Undiagnosed Autoimmune with back pain, spasms, and stiffness

Posted by amberlynne5 @amberlynne5, May 10, 2019

Hi, I’m hoping that by posting my situation I can connect with people who have similar symptoms and possibly get me closer to an answer regarding what is going on with me.
My symptoms have gradually worsened in a 2 year time frame and got drastically worse last December. Things have gotten better since December but I seem to be having new issues since then. I have had issues with my back for approximately 10 years on and off mainly tightness of muscles in my back always in the right scapular area. I have always seen a chiropractor for this it gets better after but soon comes back. 2 yrs ago I stayed having pain in my right wrist and my knees were bothering me. I did not seek medical attention for this as the symptoms would come and go and I could go months in between of having nothing until it acted up again. I summed it up as I was working out to much, I was doing CrossFit type classes and running quite a bit.
Last fall things really changed however, I started having these terrible back spasms? It felt like a bolt of electricity down my spine and the pain would radiate out. It hurt to move or breath. The pain would eventually ease up but that would take almost all day for any relief. I had 3 of these episodes of which I seen my chiropractor for and he said he couldn’t make much since of it. Then I started having electric like shocks in the left side of my face this lasted for about 2 mos. During this time the muscles in my back grew drastically stiffer. The stiffness involved my whole back and neck. I finally went to my Dr. who sent me to Physcial Therapy. I went to 2 sessions and quit because they told me they were not for sure what the issue was and things were getting worse. I ended up back at my primary cares office due to worsening of symptoms. I started having low grade fevers every evening along with chills. I had no appetite (I ended up losing 10lbs in about 3 wks time). I have muscle twitches throughout my body, this has been constant since it started in early December. I have them every day regardless of how I’m feeling they seem worse when I feeling bad though. I had tensions headaches that were horrible no over the counter pain medicine would help. I also had an extremely sore throat and at times it felt like something was stuck in my throat this also caused trouble swallowing. I also had joint pain and muscle aches all over my body. I also suffer extreme fatigue. Heart palpitations, I had every test ran on my heart and they couldn’t find anything wrong. During this time I had tons of lab tests run and they found I had a positive ANA- 1:320, low positive Rheumatoid Factor- 37. I was sent to a Rheumatologist. Since this time I have seen 2 different rheumatologist the second I am still seeing today between the 2 I think they have ran every lab they could run and have only found a positive anti-RO SSA- >8.0. I had a salivary gland ultrasound that came back normal and a Schirmer test which was also normal- 18-20mm in both eyes for 5 mins. I had an MRI without contrast of my brain and cervical spine which came back normal. Lyme disease test which came back negative but I have had several drs tell me that that test is worthless. Which makes me second guess it’s findings. I also had an EMG done on arms and hands only which only found I had mild carpal tunnel. Dispite all the tests I have had done my rheumatologist has not been able to make a diagnosis. Y
While things have gotten a bit better since December I still have “flare ups”. I’ll have days and weeks I almost feel like my old self then all of a sudden I have several days in a row or weeks in a row where all my symptoms come back.
My rheumatologist has sent me back to the neurologist and I’m currently waiting for my appt. She says I need re-evaluated by him due to some new neurological symptoms I’m experiencing. Those include pins and needles feeling in my hands at night, a vibrating sensation in my left thigh and also my feet. The left side of my tongue and lips feel numb/tingling. And the persistent muscle twitching which has not resolved in its own. I also have trouble thinking at times (brain fog).
I’m sorry for the long post but I wanted to put it all out there to see if someone else has had anything similar. To add I’m a 33 yr old female and have been a type 1 diabetic for 32 yrs. my diabetes is very well controlled. My endocrinologist has ordered every lab she can to rule out anything on her side which included a celiac panel, adrenal panel, B-12, and there was one other but all of those tests came back normal. My ferritin level is low this was found about two years ago and they were never able to figure out why. When this flared up in December my primary checked my iron and the ferritin level was 19, borderline low which is what it always has been. She rechecked 4mos later and it had dropped to 6. I am back on my iron supplements currently.
Thanks in advance to anyone that can add any info that would be helpful to me figuring this out!

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@jetsetter

I was diagnosed with Sjogren’s with high SS-B antibodies, no SS-A, positive for ANA-direct (anti-nuclear antibodies). Went on hydroxychloriquine right away, which had helped my muscular skeletal pain.

Perhaps you can find another rheumatologist.

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Can’t thank you enough jetsetter!
I am thinking about changing doctors
I started feeling like a “chéster”
Telling family and friends I suffer from an autoimmune disease and it was not true although I know I do. I do not make up my symptoms
First diagnosis was Sjogren’s then someone came up with a no because of the antibodies the it waz RA and now it’s not RA because some of my symptoms came back despite the methotrexate and the Humira
I was doing pretty well until a couple of months ago
Infinite thanks for your support and useful info!
I so much appreciate it!

