Hi Curt,
I just wanted to ask why you have rods of steel inserted into your back? Did you have an accident?..or a fall injury..defect of some kind, and then surgery?

Your problems do sound like wear and tear from your job. Welding is repetitious. Unless the Rheumy Dr can figure out why your body is attacking itself. Like a form of Arthritis but they ruled out RA you said.

Perhaps more blood work. I hope you find the answers. We are here for you too.

You could check our Thoracic Outlet Syndrome forum here:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum24.html

I had many of your symptoms (besides MS) and had extra ribs removed. I was born with 5 extra in the neck, C-spine area which is cervical, like in Cervical Outlet Disease or Syndrome.