[Karenswails]

In March of 2007 my right shoulder started hurting. I was told it was a pinched nerve, plurisy, or a pulled muscle. By October of 2009 my right arm hurt from my shoulder to my finger tips, numb, burning, very painful and weak. My family doctor finally says it is carpal tunnel and sends me to a local specialist that does all the tests and says "you do not have carpal tunnel". I had to beg for this doctor to refer me to someone else because he had no intention on helping me to find out what was wrong. He sends me to a neurologist at the Cleveland Clinic. She does a bunch of tests and says no carpal tunnel, and the only test that came back abnormal was the C-reactive ultra sensitive protein test, my score was a 10.7 and they said normal is 0 to 3. She does not think anything is wrong with me. I, again, beg for more testing. She reluctantly agrees and does a skin biopsy and it comes back as having small fiber neuropathy. She sent me to pain management...which was actually an examination by a phycologist. But, after listening to ALL of my symptoms ask if I have been tested for lupus and that I should ask my doctors about it. I did, they said no because I do not have the rash across my face. My symptoms are so bizarre, I now think maybe I am crazy? My entire arm hurt and burned, and my fingers were numb constantly from March 2007 until February of 2011. My arm no longer hurts, the burning and numbness are gone it seems fine, BUT now my knees are killing me?! Almost over night my knees and ankles started to swell in February of this year, just after my arm stopped hurting. I can hardly walk stairs, cannot get on the ground, standing up from a chair is very painful. Went to my family doctor and he said here is a prescription for some vicodin let me know if that helps. My knees are not swollen any more, but now they pop and snap. How can symptoms come and go like this? Is there really any thing wrong with me or am I nuts? Other symptoms are BAD muscle twitches, blurred vision, hair falling out, my left foot acts as if it has SFN, I get blisters and sores on my arms and legs and I am exhausted ALL THE TIME!

[mrsD]

No you are NOT crazy... but it is a puzzle.

Options are some inflammatory process is doing this.

I had both knees swell up after I delivered my son. The doctors said it was either a pseudo lupus...from hydralazine I took for my hypertension, or a flame up of RA (which I've not tested positive for).

I've had the right knee come back, and go down. And now I have my left ankle bothering me, but it is not red or hot like the knees were.

Possibilities include, Lyme, some form of arthritis (there are several types), or tendonitis.

That C-reactive protein indicates inflammation.

You can try the grapeseed extract for inflammation (at least 200mg a day), and also fish oil 3 grams (or Krill oil- one gram), and Vit C. Vit C has shown effects in lowering C-reactive protein in studies up to 25%. I'd use the Ester C form to prevent acidic changes in your blood. All these may help lower that C-reactive protein, and help with your inflammatory problems.

Sometimes it is really difficult to get an accurate diagnosis.
I know I have some form of arthritis, and it shows in xrays. But I've managed it all these years and still gotten by and am still fairly mobile (but cannot do strenuous things anymore).

[daniella]

Can you see a rheumatologist? I am not familiar with Lupus but I was in the pain day program at the Cleveland Clinic with a man who had Lupus and don't recall a rash on his face. I am not saying you have this just a thought I had.
I have mixed feelings on my care at Cleveland Clinic. In the mean time though could you ask to see a pain management/anestesolgist? Hope you get some answers and feel better