A

A

A

Font Size

Joint pain on the right side only..

About 20% of people with RA test negatively. It's called seronegative RA. There are lots of people here who's doctors thought there was nothing wrong with them and then they found out they had RA . Having a relative with RA increases you odds of getting it or getting another autoimmune disease. You should see a rheumatologist!

daphne

I guess I just have to somehow figure out a way to make these doctors take me seriously. I am actually starting up with a new doctor on Tuesday and hopefully i can get some of this addressed. Thanks for the advice anyway.

check out osteoarthritis and see a rheumatologist. i think i am about to do the same thing. my right arm and leg have been freezing and going numb. joints pop all day everyday. i have had 6 knee surgeries due to lost cartilage and always have achy pains. i am 25. reading about osteoarthritis sounds familiar......differs from ra in that it is one sided pain and a few other things.

I do. I suffer from pain only on my right side. I used to have these horrible migraines that I had after my first child in 1995. Now for some reason I don't get them at all after I ended with severe TMJ in the last 3 months after a dental procedure. Actually I noticed a year ago that my bite was getting smaller. Sometimes I could barely open it and I would do exercises to move my jaw so that it would move back into place the same or next day. But just recently after several dental procedures it was too much for my jaw and it locked up. So I have been seeing a TMJ Specialist over 200 miles away (in another city), doing physical therapy and both things with some medications only when I feel pain has helped so much. Before I could only open my mouth 4 mm now I'm at a typical 40mm. I still have concerns with how my ears feel all the time since the TMJ is so close to all the ear functions. But as I go down the right side body parts there's more. I get tension in my neck on the right side. My right arm and hand has pain when I write too much or when playing sports. Then my back only on the right side is a total story in itself but I was told by my primary doctor that it was mild scoliosis but the pain is not so mild especially because I have four kids so I stay active almost all the time. Also when I walk I can tell that right side foot points out instead of straight like my left foot so I am sure something is going on there especially because my knee pops. Even after all this I try to stay positive, have a good attitude and continue to do things but of course know my limits. I know that feeling though about getting the crazy looks. Unfortunately I have had no diagnosis to sum it all up I guess because I continue to do the regular things but with some pain. My primary doctor just has me come in every six months to see how I am doing since my symptoms are mild but slowly but surely going into the moderate range as I am getting older 33. I wish you luck and just letting you know that someone else shares your concerns.

I have had right body side issues since my auto accident in 1989. And only my right side. Ear issues, shoulder, knee, leg, hip,ankle. Its a nerve I just know, but with all the tests I've gone through and seeing a chiropractor no one can seem to find the problem. So I know what you are going through. Im hoping that a doctor see's these notes and comes up with an idea that can help with these (disabilities of life):

I, too, have right side joint pain., mostly in the hip and knee .I have been diagnosed with osteoarthritis at the ripe old age of 34. I have tried several different meds, including 1000 mg ibuprophen, and nothing works..Tramadol 50 mg takes the edge off (so does a sock full of uncooked white rice put in the microwave for about a minute), but causes headaches. Right now, I'm having a flare up where nothing is helping, at all...I have never broken any bones, never been injured really...If you find anything that works, let me know! Good luck, and remember...it's YOUR body, you know when something's wrong with it! Don't let anyone tell you it's your imagination!!

Me too! I have had my right knee replaced as well as the joint at the base of my thumb on the right hand. I have degenerative disk disease in the cervical area which only seems to hurt on the right side of my neck/shoulder. I also have sciatica, which also only has right pain & numbness. And last but not least my right ankle swells up by the end of the day along with varicose viens on the right leg. Why is it only on the right side? I am at a loss too.

I have been having issues with my joints on the right side for the past 5 years. I'm 52 and have been told that I have arthritis in my knee, plantars fasciitis in my right foot, and cervical arthritis on the right side of my neck. I have joint pain in my shoulder, elbow , fingers, hip, knee, and ankle on the right side. There are some days that I would just like to have my whole right side replaced. At this point just pushing through with the pain and not letting it make me give things up. It takes a little longer to do things but they still painfully get done.

