I have chronic pain in my hands, feet, hips?!
Question: I have chronic pain in my hands, feet, hips?
I came down with a sudden thyroid condition after the birth of my second daughter.
I had it removed due to severe Hoshimotos and possible cancer.
My recovery was awful. They just this year have gotten my meds regulated.
I also developed a severe b-12 deficincy which was horriffic as well. Causing complete paralisis on my right side and making it so I couldn't talk or see.
Soon after that, my joints started to hurt. My hands, feet, hips, shoulders and neck are the worst.
My hands and feet stiffen up so much that I can't write or walk sometimes. When I drive, I get so scared. My fingers will also spasam so I can't hold anything and this is extremly painful.
It is very painful to walk or stand sometimes due to the hip pain. And my neck pain causes headaches. I can't move it sometimes as well.
I have stenosis in my lower back and 3 bulging/herniated disks in my neck. I also have severe fatuige, difficult to funcation.
I have been to several Dr's, including my endocrinoligst (says my thyroid problem in under control and this is caused my something else) and neuroligst who was helpful but couldn't find anything either.
And a useless reumatoligst who said it was fibromyaligs because even though my mother had RA and all my tests came back positive for RA, my x rays didn't show joint damage so it isn't RA.
What do I do? My hands are so swollen and stiff all the time.
I have two small girls who this makes difficult to care for and I work in case management and it is very hard sometimes to work while I am suffering through this. How can I help someone cook, clean, shop ect if I can barely use my hands??
Please help me if you can. I am really suffering!
Answers:
Best Answer - Chosen by Voters
First of all, see a new rheumatologist. The recommendation currently in rheumatology is that suspected RA should be treated aggressively to prevent joint damage, not to wait until it shows up. RA can cause permanent damage within the first year after symptoms appear. The rheumatologist you saw is not following the recommended guidelines of his own professional oversight committee.
Visit the Arthritis Foundation website and look for the RA Connect section. There is a ton of info available, including the newest recommendations for early and aggressive treatment.
Psoriatic Arthritis patient
problems from diabetes? Avoid sugar. Get tested.
For your pain there are a variety of low level lasers (also known as cold lasers) that are proven to be effective in reducing and eliminating acute and chronic pain. These lasers, made by Erchonia, have been known to be a more effective and immediate alternative to traditional pain medications. You may want to see if any of these lasers are offered in your area.
http://www.erchonia.com/physician-search