I’ve Been Having Joint Pain For Over A Year Now

Posted on Tue, 3 Dec 2019

Question: I’ve been having joint pain for over a year now and other symptoms. I recently seen a rheumatologist who did some blood work and said that my lupus and rheumatoid arthritis tests were normal but she founds signs of inflammation on the SPEP test and ordered for me to have a PET scan? What could this mean? When she says signs of inflammation what does that that mean? I’ve also been having more symptoms such as nausea, loss of appetite, headaches, joint pain and inflammation. Is that the inflammation that she might be referring to?

Answered by Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
She may want to find the place of inflammation.

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear, welcome to Ask a doctor service.
I read your query and here is my advice.

I see the results of SPEP you attached and the IgG levels are high above normal and si IgM levels are high while IgA are within normal range. This can show inflammation or that your increased serum antibodies are fighting something in your body.
The symptoms that you are having may show gastrointestinal tract inflammation.
The joint pain also according to your medical history may be related to arthritis.
So the symptoms you are having may be related to inflammatory bowel disease and arthritis.
The bowel inflammation also has symptoms of diarrhea or constipation, bloating or possibly blood in stools.
Possibly she wants you to do a pet scan to find the place of inflammation on your body.

Hope I have answered the question.
Let me know if I can assist you further.

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana