I'm a 40 year old male, symptoms started 4
months ago. Symptoms are:
1) itchy armpits started ~9/15/04, affects
both sides, have some rashes as a result
of scratching, itch is present on-and-off,
but is bothersome every day. Per a
dermatologist’s recommendation, I have
been using prax lotion on them, but,
itching still occurs.
2) hand and finger problems started
~10/1/04, woke up one morning with both
hands feeling like they were asleep. Felt
slight weakness in the 4th and 5th fingers
(pinkie and ring finger) of both hands.
Weakness seems to have gone away.
However,all fingers are stiff, feel
swollen (don't look swollen), there is
mild pain that affects in between joints
and fingertips. Still worse in 4th and
5th fingers.
3) foot and toe symptoms started
~10/15/04, soles hurt frequently, esp.
When walking barefoot on hard surface.
Toes have similar symptoms as fingers
(stiff, swollen feel, pain).
4) very stiff neck started ~11/1/04 -
stiff, slightly painful all of the time,
especially when I look up.
5) also felt 'sparks' in my brain a few
times/day during first few weeks of
symptoms. Not anymore
i have seen a neurologist and a
rheumatologist:
brain mri (11/04) before and after
contrast were normal
bloodwork (11/04) (cbc, metabolic panel,
ck, tsh, sed rate, ana, c-reactive
protein) all normal
chest x-ray (11/04) normal
extensive emg (1/05) (rt side of body)
normal
first four symptoms listed above are still
there, but don't appear to be getting any
worse (or any better).
Not sure what to do next. Don't want to
waste dr's time, but, problems still
persist.
