Aches, pains, lumps and bumps.

[Vevee]

Just looking foe a bit of advice as to what to do. I've had pain in my ankles, fingers, knees, hips and especially in my back between my shoulder blades for years now, I had hand x rays last year because they were painful and I developed a bump on the back of my hand which I assume by consulting the Internet is a Carpal Boss as its textbook according to the pics and info as no explanation was given to me by doctors after the xray, just said 'normal' I'm convinced I have some sort of arthritic condition because of all this and yet blood tests etc come back clear. My mum has fibromyalgia and arthritis, my grandma had arthritis and my dad has osteoarthritis in his spine. I just dont know how many more times I can go back to the doctors without thinking I'm being a pest but I cant carry on with this, I'd just like to see if anyone had any advice as to what to do? Thank you.

Do go back that is not normal. Just because x-Ray on hands looked “normal” does not mean things are fine. Some arthritis conditions don’t show on X-ray. What did they do about pain everywhere else? Did you have blood test check for inflammation?

Asked to be referred back to the hospital it’s their job find out what’s wrong and least made more effort than staying one part of you.

Can you keep diary for few weeks so show type and place of pain? Helps to go to GP with evidence so can’t ignore.

Thank you, yes, had full blood tests last year, checked for literally everything, rheumatoid factor, vitamin d, FBC, thyroid levels. However, my mum had all this done years ago and nothing showed, she finally snapped at the doctors and told them she'd had enough, they then sent her to a rheumatologist at the hospital, she was in there about 5 minutes and they more or less diagnosed her just by looking at her.

Did your blood test check your calcium level OP. I only ask as my sister in law suffered hyperparathyroidism which sadly went undiagnosed and it killed her. She had many blood tests but none included calcium. The condition is often referred to as "bones, stones, moans and groans". My sister in law suffered a lot of joint pain.

Yes calcium checked too!

I have lots of arthritis as do many members of my family. We recently discovered a reason - it is a genetic connective tissue disorder.
Are there eye or hearing problems in your family too?

Well my dad is as deaf as a post but he was in a band when he was younger and stood next to 4 huge amplifiers every night so I don't know whether that is genetic or because of that, my mums ears get blocked up quite a lot but she has sinus trouble etc, we all wear glasses so eyes aren't particularly great, my grandma developed macular degeneration too but I suppose that's just related to age? Now I've written that all down though it's something to think about.

@Chewbecca

I have lots of arthritis as do many members of my family. We recently discovered a reason - it is a genetic connective tissue disorder. Are there eye or hearing problems in your family too?

I have hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and also get weird things like ganglions etc. Worth looking up as I'm guessing the poster I've quoted has the same genetic connective tissue disorder. There are 13 types of EDS affecting various parts / organs in the body.