now im scared - started with swolen joints and now gp is running all manner of tests...

[wannaBe]

Over the past couple of days my joints have become increasingly stiff and swolen. knees, wrists, ancles and fingers...

This morning I woke up and the fingers on my left hand were so swolen I couldn't close them properly. I had to use soap and cold water to get my rings off, and I've now taken them off (even my wedding ring ) because I'm afraid that if things get any worse they'll have to be cut off.

So I managed to get to see gp this morning and he is baffled as to what it could be. Said could be a virus but the virus he's thinking of is usually a throat thing and there's no evidence of that.

Now he's running all sorts of tests including liver function and thyroid function, and has told me to take ibuprophen to bring down the inflamation in the meantime.

I've gone against every bit of advice I've ever given on here and have looked on the internet, and the number of things that could be wrong is really, really scary.

Have another apt next week when presumably the bloods will be back but in the meantime how am I going to not be thinking the worst?

Might it be slapped cheek? I had something similar last year - joints agony and felt like someone had tied rubber bands around my fingers they were so swollen. Lasted about three days. DD had a rash at the same time and it seems we had the same virus but with different symptoms.

Please try not to worry wannabe. The fact that it has come on quickly suggests it is indeed viral.

My friend had a virus last winter that caused all her joints to swell. She was fine after a couple of weeks. Try not to worry, easier said than done I know.

oh janinlondon there have been two children in ds' class with slapped cheek, and I spend a lot of time there. Although ds hasn't had it.

A brief google reveals that "Painful or swollen joints frequently occurs in adults, especially women" when they have come in contact with slapped cheek. It can also make you run down and tired. You don't need to have a rash or a sore throat, in fact adults generally don't.

hello.

This morning things are worse. Hands seem much more immobile and I'm even struggling to type etc.

Am beginning to think this can't possibly be a virus. What if it's something permanent? or life-threatening?

wannaBe - try not to panic (easier said than done), but there is more chance that it is something simple like a virus than someting else. When did the GP say your bloods would be back?

Have you been very run down and under the weather?

It's highly highly highly unlikely to be something life threatening, and even if it is something arthritic/rheumatic then it's not a case that you will be stuck with your joints like they are today for ever, there are zillions of treatments out there.

Are you keeping up with the ibuprofen? Keep taking it as often as you can as that should help with the inflammation.

But I can't stress enough - it is most likely to be something transient that's manifesting slightly oddly... like slap cheek, especially as you've been in contact with it.

no not really run down, although I did have a cold followed by the vomiting/flu type thing that loads of people seem to have had.

I have another apt with gp next tuesday, he did say that if anything came back that required immediate treatment then of course they would let me know, but it's the whole him typing up for all these blood tests and then saying as a sort of afterthought that his predominant feeling was that it is viral that is scaring me.

Oh DS and I have had that cold/vomitting bug, bloody horrid, far worse than a "cold". All I can say is I have a form of arthritis and it's made my joints flare up chronically - it's quite normal post viral to have another reaction - in some people it's joint, others get rashes etc etc. If that's the GP's gut instinct then he's likely right. He will have done all the blood tests as a catch all, if you're having blood taken it makes sense to test for everything rather than you going backwards and forwards. Why don't you ring the GP and say you want to know the blood results even if they are ok and when will they be back - then you can call and be reassured before waiting till Tuesday.

Wannabe I am still voting for slapped cheek. I couldn't type, and couldn't stand up straight due to swelling of knees....if that makes you feel any better. I never got the rash......

hello bit of an update.

Swelling seems to come and go but does seem to be down on yesterday - esp my left hand and knees. Right hand and wrist still seem to be quite swolen and a bit painful but not sure whether pain relates to over compensating iyswim?

Also today i do feel utterly drained and have completely lost my appetite but maybe loss of appetite can be seen as a positive thing! .

This morning I was in school and I mentioned to the teacher re slapped cheak and she said that at least 8 children in ds' class have had it. I spend at least an hour there 3 mornings a week supporting some children's reading and a whole morning helping out in class, so if that many children have had it then I've definitely been in contact with it.

Things normally worst in the mornings, possibly because joints have been inactive all night, but am hoping that things will continue to improve.

Haven't heard anything from gp so am hoping that's a positive sign.