Question
QUESTION: Dear Rusty,

A few months ago my wedding ring finger started hurting unaccountably one night and continued to feel very sore and throb for days. I was tested for arthritus but came up negative. Since then I have had weakness in my hands and sometimes cannot cut even a piece of cheese but other days I am fine. Three days ago the joint where my big toe joins my right foot stated hurting in the middle of the night. I have been taking pain relief since then and find it hard to walk - I have not left the house. I am 36 and have two young children of 10 months and 3 so this is very hard. Does this sound like arthritus even though the doctor told me it wasn't? I should mention that this joint has been uncomforatble before - sometimes 'sticking' but it only ever lasted a minute or so - never like this. Please advise what I should do next - I am very scared at the prospect of Rheumatoid arthritus...Thank you

ANSWER: Michelle,

I am sorry to hear about your suffering. I do not think you need to fear having rheumatoid arthritis. It is an autoimmune disease that most likely would be effect many joints not just your big toe and your hand.

The symptoms you describe are classic symptoms of gout. Gout is a form of arthritis that is caused by your bodies inability to process purines in food. Your body converts these purines into uric acid that form crystals in joints. The most effected joint is the big toe and second are fingers in your hands.

You should see your doctor again and insist on finding out the cause. Whether or not it is gout it should be treatable. It does not sound like an autoimmune form of arthritis such as rheumatoid.

Here is some more information about gout.

http://arthritis-symptom.com/Gout-Symptoms/index.htm

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you very much - and especially for answering so quickly on a holiday, it has calmed me down already. I forgot to mention that after my first pregnancy I developed what I believe is another autoimmune disease  - hypothyroidism - my body attacked my thyroid - and I am now on medication for the rest of my life. As these symptoms occurred soon after my second baby I thought it might be connected / the start of another form of my body attacking itself - does that have any influence do you think?

Answer
Michelle,

As I mentioned before this does not have the appearance of an autoimmune condition.

Hypothyroidism can cause the symptoms that you describe. Here is a quote from the Mayo Clinic on hypothyroidism and joint pain.

People with underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) often have joint and muscle problems due to low levels of thyroid hormone, such as:

   * Muscle aches, tenderness and stiffness, especially in the shoulders and hips
   * Joint pain and stiffness
   * Swelling of the knee joint and small joints in the hands and feet
   * Carpal tunnel syndrome

Joint problems caused by hypothyroidism are difficult to distinguish from rheumatoid arthritis. Both can cause painful, swollen and stiff joints ?often worse after rest. But people with hypothyroidism often have less morning stiffness. They may also have attacks of pseudogout.

As I mentioned before, your symptoms are consistent with gout. Pseudogout is similar to gout in that crystals are deposited in the joints. The deferences are the causes of the disease and the types of crystals that are deposited. Calcium pyrophosphate crystals are deposited with psuedogout.

Still you want to get a specific diagnosis from your doctor. Having the right diagnosis will make treatment of your condition much easier.

Rusty