What Causes Pain In Neck And Back Daily?

Posted on Fri, 11 Mar 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 11 Mar 2016 Answered on

Thu, 19 May 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : I am constantly battling colds and flues. Although I get my flue shot, I have had 8 colds in the last 12 months. I have arthritis in my joints, IBS, and frequent head and body aches. I generally get sick each time I get worn down. I eat well, excercise daily and at a good weight of 140 pounds. I seem to go through periods of flare ups when I feel and hurt more than usual, but generally I suffer daily from neck and back pain.
I have family history of rheumatoid arthritis but my blood work is ok. Is it possible, given my symptoms, that I have rheumatoid arthritis? Even if it won't show in blood work. I am hoping that a diagnosis will lead to a treatment plan that will improve my quality of life!

Answered by Dr. Dr. Shruti Rijhwani (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Less likely.

Detailed Answer:
Dear Madam,

Thank you for posting your query on HCM.

Well looking into your query I will like to tell you that there is a possibilty to have other autoimmune disease like lupus which can present like this . Rheumatoid arthritis wont be labelled till you get swelling in joints specially when your markers are negative . when one autoimmune disease is present in family tendency to have another goes up so you should be evaluated for Lupus specially . Get an ANA , ENA profile , S. TSH , CPK , Vit, D levels done to rule out metabolic cause also . Any other query please ask.

Take care.

Dr. Shruti

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar