Hey Blah,

Welcome to the boards. No doubt, you've got a lot going on. Most of the symptoms you mention COULD be attributed to Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA) or Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) except the tingling and numbness. I expect that you are being sent to a Neurologist for these reasons.

To be clear: Reyaunds (primary or secondary) is not considered an autoimmune issue. In fact, the tingling and numbness in your extremities could very well be attributed to Reynauds.

Weight loss is a classic example of Grave's disease until your thyroid is under control.

Pain, stiffness, IBS, fatigue so bad that it's hard to explain, breathing problems, brain fog - certainly all could be an additional autoimmune issue. For some reason, autoimmune issues seem to attract each other.

Either way, I really wish you the best. Hand around for a while as there are some kind and pretty smart cookies along for the ride.

Good Luck,
TheWino

I am so sorry that you have had to join our group, but this group has been a wonderful for me, especially when I was first diagnosed and going crazy with worry. Support is invaluable!

I have RA, Sjogren's, Fibromyalgia, Inflammatory Arthritis of the spine, and osteo arthritis of the cervical spine, and share many of your symptoms. I have the OMG FATIGUE too.
I wish I had the weight loss though...

I have lupus marker in my blood work, but have not been diagnosed with lupus, so having the marker is not a definite diagnoses, yet. Hopefully once treatment starts you will feel better, although it does take some time, it's certainly not an overnight cure!
I wondered if you take sleeping medicine...I do sometimes, but it causes almost total memory loss of the next 12-14 hours. But if I haven't slept in several days, despite my fatigue, I go ahead and take one. Besides, they don't work for me if I take them all the time.

I also see a counselor who specializes in people with physical trauma or chronic health conditions, and she has been a great help.

I hope this group will help you, and you can quickly get the treatment you need. Good Luck!

It sounds like the rheumatologist is at least taking steps to identify the problem, so that's very positive! He clearly recognizes that there ARE problems. Unfortunately, diagnosis and/or a treatment plan can take time, so be patient. Having all those diverse symptoms would absolutely be overwhelming, and I'm sorry you're dealing with so much. As different possible diagnoses come up, it may be helpful for you to research them so you can help give input in your future treatment. And if you have questions, don't hesitate to ask! There always seems to be someone who has had experience with whatever problems come up. I recently posted about having salivary gland pain, and who knew so many other people had experienced something similar? Good luck getting some answers and some relief.

Welcome World, sorry you have to join us.

I also suffered from brain fog, shortness of breath and fingers/toes going numb. It wasn't until I started having episodes of eye lid muscle spasms that I stumbled upon the cause (which is becoming more common but hard to diagnose) - Magnesium deficiency.

If you have been taking a 24 hour heartburn reduction medicine such as nexium or one of its OTC kin such as prilosec or prevacid - its a major side effect. But it's an easy fix to find out if you are suffering from the deficiency. Simply take some magnesium based laxitive such as Epsom salt or milk of magnesium- but at 1/4 dose. That won't be enough for laxitive results but if your numbness is caused by deficiency it will go away very quickly.

There really is no blood test for Mg levels, since 99% of it stays locked in your tissues.

Loss of appetite, chest tightness and fatigue are also listed as signs of deficiency. Hyperthyroidism is listed as one of the high risk groups. (Graves disease)

Most of your other symptoms are consistent with RA.

Oh, forgot to add that IBS is another risk group for mg deficiency. That's why I have it now despite a diet heavy in green vegetables and nuts. I still have to take a pinch of Epsom salt 2-3 times per week or symptoms start to come back.

Hello and welcome to the forum! You have come to the right place for 24 hour a day advice and support!Sounds like an neuro dr is a good place to start to start finding out what is all going on with ya insides!

How well-controlled is your Graves'? (I have it, too.) If you're still out of whack, that could explain the IBS as well as weight loss, fatigue, and possibly some of the mental health issues. As you probably know, wacky thyroid levels can cause joint pain, and PTU gave me all-over joint pain something fierce.

As you have found out, autoimmune diseases tend to run in packs. With a history of psoriasis, PsA is a likely possibility. My current rheumy says that if a patient comes in with psoriasis and joint problems, like me, the difficult part is to prove it's anything BUT PsA.

In any case, welcome. Between the bunch of us, there's not much that someone can't help you with.

You guys seem great and wise!! Thanks for the support! The numb/tingly has gotten worse in the past few months and now I have to pull over on a daily basis even on the highway while driving sometimes because I can't feeling the clutch or gas pedals or break a glass or bowl from dropping it because I can't manage to hold it because I have weakness in my hands.
As for my graves disease, I had my radiation of my thyroid a few months ago and having bloodwork again in about a week to check if I am hypothyroid yet.
I am thankful for today that my boss called me and said that I could take today off just by chance. I am feeling even more not well than usual lately especially within the past few days. Tired, achy, pain, confusion, numb etc.
I don't see the doc again for another month ugh for even more results...I hate waiting...

Yes welcome & this is a great group, sounds like you can use the support so glad your here.
I get the tingling & numbness along with burning pins & needle stabbing type pain.
Now my RA DR & Neuro said RA can contribute to this, as I have the spinal also.
I'm not sure it's as common as other symptoms but that's what I was told.
Don't you just hate that exhaustion/brain fog? Drives me crazy.
Sounds like you have a lot going on. There may be more then one cause there.
I wish you the best of luck. Sammy

If you're still stabilizing after RAI, don't get too freaked out about anything yet. Much of what you list may resolve when you have stabilized.