Just got a diagnosis from the rheumatologist, and not happy at all. He says the tests showed no specific markers for arthritis except in my thumbs & wrists -- 'normal' age-related osteoarthritis. However, the back pain wakes me up at night and the elbow pain on both sides is so bad I can't even lift a coffee mug with one hand. He said the elbow pain is tendonitis, like tennis elbow, probably referred from the thumbs/wrists. ???? I thought enteropathic arthritis attacks particularly where ligaments and tendons connect, so that was making sense to me. Now I don't know what to think.
Have had to completely change my exercise and work routines. Have ordered today soft elbow braces and tomorrow will pick up an NSAID gel he wants me to use on my elbows. No other meds. The stretching routines and such definitely help the back and leg/hip stiffness and pain, but nothing so far has helped the elbows.
Could I be at the very beginning stages maybe? The Mayo site says it can be a tough diagnosis to pin down. My husband thinks I should pursue a second opinion.
Right now I just want to crawl into bed and cry.
Gin