HomeAnswersRheumatologyjoint painI have been suffering from pain, stiffness, and numbness in my joints for three months. Please help.

Do pain, stiffness, and numbness in the joints indicate an autoimmune disorder?

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

Medically reviewed by

iCliniq medical review team

Published At February 20, 2023
Reviewed AtJuly 21, 2023

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

I have been suffering from pain, stiffness, and numbness in my joints for three months. My ANA is 30.7 IU/ml, CRP is normal, ESR is 60 mm/hour, and TSH is 11.4 mIU/mL. There is no relief from Duloxetine and Pregabalin. Am I suffering from autoimmunity disease?

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

ANA (antinuclear antibodies) positivity is found in 30 percent of normal people with no significance. Moreover, to your surprise, there are studies claiming that after COVID-19 vaccination, many people are getting ANA positive with no relevance. So, I suppose we should treat your hypothyroidism properly. A lot of symptoms subside once the thyroid is well controlled. It would help if you discussed with your physician to get you tested for an autoantibody panel that includes tests like Anti-dsDNA (double-stranded deoxyribonucleic acid). If that panel is normal, then your ANA has no value.

I hope it helps you.

Thank you.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

Thanks for the reply. Yes, I have got the ANA-reflex test done. Reports will come after four days. What do you suspect?

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern. I suspect that you have only hypothyroidism. Let's not deviate our minds unnecessarily. Let the reports come, will discuss them again and will guide you best to you.

Thank you.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

What if the ANA-reflex test report comes positive?

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern. I have previously mentioned that ANA can be positive in many people with no significance. You should get an autoimmune antibody panel test done.

Thank you.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

The report will come tomorrow. But is 1:80 titer or +1 intensity mean that a disease like SLE exists?

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

No. This titer is very insignificant. I feel your pending reports would come normal.

Thank you.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I am attaching all the test reports. Why do I have this much pain? Is it due to stress? But I do not take stress now. There is a pain in my body, followed by numbness and a tingling sensation. I am currently on Eltroxin 100 mg, Duloxetin 20mg, Pregablin NT, and Clonazepam 0.5 mg. I feel various vibrations in my body. Kindly provide me with treatment. I have taken many vitamins, methylcobalamin, and folic acid. But no significant improvement is seen. Kindly tell me the best possible treatment.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I have seen the reports attached (attachment removed to protect the patient's identity), and they are all good. You need to ignore this ANA test. I suggest you have a condition known as fibromyalgia. In such a scenario, I prefer adding the tablet Placida (Flupenthixol and Melitracen) and your ongoing medicines. Consult your specialist doctor, discuss with them, and take medications with their consent. You can take an injection of Neurokind intramuscular one dose. Discuss with your doctor locally about my opinion and obtain a prescription.

Thank you.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I have dry hands and cracked heels. Kindly suggest a cream as it is not curing with any lotion.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

You can apply Venusia (purified water, Aloe vera, propylene glycol, emulsifying wax, Squalene, glycerin, Cyclomethicone, Stearic acid, vitamin E acetate, and Cetyl alcohol) lotion.

Thank you.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Anshul Varshney
Dr. Anshul Varshney

Internal Medicine

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