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Tuesday, November, 24, 2009
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Strange Symptoms, What is appropriate treatment?

AKBayce

AKBayce

Sunday, July 19, 2009
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Hi,

 

I am a 25 year old male who is being seen by a rheumatologist. I am probably in the lowest risk demographic for RA (post adolescent man) and have some symptoms that approximate RA, but many that are missing. I have lots of different opinions from many doctors, but I think I might find some fresh viewpoints from here. This is going to be a long post in order to get most of the info down, so thanks for reading:

 

Symptoms:

Mid afternoon fatigue since I got mono in 2004

Soft tissue swelling of PIP joints since probably 2005, No evidence of erosions.

Swelling rapidly comes and goes (even hourly), but fingers have "fat" PIP joints always.

No significant morning stiffness

Knee problems...Sometimes both knees. Arthroscopy of knee revealed hypertrophied fat pad, which is strange

Difficulty falling asleep, often times not feeling well rested in morning. Since 2005 as well.

When I wake up in the morning, PIPs and MCPs often have red patches on them and I feel like I want to crack my knuckles, though not painful.

Occasional pain in joints that moves around. I can remember different times where my DIP finger joints all hurt for no reason, etc.

 

 

Tests:

RF Negative

Anti CCP Negative

ESR Normal

CRP Normal

HLA-B27 negative

No Hep C

Chlamydia Trachomatsis Antibody positive (Might be Chlamydia related. Went on antibiotics for 4 months. Knee pain better. PIP swelling and other symptoms remain)

*Other than clinical symptoms, I'm normal.

 

Meds

Sulfasalazine

HydrozyCholoroquine (I've been on both for about 1 month with no effects)

Doxycycline

Rifampin (Rif and Doxy are a trial to see if the arthritis was chlamydia induced.. seemed to slightly improve and then level out)

 

Any ideas for treatments, tests, or prognosis?

 

Thanks so much!

 

 

 

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