Diagnose and cure me please

[Tock]

Disclaimer. I am seeing proper medical people.

the problem…..

increasing joint pain, mostly ankles, wrists and elbows. Elbows are the worst. Kind of like tennis elbow I think but both sides. Worse at night and in the morning. Ankles worse after I’ve stopped and sat for a while.

I had though it was menopause related but have been on HRT for 6 months now and no improvement. I do have family history (first degree females) of Rheumatoid arthritis so thought it could be this.

Had a phone appointment with GP a couple of months ago who also wondered if it could be rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis as I have a sibling with psoriasis. I’ve not got any skin symptoms but have since consulted Dr Google and I do have some potential nail symptoms.

I had some blood tests, rheumatoid factor, autoimmune profile etc.
these have all come back clear, all except my kidney function.

Surgery have told me not to take anti inflammatories at all and I’m due repeat bloods next week and have had a referral to rheumatology.

but I am impatient and want to know what is going on now.

so. What is wrong with my elbows? They really really hurt. Paracetamol doesn’t touch it and it’s kind of difficult - things like brushing my hair, hauling myself out of the bath and eating apples.

and (part 2). What is wrong with my kidneys?

If you got that far what is your diagnosis and cure please.

Fibromyalgia?

Watching as I’m v similar. Sorry OP, sucks!

Are you taking statins?

No statins no. No regular meds or other illnesses.

Psoriatic arthritis often doesn't show in blood tests. Do you have any weird pitting in your nails? With your family history, it's the most likely I would have thought.

I have psoriatic arthritis and it started in those areas. I don't have psoriasis but my mother and sister do. I have had it for nearly 20 years and have never developed any skin issues. My blood tests also came back clear.

Have you had Vitamin D checked, may not be the whole reason, but low Vitamin D can cause joint pains.

Calypso. I don’t have mail pits at the mo but I’ve had them before and just thought it was weird dents. I have some loose white patches on my toe nails at the mo. I’d never given it a second thought if I hadn’t had a look at symptoms.

Don’t think vit d was checked. Will suggest it with next blood test.

any suggestions for pain relief? It hurts. I can’t even knit.

Not being able to knit is a disaster that I totally understand.

Routine bloods don’t test for Vitamin D but so many people are deficient that it should be added

we should all ask for Vitamin D to be added when blood tests are done

Sorry, I've just seen you said that in your post. I'm an idiot (currently having a massive flare up which is definitely causing a degree of brain fog). I think PsA is likely. If you can't take anti inflammatories at the moment, I'd get some cocodamol over the counter. I have some prescribed by my GP for when naproxen etc doesn't cut it.

I feel your pain, I am an avid knitter. I find naproxen and anti inflammatory gel rubbed into the painful joint helps. Rheumatologist said to take paracetamol with the naproxen.

GP said not to take NSIDs because of the flipping kidneys. And I’m allergic to codeine. I’m not happy about this at all.
and why would me flipping kidneys be protesting about my elbows ffs?

Can I use gel if my kidneys are packing up?

Catastrophising slightly about the dodgy kidneys but why????

Anti-inflammatory gel goes through the skin and enters the blood stream so I wouldn't use it without your doctor's say so, sorry.💐 Avid knitter here too so you have my sympathy as I gave myself tendonitis by knitting too much🙄

Check for hyperparathyroidism - needs calcium and PTH checked