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

Get your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM BlogQuestions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction

Suggest Treatment For Pain In Multiple Joints.

I am a 57 year old female and I would have described myself as healthy two years ago. Now I live with pain in multiple joints everyday without any real explanation or relief. Started two years ago with swelling and mild redness in both ankles within a few days of each other with acute pain it seemed mostly in the Achilles tendon but also in the area of the medial malleolus. At about week two of this ( estimated) I developed a rash on the medial aspect of my left ankle which started as itchy pink flakes then spread and became a confluent raised purple rash which lasted about three weeks. I treated with wraps and triamicinolone cream. I eventually saw my MD and had labs done then eventually referred to rheum. The swelling eventually went away but I was left with pain and an unstable feeling in my ankles. MRI showed effusions. Labs showed elevated Ana titer and mildly elevated serum ACE levels. ? ? Lofgrens. Ankles started to feel less painful but then seemingly over night developed pain in bilat elbows and wrists which have persisted now for over a year. Symptoms wax and wane but never go away. Re eval at Mayo showed all labs normal, no real answers. The belief it is less bone issue and more a multi joint tenosynovitis. I have been an NP for almost twenty years and I am not sure what to think. I work, I function but my sleep pattern is poor due to pain. My life has drastically changed. I was also diagnosed with OP of my spine with T score of -3.6 which was a bit of an outlier . Long convoluted story. Any thoughts. Pat
Tue, 22 Apr 2014
Report Abuse
Orthopaedic Surgeon, Joint Replacement 's  Response
Hi
Thanks for posting your query
After going through query it seems you developed rheumatoid arthritis, which is basically a clinical diagnosis and may be supplemented by sensitive anti ccp antibody test. Do you have a family history of multiple joint pains?

Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease that is autoimmune in nature. It affects mainly synovial joints like the joints of hands, feet, although any joint can be affected by it. Just like various chronic diseases like diabetes are not curable but controllable; rheumatoid arthritis is also controllable.
With proper medication you can lead an absolutely normal life without any pain or disability.

It is not advisable to stop medication on your own as it only leads to accrual of joint damage and leads to joint deformities. So keep a positive attitude and take regular medication; also exercise regularly.
My advice would be visit a rheumatologist/physician for evaluation and treatment.
Hope this information suffices.
Take care
Regards
Dr.chugh, Orthopaedic surgeon
Virtual clinic http://bit.ly/drmchugh
I find this answer helpful

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer. For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]
Share on
 

Related questions you may be interested in


Recent questions on Skin rash


Loading Online Doctors....
Suggest Treatment For Pain In Multiple Joints.

Hi Thanks for posting your query After going through query it seems you developed rheumatoid arthritis, which is basically a clinical diagnosis and may be supplemented by sensitive anti ccp antibody test. Do you have a family history of multiple joint pains? Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease that is autoimmune in nature. It affects mainly synovial joints like the joints of hands, feet, although any joint can be affected by it. Just like various chronic diseases like diabetes are not curable but controllable; rheumatoid arthritis is also controllable. With proper medication you can lead an absolutely normal life without any pain or disability. It is not advisable to stop medication on your own as it only leads to accrual of joint damage and leads to joint deformities. So keep a positive attitude and take regular medication; also exercise regularly. My advice would be visit a rheumatologist/physician for evaluation and treatment. Hope this information suffices. Take care Regards Dr.chugh, Orthopaedic surgeon Virtual clinic http://bit.ly/drmchugh