Arthritis, Fibromyalgia, something else? Which DR?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Pseudogout. My husband just went through this - they thought it was everything else and it turns out it is this. Seems to come on in the summer when he is dehydrated.

How was it diagnosed?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s more than just your knee, right?

Could be RA. Mine was pretty sudden onset (swollen finger joints to struggling to walk in about six months).

See a rheumatologist, but the PCP should be able to order blood work.

How old were you at diagnosis, PP?

[Anonymous]

After being hospitalized for a suspected infection for a week, and put on IV antibiotics for another week after that, and seen by an orthopedist (who recommended knee replacement) and a rheumatologist (who gave him a bunch of tests). Then my husband got a DVT and started having a lot of other complications. Luckily, I was having a whinge with the mom of one of my daughter's friends who suggested he see her husband - and her husband took half a day to look at him, look over his records, and then just like Dr House, finally said - This is pseudogout! He needs steroids and he will be fine. And 3 days later, he was back to his old self.

[Anonymous]

Does dairy consumption make any difference? Some people lose tolerance and it can manifest like arthritis.

[Anonymous]

I find eating an anti-inflammation diet really helps to reduce the pain.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:After being hospitalized for a suspected infection for a week, and put on IV antibiotics for another week after that, and seen by an orthopedist (who recommended knee replacement) and a rheumatologist (who gave him a bunch of tests). Then my husband got a DVT and started having a lot of other complications. Luckily, I was having a whinge with the mom of one of my daughter's friends who suggested he see her husband - and her husband took half a day to look at him, look over his records, and then just like Dr House, finally said - This is pseudogout! He needs steroids and he will be fine. And 3 days later, he was back to his old self.

Glad your husband bounced back!

I was put on a weeklong course of steroids in the ER at the outset of the swelling. It didn’t really do anything other than bring down some of the inflammation. I still have a lot of fluid under my knee (confirmed by mri and rather obvious to the naked eye and the sensation I feel). This started June 13 and today is August 20. So frustrating.

Im at the point where I’d like someone to drain the fluid or at least a sample to test it.

[Anonymous]

Rheumatologist

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd go to a rheumatologist to rule out autoimmune stuff. But I would also see a good PT because they can really help reduce inflammation. They can also help you strengthen the muscles around your knee to support your joint.

Fibromyalgia is a diagnosis of exclusion and points to a nervous system that is overstressed for a long period of time. Are you a person who is very stressed out? If so, you could also look into ways to calm your nervous system which can help with pain and be a longer term answer.

Nothing in this response regarding fibromyalgia is true. Stop spreading misinformation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My knee has been swollen and filled with fluid since mid-June. I did not injure it; it came on randomly and then pain spread up and down my leg and body into joints, muscles, and bones.

ER assumed torn meniscus and referred to ortho after ruling out DVT.

Ortho predicted torn meniscus in multiple spots but CT scan followed by MRI w|o contrast only showed “early beginnings of arthritis.” Ortho originally said it’s doubtful that could be the cause of so much fluid, swelling, and pain.

Primary doctor assumed something more systemic, but blood work didn’t point to anything.

Now I’ve been told to see a rheumatologist for suspected arthritis.

I’m 50. I’ve never had anything like this before, and it seems odd that arthritis would have a rapid onset throughout my entire body.

I’m in pain when I’m in bed—both legs, hips, shoulders, ankles, wrists, etc. hurt even when I’m just sitting or laying down.

Does anyone with arthritis or fibromyalgia see any similarities here?

Is a rheumatologist my next step?

Par for the course unfortunately for autoimmune issues. They can lie dormant for most of your life.

[Anonymous]

Are you perimenopause or in menopause? The hormones could be changing…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My knee has been swollen and filled with fluid since mid-June. I did not injure it; it came on randomly and then pain spread up and down my leg and body into joints, muscles, and bones.

ER assumed torn meniscus and referred to ortho after ruling out DVT.

Ortho predicted torn meniscus in multiple spots but CT scan followed by MRI w|o contrast only showed “early beginnings of arthritis.” Ortho originally said it’s doubtful that could be the cause of so much fluid, swelling, and pain.

Primary doctor assumed something more systemic, but blood work didn’t point to anything.

Now I’ve been told to see a rheumatologist for suspected arthritis.

I’m 50. I’ve never had anything like this before, and it seems odd that arthritis would have a rapid onset throughout my entire body.

I’m in pain when I’m in bed—both legs, hips, shoulders, ankles, wrists, etc. hurt even when I’m just sitting or laying down.

Does anyone with arthritis or fibromyalgia see any similarities here?

Is a rheumatologist my next step?

Par for the course unfortunately for autoimmune issues. They can lie dormant for most of your life.

I do think it is autoimmune. I just want someone to figure it out, diagnose me, and help manage the symptoms and/or my expectations.

Having two doctors (ortho and GP) basically shrug their shoulders and say it’s probably arthritis but (1) they don’t know why I have so much fluid in my knee (for months), and (2) my symptoms/pain aren’t presenting in a classic way (since it’s full body pain in muscles and joints as well as some bones) is really frustrating. And being in pain 24/7 is really wearing on me—and affecting my sleep.

I don’t see the rheumatologist until the end of September, so I have another month of this nonsense. Sigh.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My knee has been swollen and filled with fluid since mid-June. I did not injure it; it came on randomly and then pain spread up and down my leg and body into joints, muscles, and bones.

