I am female, and I have been suffering from a variety of tendon/joint related problems, and I am starting to wonder if they are all connected. I have had achilles tendonitis for 2.5 years (since I was 18), and it has not gotten better, despite trying everything from RICE and physio to acupuncture. About 4 months after I got achilles tendonitis, I developed shin splints. I also have a tendency towards tendonitis/carpal tunnel in my arms, despite being extremely aware of ergonomics. All of these symptoms tend to come in cycles- sometimes they will be really painful, for no apparent reason, and other times they will magically disappear in a single day. But they always come back. Within the last four months, I have also developed pain in my heel, across the top of my ankle (where it connects to my foot), and on the outside and inside of my ankles. I have had to quit doing all my normal activities, and only swim for excersize, but the symptoms do not get better. Also- around the same time as all of this, I started getting a red, sunburn-like neck rash that would sting and itch. It would come and go, but I have had it for the last month now, without it going, and it has spread onto my shoulders and arms. I also went through a period where I was extremely tired- I would sleep for 10 hours at night, and then have to nap for 4 hours in the afternoon. I have also been suffering from indigestion- at one point it was so bad I was worried I had IBS. Finally, I get weird pins and needles feelings (like an electric shock, or being stabbed with a pin) in my feet, ankles, and wrists. It's making me miserable- I've always been very active. I don't know if these are all related- I never even thought they might be until recently. I thought (and still wonder) that it might all be in my head, so I've only mentioned the shin splints and achilles tendonitis to my GP. I've made another appointment, but he is off on holidays, so I can't see him for a month. Any advice would be extremely welcome. I've just about given up hope of being able to resume my normal activities, and I'm at my wits end. If I'm just being paranoid, feel free to let me know.
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Ibuprofen and rest... If there is an area that is inflamed and painful, stop the activity. Give these tendons a chance to heal with ibuprofen and rest. Sometimes you can use the topical treatments as well, by rubbing the creams directly into the effected body part for immediate pain relief.
Anti-inflammatory drugs... When the pain becomes severe the doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce the swelling and inflammation. Once you start to get the inflammation down the reduction in pain level will reduce also.
Stretching... This is recommended often as a cure. You need to stretch in order to keep the joints flexible. If this is done properly chronic tendonitis is less likely to occur.
Cortisone treatment.... Chronic tendonitis can become extremely severe and when this happens, sometimes the doctor will inject cortisone into the effected area. The relief is immediate, but it does not come with risks. These Corticosteroids have been known to weaken the immune system. The injection site area can also become infected.
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The previous posts have given some great ideas about treating your symptoms. I know they will be helpful. In regards to the source of your problem...Have you been tested for any autoimmune diseases? This sounds serious, but you can't ignore your seemingly unrelated symptoms. You'd want to get to the source of the problem(s). It's a good idea to make yourself comfortable, but you don't want to continue to mask the symptoms of a problem that could be treatable, but is worsening because it is not being addressed. I think you should see and endocrinologist. That specialists (dr) may be able to give you some answers, which is important. Good luck...I'd really like to know what you find out. I hope you will get answers soon, and start feeling better.
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Gluten intolerance causes autoimmune response, and nutritional deficiency.
Magnesium deficiency (muscle pain, muscle tightness, tendonitis symptoms)
Vitamin D3 deficiency (muscle painn, muscle tightness, joint pain, neurological symptoms)
Vitamin B6 deficiency (Carpal Tunnel Symptoms)
Vitamin B12 deficiency (peripheal neuropathy, i.e. pins and needles and numbness in hands and/or feet)
Those are four good places to start looking.
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BrendaM wrote:
The pain that comes with tendonitis varies from mild to extremely severe. The earlier you catch it and recognize that you have tendonitis the better your chances of not causing a major problem. Some of the treatments are as follows:
Ibuprofen and rest... If there is an area that is inflamed and painful, stop the activity. Give these tendons a chance to heal with ibuprofen and rest. Sometimes you can use the topical treatments as well, by rubbing the creams directly into the effected body part for immediate pain relief.
Anti-inflammatory drugs... When the pain becomes severe the doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce the swelling and inflammation. Once you start to get the inflammation down the reduction in pain level will reduce also.
Stretching... This is recommended often as a cure. You need to stretch in order to keep the joints flexible. If this is done properly chronic tendonitis is less likely to occur.
Cortisone treatment.... Chronic tendonitis can become extremely severe and when this happens, sometimes the doctor will inject cortisone into the effected area. The relief is immediate, but it does not come with risks. These Corticosteroids have been known to weaken the immune system. The injection site area can also become infected.
I have had tendonitus in my hands for 7 years and prior to that I had numbness for years. At this time I am fighting Brusitus in my shoulder , knee and feet. Just recently My Dr informed me I will be taking anti-inflamatories for life:(( CMT disease is the closest I have found in search simularities .My Mother too experienced boo coo back pain feom disc damage. I too am looking for relief,better knowledge and clarity." Misery Loves company "
Maybe you have hypothyroidism, vitamin D deficiency, lupus or some other rheumatologic disease , or fibromyalgia
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I have Lupus and the symptoms you describe are exactly what I have. I am on Plaquenil (which is a quinine based medication) and anti-inflammatories.
It started with bursitis in my hip which took ages to go away, followed by achilles tendonitis and now I have tendonitis in my shoulder. I also have the red rash sometimes.
Have your Lupus markers checked and hopefully you won't feel like you've lost your mind. It does help to know it is something and you aren't really nuts or a hypochondriac after all.
I now see a Rheumatologist who has helped me deal with each thing individually.
Good luck to you. :)
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When I read this post it was as if someone read my mind and typed in all the information. The tendonitis can be mild or as you state, very painful. I started with Tendonitis in my thumb and wrist, then in both of my feet (never at the same time), followed by severe tendonitis in my left shoulder (two out of three rotator cuff tendons). The sharp lightning bolt pains that shoot into my feet during flare ups are very unpleasant, and often cause me sleepless nights. There does not seem to be any rime or reason. No extended or over use of the areas effected. In all cases I tried splints, ice, heat, ibuprophine, mild stretching and physical therapy. In all cases it led to Steriod injections. This helps for about 5 to 7 months, then it seems like it comes back with an attitude! During flare up periods, I am very tired, and can barely handle normal day to day functions let a lone the extra curricular ones. I no longer play softball or volleyball, which is a shame. I have been to a regular physician, Rhuemetologist, and Orthopedic doctors. To top everything off I am an insulin dependant diabetic. Anyone familiar with that disease knows that other side effects seem to get blamed on this disorder. Steriod injections take me weeks to get my blood sugars back in line. Long story short, I still suffer and still have no answers. They say to keep active but honestly, with this pain, it is very hard to do! I to think maybe it is all in my mind, then I wrench one of the effective areas and well, you know it is there. I hope we find relief soon.
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Jill, did you take an antibiotic like Cipro for the toe infection? Cipro and other antibiotics in its class have been linked to tendonitis.
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I agree with you Joshua. I'd had very similar symptoms to what this lady described and it turned out to be Chronic Lymes disease........ definitely systemic. . After a year of aggressive antibiotics, I'm a lot better. Unfortunately, there's still at least 6-12 months more before this nightmare is over but would do it again to be where I am today. This disease can mimic just about anything. Many people I've met during my treatments were mis-diagnosed with something else, but the most common seemes to be Fibromyalgia (dont thinki I spelled that correctly). Please get checked for Lymes and have your IgG and IgM levels checked. Take care and good luck.
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