When I discuss the different joint pain/aches with doctors, the first thing I hear is - 'You are getting older and are overweight. We can send you for therapy and put you on meds but there is no guarantee that will help.'

Discussed the knee with an orthopedic surgeon and was advised that they could do arthroscopy surgery but there would be no guarantee of not having pain afterwards and they weren't sure if it would even help.

I have a new doctor now and will give him a chance to come up with something better then - 'You are getting older and are overweight.'

Hello songbird

It sounds like to me you should be checking into a connective tissue syndrome for example Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome or Marfans Syndrome. I have Ehlers Danlos Syndrome Hypermobility type and I have chronic fatigue, joint pain and muscle ticks and spasms. Ehlers Danlos is a heritary connective tissue disorder that can not be tested through blood, but by a geneticist. I also have jaw pain, all of my joints from head to toe do dislocate and subluxate many times aday. But with many other syndromes, this varies person to person. Most general praticianers do not know of these very rare syndromes and conditions. You can look Ehlers Danlos syndrome up at WWW.EDNF.org and if the posted symptoms are similar, I highly suggest you talking to your doctor about a referral to a geneticist. All the best Misswierddivine from Sweden

Wow--another Ehlers Danlos patient!! You are right that most medical professionals do not consider this disorder--or even know what it is. A rheumatologist can examine you to determine how loose your joints are and determine your need to see geneticist for diagnosis. Unfortunately--there is no 'cure'--you treat the symptoms. I've not had much luck with pain relief, but I also have RA so could be just a bad combination. The most helpful thing for me has been the addition of Zanaflex at bedtime to decrease muscle spasms so that can sleep a little. Also--even though it is painful in the beginning, a good physical therapy program does wonders because the stronger the muscles that support your joints are, the better your chances of avoiding dislocations. Pls get professional advice b/f starting vigorous exercise program--you do not want to worsen your situation in any way.Check the website--it's very easy to navigate and is in plain english--you might be surprised to read the symptoms of EDS. It is said to be a rare disorder, but I think that may be because it is not talked about much. Good luck to you--I hope you find some answers!!

A few months ago, my right thumb started to bother me. I adjusted how I do some things (trying to avoid putting direct pressure on the knuckle), and it improved but has never completely gone away. Occasionally, my right wrist would also feel sore, which I just attributed to overuse. Then about a month ago, my right foot started bothering me. Initially, I thought I had slightly re-injured it (3 years ago, I severely sprained it), but then I decided it wasn't in the right place. My chiro and I both started to suspect plantar fasciitis, which it may still be, but...

Finally, it dawned on me that it is all on the right side. In my initial Internet search, I discovered that it can be linked to Crohn's Disease, which was an "aha" for me, because my doctor diagnosed me with IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) earlier this year. So...I suspect mine could be related to that. Perhaps the same is true for you and others who have posted here. BUT I was also diagnosed with degenerative disc in my cervical spine 5 years ago, when I was 35, so it could "just" be more degeneration.

I still don't know what to do about it other than try glucosamine/chondroitin, but maybe this will help solve the mystery for some of us.

Sounds like steroid therapy and some anti inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) might help although some people are not able to tolerate the NSAIDs (ibuprofen, Motrin, naproxen...etc) due to stomach irritation. Caution too that flare ups of IBS and Crohn's can be triggered by stress and certain foods. Keep a meticulous food diary to determine whether food or events may have prompted a painful episode as well as increase water intake. The glucosamine supplement may help, although current research has not proven its effectiveness--this could simply be a placebo effect--but pain relief is pain relief whether it works or you just think it works.

This is the first of any kind of site I have found that is even remotely close to what I am experiencing. I have joint pain in most of my joints but it is all on the left side. It started out as just my neck several years ago and now includes, neck, shoulder, wrist, lower back, hip, knee and ankle. I have been to numerous specialists including orthopedic surgeons and rhumatologists and so far no luck. My mothers side of the family has a history of auto immune diseases so that was my logical starting point but all test came back ok. (mom has lupus and RA, grandma has thyroid and RA and great grandma had RA.) I have a thyroid problem which I have had for the last 13 years and was recently diagnosed as gluten intolerant but that's about it. I am highly frustrated because I am only 26 and keep getting told either a) young people don't have issues like this and it will get better on its own or b) nothing is wrong. I know my body and I also know that i shouldn't feel like this at 26. I eat well and exercise and am not overweight (5'10" 155LBS) i am a PE teacher so i'm moving all day long. I am glad i finally found a page where people have similar issues.

Diet will be very important for you to monitor, particularly with gluten intolerance. It only takes one body system malfunction to throw off the rest of the body. It might also be a good idea to have your thyroid reassessed, if you haven't lately, to determine correct medication dosages--your thyroid gland controls many of the hormonal funtions that determine how you feel, so if you have been negative for other suspected autoimmune disorders, focus on maintaining care/control for what you do know needs attention.

I have had similar stiffness. When I drink alot of diet drinks the stiffness is worse. When I eat a lot of red meat the stiffness is worse. Try to avoid all the artificial sweetners and red meat. See if that helps with the stiffness.

All right side issues. Yes! I am empathetic to you all. I don't think I have been properly diagnosed for anything as of yet. The TMJ that digressed into DJD has been an issue for about 6 years. The jammed middle digit of my right hand has been present since a Frisbee golf outing in 2004 and the same for my second toe of my right foot since summer camp 2006. The latest issue is this hip pain I feel on the back upper side of my right hip that has been off and on for approx 2 years and is getting much worse in the last few months. When I got tested for kidney and liver function over a year ago everything checked out fine. Rheumatoid factor was well under 14. UCLA is calling for me to get arthritis tests again after my last jaw x-rays this summer. Unfortunately I am not under the care of any one specific doctor and my insurance ran out this summer. I am 25 years old. I have mitral valve prolapse and minor scoliosis in my upper back. Mild anxiety disorder and chronic muscle tightness (and foot pain while we're at it). I have heard some people say that many of these things symptoms could be related. Others go into blood types... I'm not sure what to think. I am open to your advice.

Address the anxiety first! as long as you have your cardiac condition under control. There is a cycle of pain that accompanies fear/anxiety and this puts you under more stress and causes tighter muscles and achy joints. My advice is to please get yourself some insurance so that medical problems will not further exacerbate your anxiety. Perhaps an allergy test may reveal something as well. Hang in there!

Hello! I TOO have been having issues with right side joint pain. I also have been diagnosed with TMJ and I think that maybe this is a relegating factor??? I am a 44 year old woman, living in Japan with my Military Husband and I have NEVER had this problem before, I am quite angry with the DR's here because I have never complained about joint pain before. This began only ONE year ago total and first it was my right foot (toes).. when my Mom came to visit and we were walking EVERYWHERE. The docs gave me a cortizone shot and said I had to wait for a Dr. that was coming to operate on my foot in September (NOW end of November, early December). Now it is my right shoulder and hand (fingers) that are also causing problems. What do I do to ease the pain?? Nobody here takes this seriously and douses my with about 100 / 800mg Ibuprofin. NOT working, Any help out there?? Thanks! C

Any kidney problems? You might want to look up some information on gout, especially if you are having accompanying swelling in your toes. Gout can often be controlled by altering your diet although medication may be needed initially. Keep trying and you will eventually find someone to listen--you definitely don't want further joint damage.

I too have been suffering similar ailments. Although I have bilateral joint involvement, my right side is seemingly more affected. Currently I have been given no diagnosis but have had blood work done for the RA factor which returned negative. Infrequently I seek help since I leave with little more information than what I presented with. Despite the numerous attempts in the past to discover what might be affecting my joints, I am starting to feel like some deep meditation on positive thinking and distraction may be my only solution. This chronic, progressive joint pain has been dragging me down for almost ten years now and I too am young and, otherwise, healthy. Exercise lately has been lacking due to newly achy joints--hips, knees, ankles, toes and occasionally some parasthesias in my fingers and wrists. Driving is often intolerable for longer distances and sleep is restless. I usually get that same crazy look, or at least the suspicion that the doctor thinks I am crazy, although I have seen a handful of physicians. Each physician has referred me for some type of therapy or dead-end diagnostic tool: massage therapy, chiropractic care, x-ray, MRI, anti-depressants, physical therapy, facet joint blocks, muscle relaxers, NSAIDs, steroids...etc. I am a 26 year old RN and can't imagine what 30 would feel like. It would be my greatest desire to be able to run around and play with my two young children and not have to stop and rest my aching joints. I hope there is an answer somewhere out there.

I don't have a answer for you, but I have noticed the same thing with me. Only, it is my right knee, rt wrist and arm. I do have a doctor appt. to get checked out. Have not ever been to a doctor for this before. It is strange that it is primary on the right side. I am 51 and never had any problems. However, I do belong to the gym for about two years and have been working out cardio for about 4-5 times a week. I do cardio every time for a hour and also do spinning 2-3 times a week with that. So, it may be something to do with that. I keep my grandbaby 2-3 days a week. It's hard getting up and down at times because of my knee. Don't know what it could be. Maybe we can come to a conclusion. Good luck with your problem and hopefully we can get some resolution.

I've been reading this blog for months and signed up today, because you seem to have alot of the same things I do. I have chronic tendinitis in my right wrist, shoulder, and elbow caused supposedly by psoriatic arthritis. I too have been perfectly healthy, and started going to the doctor for back and shoulder pain. I never had psoriasis, but about six months after the strange pains it appeared on my elbows!!!

I too had spent time at the doctors feeling like a nut, unable to explain the pain and strange changes, and had myself tested for just about everything. Finally, I scheduled an appt with a rheumatologist, and have since then tried just about everything to get better.

It's hard for me to even type, because my joints just dont cooperate with me anymore. My right hand and wrist are getting almost useless. I really wish I had something encouraging to give you, but it is also a daily battle for me even with meds. I have been dealing with it for about two years, and also in my thirties.

All I can say is try to find a good doctor who actually listens to what is going on with you, and is willing to put in the work to help you. I still question my diagnosis and treatment, and keep trying to find relief. Good luck and keep looking for answers, even though it is frustrating.

I cannot believe how many people have the same problem. My whole right side is affected. I noticed that even my right eye lid is thicker than the other and with pain in right ear, I have had MRI's, x-rays. etc. to rule out tumors. My rt should freezes up, my rt hip hurts and it is hard to bend leg, my right hand and fingers hurt, toes started hurting recently and a couple of days ago noticed my knee was hurting in one spot (on rt side of knee). I have asked them at VA to help me, but as with most of you, get looks like I am crazy. I have also had TMJ, but I bite the inside of my mouth (nasty habit) so I assumed that it was the cause of my right side jaw hurting and ear. No one could explain why my eyelid is thicker. But I have chronic allergies, so I assumed also that one of the sinuses on the rt was messed up. No problems at moment with sinuses, but I am having dizzy spells and fullness in ear (rt side only) like I am going to pass out. I had the same issue when I was pregant. I am right handed, so I do wish my left side was affected. Also having pain on rt side above temple. I think my teeth is part of the reason, but all the other swelling and pain in joints on rt side only is baffling. I do take Naproxenm but I hate pills. I have gotten 2 shots of cortizone and it helps. Toes (2nd, 3rd and fourth toe joints) have stopped hurting.

I have had left thyroid taken out and degenerative issues with back. I'll be 59 on Thanksgivng day and I feel like I am falling a part! Other issues as well

So glad I can go to VA for all the pain, as I have no job and no other health insurance!

patsy

Wow....with all of us having ridiculously similar problems, I think they should do a medical study on us and name a new syndrome for us!

