Today's appointment

[sinisterporpoise]

 Today's appointment did not go as I expected.  Partly, I found out what I already knew before. I have pain in multiple joints but the rheumatologist doesn't know why. She also said it's likely I don't have an autoimmune disease, although I think it's more a case of I don't have any autoimmune disease she treats. (Hashimoto's Thyroiditis is autoimmune and was probably the cause of the fluid-filled cyst.)

In any case, she thinks I have the beginnings of osteoarthritis in the knees, and said I probably have it in my foot. (She could not answer if an additional bone could cause bone spurs or not.)   She also said there probably was a problem with the tendons, with the usual doctor answer of "It's probably caused by you getting older."  She is going to make a referral to a physical therapist.   No X-rays were taken, but she draw blood to test my Vitamin D levels.)

She also said that a thyroid problem could cause the problems I've been having. I left the office with a stretchy band, some paperwork, and a list of exercises.


Added to the paper work:
Vitamin D deficiency (um, would you mind waiting for the blood test results to come back before putting it on my paperwork)
Knee Pain, Bilateral

Combined Problem List
Knee Pain, Bilateral
Vitamin D Deficiency
Ankle pain, left
Foot Pain
Pharyngitis (I think this means 'swelling in the throat')
Abnormal Thyroid Function Tests
Callus, Foot (Why is this even on there?)
Constipation
Screening for LIPOID Disorders
CPK, Abnormal (They didn't tell me not to go swimming the night before this test, iirc.)
Fibromyalgia
Polyarthritis

Comments

[silk_dragon_zen]

Hmm, interesting. Makes me wonder if you don't have some form of EDS: you're even younger than I am and you've got it earlier in life than I, my father, and his mother all had it, and we all (I'm pretty damned sure) have / had EDS.

[sinisterporpoise]

I don't know. Doesn't EDS involve joint hypermobility?

Everything that's going on could be caused by an untreated thyroid problem, but it seems strange that all of the things tested, except for the TPO Antibodies came back within the normal range. It's weird, but I'm hoping that the TSH comes back high or low soon to see if getting that treated makes things easier.

I know there are naturopaths out there who would start treatment based on that result alone, but I'm sure my insurance wouldn't pay for it, nor am I sure that they are correct in doing so.