Can anyone help diagnose my symptoms?

Question

I'm a 17 year old girl, 5 feet 5 inches tall, and I weigh about 150 pounds. I experience joint pain, redness, swelling, and stiffness in both hands - especially my knuckles, both wrists, in my back, and my right foot. I believe that is due to the fact that i broke my toe 3 years ago, but it affects my whole foot. I experience the worst symptoms in my knees.

My symptoms seem to flair up during weather changes and before and during a rainstorm. This may be hard to explain but my bones seem to have shifted or moved in certain parts of my body in one day, coincidentally, all of these symptoms started immediately after I noticed it. My family has a heavy history of arthritis pain. I am not very active but I do not sit on my couch all day long.

I have shared all these symptoms with my doctor so she ordered two blood tests at separate visits and they both came back negative. She stated that she couldn't really conclude anything because I should have taken my blood test when my joints were swollen, but they weren't. The nurse said it was probably from inactivity and I was experiencing growing pains, but I have only grown about 1 inch in the last 4 years. I will try another doctor but in the mean time, what can I do to relieve these symptoms?

Answer 1

Considering your age and symptoms, it sounds very much like Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA).  My 12 yo has had it since she was 2½.  Onset is usually between 18 mos and 3 yo or during adolescence and teen yrs,  I would definitely see a rheumatologist who deals with all types of joint pain and swelling.  If it is not JRA, it could very well be one of over 100 different rheumatic diseases.  From experience, JRA can be difficult to diagnose, with other things needing to be ruled out first.  We were fortunate because we live near a major metropolitan city in the US where they are very familiar with this.  But I do know more remote areas in the mid-west it is not the case.  Depending on where you live, I would seek out a specialist in rheumatology at a major children's hospital if possible.  Not to scare you, because this is a very manageable disease if the right treatment is given and followed.  Best of luck to you....and in the meantime I suggest ice after prolonged activity and moist heat otherwise when joints are swollen and stiff.

Answer 2

Hi i was diagnosed with RA when i was 15 years old

and my brother when he was just 11 .Your symptoms

sound as similur as mine were i would suggest you get some tests done asap.You dont want to wait to long .It really is not something to play with.Its better to be safe than sorry.My brother waited to long for treatment know he's just 32 years old with 2 prostetic knee's.And i've got some acumulated damage my self at just 29.

Answer 3

wow, sounds painful,  

What about rheumatoid artheritis??

Try taking a hot bath with epsom salts in it.  About two cups in a full bath of water as hot as you can stand it.  That helps relax my muscles and joints.

Answer 4

It could be from growing, arthritis, or even gout. Gout shows up in old injuries. It feels like sand in the joint and is very painful. But it sounds to me that it is probally arthritis.

Answer 5

It sounds like arthritis pain if the next Dr. does not find anything ask them to send you to a specialist in arthritis. In the mean time take ibuprofen for the pain it has an anti inflammatory in it. Good luck to you.