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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Chronic Pain Throughout The Body?

I have delevloped pain pretty much throughout my body over the past 6 to 8 months. My chiropractor and a spine specialist have both pointed to some stenosis in the cervical and lumbar spine. With the lumbar being more severe and probably causing sciatica symptoms in my buttocks and legs. However, I am also having pain through my neck, shoulders, arms, and wrists. Since I am on Plavix after a heart attack in November, I can t take anti-inflamm itory drugs, so I pretty much just take tylenol, and ice the areas when I can. I do some stretching exercises, but they are so painful, I can t do much. I do swim each morning, and it seems to help some. In addition, I have lost 25 pounds over this period, without trying to. Everyone keeps saying I look so thin, and wonder what is wrong. Is it possible I have some auto-imune system disease? I dd have a blood test for Lyme disease, which came back negative.
Fri, 9 Jun 2017
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hello,

Autoimmune diseases such as lupus or RA or similar illnesses can cause joint pain and this can be checked with blood tests such as complete blood count and ESR, at least initially. The ESR, is a non-specific inflammatory marker (goes up with any inflammation in the body), and this would be raised. An autoimmune blood screen can also be done as well.

The nerves that supply the arms and shoulders and wrists, come out for the spinal cord in the cervical region. Stenosis in this area can have an effect on these nerves, it can cause compression. This can result in pain in the areas mentioned.

People with chronic conditions often lose weight due to the effect of the illness on their body so the weight loss may not single a serious illness but you should do the bloods to make sure.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. Michelle Gibson James
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What Causes Chronic Pain Throughout The Body?

Hello, Autoimmune diseases such as lupus or RA or similar illnesses can cause joint pain and this can be checked with blood tests such as complete blood count and ESR, at least initially. The ESR, is a non-specific inflammatory marker (goes up with any inflammation in the body), and this would be raised. An autoimmune blood screen can also be done as well. The nerves that supply the arms and shoulders and wrists, come out for the spinal cord in the cervical region. Stenosis in this area can have an effect on these nerves, it can cause compression. This can result in pain in the areas mentioned. People with chronic conditions often lose weight due to the effect of the illness on their body so the weight loss may not single a serious illness but you should do the bloods to make sure. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. Michelle Gibson James