Achey Bones

I'm sure they would of done tests for Osteo-Arthritis but your symptoms sound like mine and I have multi-joint OA. Have they ruled out Fibro-Myalgia (sp)?

What was the result of the blood tests I wonder. I had multiple blood tests when I was in my 30's because of symptoms similar to yours. I was told the inflammation levels were normal so be thankful it isn't rheumatoid arthritis. No one had at any time suggested it might be.
Long story short, I had inflammatory arthritis which was diagnosed when I finally saw a rheumatologist. He said it used to be thought that negative tests meant you didn't have inflammatory arthritis (of which there are many kinds) but now they know it can mean you have active arthritis. Could you ask your GP to refer you to a rheumatologist?

DDiL had similar problems when she began to get sore swollen joints. Lots of tests, no negative results, lots of guesses - and visits to specialists. Three years on they have confirmed it is arthritis, but not what sort.

As a newbie to poly myalgia rheumatica, your bone pain sounds familiar, google the symptoms Nannyb and good luck

MOnica, the diagnosis took about 20 years in my case. I'd begun to think I was a hypochondriac in fact, that's what the rheumatologist said, I expect you've felt like a hypochondriac but you've been managing a horrible condition well for over 20 years. It made me feel so much better. The diagnosis was inflammatory but it took a couple more years for it to be diagnosed as what type of inflammatory arthritis. The treatments are very similar and it's good your daughter in law has a consultant, hope they see her regularly, my current reviews are 6 monthly because I'm doing ok bt there have been periods of more frequent review.

Your symptoms could be fibromyalgia, nannyb, equally could be arthritis. Either way a referral to a rheumatologist would be a good idea, do you think you could ask your GP? Your symptoms sound severe and definitely need a diagnosis. Wishing you well.

One can have arthritis and fibromyalgia.

Nanny, are you on a statin by any chance?

Indeed baggs and a right pain it is too. Hope you can get to a rheumatologist nannyb.

Indeed bags - again. Autoimmune conditions usually bring their friends along with them. As cornergran says, a right pain it is too.

I am currently listening to 'Inside Health' on Radio 4. They are talking about hypermobility, when someone's limbs are over flexible. The symptoms can include aching joints and all the problems you are suffering.

DDiL suffers from this condition, which had never caused her any problem until her diagnosis of an arthritic condition when she was in her early 40s. One result is that she and DD no longer do competitive splits and seeing how far back they can push their fingers. DD may also have the condition, her dancing teacher use to comment how loose her joints were and how mobile they were, but she has no symptoms so, currently no problem.

I must admit I've felt very much like a hypochondriac! I'm awaiting the results of more tests this Friday, I know they've tested for gout amongst other things this time! Loopyloo, what exactly is a statin? I've had anti-inflammatories, but anything stronger than ibuprofen, gives me a severe allergic reaction.

I think I'll ask if I can be referred to a rheumatologist, as suggested.

I'm willing to sacrifice my firstborn for a pain free day (she'd give me such a thump though )

Thanks ladies for your advice xx

It's very unlikely but it might be worth asking if they have ruled out multiple myeloma - although I think that normally presents with back pain.

Statins are given for high cholesterol. They can cause muscle pains in some people but I imagine you would know if the doctor had prescribed them.

Could be haemochromatosis (too much iron) often not diagnosed for years.

I've had my blood test results back, apart from showing that I have non specific inflammation, it has shown that I'm severely lacking in Vitamin D! I've been put on a high dose of it for 7 weeks, to see if that makes a difference. Apparently lack of it can cause achey painful bones. Mr Badcrumble joked that I'd get rickets. MrBC is in the dog house.

My GP was saying that this is becoming more common place, as we now all use suncream to cover up, not allowing the UV rays through. We can get a small amount of VitD from our diets, but its mainly from the sun. He didn't prescribe a sun drenched holiday sadly.

Thanks once again ladies, fingers crossed this will work. Oh to be pain free, just for one day x

NannyBadcrumbelel - my rheumatologist told me several years ago that random blood tests in winter months would show the majority of people here in the north west would be VitaminD deficient. I'm prescribed Vitamin D and calcium because of RA but increasingly I believe all post menopausal women should take a supplement. Hope you feel better soon

In Britain because we are so far north the low angle of any sun we get in winter months is not enough to supply what Vitamin D we should be able to get from sunshine on our skin.
We really should all top up with Vitamin D in winter. But do not take more than the recommended dose it is quite bad for you.

I started regular cod liver oil capsules after I had an enlarged parathyroid which was removed. The surgeon words were "you are pissing your bones down the toilet".

I had too much calcium in my blood as this gland was pulling it out of my bones. . I was on very high doses of Vitamin D and calcium. my bones had thinned but after about 3yrs of alendronic acid The bone density had gone back to reasonable levels.

I am prescribed a calcium/vitD supplement because for six years, until June this year I was taking steroids for Polymyalgia Rheumatica. Steroids inhibit the absorption of calcium, sometimes resulting in osteoporosis/osteopenia. However, as Iam64 says, one auto-immune condition often pulls in another one for company and not entirely uncommon is Sjogren's Syndrome which apparently I have. This involves dry eyes and mouth, plus joint/muscle pains. I'm waiting to see the rheumatologist about her prognosis and proposals for management of the condition.

Let us know what the rheumatologist suggests as treatment for Sjogren's Syndrome. I have that along with other AI conditions and whilst I have good treatment for inflammatory arthritis, I use drops and other topical treatments for the SS and I can't work out which condition causes most tiredness

Sorry to see I am definitely not alone in having several AI diseases, and finding the latest one is making it all more difficult to manage. It's being treated as Sjogrens, but like other people there seem to be overlaps. For example when diagnosed with small fibre neuropathy it was difficult to know if caused by coeliac, thyroid or Sjogs. Still love life though, and especially being a granny!

I have just seen this thread. I have RA and Sjogrens and recently been diagnosed with low levels of VitaminD. Adcal and Theocal made no impression on it. The pain in my bones and joints was excruciating. As for the chronic fatigue, it's indescribable.
I am now on 25000 units of vitamin D weekly. My GP said he has never seen a patient on such a high dose. I need an infusion for my osteoporosis, but can't have it due to the lack of vitamin D.
All the autoimmune diseases seem to overlap. It's like "Buy one, get one free".
However, on a positive note, I think I am feeling a little better. ☺️.
I agree, when you have multiple conditions, it's difficult to diagnose which one is causing the problem. When my rheumatologist talked about comorbidity, I thought she meant I was dying?(as in morbid), Fortunately for me, that's not what it means! ?

Definitely sounds like an arthritic condition of some sort. I find my arthritis worsens in hot weather, swollen joints, pain etc.