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Potential Autoimmune Case
Hello all, my name is Patrick I am currently a 22 year old male who has been experiencing a wide variety of symptoms over the past few months. In early January I started to experience abdominal pain that started on my lower right side and then transitioned to my upper right and then to my lower left side. I went to the ER and received a CT scan of my abdominal region. I was diagnosed with mild colitis on my left side and was given Amoxicillin for a week. It seemed to help but then the pain resumed followed by 2/3 loose stools a day. I decided to go gluten free and that has seemed to help however there are more symptoms. In mid February I started to experience discomfort in my chest mainly on the left side as well as arm pain in between the bicep and tricep area on my left side. I also occasionally would get neck, left quadricep pulsating pain in the middle of the quad muscle, and upper back pain. Fearing it was an issue with my heart I went back to the ER and got an EKG and Chest Xray which both appeared to be normal. The chest pain did not go away however and then I contacted my PCP and a Cardiologist for additional help and did a stress test as well as some additional blood work. The blood work came back saying I had an abnormal ANA titer count and a speckled pattern. I am consulting with a Rheumatologist now and have an appointment set up for next week. Does anyone have any Ideas of what it potentially could be?
Current symptoms:
Chest discomfort and left shoulder discomfort, not extremely significant but can definitely notice it
Occasional fatigue, even with normal sleep pattern
Occasional left arm pain
Occasional upper abdominal pain, specifically on the left usually but can also be on the right
Occasional pain when rotating head especially in the back of the head.
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@pblackburn Patrick, welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. We are not medical doctors here, but rather fellow members who share their experiences along our health journeys. We cannot diagnose conditions.
The appointment with the rheumatologist next week may be very enlightening for you! No doubt they will be reviewing the tests done to date, and cobbling things together to take the next step. Sometimes additional testing is required to narrow things down, so don't be discouraged if that happens. The world of autoimmune diseases and situations can be pretty confusing, as several will mimic others, or combine. A good trained professional is often needed to get an accurate diagnosis.
Good for you for understanding the symptoms you have experienced. Be sure to take those same notes to your appointment. Write down questions you would like answers to, take notes on what is said, including asking to have things repeated if you don't understand the first presentation. I look forward to hearing from you after the appointment, and what your doctor has to say!
Ginger
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4 ReactionsThank you for the kind words and advice Ginger!
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Hello Patrick!
I’m curious about your colitis diagnosis- did they think it was because of an infection since you received an antibiotic? Were there any stool tests for infection? Colonoscopy or Sigmoidoscopy to confirm colitis? You could very well have onset of an autoimmune colitis. You can experience fatigue with any autoimmune illness.
Do you feel pain in your chest when you palpate the ribs and sternum? There could also be an inflammation in cartilage between ribs and sternum- called costochondritis.
The arm and shoulder pain could be due to issue with your neck, such as a pinched nerve. An orthopedic exam could check that out.
It’s great that you have a rheumatology appointment- we are anxiously awaiting your report!
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