I think I'm dying and doctors aren't helping.

[amdhunter]

I don't know what's wrong with me. In the span of 5 months, I've gone from being able to run 5 miles a day, to not being able to get out of bed.

It started with my right knee. It hurt like hell for a little bit and the doctor gave me Aleve and a muscle relaxer. It helped a lot, but still couldn't really run anymore. I figured I'd take a month off.

A few weeks later my left knee did the same thing, and then my right shoulder. I could barely walk, and I still can't raise my arm, or get my shoes from under my bed.

This week it's my back - it feels like a knot and I have to roll off the bed. I couldn't put my underwear on just a few minutes ago after a shower and had to shave with my left hand. When I walk I have my arm curled.

Aleve works great, but I want to know what it is that's causing so much pain. I've gained about 20lbs because I still eat a lot but am not longer running, and my face has gone from reddish tone to a burnt black.

I don't know what to do. Doctor's bills are climbing and they aren't helping. They've performed xrays but not an MRI but there is no pain in my knees right now - just weakness. For example, I need to use my arms to push myself off the toilet. I can't just get up.

I'm going on 43 right now - and I'm actually worried that I am going to get killed crossing the street.

WTF is wrong with me ATOT? I'm doing a good job of hiding my symptoms once I get up and start walking, but the moment I sit or lie down - it's a mission to get back up.

☹️

 

[IronWing]

MS?

 

[Paratus]

It’s lupus.


But seriously any chance this rheumatoid arthritis or some other immune/inflammatory problem?

Has a doctor checked you out for something like ALS, god forbid?

 

[amdhunter]

I don't know. I have only been seeing doctors in walk in clinics. I don't know how to find a better doctor - I've never needed one beyond a physical or for allergies.

I'm honestly starting to really worry.

 

[AreaCode707]

It’s lupus.


But seriously any chance this rheumatoid arthritis or some other immune/inflammatory problem?

Has a doctor checked you out for something like ALS, god forbid?

Rheumatoid or related autoimmune was my first thought too. RA typically starts in the small joints (hands/feet) so it'd be a little bit of an atypical presentation. Have you seen a rheumatologist? I'd make that appointment asap. They'll run a different series of tests, like rheumatoid factor and SED rate.

Are the symptoms worse in the morning and get better during the day? The fact that anti-in

The skin color thing is interesting, and not typical of RA. Maybe it's more common for psoriatic arthritis, not sure. (I have RA, not PA, so I'm more familiar with it.) You're Indian, right?
https://www.psoriasis.org/advance/how-diagnose-treat-psoriasis-skin-color

Think purple, not red.
Psoriasis in skin of color can look different than it does in Caucasian skin. For one thing, discoloration is likely to be more violaceous than red. On top of that, scaling is less prominent, and cutaneous involvement can be more widespread, Desai said. Familiarizing yourself with the distinct clinical features of psoriasis in skin of color can save time and resources, and lead to better health outcomes for your patients. “Proper diagnosis leads to proper treatment, and really, you’ve changed people’s lives,” Desai said.

 

[Thebobo]

Lyme disease?

Also there are websites you can post your list of ailments and other with similar ailments can help maybe. But best to get a general regula doctor, you working have health insurance?

 

[interchange]

Contact your insurance and find out about getting established with a primary care physician. It is often that someone will need an ongoing medical workup to evaluate a problem but they do not return to the same physician for several visits as may be necessary. Urgent care clinics are often significantly more expensive as well.

 

[amdhunter]

Rheumatoid or related autoimmune was my first thought too. RA typically starts in the small joints (hands/feet) so it'd be a little bit of an atypical presentation. Have you seen a rheumatologist? I'd make that appointment asap. They'll run a different series of tests, like rheumatoid factor and SED rate.

Are the symptoms worse in the morning and get better during the day? The fact that anti-in

The skin color thing is interesting, and not typical of RA. Maybe it's more common for psoriatic arthritis, not sure. (I have RA, not PA, so I'm more familiar with it.) You're Indian, right?
https://www.psoriasis.org/advance/how-diagnose-treat-psoriasis-skin-color

My wife thinks that my face is darkening because I'm getting fatter. My face seems to be a lot larger than it used to be.

My symptoms appear after I sit or lie down. Once I am up and moving around - I can function well enough. Still weak though and my shoulder burns, but isn't hot. (No infection.)

I'll try and find a rhumatoglogist and see if that helps.

 

[amdhunter]

Lyme disease?

Also there are websites you can post your list of ailments and other with similar ailments can help maybe. But best to get a general regula doctor, you working have health insurance?

I have Aetna through work. They really don't cover much though. I've gotten almost a thousand dollars in bills for blood tests after 3 visits. I can see how people go broke.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

As far as finding doctors goes, if you go to a walk-in clinic and explain what's going on, ask for a referral to a specialist, and they will tell you who/where to go. (You have to go through the reporting structure, generally speaking, and many insurance companies won't pay for a specialist until a generalist has filed the correct paperwork.)

Sounds pretty crappy - best of luck.

 

[Crono]

I'll concur with the likelihood of it being an autoimmune disorder, but I'm not a doctor or expert in any way, and seeing a rheumatologist probably is your best bet for proper diagnosis if your PCP hasn't helped.

