Hi & thanks for reading.
I have pain is in my legs, feet, groin area and hands mainly. Hands and feet are achy and my legs feel like I just had a major work out (lactic acid feeling). The fatigue is crippling and I am not able to work anymore. (before I was in an exec position working 12hrs a day, going to the gym, eating and living healthy)
Many specialists have seen me and the only controversial diagnosis has been positive testing for Rickettsia and Urine (not blood) high lead and mercury. I am/have been going through treatment for both with no changes to my symptoms. (most doctors don't even believe in Rickettsia as a diagnosis I found out).
11 years ago I was diagnosed with Severe UC. I surprised my GI Doc by recovering very quickly on Asacol and after a year I came off the meds and have only had one very minor out break since. 5 months before I got sick with this unknown illness I had a follow up colonoscopy and there was no sign of anything wrong. The GI Doc said I was a very, very rare case where I only had one or two flare ups and technically don't have UC anymore.
Strange coincidence is that my best friend was just diagnosed with moderate UC. He started taking meds, was recovering when it came back with a vengeance and besides the bowel issues got severe muscle pain and his ankle has swollen up like cantaloupe. He is on crutches right now as it is so bad. He was told that the UC associated arthritis and muscle pain do not register on regular blood-work as they are not ostio or rheumatoid.
Turns out that other than the bloody stool and swelling my muscle and joint pain is identical to his and now I am wondering if all of my issues are related to UC? I have not bled but have not had a "normal" movement in years. Just loose and crampy. (excuse the gruesome details) lol...
I am wondering if anyone else on here has had muscle and join symptoms without a flare up or with mild UC symptoms. If so, I would love to hear what your pain/symptoms are.
Cheers!