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Burning joints have spread to most of my joints! Anyone have any idea what's going on with me?

Posted , 4 users are following.

Jaydroid
Jaydroid

Hi everyone,

28 year old Male here.

About 5 weeks ago I started to get a burning sensation in my right elbow, which I didn't think anything of. Over the next few days it spread to my knees and ankles and within the last month it feels as though it's spread to most of the joints in my body. It's worse when I'm not moving, ie, when I start waking in the morning, for the hour before I actually get up I'll toss and turn in my sleep to try and take pressure off of the burning joints, alternating between each side and then my back. It's fairly constant and although activity seems to lessen it, I can feel it in the joints if I put them under any strain (walking for a while I'll feel it in my lower back and knees, typing on a keyboard and my wrists will start to burn, lean forward in my chair and my lower back will flare up, carrying a light bag of shopping and I'll feel it in my elbow/wrist/fingers etc.) The sensation seems to be continuing to spread. in the last few days my neck has started to have a low grade burn and one of my shoulders has now joined in. The severity during the day is similar to a very localised sun burn around each joint, but on waking it feels more like a friction burn in the joint that is under most stress and is quite uncomfortable. My joints have also been clicking a lot lately, which is making me nervous about lots of movement, although the joints only feel a tiny bit more stiff than usual. I haven't seen a doctor about it yet as I've been having some stomach issues for the past 6 months and feel like I've been backwards and forwards to the Dr's office enough lately. Which is why I've been waiting to see how it progresses. As it stands, and I hope I'm not tempting fate, the burning and discomfort is bearable, it just concerns me that it is continuing to spread, despite me not doing anything particularly active. I had a blood test this morning to check my blood count (which won't pick up inflammation and was originally arranged to check up on a low white blood cell count to see if it has returned to normal)  I finally gave in after the blood test and booked an appointment, however, the next available appointment at the surgery is 3 weeks today. God bless the NHS.

My question is, does anyone have any idea what's going on? And should I be more worried. If I hadn't been to the doctors so much already, I'd have probably already been in to see someone. Like I said, if it wasn't continuing to spread, I wouldn't be as worried, but as the sensation is now in most of my joints and to be honest, is gently increasing in severity, it is starting to concern me quite a bit. I'd love to hear from anyone who has experienced anything similar or who has an idea what it might be? Should I be worried about lupus or RA?

1 like, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • sarah87162
    sarah87162 Jaydroid

    Posted

    I think this could be RA. Although you are quite young to be having this.

    You could try Ibugel which yu can buy from a Chemist or you can get in on prescription if you go to a doctor.

    Take care and keep in touch.

    Sarah

    • Jaydroid
      Jaydroid sarah87162

      Posted

      Thanks Sarah. I'm a bit concerned about something autoimmune, as it's primarily a burning sensation. Is there any risk involved with waiting a month or so before getting it checked out? I will be having an appointment in three weeks, where I imagine they'll request some tests which will take a while to come back. So it'll be a month at the earliest that I'll be any wiser, If initial blood tests do show anything at all. If it was something like lupus, is there a danger of additional damage associated with waiting?
  • cheryl90571
    cheryl90571 Jaydroid

    Posted

    A Rheumotologist can do extensive blood testing which will be able to determine if you have any kind of arthritis. There are markers in the blood that show this information using specific tests. I had this done last year, and our 17 year old neighbor had his done just this past October.

    Careful testing is very important because if you DO have any kind of arthritis, treatment varies depending on the KIND of arthritis you may have.

    If you do NOT have arthritis you do not want to treat arthritis! You will want to get an accurate diagnosis and not just management of PAIN.

    Regular blood testing tests for things like blood sugar, cholesterol, iron, etc. The blood testing at the Rheumotologist is very different and tests for blood MARKERS that indicate types of arthritis.

    My testing, for example, ruled out all types of arthritis that can be measured in this manner. They then we're able to tell me what I DIDN'T have. This left Osteoarthritis, which apparently is NOT measured in this manner. I then went to a specialist for Osteoarthritis, had X-RAYS and began specific treatment for the TYPE of arthritis I was then diagnosed with- Osteoarthritis. It is four years later, and I just had two TOTAL KNEE REPLACEMENTS.

    I am very happy that I had the specific blood testing because it ruled out what I DIDN'T have. That enabled me to get proper treatment and be able to have pain-free knees for the first time in five years!

    I hope you will be able to get testing to determine exactly what is going on in your body. It is just as important to be able to RULE OUT certain things so that your proper and accurate treatment can begin.

    Sending prayers of calm, strength, and energy to you today!

    • Jaydroid
      Jaydroid cheryl90571

      Posted

      Thanks Cheryl, As I mentioned, I'm a little worried about something autoimmune (I've had some stomach and dry eye issues preceding this but had put it down to a side effect of some medication)
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