If it is autoimmune like rheumatoid arthritis, I suggest trying to address it through nutrition and physical therapy rather than pain meds because they'll have you on nasty NSAIDs, steroids, and all sorts of other prescriptions with side effects that will potentially require you to take even more medications. Conventional modern medicine is great, but it royally sucks when it comes to chronic disease.

Good luck, I hope you get better soon.

 

[bfun_x1]

Clinic doctors arent the best. You need a primary care physician who can track your treatment and make referrals. You'll probably need to see a rhumatoglogist at some point. I was thinking you symptoms seem like ankylosing spondylitis but a lot of autoimmune diseases can seem alike.

 

[Thebobo]

I have Aetna through work. They really don't cover much though. I've gotten almost a thousand dollars in bills for blood tests after 3 visits. I can see how people go broke.

Yea I have Aetna too and with a primary care physician you might have a copay of $25 and $25 for the blood test if it goes out of his office. Seems a lot cheaper than a walk in clinic?

 

[pete6032]

I think I'm dying and doctors aren't helping...

...so I created a thread about it on ATOT.

 

[Crono]

...so I created a thread about it on ATOT.

That's the response you use if he had a medical problem and didn't see a doctor first.

 

[TheVrolok]

If it is autoimmune like rheumatoid arthritis, I suggest trying to address it through nutrition and physical therapy rather than pain meds because they'll have you on nasty NSAIDs, steroids, and all sorts of other prescriptions with side effects that will potentially require you to take even more medications. Conventional modern medicine is great, but it royally sucks when it comes to chronic disease.

This is kinda horrible advice.

Annnnyyywaaay, not quite clear what is could be just yet. Not sold on RA, but it's a possibility.

Do all the joints continue to hurt, or does one get better and then another joint hurts? Sounds kinda like a migratory peripheral monoarthritis, although you've mentioned some back pain. Do these joints get red/swollen? Other rashes aside from hyperpigmentation of the face? Fevers? Any blood work you actually had done?

RA and Lyme were already mentioned and could possibly fit, although somewhat atypical for RA. Hemochromatosis would be on my list as well (any liver problems in the family?), as would the crystal arthropathies. Really difficult to say without a lot more history.

Find a good internist.

 

[RLGL]

See an Internal Medicine Specialist, You should not need a referral. Another thought go to a place like the Mayo Clinic for a work up.

 

[TheVrolok]

See an Internal Medicine Specialist, You should not need a referral. Another thought go to a place like the Mayo Clinic for a work up.

I like this guy.

 

[purbeast0]

Could it be Lyme disease? I had it last year and it's not fun, and there was a 24 hour period (before I knew I had it) where my joints were aching like shit. Like my knees, wrists, and ankles, all out of nowhere, like I had arthritis. And that was just part of the "fun". I had fevers reaching 104 degrees and then went to the urgent care clinic and get there and have no fever. Then later that day the fever comes back. It all around just made me feel like shit. I never had the bullseye either, and I can't pinpoint when I got it, but I can think of a place I could have gotten it.

 

[john3850]

It could be POTS
Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is a form of dysautonomia that is estimated to impact between 1,000,000
When you go from sitting to standing your blood pressure changes to fast.
It is three times harder to stand or walk with POTS.
A simple tilt test will confirm if you have it.

 

[killster1]

all full panel blood test should be 200$ or less at onlineheathlabs.com or something like that. i have done a few since i dont like going to the dr office and asking them for the same test for free. (but requires going to the dr waiting and then getting referral. Not sure what rotating muscle ache pains and loss of strength would be besides serious illness /

 

[lxskllr]

He's a city boy, so I wouldn't expect Lyme. That's all I've got :shrugs:

 

[Kaido]

Just because of my own history with food intolerances, have you tried fasting yet? Try a 24-hour fast (no food or liquids). If that gets any positive results, try a water fast (2 or 3 days, water only).

I had like a hundred random symptoms & no energy (including the weakness symptom you mentioned). Just constantly felt awful. On the flip side (post-diagnosis), I can work a 70-hour week no problem these days. Fasting is a worth a shot, especially since it's free...I mean, if it's something like Celiac's, it's going to take a lot longer to really purge from your system, but a one-day fast to start out with is at least trying.

 

[amdhunter]

Just because of my own history with food intolerances, have you tried fasting yet? Try a 24-hour fast (no food or liquids). If that gets any positive results, try a water fast (2 or 3 days, water only).

I had like a hundred random symptoms & no energy (including the weakness symptom you mentioned). Just constantly felt awful. On the flip side (post-diagnosis), I can work a 70-hour week no problem these days. Fasting is a worth a shot, especially since it's free...I mean, if it's something like Celiac's, it's going to take a lot longer to really purge from your system, but a one-day fast to start out with is at least trying.

I do notice when I eat I do feel bad, but it's mostly because I feel full and just sick. Not nauseous...just not normal. Doesn't really affect my muscle or movement though.

I do want to get back into jogging lightly - but it's impossible. And gaining so much weight over the last few months has me in depression and I don't know how to deal with it.

I'm used to eating a lot. It would be very hard for me to slow down.

Another thing that kills me is when I try to make an appointment - months could pass by before an appointment is available. It's why I've been using urgent care.

I'll call Aetna tomorrow and see if I can get a recommendation for a primary care physician.

 

[john3850]

I do notice when I eat I do feel bad
Pots makes your blood pool around your stomach which could lead to you feeling bad after you have eat.