eternalsunshine
01-08-2009, 11:46 AM
Hello- I have been suffering a long time and would like to hear from people who have gone through what I have. In March of 2005 I was a 25 year old college student who hadnt been sick with anything but a cold prior. I had a wisdom tooth pulled that month. It wasnt the first time but the pain was much much worse. I also got very sick with what seemed like the flu right around the same time. Two weeks later I was getting off of work and my wrist started hurting. Over the next few hours the pain started spreading up my arm. It hurt so bad it felt like it was broken. The pain lasted about 24 hours but got better after about 10 hours. The next day my hand on the same side swelled up so much I had to take off my rings. Three days later the same thing happened but to my leg. The pain lasted 24 hours. This went on till August happening to a differant part of the body. It always started in a joint. In August my troubles suddenly stopped. But in the morning I could barely walk. I was so stiff. After a few hours of waiting tables and I was fine. But as soon as I got home and sat down I couldnt get back up without help. The weird thing is I could work out like crazy but as soon as I stopped I was in so much pain. My toes and fingers started to go numb and they were always falling aleep. Occasionally I would get pain in joints but nothing like before. This went into the next year. I did see a RA specialist but he just looked at my hand and said he didnt think I had it. He didnt do any test. Although my other doctors may have at some point. In April of 2006 I had an MRI and a spinal tap. They found a lesion on the brain which showed demyelination and they suspected MS. They also did a spinal tap and that showed evidence of an autoimmune disease although I'm not sure what they found. I decided to quit waiting tables to help the pain and it did get better. I saw a MS specialist and they said that I didnt have MS but to do another MRI to make sure in a year or so. Since that time I have had a baby. When I was pregnant, I was fine. But in January of 08 it all started again. My hands are really cramping up and my pinky's seems to be heading the other direction. It takes alot to keep it with the rest of my hand. Its difficult to drive or type. because of my hands. I still ache in the morning or after activity. My neuroligist is a jerk and basically treats me like Im crazy or that I have fibromyalgia . I have been tested for that and its negative. I have another MRI on Monday and if that comes back normal I am going to a new doctor. It seems like my symptoms are a lot like RA. Is it possible for blood work to be normal?Does anyone have any advice? It would be a miracle to find out whats wrong no matter what it is.:confused: thanks! Michelle