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Help! Positive ANA with swelling, joint and muscle pain and brain fog
I have been going through auto immune pain for 3 years. I was seeing one rheumotologist when I have a positive ana (1:160 homogeneous). I have swelling, joint and muscle pain, brain fog, exhaustion (also have mild apnea), I get redness on my cheeks and nose especially in the sun or flourscent lighting, I also have vertigo, ulcerative colitis (in remission) poly cystic ovaries, reflux,. This rheumotolgsit has not diagnosed me since all my other labs have come back normal but says it is inflammatory since I respond well to prednisone. I decide to get a second opinion. This pa at the rhuemotologist office says I have fibro and not an autoimmune issue. She said since I am not swollen all the time it does not sound like inflammatory. Responding to prednisone is the only question for her. She made me stop taking arava (which helped about 60%. She put me on amatriptyline (75 mg). I don't feel relief and it is going on a couple of months. I started aqua therapy for the past month. I do notice that the therapy seems to be getting harder and harder to do and my exhaustion is so high. I also have been getting a feeling of swelling on my legs from the knee down, (worse on right leg) that makes it hard to walk and it tingles. I get numbness and tingling in both hands and feet. I feel so lost and confused. I foresee a third opinion in my future. I am sick of feeling like a hamster running in circles around the wheel and getting no where.
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@lisabeans Might be small fiber polyneuropathy. Maybe discuss with the PA or MD and seek testing with a "sweat test" or skin punch.
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1 ReactionThanks. No one has mentioned that before. I looked up the symptoms and of course it fits me as does symtoms for most conditions.
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1 Reaction@lisabeans Spend some time at http://www.neuropathycommons.org/media reading and listening.
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2 ReactionsI am so greatful for all the help and support you all have given me.
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2 ReactionsJohn- I too have fibro & have clicked this mayo discussion link a number of times & it says "oops! Not here"
Help?!
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1 ReactionHi @zinniagal - that's weird? I can click on the link and it takes me to the discussion. Try this one - it's the first page in the discussion
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/fibromyalgia-pain-28e002/
John
P.S. - Zinnias have replace Marigolds as one of my favorite flowers. A girl at the office gave me a bunch of seeds she saved from her Zinnias and I put them in some outside pots and they look really nice. I'm going to try saving the seeds from the flowers and planting them again next year.
Thanks John! My mom planted zinnias all the time when I was little & I still love them & plant seeds every year.
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1 ReactionI have autoimmune and my legs swell . My right leg worse. Its lymphodema so they say. I have to wear Compression socks but it doesn't always work those socks. Sometimes I think by using the socks they swell more than without using them. Go figure. I'm not sure what's going on but no clots.
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1 Reactioni am in love with morning glories. one year when i was 8 my father beat me so badly (again for no reason) and all my sisters were laughing at me. i was so cowed i limped over to a corner of the yard trying to hide.when i saw a tiny flower in the back corner. i went closer and saw a tiny light blue morning glory, all by itself as if it were waiting for me it was the most beautiful thing i have ever seen. .later in life i have planted morning glory seeds and enjoy my life where i am respected, to think that such a small thing can change an outlook on life and give hope when it was so very needed. see, even the very smallest things can help an outlook on life. this is peachbarb and i do suffer with the same ailments as you do. just wanted to give a little hope! with love
Swollen legs hurt - and it ca be a big hurt. Are you sure you are using true compression socks or stockings? Do they go up to the knee? Do you stay on your feet too often? Even with proper compression socks you still need to be of your feet more than you are on your feet.