Joint pain and stiffness, is it autoimmune?
So I usually never join these discussion forums, however, after soo many tests and new Dr.s(to try and get a new fresh set of eyes) I am so frustrated and not sure what to do or who to see. I have had pretty much all antibody blood tests and everything always comes back beautiful(which is what you want) with a few things approaching high/low. Only thing I have been caught with is my Lipase was doubled in my most recent ER visit. I have joint pain, stiffness that does not get better and is always there worsens with activity. Sometimes for days/weeks depending on how much activity I did, clumsy, night sweats, hair loss, sensitivity to cold/sun(get rashes when exposed to sun-increases joint pain to almost flu like ache) insomnia, Gerd, stomache pain after eating, bloating, constipation/diarrhea, changes in bowel movemenmts, bleeding issues(clotting/hemmorrage)...etc.. list goes on. I had an extremelly complicated pregnancy this past year had to be on IV then got preclamsia. Have had pain for over 11 years just always associated pain with my bulging herniated discs in spine until pain started traveling to arm, hands, feet. Drs think possible auto immune but no test concludes and I have always given up in past when every test comes bacx fine I start to feel crazy. I'm not one to like being a guinea pig so don't take much meds unless natural as just masking symptoms doesn't fix problem and can cause other problems. GI specialist said she is going to put me on a low dose steroid for long term as lab test aren;t conclusive of auto immune but symptoms are and she worries of not treating and then I end up with damageing issues. Please Help!! any ideas
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@carsonamy07 - Sorry you're having so many problems. I find the Lab Tests Online website (it's a .org; I'm not allowed to post links apparently) particularly helpful, as you can search any test and see why it might be ordered, anything that might affect the result (like if you need to fast, or stop vitamins) and what high or low results might mean. The other thing I thought I'd throw out there is to recommend you have your thyroid function tested if you haven't already. It may not be the cause of all your problems, but thyroid function can change after pregnancy and cause a wild array of problems. Night sweats also made me think of TB or mastocytosis (flushing/hot flashes). Mast cell activation disorders can display a wide variety of symptoms as well. I hope you're able to feel better soon!