somberll
10-16-2008, 04:19 PM
Hi, I'm Rachel... 27 year old female with some kind of arthritis. I have yet to see a rheumatologist for the first time next week (FINALLY). I have been chasing some kind of odd symptoms for about 10 years, but it only really started to get bad the last few years.
My question first of all, is osteoarthritis (such as psoriatic arthritis) WITH rheumatoid arthritis possible? I ask because my symptoms mainly encompass rheumatoid arthritis, however, I have proven spinal arthritis in x rays (in my lower back, lumbar region, which is why I was referred) and psoriasis on my scalp. Now, my RF factor test WAS negative... but my hematology report states otherwise. I have a consistently high white blood cell count (stays around 12.35), consistently high lymphocytes, low monocytes, and a high number of eosphils (sp?). When I read about what all that meant, it pointed directly at tissue damage, autoimmune disorders, and, of course, rheumatoid arthritis.
My symptoms are also more in line with rheumatoid arthritis. I have a persistent low grade fever of about 99.5, and swelling in my knuckle area on my palms and the tops of my knees, and red rashes that develop on my feet and knees (and they get really hot). I also have started getting strange bumps that are hard along the top of one kneecap, an odd lump in my wrist, and in the knuckles in my hands and fingers. Top that all off with horrible back pain that feels like I am carrying a 20 pound weight in my lower back constantly, neck pain, shoulder pain, elbow pain, knee pain, hip pain, foot and ankle pain.. and the knee pain is always the worst. when I move my knees, the kneecap moves and makes horrible cracking and popping noises and its like I can feel ligaments snapping in there. I'm always tired and take 3-4 hour naps daily after work.
I've had psoriasis since age 15, and I think the arthritis may have even gotten into my jaw bone years ago, as at age 22 I had to have all my teeth replaced and the surgeon removed a lot of "bad bone" that he didn't know why it was there. The pain always waxed and waned, but as of two months ago when it came back, it was everywhere. previously it was just in my knees and hips and lower back.
The last doctor, when I had a flare up, tried to tell me I had a kidney infection. My urinalysis came back normal. I did not have a kidney infection, and the symptoms persisted, so he referred me. I have seen so many doctors that tried to diagnose cholesterol problems, diabetes, PCOS, and one even blamed it on my weight, although I am not overweight at all. One even said it was fibromyalgia. Another blamed it on depression and prescribed me Wellbutrin for the fatigue, which did not work at all. My current doctor refused to give me corticosteroids (which I know worked previously) and instead would only give me a refillable prescription of Tramadol which only works some of the time.
What could I possibly tell the rheumatologist next week to get this properly diagnosed? I'm really scared about it, as it took my mother 25 years to get anything diagnosed -- when it was, she had cervical spinal stenosis, and was on the brink of paralyzation and had to have emergency surgery to put a steel plate in her neck. I just don't know what to do if he won't listen to me. They all act like I am too young to have any real problems.
My question first of all, is osteoarthritis (such as psoriatic arthritis) WITH rheumatoid arthritis possible? I ask because my symptoms mainly encompass rheumatoid arthritis, however, I have proven spinal arthritis in x rays (in my lower back, lumbar region, which is why I was referred) and psoriasis on my scalp. Now, my RF factor test WAS negative... but my hematology report states otherwise. I have a consistently high white blood cell count (stays around 12.35), consistently high lymphocytes, low monocytes, and a high number of eosphils (sp?). When I read about what all that meant, it pointed directly at tissue damage, autoimmune disorders, and, of course, rheumatoid arthritis.
My symptoms are also more in line with rheumatoid arthritis. I have a persistent low grade fever of about 99.5, and swelling in my knuckle area on my palms and the tops of my knees, and red rashes that develop on my feet and knees (and they get really hot). I also have started getting strange bumps that are hard along the top of one kneecap, an odd lump in my wrist, and in the knuckles in my hands and fingers. Top that all off with horrible back pain that feels like I am carrying a 20 pound weight in my lower back constantly, neck pain, shoulder pain, elbow pain, knee pain, hip pain, foot and ankle pain.. and the knee pain is always the worst. when I move my knees, the kneecap moves and makes horrible cracking and popping noises and its like I can feel ligaments snapping in there. I'm always tired and take 3-4 hour naps daily after work.
I've had psoriasis since age 15, and I think the arthritis may have even gotten into my jaw bone years ago, as at age 22 I had to have all my teeth replaced and the surgeon removed a lot of "bad bone" that he didn't know why it was there. The pain always waxed and waned, but as of two months ago when it came back, it was everywhere. previously it was just in my knees and hips and lower back.
The last doctor, when I had a flare up, tried to tell me I had a kidney infection. My urinalysis came back normal. I did not have a kidney infection, and the symptoms persisted, so he referred me. I have seen so many doctors that tried to diagnose cholesterol problems, diabetes, PCOS, and one even blamed it on my weight, although I am not overweight at all. One even said it was fibromyalgia. Another blamed it on depression and prescribed me Wellbutrin for the fatigue, which did not work at all. My current doctor refused to give me corticosteroids (which I know worked previously) and instead would only give me a refillable prescription of Tramadol which only works some of the time.
What could I possibly tell the rheumatologist next week to get this properly diagnosed? I'm really scared about it, as it took my mother 25 years to get anything diagnosed -- when it was, she had cervical spinal stenosis, and was on the brink of paralyzation and had to have emergency surgery to put a steel plate in her neck. I just don't know what to do if he won't listen to me. They all act like I am too young to have any real problems.