I went to my rheumatologist on Friday for the results of my bloodwork and they were all negative. Which wasn't much of a surprise because my primary doc had already run the same labs a couple of months ago. But the rheumatologist didn't tell me nothing was wrong with me. Based on the swelling in my hands and feet (and the joint pain everywhere but my hair) he says I have Chronic Inflammatory Polyarthritis most likely caused by an as yet undetermined NOS Autoimmune Disorder. Is this an actual diagnosis or just a very long way of saying he has no idea what's wrong with me? He's started me on Plaquenil and Sulindac. I know the P takes a few months to kick in but the S isn't really helping at all.

I don't know what any of this means. Undetermined non-specific autoimmune disorder? Have others gotten this vague "diagnosis"? I was also diagnosed with Fibromyalgia syndrome 7 years ago. All I really want right now is something that actually shows up on a darn test so I can stop wondering if I'm just crazy and it's all in my head.

CHRONIC INFLAMMATORY POLYARTHRITIS is a real condition.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1010439/

http://ard.bmj.com/content/26/6/532.full.pdf

http://www.canadianmedicaljournal.ca.../1833.full.pdf


any many more came up with a Google search -
http://www.google.com/search?q=Chron...-a&channel=rcs

have you tried any dietary manipulation? nightshades, gluten, soy?

Hi Pabbulous.

I've changed my diet a few months ago and it has really made a HUGE difference. I am much more stable and have tons more energy. It worked for me.

YES! DIET! It can take care of SOOOO much. *happy happy happy!!

My dd (lots of autoimmune probs) and I are MOLD/FUNGUS, CORN, SOY, GLUTEN, PROCESSED, CHEMICAL, TAP WATER, free. Yipppeeee.

I do miss my organic sangria, tho Sometimes I cheat. I have begun to grow my own organic veggies and I really enjoy it. I wish my dh would come on the organic train with us, but he will not. He is up for some heart valve replacement soon, too.

Sometimes, I really wonder about our food and what is allowed. Or what passes as nutrition. So I just say NO to processed for I don't trust it.

ETA: Along with her many other health issues, my dd has been complaining of SEVERE stiffness/pain in her fingers beginning first thing in the morning. I will do the research to find which blood test would help.