Joint pain q's

[sassy1959]

I have had knee and elbow pain for years, possibly resultant of many years of horseback riding and injuries. About 12 years ago I had a bout of tendonitis in both arms ( I owned and walked 2 Great Danes daily and did lawn mowing, tree and shrub trimming).  I have suffered with this is greater and lesser degrees over the years, depending on what I am putting my body through.  About 5 years ago I began having pain and weakness in my thumbs.  The pain radiates into my elbow area and even seems to be triggered by certain positions.  This morning I awoke with pain and clicking in my right thumb.  Additionally, there is swelling in the thumb and a soreness into the heel of my hand (where thumb connects to hand).  I am taking meds for migraine/stroke (Plavix, verapamil, lasix, lisinopril, along with thyroid replacement therapy and some allergy prescriptions.  I've been on these meds for years)  One med that is fairly new for me (started about 3 months ago) is Serrapeptase, a non-presription enzyme for joint pain that my doctor has okay'd.  Any ideas about my joint pain and "new" thumb issue?

[Tuckamore]

Another thought is gouty arthritis. Although it is more prevalent in men than woman. Along with the swelling is it hot and red?

How are you doing?

Tuck

[sassy1959]

I thought this may tendonitis, also.  Now I'm not  so sure.  I got up this morning to discover the thumb swollen again (this had decreased throughout yesterday) and I am not able to straighten it out without some fairly intense pain.  It will not straighten unless I take ahold at the joint and pull it up.  I may allow a few more days and then call my doctor...hate to make an appointment for my thumb.
I'll keep you posted and thanks for your response.
Sassy1959

[Tuckamore]

Hi Sassy,

Welcome to the Pain Mangement Forum. It must be distractingly painful to have the symptoms you describe in your upper extremities.

As of May, 2009, Serrapeptase has exhibited no serious side effects in clinical trials or in public use. A few patients have reported a skin rash, mild headache, stomach discomfort and other minor aches and pains. However, the symptoms were mild in nature and disappeared after a few days. So I doubt your swelling is from the new medications but I guess anything is possible.

In my humble opinion your thumb symptoms sound like another bout of tendonitis. My mother had very similar symptoms. Her astute physician diagnosed it as an unusual tendonitis. It took months to resolve but with treatment her tendon has healed.

You may not have that condition at all and only your PCP can determine what may be going on. I would not let it go untreated. Often the longer we try to ignore symptoms the worse they can become.

Please let us know how you are doing. I will look forward to your updates.

Best of luck and take care,
Tuck



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