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@kenyalama

Thank you again! I just read entirely the link you sent me
That is ME!! Including the robes with my veins! Swelling and hurting and bursting leaving bruises !
And yes my rheumatologist is only looking at my serology although I do have tge anti SSB etc
Last time I saw him he was dismissive to say the least. He even stretched my appointment to four months, did not want to drain the fluid from my knees ( yes both swollen, painful with Baker Cysyts each .
Now I know! Not see how to approach him!
I am on a Medicare advantage plan
I will go to bed a bit less guilty today. I know I am not making any of it up.
Thanks a million Shigren’s advocate
By the way the American Assiciation of rheumatologicals diseases is also strict :
It is not Sjogren’s without the anti SSA but I know what I feel and see and feel! in my own body
Thanks a million again

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I’m so glad Sjogren’s Advocate has been a revelation for you. It is the most helpful and supportive website for those of us with Sjogren’s. It was started by a doctor who has Sjogren’s, as she was frustrated by the lack of recognition by rheumatologists of the systemic symptoms that Sjogren’s frequently causes. I have pretty much your same symptoms. Fortunately my neurologist diagnosed me and has been helpful.

As @jetsetter recommends, I hope you can find a rheumatologist who will help you! Sjogren’s Advocate has guidance documents for rheumatologists, perhaps take these to your rheumatologist or primary and ask for a referral to a different doctor!

Be strong and remember it’s your body! You know your symptoms!

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@athenalee

I’m so glad Sjogren’s Advocate has been a revelation for you. It is the most helpful and supportive website for those of us with Sjogren’s. It was started by a doctor who has Sjogren’s, as she was frustrated by the lack of recognition by rheumatologists of the systemic symptoms that Sjogren’s frequently causes. I have pretty much your same symptoms. Fortunately my neurologist diagnosed me and has been helpful.

As @jetsetter recommends, I hope you can find a rheumatologist who will help you! Sjogren’s Advocate has guidance documents for rheumatologists, perhaps take these to your rheumatologist or primary and ask for a referral to a different doctor!

Be strong and remember it’s your body! You know your symptoms!

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Will do. I am on a Medicare advantage plan. Inexpensive but for people with less health issues
I will explore other plans and definitely speak with my PCP which is actually the one who was the first one in running the tests and referred me to rheumatologist stating i have inflammatory markers for autoimmune
I will explore Sjögren Advocate and educate myself
A huge thank you to all and special thanks to jetsetter and athenale

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@kenyalama

Will do. I am on a Medicare advantage plan. Inexpensive but for people with less health issues
I will explore other plans and definitely speak with my PCP which is actually the one who was the first one in running the tests and referred me to rheumatologist stating i have inflammatory markers for autoimmune
I will explore Sjögren Advocate and educate myself
A huge thank you to all and special thanks to jetsetter and athenale

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Best wishes @kenyalama, please let us know how you make out.

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@athenalee

Best wishes @kenyalama, please let us know how you make out.

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Thank you so much! For now I have to get the scoliosis series ordered by my neurologist. On December 1st I have my intrathecal pump refill with him. The big needle piercing my tummy to get to the pump is not pleasant but very tolerable
Then the Holidays. My grandkids will bring me joy
I have an appt with my PCP in January for follow up on high iron levels and a liver cyst. I might have to wait until then
Meanwhile I will educate myself as much as I can with Sjogren’s Advocate
Happy Thanksgiving to all my Mayo Connect friends !

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Where can I find Sjogren Advocate website.....just type it in?

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Where is Sjogren Advocate? is it a website on Mayo Clinic

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@athenalee

I’m so glad Sjogren’s Advocate has been a revelation for you. It is the most helpful and supportive website for those of us with Sjogren’s. It was started by a doctor who has Sjogren’s, as she was frustrated by the lack of recognition by rheumatologists of the systemic symptoms that Sjogren’s frequently causes. I have pretty much your same symptoms. Fortunately my neurologist diagnosed me and has been helpful.

As @jetsetter recommends, I hope you can find a rheumatologist who will help you! Sjogren’s Advocate has guidance documents for rheumatologists, perhaps take these to your rheumatologist or primary and ask for a referral to a different doctor!

Be strong and remember it’s your body! You know your symptoms!

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Where is this website> Sjogren Advocate

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@rexsan20

Where is this website> Sjogren Advocate

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Is this the one you are looking for? Sjorgren's Advocate: https://www.sjogrensadvocate.com/

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