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Q: 

what illness can this possible be or relate too.

By Anonymous August 15, 2018 - 8:16pm
 
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for the past year now i have been having joint pain in legs and hips as well as my arms in elebow area. i am also having issue with my hand goin numb and my finger being swollen as well as my middle finger locking up on me. what do u think these symptoms are from?

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HERWriter Guide

Hello Anon

Thank you for writing.

It's hard to say since your symptoms are quite broad and all over your body but it sounds like this may be an auto-immune condition like rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease. It causes pain, swelling, stiffness, and loss of function in the joints. RA usually affects the same joint on both sides of the body. It occurs mostly in the:

Fingers
Wrists
Elbows
Shoulders
Jaw
Hips
Knees
Toes

When RA begins, symptoms may include:

Joint pain and stiffness that is:
Symmetrical
Most prominent in the morning
Lasts for at least half an hour
Red, warm, or swollen joints
Joint deformity
Mild fever, tiredness
Loss of appetite
Small lumps or nodules under the skin
As RA progresses, it may cause complications with the:

Heart
Lungs
Eyes
Skin
Liver
Kidneys
Blood
Nervous system
Blood vessels
It is also linked to early cardiovascular disease and death.

Diagnosis
There is no single test for RA. The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. She will examine your joints, skin, reflexes, and muscle strength.

Tests:

Rheumatoid factor (RF) level in the blood
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) of the blood—to measure inflammation in the body
C-reactive protein (CRP) —an indicator of active inflammation in the blood
White blood cell count
X-rays of affected joints (especially dual energy x-ray absorptiometry )—a test that uses radiation to take a picture of structures inside the body, especially bones
Treatment
There is no cure for RA. The goals of treatment are to:

Relieve pain
Reduce inflammation
Slow down joint damage
Improve functional ability
Medications
There are a variety of medicines to treat the pain and inflammation of RA. In some cases, medicines may be used in combination.

Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDS)—to slow the course of the disease; used early in the course of the disease to prevent long-term damage:
Methotrexate (eg, Rheumatrex)
Hydroxychloroquine (eg, Plaquenil)
Sulfasalazine (eg, Azulfidine)
Leflunomide (eg, Arava)
Cyclosporine (eg, Neoral)
Penicillamine (eg, Cuprimine)
Gold (eg, Ridaura)
Minocycline (eg, Minocin)
Immunosuppressive drugs (only used when other DMARDS are ineffective):
Azathioprine (eg, Imuran)
Cyclophosphamide (eg, Cytoxan)—rarely used
Chlorambucil (eg, Leukeran)—rarely used
Over-the-counter medicines:
Acetaminophen (eg, Tylenol)
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) including ibuprofen and naproxen
Biologic response modifiers—drugs that interfere with the autoimmune response; includes TNF-inhibitors, such as:
Etanercept (eg, Enbrel)
Infliximab (eg, Remicade)
Adalimumab (eg, Humira)
Golimumab (eg, Simponi)
Certolizumab (eg, Cimzia)
Steroids
Low-dose corticosteroids (eg, prednisone ) are often used first. They may be tapered when other drugs start working. Avoid long-term steroid use. Corticosteroid injections to inflamed joints may also be used.

Rest and Exercise
Rest reduces active joint inflammation and pain and fights fatigue. Exercise is important for maintaining muscle strength and flexibility. It also preserves joint mobility.

Joint Care
Splints applied to painful joints may reduce pain and swelling. Devices that help with daily activities can also reduce stress on joints. Devices include:

Zipper extenders
Long-handled shoehorns
Specially designed kitchen tools
Stress Reduction
Stress reduction can ease the difficulties of living with a chronic, painful disease. Participating in an exercise program or joining a support group are two strategies you can use to reduce stress. Cognitive behavioral therapy , a form of talk therapy, and meditation may also offer benefits in reducing your pain and improving your ability to cope with RA.

Surgery
Joint replacement and tendon reconstruction help relieve severe joint damage.

Lifestyle Measures
These may relieve stiffness and weakness and reduce inflammation:

Maintain a balance between rest and exercise.
Attempt mild strength training.
Participate in aerobic exercise (eg, walking, swimming, dancing).
Avoid heavy impact exercise.
If you smoke, quit .
Control weight.
Participate in a physical therapy program.
Prevention
There are no guidelines for preventing RA.

Anon, I've given a lot of information about RA and this may not be what's going on but you do have some very similar symptoms to those listed above.

Please talk to your doctor about this and start the diagnostic process so treatment can begin.
Best,
Susan

August 16, 2018 - 5:11am
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