Question: My 86-year-old mom has a burning, rolling pain that travels around. It's mostly in her feet (whole feet with lots of pain in the big toes), but also her hands, wrists, knees, etc. Her blood test came out good...and things like her B12 were just fine. It all started right about when she began the medication Forteo, but they say it's not a reaction from that. I'm her daughter and I have had RA for 28 years, one sister has sarcoid and the other has fibro. She also has a chronic lung condition. I've looked it up on the Internet and there are many options as to what it could be. Off the record, what does your gut say?

Thank you for your fast response!! Sorry I didn't write back immediately. I had to get your information. Here are the answers to your questions:

1. My mom has been suffering for about a month and a half now. I forgot to mention that in addition to the pain, she has numbness in her toes/feet.
2. She does not have morning stiffness...and she tested negative for RA I found out. The pain is worst at night and she has difficulty sleeping.
3. Here is her medications list:

Thyroxine 50mg. 1 a day; 2 on Sat. - Thyroid medicine
Atenolol 25mg. 2 a day (1 morn. And 1 night) – Blood Pressure
Benicar 40 mg. (1/2 morn. And ½ night) - Blood Pressure
Amlodipine 5mg. (1/2 pill every day) – Blood Pressure
Acidophilus Pearls (1 a day)
Calcium (1,000mg. a day – 500mg in morn. And 500mg at night)
Vitamin C (500mg. in morning)
Vitamin D (1,000mg. 2 x a day – morning and night)
Potasssium (550mg. once a day)

For her lung problems - Pseudomonas / COPD (Chronic Obstruction Pulmonary Disease) / Bronchiectasis - She has had this problem for a LONG time and been on various antibiotics, but hasn't been on antibiotics for a long time now:

Cheratussin AC - dCodeine Cough Medicine (as needed; approx. 1 teaspoon a day)
Nebulizer (Ipratropium Bromide & Albuteral Sulfate – 0.5mg. – 3mg. per 3ml. - 3 x day)
Flutter Valve (Blows in it – no meds)
Symbacort Inhaler (2 morning & 2 night)
Smart Vest – Once a day

IMPORTANT: She just started on a new medication for Osteoperosis. It’s called Forteo – Teriparatide Injection (20 mcg per dose - Once at night). She started having the pains within days of starting this medicine. She also had 4 “attacks” – almost like a rash, but not really – where her hands and feet (and a little bit of her legs, crotch and stomach) turned very red…and she felt hot and dizzy. The doctor thought this had nothing to do with the Forteo. He stopped it for 13 days to be sure…but during that time she still had the pain. She can’t remember if she had an “attack” (the redness, etc.) during that time. She thinks she may have had one. The only thing she ate differently was she did have hazelnuts. But her allergist said if it were the hazelnuts, she would’ve had a reaction within an hour of eating them…and that wasn’t the case. The attack happened days later in most cases.

The doctors are stumped. Do you have any theories?? Thank you so much for your help, doctor!

Sincerely, XXXXXXX

Hi Doctor,

Thank you for your answer. The problem with your diagnosis is that the pain is NOT in her joints. It's places like the bottom of her feet where there are no joints. I have rheumatoid arthritis, so I'm well familiar with the symptoms and this isn't that. I'm 99% sure.

Respectfully, I welcome any other theories or suggestions you may have.
XXXXXXX