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Suggest Treatment For Pain And Swelling In The Feet
Question: I have really painful joints and my fingers and feet have started to swell up at night...to the point I can hardly walk at times...I am 27 year old male.
Brief Answer:
Information
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
I am sorry to hear about how much difficulty you are having. I highly recommend that you go in to see your doctor to be tested for the possibility of having rheumatoid arthritis. This is an autoimmune problem that can affect younger people, and immunosuppressants and biological medications can get it under control.
Swelling with RA is typically more in the morning than at night. And there is often a low grade fever associated with RA too. So there may be something else going on. Are you eating any different foods or taking medications or supplements that are new for you? Or are you exposed to any toxic substances at your work? Also, do you use these particular joints that are causing trouble repetitively? Are you significantly overweight?
When you see your doctor, after examining your joints, he/she will likely get some X-rays as well as blood work. The blood tests should include either an ESR ("sed rate") or C-reactive protein test. These are very non-specific tests that show if there is inflammation happening in your system and can be used to track, for the future, if it is improving. The doctor will also likely order a rheumatoid factor blood test and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibody test, which are more specific for RA.
But - we don't know that RA is the diagnosis. It is a possibility from what you described, and something to be investigated, but your symptoms may be from other causes too (which is why my list of questions above).
Either way though, it is time to go in to see a doctor for exam and tests.
Information
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
I am sorry to hear about how much difficulty you are having. I highly recommend that you go in to see your doctor to be tested for the possibility of having rheumatoid arthritis. This is an autoimmune problem that can affect younger people, and immunosuppressants and biological medications can get it under control.
Swelling with RA is typically more in the morning than at night. And there is often a low grade fever associated with RA too. So there may be something else going on. Are you eating any different foods or taking medications or supplements that are new for you? Or are you exposed to any toxic substances at your work? Also, do you use these particular joints that are causing trouble repetitively? Are you significantly overweight?
When you see your doctor, after examining your joints, he/she will likely get some X-rays as well as blood work. The blood tests should include either an ESR ("sed rate") or C-reactive protein test. These are very non-specific tests that show if there is inflammation happening in your system and can be used to track, for the future, if it is improving. The doctor will also likely order a rheumatoid factor blood test and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibody test, which are more specific for RA.
But - we don't know that RA is the diagnosis. It is a possibility from what you described, and something to be investigated, but your symptoms may be from other causes too (which is why my list of questions above).
Either way though, it is time to go in to see a doctor for exam and tests.
Note: For further information on diet changes to reduce allergy symptoms or to boost your immunity, Ask here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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