I never in my life had right side pain before until now!! I have Osto arthrist. I was tested for RA The Arthrist Dr isn't ready to say I have RA yet. She did disclose about gout maybe I have? But never had a problem with my big toe? So I don't understand.

I am having such a time trying to walk it is usually only left side and I am use to that. But now my right side? O my goodness the pain is so bad and I still have to work and drive. I almost can't drive.

I will see my doctor next week for something else and will tell himn about this new event.

I hope you all find out what to do or what is next etc.

I hope I do too.

Until later I got to go.

Thank you for writing about your condition it has help me understand more.

I am 45yo SWM. I have right side of body, mild to severe, pain that is in my wrist, hip, ankle, knee, foot, elbow shoulder and have had temporary ear/hearing loss of 50% or so one time (felt like it was clogged or needed pressure adjustment). The most severe pain is usually in my wrist, knee and foot with a large amount of swelling. Swelling in my knee is always present as a lump behind the knee in the knee fold but the knee as a whole can swell to 2.5X regular size. All symptoms are temporary in one place or the other, or at the same time but never truly are gone, they just lessen to a tolerable state. It usually lasts about five days. I used to take Indocine because I was told by a doctor that it was gout when it started years ago, but I was never clinically tested, my toes are not effected and it is only on the right side of my body. Ibuprofen seems to help in large doses. I changed my diet and cut out red meat all together, no beer whatsoever, and eat mostly vegies, tofu, fruit, lots of water, no sodas, no tea or coffee, some red wine (in small amounts about 2x a week), but the pain persists. I have felt intermittent heart arhythmias and seen a cardiologist. I wore a monitor for 18 hours but nothing showed up I feel tired as hell after meals, and can sleep as much as 15 hours a night when the opportunity is there. Usually I get 6 hours max due to work or whatever. I have inherited hypertension that is controlled by Lisinopril HCTZ and take the meds on time regularly. Does anyone have similar issues? Has anyone been successfully diagnosed and treated? Does anyone have any suggestions? JB

Wow! I have also been having pain in only my right side. My right ankle has been in pain off and on since I was 17. I am only 21 now and feel like I am way to young to be having pain in my joints constantly. I have one 2 yr old daughter and have had horrible migraines since about 6 wks after she was born. They had went away for about 4 months and now have been back for 2 months. They usually occur 2-3 times a week, but the passed 3 weeks I have had a headache that sometimes progresses into a migraines ( they are mainly in my left temple) that start every day between 12 and 4 and last until about 12 or until I can finally fall asleep. The migraines are bothering me the most by the end of the day I am very irritable because I am so sick of my head hurting. My joint pain is getting worse over these 3 weeks also. It is my elbow ( which I thought might have been from playing softball until I was 18) my wrist the right side of my spine, my knee and my ankle. My ankle and back have been the worse. I woke up last night from the pain in my back and couldn't get back to sleep for about 30 minutes it hurt so bad. My ankle makes it hard for me to go to sleep because it just aches constantly it pops 24/7 and is just a constant pain that I try to block out. I am going to try and see a doctor tomorrow. I just don't understand the pain and migraines and have been afraid to get that are you serious or insane look from the doctors. I had also had pressure around the top of my head that felt like I was wearing a cap but higher up for 2 wks that just recently went away but the migraines have gotten worse. I really hope this gets solved...

Oh and I also have haw problems but have never been tested for tmj but if I open my mouth all the way my jaw pops then it pops again when I clos it back

I saw your message and wondered if you may have cluster headaches. I'm a 52 year old male that went for years without knowing I had cluster headaches. Mine were always intense over the right eye...they lasted for 4-5 hours a day and went on for a month or two..then were gone for months...then they came back. It was only after I read an article about somebody that found relief by vigorous escercise at the onset of a headache that I really go some help. When I felt one coming on I would either walk briskly, do pushups, etc until it went away. It doesnt always work but most of the time it does. That may not be your issue...but it helped me. I also have had pain on the entire right side of my body for 7 or 8 years now. I'm going to look into RA. Anyway..it's VERY painful and frustrating. I hope you find relief.

wow! There are so many of us with this problem! We're not crazy after all! Yay!

