HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

I'm A 35 Year Old Male In Relatively Good Health

Posted on Sat, 30 Nov 2019

Question: I'm a 35 year old male in relatively good health and recently came down with what I believe is reactive arthritis. In early October I came down with food poisoning and abut 7-10 after the recovery began feeling stiffness and pain in my knees. It has since progressed to my left ankle/heel and both feet/toes. I'm also feeling it in my lower back, elbows, shoulders, wrists, and fingers. My groin muscles are starting to feel sore as of today.

Is it possible that I have RA at my age? It does not run in my family.

Answered by Dr. Divya Agarwal (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
probably SPA

Detailed Answer:
hi,
the greater possibility is that this is reactive arthritis with a possibility of spondyloarthritis.
I would suggest that you check yourself for HLAb27 , which is a genetic marker for this disease.
this disease begins before 40, it is probably not RA.
regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Divya Agarwal (1 hour later)

From what I read, spondyloarthritis typically starts with the lower back, right? My lower back has only recently started to hurt and it's not as severe as the other parts of my body. The pain in my knees, feet, and hands is typically in the morning when I wake up and tends to go away throughout the day (perhaps just because of the Ibuprofen).

I cut back on foods with high uric acid levels thinking it could be gout, but that hasn't really changed anything.

I'm on day three of amoxicillin but haven't noticed any improvement. Will the reactive arthritis still be present after the bacterial infection is killed? Or do you recommend any other possible antibiotics? I chose a wide-spectrum hoping that would do the trick.

My throat is sore to the touch in the middle/near the top of my neck. But the doctor I saw didn't see any signs of mouth or throat infection during my exam. It's somewhat painful to swallow but this also seems to go away with ibuprofen. The muscle on the left side of my neck (sternocleidomastoid) seems a bit tight as well.

Thoughts?

Answered by Dr. Divya Agarwal (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
see below

Detailed Answer:
SPA when it begins as a reactive arthritis can start with lower limb joints, so it is not a hard and fast rule.
I suggest get ESR,CRP,HLAb27 done in order to clear the issue.
you can also do RA factor and anti CCP for RA.
it is definitely not gout.the joints in the throat may also be affected, ibuprofen is an anti inflammatory which reduces inflammation every where, therefore the relief.
regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Follow up: Dr. Divya Agarwal (30 hours later)

My pain seems to have changed today. Whereas is was stiff before it now feels sharp. And my muscles seem to be more painful as well.

Is reactive arthritis typically migratory and can it be accompanied by tendinitis?

Thanks for all your help and answers.

Answered by Dr. Divya Agarwal (8 hours later)

Brief Answer:
yes

Detailed Answer:
hi
yes that can definitely happen, it can be fleeting progressing to other joints, tendinitis can also accompany arthritis.
are you still on an nsaid. that should give u some relief.

Note: For further information on diet changes to reduce allergy symptoms or to boost your immunity, Ask here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T