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What Causes Pain And Swelling In Multiple Joints?

Posted on Mon, 28 Apr 2014

Question: 3 weeks ago, I developed a pain on the inside of my right elbow that sometimes hurts in my forearm. It is mild & occasional. I notice it more late in the day or if I am lifting something. It is becoming less over time. About 5 days ago, I started to experience some numbness and prickly feeling in the first two toes on my right foot. The feeling lasts on and off through the day, usually worse at night. It does not affect my walking or exercise. I googled & scared myself badly about serious types of arthritis. It made me so nervous it is hard for me to eat or sleep! I have little or no joint pain when I bend my elbow, and no joint pain in my toes. The only time any of my joints are stiff is if I wake up in the middle of the night – then I flex my hands, and they’re fine. My doctor said my symptoms are very unlikely to be related to a serious arthritic condition, which would present itself with other conditions. Does that sound right? A second opinion would help to reassure me and get my life back to normal!

Answered by Dr. Mukesh Chugh (1 hour later)

Brief Answer: Half knowledge is XXXXXXX Detailed Answer: Hi Thanks for writing After going through your suffering, it does not look to be a case of arthritis as told by your doctor and his observation is appreciable. Having said that to diagnose the arthritis especially the serious rheumatoid arthritis one should have following feature- 1. Pain and swelling in multiple joint that too for a period of 6 weeks. The affected joint’s should be bilateral symmetrical. 2. Morning stiffness that last for more than 1 hour duration. That is inability to make a fist or taking time to get out of bed in the morning. 3. Pain in joint’s increase on taking rest and decreases on walking. And so on, beside above symptoms patient’s of serious arthritis problem may have positive blood test for –Serum RA, ANA Factor, Anti CCP antibody, Serum uric acid and other test depending on the type of arthritis. Arthritis is mainly a clinical diagnosis based on sign and symptoms, supplemented by blood test. The information available on the internet does make us aware but it also scare as in your case, because half knowledge is XXXXXXX So, my advice would be having faith in your doctor. The pain in your right elbow could be because of inflammation at muscles origin that is Golfer’s elbow. For this you may have rest from hard physical work, Ice fomentation,Tab.Ibuprofen and Kinaesia taping. Physiotherapy also helps. The numbness and pin pricking sensation may be because of some deficiency like that of common vitamin B12.In the follow up query please tell me about the blood sugar level (diabetes). Hope this information suffices and I shall be glad to answer any further query. Take care and wish you good health Regards Dr.chugh

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Mukesh Chugh (3 hours later)

Thank you, Dr. Chugh. Your observation that "half knowledge is dangerous" is true! I will never again google my symptoms, because Dr. Google is NOT a real doctor! Your answer was very thorough and complete. Best wishes to you.

Answered by Dr. Mukesh Chugh (3 hours later)

Brief Answer: Thanks Detailed Answer: Hello, It’s good to see you. Thanks, I am glad that you are at ease now. Wishing you good health. If you do not have further query, you may close the present discussion. To reach my virtual clinic my address is http://bit.ly/drmchugh. Take care Regards Dr.chugh

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad