ME symptom or arthritis or what?

My left knee is getting stiffer.
I noticed it about three years ago went to the doc he said it wasn't swollen or hot so nothing to worry about.
But it's been getting worse and lately it's bugging me. It's like it's dry and tight inside. Right now it is hot but normally its not really. Right knee is ok.
Hands also tighter than they used to be.

I wonder if anyone knows- is this ME or have I got arthritis or something else? I just know my doc will not be interested.

Anyone?
My knee feels sore and warm inside (though not to the touch) again tonight... :-(

I personally think it may be something else other then ME. My suggestion would be to go and see a physiotherapist and see what they think may be wrong or what they suggest to do.

Hi Snow, i agree with Tania that a visit to a physio would be a good idea - as you know, not much use in visiting a GP - they never seem interested.
Did you know that in the UK you can self refer to a NHS physio? you can type in self refer physio NHS and the area/health board you live in and that should bring up results. In my experience physios are very good at diagnosing this kind of thing - if they think it is is necessary they can probably refer you on for other treatment if its not structural.

Hope you get to the bottom of this,
Justy.

Snowathlete has fybromyaligia been ruled out? I don't want to worry you but mine started in my knee, very similar to how you are describing, I had x-rays and MRI - nothing showed - even though at one point I could hardly put any weight on it, turned out it was FM. You have to push the GP - or see a physio if you like, you need to know what it is - if they can't feel any heat or see any swelling they don't want to know, but there is obviously something wrong isn't there?
I hope it isn't FM in your case but the good news is mine has gone better in lots of respects, I can't kneel but I am walking fine in general. I think rest and changing my diet was the key to improvement.

Maybe 10 years ago I suddenly had trouble walking up stairs. I explored dietary information and figured out that my joints stiffen from nightshades. This is easy to test, as relief comes in a few days. I also, less normally, get "arthritis" from black, green, and white tea.

Thanks for the replies everyone.

Interesting Justy about the Physio self-referals, i didnt know that. I could do that, but i dont want to waste their time if its something else. I just dont think i have it in me to fight with my GP to get them to look into it properly, but I will have to build up some strength to go and do that i think.
I hope its not FM, but I guess it could be. Have to push for a closer look to get to the bottom of it one way or the other.

Hi Snowathlete - self refferal to the physio would bypass the difficult GP. If they cant help you or think you need an x ray or something they will say so - but they are far better at diagnosing than GP's - they see painful joints, injuries etc all day every day. I have always found them to be extremely helpful and knowledgeable. In my area there is a number you can ring and speak to aphysio on the phone who then decides wether to get you to come in and see them or whatever.

let us know how you go with getting this looked at.
Justy.

I wouldn't be too quick to rule this out as an ME symptom. I think static stress loads can induce these kinds of things, at least they have in my case (though of course I don't know if actually have ME or a look alike illness, so how knows). In my case any long running stress on a joint or muscles can trigger this kind of thing in me. Abnormal posture while doing things, or abnormal sleeping positions, are also possible triggers for me.

On the other hand if ME is an autoimmune disease, and if you have one or more autoimmune diseases, then the odds of getting another one are higher. In my case I suspect I have very early rheumatoid arthritis. One of the things it can cause me is stiff hands. My feet constantly feel tight too.

Bye, Alex

I must agree with alex here (but do what you can to ease snowathlete). My Neurologist (from whole spinal MRIs eventually agreeing ME and as viral in origin) said at what appeared to be the beginnings of arthritis "it is reactive". I had to give up Osteopathy (well she gave me up) as a bad ME relapse occurred. But we all so different so it might may indeed aid you.

(if any aussies with similar problem see this thread.. one can self refer to many physios in Australia too).

I dont think a physio would mind at all someone giving an option on if they think the issue is something going structurally wrong or not (not everything shows up well in scans) and getting an good opinion from "someone experienced" in a certain area isnt a waste of time. If they say they are sure there isnt anything structual going on (or anything they can help with) at least then you know that.

This isnt a GP specialality and a GP would only usually refer someone on anyway or just dismiss when there may be actually an issue. (when I had issues the GP sent me to an orthopedic specialist for opinion (specialist said my issue had some kind of "autoimmune" cause) while other GPs had sent me to physios who'd worked on the area to try to help flexability, pain ect..

I ended up self refering myself to a different physio who helped me a lot more then the physios at the public hospital did (the public hospital physios were quite useless at helping it much thou no one didnt think I didnt have an actual issue going on.. a physio will move the area around and assess the situation and assess if you need a scan, can write a letter to your doctor or whatever). Physios dont just deal with structual issues either but also some help FM patients too (so if its a FM thing.. some physios will also be able to tell you that)