I, too, have joint pain only on the right side. Toes, ankle, (skip the knee, thank goodness), hip and back, sometimes the whole leg aches- but also have flat feet, shoulder, elbow-aches and pops loudly, wrist just recently and fingers, also have TMJ. What is up with us???

Interesting the TMJ connection between many of us.

I too have right side joint pain and didn't get any answers when I went to a Rheumatologist. All my tests were normal. But I'd like to know how your pain starts and progresses. My pain will start in one joint, such as my elbow, then I will get the same pain in my wrist then the pain radiates between the joints until my whole arm and all the joints are affected. The same process happens in my leg (knee to ankle and then knee to hip). I've noticed that while in pain, my right hand and/or foot becomes cold. I've also noticed my right hand loses strength and sometimes I loose coordination as well. When I was describing this to the doctor, he looked at me like I was a bit loony!! I just want to know if I'm the only person experiencing this migrating pain...

I'm 47 years and also have had right side only pain. After 9 years I discovered through trial and error what alleviates the pain. This is what has worked for me. I want to state I'm not a doctor or anything else in the field of medicine and not pushing any products. In 2001 I had knee (right) surgery to fix my patella. After recovering, my right leg was smaller due to non use. I noticed that joint pain (right side) was caused by my favoring the left side to do all the work. It was at this point I started working on fixing this pain. Here's what I found out by keeping a daily diary of what I ate, how I slept, weather and meds. The first real definitive cause for some of my joint pain was salt. My diet, which I thought was good, was full of salt. I also wasn't drinking enough water. Whenever I had pain I'd just take Ibuprofen (4) and wait. This was just the start and only one element of what I discovered. Another food was vinegar. Read the labels, you'll be amazed how much processed food has these in them. So I cut down my intake of salt/vingar first and I drink 1/2 gallon of water a day. One positive side effect was the water helped me lose 10 pounds. Next every morning I'd wake up stiff. My feet would crack and my (right side) hip/shoulder joints would too. So I started simple stretches like lunges to stretch out my hip muscles and windmills (like Pete Townsend does on guitar) which rotated my shoulder cuff. This helped loosen me up, but I still felt sore nearly every morning. Since my knee lost cartilage I had been using osteo bi-flex. This did help my knee, but not my hip or shoulder which is where 99% of the pain was at that time. The mornings stiffness was a clue about how I slept. The mattress I slept on was hard and I sleep on my right side primarily. During the night I constantly tossed back and forth. So I decided to try the "sleep comfort mattress"; the one that you can adjust the air. After a few days of testing the hardness I finally found what seemed to be comfortable (much softer than what I had been sleeping with). In addition I added a body pillow to stick between my arms and legs. The pain in my joints had subsided greatly and I slept more soundly. I then started working out at a local gym on the elliptical machines and weights. This helped all the usual stuff, cardio, muscle development etc. After a year I felt much stronger, but my pain returned. I thought what changed? It was my body mass/muscles had grown. I had to adjust my bed hardness. Once I changed that to softer again my pain subsided within one night. On an odd note based on my diary entries I also noticed that when I drank Guinness stout, my joints didn't hurt. I'm not saying you should try this, but I did find a pattern with my system. According to what I researched Guinness stout is made from water, barley, hops, brewer's yeast and is treated with isinglass finings made from fishes' air bladders, although Guinness has claimed that this finings material is unlikely to remain in the finished product. A portion of the barley is roasted to give Guinness its dark colour and characteristic taste. It is pasteurised and filtered. This was stated online. I didn't drink enough to feel inebriated.

Like I said this works for me. I tried the doctor route, but never found a "cure". There may not be one, but I also know how my body feels day to day.

Summary

diary (cold weather affected me more than warm) removed as much salt as possible better diet (greens, drank 1/2 gallon of water a day osteo bi-flex ibuprofen stretched in the morning/work out adjusted my mattress Guinness stout

good luck.

cs