as I'd send you to him on a dime!)  You might also look for a doctor who has a large number of out-of-state patients.  
In the mean time, we are here to help you on your journey.  You have found a place to talk to others who understand what you are going through and we are glad to have you here.