Pain and Dr Visit Help/Advice

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-28-2005
Pain and Dr Visit Help/Advice
11
Mon, 08-22-2005 - 5:29pm
Hi, I am seeing the dr for the second time for shoulder pain. I have had knee problems in the past and the dr then said that I had cysts under my knee cap that he could remove. I didn't have it done - had a baby instead. Well, 3 mo after my baby was born all of my joints hurt for about 2 weeks. I thought that it was probably a result of the pregnancy -bones repositioning and it got better. Now ( 2 months later) I have pain in my right shoudler that has lingered for a month. It is worse at night, much much worse and even hurts to hold my baby's bottle. I went to the dr a week and 1/2 ago and she gave me an anti inflamation drug - Mobic and exercises to do for two weeks and thought it would get better. Instead it is worse and now my knee is hurting again too. NOt only does my shoulder hurt but sometimes my elbow and joints in the hand hurt as well. All of the affected joints are on the right side of my body. I tested negative on one test for RA, but my mother in law says there are more tests. I plan to ask for them and for an x-ray. I would also like to know what else I should ask the dr and if you have any insight. I have a paternal aunt and grandfather with RA, but do not know if this is what is keeping me up at night or not...
TIA!
Denise

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Tue, 08-23-2005 - 11:09am

Hi! So sorry you are hurting. It does seem RA and other autoimmune diseases often flare after giving birth. I've heard many similar stories. DId you see a rheumatologist? If not, that is my best advice right now. Definitely see a specialist ASAP. When was the RA test done? Maybe it should be redone?

WIshing you luck in feeling better!
Michele

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-03-2003
Tue, 08-23-2005 - 1:06pm

Hi Denise!

Molly

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-28-2005
Tue, 08-23-2005 - 2:36pm
Thanks to you both for your help.
Saw the dr this am. He didn't see anything on the x-ray. Labs should be back Thursday for Rf and another test which would show Lupus,etc. The test he had done was a stratification? test that showed no inflamation so he gave me a shot of Cortizone, told me to stop taking Mobic and said he thought it was tendonitus. He only addressed the other aching joints with the effects of pregnancy. I hope he is right, but to me it just doesn't explain everything (the increased problem at night and the first couple hours being up, the fact that everyday it seems new hoints are involved). If I don't get better soon I will be asking to go to a specialist.
Thanks,
Denise
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-03-2003
Tue, 08-23-2005 - 5:25pm

Denise, so far, so good, but I agree that if nothing shows up with this doctor and your joint pain continues or increases, you should dig further.

Molly

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-28-2005
Tue, 08-23-2005 - 7:27pm
Sorry, it was sedimentation. That has been a word that I've not been able to hold on to. Mine was only a 3. I had been taking motrin, wonder if that would have altered the test results?
That's my problem with the tendonitis thing, the pain has spread to other joints. Hopefully the cortizone shot will help, I'll let ya'll know. Thanks again!
Denise
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-03-2003
Tue, 08-23-2005 - 9:12pm
No problem, Denise.

Molly

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-28-2005
Mon, 08-29-2005 - 3:00pm
Nothing showed on the RF or ANA test, and so far the cortizone shot is helping. It finally must have made a difference to all my joints cause now I amonly a little stiff in the mornings with the shoulder a liitle sore. My plan is to ask to go to a rheumatoligist if the pain returns. Thanks again,
Denise
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Tue, 08-30-2005 - 11:08am

Denise,

Just wanted to pop in and wish you well on your diagnosis. The support here in on this board is unsurpassed and amazing.

My initial diagnosis was just about dead on to your story, my dd was 4 weeks old when I started having joint problems and I was diagnosed shortly after that. I was told it was just a postpartum virus issue that was causing the joint inflammation (and my rhuematologist then said it would go away!! Ha ha), then they said maybe it was Lyme Disease, and then the difinative results came in and I was offically diagnosed with RA. That was 8 years ago. But sounding from your test results, there is no answers yet. I hope you get some "for sures" soon.

Stop by and let us know how things are progressing.

(((Hugs))).
Namaste
Holly

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-03-2003
Tue, 08-30-2005 - 1:57pm
Denise, I'm so happy the cortisone shot has helped you.

Molly

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-28-2005
Thu, 09-01-2005 - 4:02pm
Thanks ya'll. Still feeling good, hoping it will continue. I am really glad that you all are here for me to gain insight and info from. Will update you on any changes. SInce this has started I've talked to a friend who I knew had RA and found out it still doesn't show on her tests, and heard of another who is the same (all the symptoms, but negative test results). The funny thing is the friend's sister showes positive for RF and lupus, without any other symptoms. I guess doctors can only tell so much...
Denise

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