Rheumatism symptoms and conditions

I'm 42 and have 2 children. I had Mirena fitted end April 08 after a recommendation from a friend. A month later I noticed joint pain in my left thumb which over the weeks and months spread to all my fingers, then my hips and finally general stiffness all over. I was training for a 5K at the time and just put this down to post running achiness. I didn't initially connect this to Mirena, I just worried that I was showing signs of arthritis and went to see my GP. No mention of Mirena from her but she just did some tests to see if it could be viral or some form of rheumatism. All results came back negative which was a relief but nothing more was suggested as to why I was having these problems. (which for someone who rarely visits a doctor made me feel as if I was going mad and imagining things) It didn't improve - I was also getting palpitations from time to time so after googling mirena and joint pain I was surprised (and a bit relieved) to find many blogs about this problem, mainly in the US (I live in the UK). Went back to doctor at local family planning clinic who told me yes mirena could cause some arthritic symptoms but she was noticeably reluctant to concede that this was causing my problems. I was urged to keep the Mirena and see a rheumatologist first.

I got the distinct impression that the professionals I spoke to are going to extreme lengths not to say for certain that this device can cause serious and debilitating arthritic pain in many cases.

I have an appointment to see a rheumatologist and I decided to have the mirena removed 5 days ago. I'm hoping the joint pain will go. But am worried this IUS may have triggered something in my system that may not go away.

Oh my gosh!!!! I am so happy I found this site!!! it's a revelation; I had my coil fitted about 4 1/2 years ago as I had incredibly heavy monthly bleeding/clotting/flooding etc BUT I was slim, happy, enjoyed life, slept well, had no pain in my joints or muscles, led a pretty normal life as much as a woman can do!!! But now... well. All of the above and more. Oh yes, no libido whatsoever! night sweats. anxiety. raynauds. I was even tested for arthritis, fibromyalgia, rheumatism... I had cancer some years ago and even thought that maybe that was back as the pain has been so bad. I am DEFINITELY having this revolting thing removed ASAP!!!!!

20 weeks ago, I awakened with severe stabbing pains in my head and muscle pains in thighs. In the days following, the acute pain was also in my hips, back, upper arms and legs. I experienced difficulty walking, sitting or standing up. My doctor pulled me off Lipitor (40 mg. for 3 yrs.) but discounted that Lipitor was causing my problems. He sent me to a neurologist (MRI of my head turned out OK but the stabbing pains are still there) who sent me to a rheumatologist. The rheumatologist gave me a cortisone-lidocane injection in each buttock. It was miraculous - my pain were gone. I was able to walk normally for the first time in months. He also prescribed a 12-day course of prednisone as well as a prescription for Mobic (anti-inflammitant) . I have enjoyed two weeks of pain-free joints and muscles - and no head pains. The official diagnosis of my problems is "an auto-immune problem, polymylitis rheumatica with psoriatic arthritis"!!! Friends, I have no rheumatism, I have no arthritis, I have no psoriasis but I DO have polymylitis (poly=many, myl=muscle, itis=pain; many muscle pains) and I am fairly confident that Lipitor is the cause of it.

With the successful 12-day prednisone course behind me, my muscle pain and stabbing head pains are back! The rhematologist wants to resume with another course of prednisone and I am left with few alternatives other than to go back on the steroids.

Golly, I wish that today's doctors were more educated about the effects of the statins and more willing to think outside of the 'diagnosis box' when it comes to the symptoms and dangers of statin drugs.

Any recommendations? Email me at ******

Thanks.

Jim

Are upper limb weakness, muscle pains (like rheumatism)
joint discomfort side effects of Welchol. I started on this
medication 3 weeks ago, and have had these problems every
one or two days. Unlike when I took most of the statin
antihyperlipidemics, the addition of Vitamin E and Co-Enzyme
Q10 don't seem to relieve the symptoms. Do I need to worry
about this too much? Thanks.