Current Symptoms

Before each doctors appointment I make a list of my current symptoms. For a new specialist I also include a basic timeline and break the symptoms up into "chronic or occasional." I have an appointment with my primary care doctor and just finished a list for him. This time I'm including something new. A list of things that I've tried to help ease the pain and calm inflammation on my own. I'm doing this because sometimes I feel like doctors think patients aren't proactive or are just looking for a quick fix. I want to really hammer home how long I've had this, how severely it affects me and that I'm not just waiting for someone else to "fix" it for me. Also so we don't waste time talking about/suggesting things I've already tried.

Tried: (for pain & inflammation)

Plaquenil (400mg – stopped taking from side effects)

Gabapentin (stopped taking from side effects)

800mg Ibuprofen 2x a day

1,300 mg Acetaminophen 2x a day

Salonpas (topical pain patch):

            Camphor 3.1% (Topical analgesic)

            Menthol 6.0% (Topical analgesic)

            Methyl salicylate 10.0% (Topical analgesic)

CBD topical stick

Charlotte’s Webb CBD supplement (no THC)

TENS machine

Acupuncture

Supplements (Borage, magnesium B-12, E, fish oil)

Ben Gay and all the other topical ointments for arthritis & joint pain.

Light exercise/stretching

Diet changes

            (cut out gluten, sugar, dairy, etc.
            *Improvement with no gluten since 12/2017)

Current Symptoms:

·      Joint pain in feet (especially right foot, ankle and 4 smaller toes. Right ankle & toe swelling.)

·      Joint pain in both hands (especially right hand & fingers. Hands feel hot)

·      Joint pain in lower back

·      Joint pain in upper neck

·      Right shoulder pain

·      Pain in back, shoulder, hands and neck that wakes me up in the night

·      Dizziness (especially in the morning)

·      Feeling of fullness, pressure in right ear

·      Body joint gelling in the morning and after sitting

·      Frequent urination, especially at night.

·      Dry mouth, especially at night.

·      Sore throat off and on (like I feel like I’m getting sick, but I don’t)

·      Fatigue (feel exhausted most of the time, especially after activity)

·      Easy muscle fatigue in arms, legs and bottoms of feet (the front pads) from minor activity (like bathing or walking across a parking lot.)

·      Peripheral neuropathy symptoms (especially in legs, arms and lips)

·      Both hands swollen in the morning. Sleeping in compression gloves helps.

·      Pain in both knees, especially after activity (knees feel hot)

·      Cracking of joints (neck, right hand, right foot, both knees)

Have you ever had that conversation with someone? Even your doctor? "Have you tried..." "YES!!! I've tried everything!!!" That's what I'm trying to avoid.

I don't think any of my symptoms are unique. In fact I think the majority would fall into either "neuropathy" or "rheumatoid arthritis" (or as my doctor says, "rheumatoid disease.") I'm not a special snowflake in the land of symptoms. So why each neurologist and rheumatologist stammers that I'm so "A-Typical" is a big mystery to me.

I'm hoping that my appointment Thursday will bring a fresh referral to a NEW rheumatologist and suggestion for addressing the chronic inflammation (because the 800mg Ibuprofen is doing zilch.)