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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    Could I have sarcoidosis?

    Related Topics
    Ankylosing Spondylitis Immune Deficiencies Sarcoidosis
    I currently have severe inflammation of my Achilles on both feet unrelated to activity level. As the inflammation increases I experience lactic acid like symptoms in my whole body with tremoring and shuddering not always visible. Following this I have recurrent joint pain, extremely severe in my hips and shoulders and feel exhausted. I am constantly tired. The only solution appears bed rest. I have had a series of skin rahsed with tiny bumps that appear on my arms and torso and have had intermittent facial swelling and redness with accompanying eczema like rashes. These symptoms appear to come and go with periods of exacerbation and remission. My mother was recently diagnosed with sarcoidosis but has been unable to give me any information. My GP has suggested ankylosing spondylitis but I do not have any back pain. My blood tests have indicated high inflammatory markers with presence of RH factor. I have also had dry eyes however this has resolved for now.
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    • Dr Simon Easterbrook-Smith
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  • Dr Simon Easterbrook-Smith

    Health Professional

    My research interests include immunology and the mechanisms of amyloid formation. The latter has implications for people who are dealing with Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease … View Profile

    I suggest that you ask your GP to refer you to to a specialist rheumatologist for more detailed investigations.

    Your elevated "RH factor" (I guess by this you mean rheumatoid factor) could indicate rheumatoid arthritis (your joint pain fits with this) as well as Sjögren's syndrome (your dry eyes fit with this). Elevated rheumatoid factor can also be associated with other autoimmune diseases like systemic lupus erythematosus.

    A specialist rheumatologist will be able to check out these and other possibilities with you and then, depending, discuss treatment options with you.

    All the best.

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