ER assumed torn meniscus and referred to ortho after ruling out DVT.

Ortho predicted torn meniscus in multiple spots but CT scan followed by MRI w|o contrast only showed “early beginnings of arthritis.” Ortho originally said it’s doubtful that could be the cause of so much fluid, swelling, and pain.

Primary doctor assumed something more systemic, but blood work didn’t point to anything.

Now I’ve been told to see a rheumatologist for suspected arthritis.

I’m 50. I’ve never had anything like this before, and it seems odd that arthritis would have a rapid onset throughout my entire body.

I’m in pain when I’m in bed—both legs, hips, shoulders, ankles, wrists, etc. hurt even when I’m just sitting or laying down.

Does anyone with arthritis or fibromyalgia see any similarities here?

Is a rheumatologist my next step?

Par for the course unfortunately for autoimmune issues. They can lie dormant for most of your life.

I do think it is autoimmune. I just want someone to figure it out, diagnose me, and help manage the symptoms and/or my expectations.

Having two doctors (ortho and GP) basically shrug their shoulders and say it’s probably arthritis but (1) they don’t know why I have so much fluid in my knee (for months), and (2) my symptoms/pain aren’t presenting in a classic way (since it’s full body pain in muscles and joints as well as some bones) is really frustrating. And being in pain 24/7 is really wearing on me—and affecting my sleep.

I don’t see the rheumatologist until the end of September, so I have another month of this nonsense. Sigh.

Well, if you want something sooner than September, go to LabCorp and get the rheumatology panel run. Then you’ll have some answers before you even meet with the rheumatologist. It’s pretty standard test that they run against the most common autoimmune disease diseases.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My knee has been swollen and filled with fluid since mid-June. I did not injure it; it came on randomly and then pain spread up and down my leg and body into joints, muscles, and bones.

ER assumed torn meniscus and referred to ortho after ruling out DVT.

Ortho predicted torn meniscus in multiple spots but CT scan followed by MRI w|o contrast only showed “early beginnings of arthritis.” Ortho originally said it’s doubtful that could be the cause of so much fluid, swelling, and pain.

Primary doctor assumed something more systemic, but blood work didn’t point to anything.

Now I’ve been told to see a rheumatologist for suspected arthritis.

I’m 50. I’ve never had anything like this before, and it seems odd that arthritis would have a rapid onset throughout my entire body.

I’m in pain when I’m in bed—both legs, hips, shoulders, ankles, wrists, etc. hurt even when I’m just sitting or laying down.

Does anyone with arthritis or fibromyalgia see any similarities here?

Is a rheumatologist my next step?

Par for the course unfortunately for autoimmune issues. They can lie dormant for most of your life.

I do think it is autoimmune. I just want someone to figure it out, diagnose me, and help manage the symptoms and/or my expectations.

Having two doctors (ortho and GP) basically shrug their shoulders and say it’s probably arthritis but (1) they don’t know why I have so much fluid in my knee (for months), and (2) my symptoms/pain aren’t presenting in a classic way (since it’s full body pain in muscles and joints as well as some bones) is really frustrating. And being in pain 24/7 is really wearing on me—and affecting my sleep.

I don’t see the rheumatologist until the end of September, so I have another month of this nonsense. Sigh.

Hopefully you’ll be lucky and you’ll have a quick answer but for most of us with auto immune issues it takes years and years to figure out what’s going on. Don’t expect you’re gonna walk in that office and leave with a diagnosis.

[Anonymous]

You could have both a torn cartilage and something else.
The clicking and shifting is indicative of an orthopedic problem. Go see one.
Also see a rheumatologist. That fluid should be drawn out and examined.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My knee has been swollen and filled with fluid since mid-June. I did not injure it; it came on randomly and then pain spread up and down my leg and body into joints, muscles, and bones.

ER assumed torn meniscus and referred to ortho after ruling out DVT.

Ortho predicted torn meniscus in multiple spots but CT scan followed by MRI w|o contrast only showed “early beginnings of arthritis.” Ortho originally said it’s doubtful that could be the cause of so much fluid, swelling, and pain.

Primary doctor assumed something more systemic, but blood work didn’t point to anything.

Now I’ve been told to see a rheumatologist for suspected arthritis.

I’m 50. I’ve never had anything like this before, and it seems odd that arthritis would have a rapid onset throughout my entire body.

I’m in pain when I’m in bed—both legs, hips, shoulders, ankles, wrists, etc. hurt even when I’m just sitting or laying down.

Does anyone with arthritis or fibromyalgia see any similarities here?

Is a rheumatologist my next step?

Par for the course unfortunately for autoimmune issues. They can lie dormant for most of your life.

I do think it is autoimmune. I just want someone to figure it out, diagnose me, and help manage the symptoms and/or my expectations.

Having two doctors (ortho and GP) basically shrug their shoulders and say it’s probably arthritis but (1) they don’t know why I have so much fluid in my knee (for months), and (2) my symptoms/pain aren’t presenting in a classic way (since it’s full body pain in muscles and joints as well as some bones) is really frustrating. And being in pain 24/7 is really wearing on me—and affecting my sleep.

I don’t see the rheumatologist until the end of September, so I have another month of this nonsense. Sigh.

Well, if you want something sooner than September, go to LabCorp and get the rheumatology panel run. Then you’ll have some answers before you even meet with the rheumatologist. It’s pretty standard test that they run against the most common autoimmune disease diseases.

My primary DR already did this, but nothing jumped out.