Hi Everyone,
I've been reading this and other boards for the past few months and am trying to figure out what is going on with me. Three months ago yesterday I had a routine endoscopy done (I have a history of GERD/Dysphagia). I was sedated with Versed/Fentanyl(sp?). I had two previous endoscopies done using the same meds. I was more groggy than usual for the rest of the day and slept from after the procedure (about 11 am) until 6 pm. Upon awakening I was extremely stiff and my joints were very swollen. I assumed it was from sleeping all day. That night while I was sleeping my arm kept falling asleep, enough to worry me that I was having a stroke or heart attack so I went to the ER. By this point my hands were so swollen I could barely move them, as well as my ankles, feet and knees. In the ER they hydrated me, told me my SED rate was elevated and that if the swelling continued to check in with my GP. When I got home I called my GI doctor to find out if this was a common reaction; he so no. It all started on a Monday and by Friday I was still miserable. I went to my GP who took blood and gave me an Ibuprofen prescription. Over the next couple of weeks the swelling went down by the pain 'moved' from my joints to what felt like my muscles and bones. It felt like I was wearing blood pressure cuffs around my arms and legs. Fast forward to three weeks later when a nurse finally called me and said the my ANA test came back a little high and that if I was still having pain to come in...I was...so I did. My GP didn't think it was Lupus, thought maybe it was a virus (Parvo/Fifth's) so she took more blood. I also told her the pain was now predominantly in my hands, arms and feet...felt like bone pain (was no longer joint swelling). She pressed on my shoulders and back a few times and I flinched so she told me to go home and read about Fibromyalgia and tell her what I think. A few weeks later I went for a follow-up. She said my blood came back showing that I had parvo virus, but that the level was pretty low so I should be over the symptoms. She said the next step was to see a Rheumatologist. In the meantime I had a follow up with my GI. My problem has been a swallowing issue...I get certain foods stuck in my throat when eating, which I either regurgitate or have need removed by him. He had bumped up my Prilosec and was suprised when I told him I still can't swallow meat. He then order a motility test (manometry) and PH monitoring test to check how well my esophagus works. He said that all of my other problems could be linked to a motility issue...he suggested Lupus or Scleroderma. These tests are scheduled for next month. After reading about all of the possibilities Fibro seems to fit the most. Currently my biggest complaints are chronic arm, foot and hand pain. Exertion makes them worse (cooking all day, cleaning). I also have my feet falling asleep a few times per week. I am also very tired, never feel like I get a full night sleep. Am very sensitive to being touched (which is very hard with a four-year old son with Autism and a two-year old son), have terrible PMS (like when I was a teenager...I am now thirty-eight years old.) My pain is worse when I'm out in the cold. I am more anxious than normal. My shoulders and neck always feel tensed up. I should also add in that my mother-in-law (who I helped take care of) was in the hospital dying at the time this all started, she passed away November 2nd. My husband is very good at giving me breaks from the boys so that I can catch up on rest. I don't work outside the home. I also have Asthma (since I was two-years old...seems worse lately). I also have a history of depression. Have been on anti-depressants for about ten years (Prozac, then Celexa and now Effexor.) My GP has also prescribed Xanax for the anxiety I've been having.
Anyway...thanks if you have read my very long post. I see the Rheumatologist on Monday (Feb. 2nd) and am very nervous. I feel confident that he is a good doctor, he was suggested by several different people including my GP...say he is a very good diagnostician. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated, you all seem like such a great support system.