Concerned about symptoms

[5ummer]

For several years I have experienced joint pains in my hips, knees, shoulders... But I just can't get to the bottom of it with the drs. I was sent to a physio who was quite rude to me, telling me that my symptoms were stress related and I was imagining it. So the burning pains which drive me to despair are imaginary are they? I notice that these symptoms are worse in cold weather. More recently though, I have developed a lot of numbness and tingling in my arms and hands... Sometimes this extends to my legs and feet. It's often worse at night when I will wake up with stiff elbows or knees which seem to be locked in a bent position and I have to slowly straighten them out. I wake up a lot with numb arms which feel heavy and tingly. This is also beginning to happen during the day, even when I am not leaning on that arm or leg. This in itself is worrying me but don't want to that I am wasting drs time or have them tell me it's stress related. Nothing worse than being told that when you know how bad you feel. On top of this I am mow experiencing a lot of chest pain and shortness of breath... I am slightly asthmatic and had pneumonia over Christmas. Ever since I have felt my chest is tight and heavy, I get short sharp pains and shortness of breath. It is also uncomfortable to swallow food. I'm a 31 yr old female. Any ideas?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Hyperthyroidism is an important cause of joint pain and stiffness. Did you get your thyroid evaluation recently?

Joint pain and stiffness may also be found in arthritis. There are many types of arthritis, including rheumatoid and other types of inflammatory arthritis, osteoarthritis, infectious arthritis, and arthritis due to gout or pseudogout. Other causes of joint pain include autoimmune and vasculitic disorders (for example, systemic lupus erythematosus, polymyalgia rheumatica, and polyarteritis nodosa), avascular necrosis of bone, and injuries.
Investigations like serum creatinine, uric acid, x-rays of the joints, RF factor and MRI joints are required to make a diagnosis.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.

[Ahlamw3x]

i used to get numbness on my arms alot,went for xrays and all that, but nothing showed up, the doc told me its probaly just a tissue damage on my neck,so i started on neurorobine,its a neuro something medicine,helped alot when i take the, buttry seeing a diffrent doc,and try exerscising more,it gets your blood circulating more that helps,drink lots of water also,and sleep on your right,and like i said earlier, exerscise mor

[sassy498]

Hello ,

I had to give you my opinion when I read your issues. If you have a doctor that will not look into your physical issues and complaints then you may need tgo ask for a refferal to see someone else. As for your joints, it sounds like artheritis to me. I have delt with family and my own patients with this same issue. If you are only 31 then it could either be hereditary or from lack of exercise. Try to do some walking about 30 min a day. Start slow and then when you are ready speed walk. Motrin/Advil/Aleve are all anti-inflamatories that you can buy over the counter and can help with joint pain. Be sure you are not allergic or have any illnesses that state that you can not use these. Th arms and legs feeling tingly usually come from lack of circulation, which can go back to the issue of exercise.If you are asthmatic and have had pneumonia within resent time  and you get pains in your chest and shortness of breath, you may want to get that checked out. Also on the issue of anti- inflamatory use, if you have breathing issues you may not be able to use the one I named above so check with your doctor first. I know exercise is the last thing anyone wants to do when they hurt but I promise it helps with circulation and breathing, joint stiffness etc... If you dedicate your self to 30 min. of walking a day 5 days a week you will see a difference within a week.  Hope this helped Be Blessed ; )