Hey all,
My name is Alyson and I am 28 years old. I was diagnosed with RA by an orthopedist and a rheumatologist back in 2001 after a year long bought with a left elbow contracture. I hadn't ever thought I had joint problems prior to that. For some reason, I thought the contracture was just a bad case of tendonitis. Another rheumatologist felt that it wasn't RA, but a spondyloarthropathy. It's been quite a few years since then, and I've chosen to stay off of any meds, since it seemed my only problem was the elbow. All I take is Zyrtec 10 mg for allergies.
I just wanted to share a bit about a number of the random symptoms I've developed in life, because I find it all kind of bizarre and frustrating, since they don't neatly fit any diagnosis. First, I guess this is a kind of time line for random symptoms that developed the last 10 years.
1998 - Chronic hives started, I take zyrtec every night till the present day to prevent them.
2000 - Left elbow contracture, swelling and inflammation. Developed allergy to aspirin, ibuprofen, and tylenol (swollen lips).
2001 - TMJ pain, limited jaw movement, neck pain, and bad chest pain attacks.
2002 or 2003 - Had an episode of vertigo upon waking (room spun wildly without me getting up) this happened like two or three times total since then. It's rare, and seems to occur in spring, esp. during PMS.
2004/2005 - Dermatitis in winter on inside of elbows.
Winter 2004/2005 - Prominent allergic reactions (swollen lips) to sulfites.
2005 - Anxiety attacks, diagnosed with mild Mitral Valve Prolapse. Anxiety attacks brought on especially with caffeine and when pre menstrual.
2006 - Fatigue got worse.
2008 - Oval shaped black spot appears in vision in dim lighting upon blinking, then quickly shrinks away. Spot is bigger when focus is further away, smaller when focus is on object closer. Smaller brownish spot appears when I wake up in normal light and blink, and slowly shrinks away. My eye doctor was only able to find that I have dry eyes. Awaiting more tests by a neuro-ophthalmologist.
Other random things that I have no idea when they started are just general low energy and digestive inconsistencies. I seem to pull muscles and tire easily. Oddly enough, no other joints seem severely impacted like my left elbow. No symmetrical active damage occurring that I know about. RA factor, HLA - b27, Lyme's are all negative. I had one positive ANA test last year, but it was negative this year's test. My sed rate was only elevated in 2001, as was the C-reactive protein. Both tests are now always normal. There are no other abnormalities, just barely high cholesterol this year. Vitals are normal. Some of the symptoms above have also gotten better. The left elbow is no longer actively painful or swollen most of the time, but it still won't unbend all the way. The chest pain attacks are gone, and my tmj and neck pain has improved since 2002. The anxiety is being mostly managed by severely limiting caffeine.
Anyway, does anyone else have a weird array of symptoms? Hives anyone? Bizarre visual problems? MVP? Let me hear your story. I think I get annoyed, because nothing I have seems serious, yet it's all cumbersome and there's no explanation.
Looking forward to hearing from everyone,
AlysonDid they test the anti-ccp antibody marker? It is a specific marker for RA. I was negative on all tests except for that one. Not all doctors know to test for it, so be sure to ask about it. I have a lot of the same things that you described going on with me. Hives, allergy to sulfa which wasn't present before, vertigo, fatigue, tmj, all of which I didn't have before being diagnosed with RA. I understand your frustration about having annoying symptoms and no explanation. My best advice is to be diligent with your medical care. Do not let your doctors brush off your symptoms. You know your body best. Keep on keeping track of your unusual symptoms. It is such a puzzle what goes on in our bodies. Have you talked to your gyno about the pms symptoms? Hormone flucuation can wreak havoc sometimes. Have you had your thyroid tested? Make sure they look at the individual markers, not just the overall test. I was borderline low and my doctor put me on low dose of thyroid support, and I can't believe the difference in how I feel.
I hope you find answers soon. It took me going to several different doctors over the past 3 years to try and find the best treatment plan. You'll get there.
Dawn
My name is Alyson and I am 28 years old. I was diagnosed with RA by an orthopedist and a rheumatologist back in 2001 after a year long bought with a left elbow contracture. I hadn't ever thought I had joint problems prior to that. For some reason, I thought the contracture was just a bad case of tendonitis. Another rheumatologist felt that it wasn't RA, but a spondyloarthropathy. It's been quite a few years since then, and I've chosen to stay off of any meds, since it seemed my only problem was the elbow. All I take is Zyrtec 10 mg for allergies.
I just wanted to share a bit about a number of the random symptoms I've developed in life, because I find it all kind of bizarre and frustrating, since they don't neatly fit any diagnosis. First, I guess this is a kind of time line for random symptoms that developed the last 10 years.
1998 - Chronic hives started, I take zyrtec every night till the present day to prevent them.
2000 - Left elbow contracture, swelling and inflammation. Developed allergy to aspirin, ibuprofen, and tylenol (swollen lips).
2001 - TMJ pain, limited jaw movement, neck pain, and bad chest pain attacks.
2002 or 2003 - Had an episode of vertigo upon waking (room spun wildly without me getting up) this happened like two or three times total since then. It's rare, and seems to occur in spring, esp. during PMS.
2004/2005 - Dermatitis in winter on inside of elbows.
Winter 2004/2005 - Prominent allergic reactions (swollen lips) to sulfites.
2005 - Anxiety attacks, diagnosed with mild Mitral Valve Prolapse. Anxiety attacks brought on especially with caffeine and when pre menstrual.
2006 - Fatigue got worse.
2008 - Oval shaped black spot appears in vision in dim lighting upon blinking, then quickly shrinks away. Spot is bigger when focus is further away, smaller when focus is on object closer. Smaller brownish spot appears when I wake up in normal light and blink, and slowly shrinks away. My eye doctor was only able to find that I have dry eyes. Awaiting more tests by a neuro-ophthalmologist.
Other random things that I have no idea when they started are just general low energy and digestive inconsistencies. I seem to pull muscles and tire easily. Oddly enough, no other joints seem severely impacted like my left elbow. No symmetrical active damage occurring that I know about. RA factor, HLA - b27, Lyme's are all negative. I had one positive ANA test last year, but it was negative this year's test. My sed rate was only elevated in 2001, as was the C-reactive protein. Both tests are now always normal. There are no other abnormalities, just barely high cholesterol this year. Vitals are normal. Some of the symptoms above have also gotten better. The left elbow is no longer actively painful or swollen most of the time, but it still won't unbend all the way. The chest pain attacks are gone, and my tmj and neck pain has improved since 2002. The anxiety is being mostly managed by severely limiting caffeine.
Anyway, does anyone else have a weird array of symptoms? Hives anyone? Bizarre visual problems? MVP? Let me hear your story. I think I get annoyed, because nothing I have seems serious, yet it's all cumbersome and there's no explanation.
Looking forward to hearing from everyone,
Alyson[/QUOTE] Hi I too have vertigo in the spring not always. I believe it is a mold allergy. As for the dematitis and the left elbow pain has your rheumy considered PsA? Neck pains, enthesitis , jaw pain, fatigue, dermatitis (psoriasis can be very mild) and elbow pain,RA negative and HLV B27 neg are sign of PSA also. I have PsA and have developed allergies not as bad as yours for sure. Iam also allergic to sulfa drugs and several other drugs as well.What about a SED and CRP test maybe get another opinion from another rheumatologist.
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