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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by 10derHeart on September 4, 2005, at 0:04:21
Okay, this is weird, but I have to ask.
For maybe 5 or 6 years, on and off, I've had what I'd describe as joint pain, but only in one set of joints in my body. Now don't laugh too hard, but it's my feet!
Specifically, all the little bones along the top of my feet, and in every toe, and the ankle area, too, just seem to ache and ache. Sometimes, it happens every evening for a week. Then, it may disappear for months on end. It hurts far more when I'm laying or sitting, and very little or none when walking/standing. Go figure?!
Sometimes my feet ache like this in the morning (although night is far more common) and seem to feel a lot better when I get up and moving around (good circulation=no pain?)
Over the past year, I've gained a great deal of weight. I'll decline to say the #s right now, but it's a lot. I was fairly sure the new aches I'm feeling in my neck, back, hips and knees are an obvious result of forcing my frame to carry so much weight. And this foot pain has recently become much more frequent and worse, too. So, I've been saying to myself, "well, DUH, if you weren't so fat..."
Now I'm wondering, thinking about the fact my feet have ached for years, even 50-60 pounds ago - :-( - that maybe this is not ONLY my weight. Because this past couple weeks, my fingers feel stiff and achy every day, and I'm fairly sure I don't bear any weight on my hands!
I've started taking Tylenol, Advil, whatever, regularly to dull the pain so I'll feel more like doing stuff, but this worries me. (Doesn't help much either) I take another med that has to be closely watched for liver issues, so this OTC painkiller added can't be wise...?
Does this sound like arthritis? The osteo type? No swelling, redness or any other symptoms like I've read about with RA. Just achiness for hours and some stiffness. Even if so, is it worth a trip to my GP? He may just say "lose weight" and I really do already know that....don't need the humiliation.
Is there anything else it might be? What do you guys think? (gosh, my neck is killing me tonight, and I know I don't bear weight there either, do I?)
-- 10der (overweight, achy, stiff and confused, too)
Posted by spriggy on September 4, 2005, at 13:02:20
In reply to Foot/Joint Pain?, posted by 10derHeart on September 4, 2005, at 0:04:21
Yeah, it sounds like it *could* be arthritis. I get aches in my wrists and elbows (but they say mine is fibromyalgia).
Anyway, is there any chance you could have diabetes?? Added weight can trigger diabetes.
I don't want to scare you but my dad is a diabetic and his first symptoms were aching feet (although he often complained that his "burned").
I would go in and have a full check up. Have them check your blood sugar as well.
If it's arthritis, they can give you a prescription anti inflammatory that should help. I'm on one called Piroxicam and it helps my aches.You take care of yourself and keep us posted.
Posted by 10derHeart on September 4, 2005, at 17:30:43
In reply to Re: Foot/Joint Pain?, posted by spriggy on September 4, 2005, at 13:02:20
It's okay, Spriggy, you're not scaring me. I know I'm at risk for diabetes because of the weight. That's possible at any time. My blood sugar was checked about 6 months ago and it was ok with the fasting test...although creeping up a bit from prior years, still well below the limit for diabetes.
I don't seem to have any of the other symptoms like excessive thirst, etc. My feet don't burn, and the pain sometimes disappears for up to a year. Or it has in the past. I'll have to admit all of it was much, much better when I exercised regularly. I just don't want the obvious to be so obvious :-)
The stiffening fingers and sort of "creaky" neck really made me think of arthritis, I guess.
I'm scheduling a physical soon anyway, as the community college I've been attending requires one for a portion of the course I'm taking, as we'll be working in local hospitals. Just hate the thought of it all, 'cause my wonderful managed care system has assigned me a new primary doc. Hate getting used to someone new...
Does your prescription anti-inflam. have any potential side effects on the liver you have to watch for? I want to avoid anything that does. Not that's it's the only option - just wondering.
I'm grateful for the medical care I have. God is good to me - all the time, ya' know? Thanks for posting and I'll update when I find out something.
Posted by Phillipa on September 5, 2005, at 18:59:13
In reply to Re: Foot/Joint Pain? » spriggy, posted by 10derHeart on September 4, 2005, at 17:30:43
Sounds like arthritis to me too. It started in my big toe years ago now it's in my back and neck too. And an Mri showed fused discs in my neck. And do you bones make a crunchy sound when you roll your shoulders back? You sound young though but they say arthritis is striking people younger each day. Usually all adults have some by their fortys. Glucosamine has been known to help. It doesn't help me though. And some say Alfalfa but you have to take so many pills. Fondly,, Phillipa
Posted by 10derHeart on September 5, 2005, at 19:08:13
In reply to Re: Foot/Joint Pain? » 10derHeart, posted by Phillipa on September 5, 2005, at 18:59:13
No, no crunchy sounds - yet. And I'm 46 tomorrow. I wish I could just take glucosamine - have friends who swear by it, but it's WAY to expensive for me right now.Took a couple online quizzes and they come up only 50% likely it's arthritis. The real truth is, I need to lose weight b/c of very real diabetes risk and then see if some of this pain fades away. Many pounds lighter I sometimes had the sore, achy feet, but not often, like now. It's just so incredibly hard to do it, just thinking of it makes me sad and frustrated....
thanks for posting, Phillipa
Posted by lunesta on September 19, 2005, at 22:11:38
In reply to Foot/Joint Pain?, posted by 10derHeart on September 4, 2005, at 0:04:21
check lyme disease make sure you get igeneX lab or bowen tests and western blot, not primary elisa.
Posted by orchid on October 7, 2005, at 16:36:54
In reply to Foot/Joint Pain?, posted by 10derHeart on September 4, 2005, at 0:04:21
Not meaning to scare you, it sounds very much like RA.
Please get a check with your Doc. IT is better to treat it ASAP to prevent the disease from spreading aggressively.
This is the end of the thread.
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