I saw a rheumatologist in jan this year due to 6 months of stiff, aching and very painful legs and arms. He diagnosed (but was a bit vague) possible viral arthritis and ruled out fibromyalgia as I had none of the pressure points. He also said Polymyalgia rheumatica is still possible despite normal CRP (i am 49). He gave me a steroid injection and said he would see me again in 6 weeks. Except as its the NHS, my appt is not until May now. At the first appt he gave me a steroid injection. I couldn't believe the effect it had 24 hours later. Pain practically all gone apart from slight pain in knees going upstairs. Still some stiffness but pain went. However this only lasted 3 weeks and then pain and stiffness gradually returned except that my arm pain is much better although still not full flexibility in shoulder joints. I am not overweight at all, and quite fit. I still walk daily with my dog and do pilates. I used to play tennis 2-3 times a week before this all started. The blood test had to be repeated due to mislabelling so I had the second blood test about a week after I had the steroid injection. ESR was 25 and CRP was 8. Everything else was all normal. Would the steroid injection have had the effect of lowering the ESR and CRP results? I am fed up with this now and just really want to know what exactly it could be and how long will it last. I am worst when trying to get up after sitting for a while or trying to climb stairs (bad pain in knees and down below knees) or get in/out of car. I am not depressed or anything and still have normal energy levels. Just fed up with the pain and lack of mobility.
Any advice/ideas anyone? Any advice much appreciated as I don't know anyone who has my symptoms. I am going through menopause but rheumatologist said it is not related to this. Many thanks