Influenza induced joint pain

[Derek Smith]

I had flu, the full monty, at the start of January. I was hors de combat for three weeks, not resuming gym work until mid February.

About that time I experienced chronic pain in my left thumb, the site of a healed golfing injury (I hit a bit of concrete that was hiding in the long grass) from June last year. Then I had swelling and pain on my right hip, the location of an injury a couple of years ago, and now my knee has flared up, that dated back to '85.

I've also come out in minor rashes, the main ones being under my armpits. I had a bad reaction to underarm deodorant way back, around the mid 70s, and now no longer use anything, merely washing under my armpits three times a day.

Anyone else had similar joint pain or rashes? How long did it last. I'm getting fed up.

When I had the bad reaction to deodorant, I came out in blisters and then had another level of blisters on top. It itched, as you can imagine, but it also itched more than you can imagine. I used to scratch when asleep and this gave rise to an infection. I was told to wear undyed cotton gloves. Like they are easy to find. In the end I went with white.

I worked out that if I died during the night (the itching was so bad at times, the only thing keeping me alive was the thought that I might die) the doctor performing the post mortum would probably add a final paragraph to his report to the coroner expressing bewilderment.

[bladerrw]

Go and see your GP.
A few years ago, I developed asymmetric joint pain like this. After being royally messed around by chiropractors, I went to my GP, who referred me to a rheumatologist. He diagnosed reactive arthritis and I had a pretty st two years of it.
Better safe than sorry.

[MitchT]

bladerrw said:

He diagnosed reactive arthritis and I had a pretty st two years of it.

Have things improved after the st two years? The OH had five days of diarrhoea last May followed by symptoms of arthritis which we've put down to reactive arthritis. Is there a light at the end of the tunnel at some point?

[bladerrw]

This was about 12 years ago.
I had symptoms for 2 years. Was very painful for 6 months, then I just had aches and tiredness for 18 months. Gradually got better and I'm fine now.
I think mine was a medium severe attack. It usually clears up more quickly but it can be a lot worse.
Typically caused by an STI or food poisoning.
Mine was probably a very mild food poisoning that I didn't notice as I have a very low risk sex life!
Blood and gene tests can identify it.
Treated with Sulfasalazine although I think there are better drugs now.

[MitchT]

Thanks for that - very helpful. The OH has had loads of blood tests, all normal except for the first which showed a mild positive "Anti CCP" which apparently is an indicator of RA. However, this was believed to be a false positive as she's had two more done since which came back negative. The fist was not long after the diarrhoea and which could have stimulated the antibodies which cause a positive result, so hopefully RA is a red herring. She's very OCD and spends loads of time on,line self-diagnosing, reading the worst case scenario stories, which doesn't help. Then the anxiety brought on by what she's read makes her worse still!