i heard hair lose could be autoimmune problems

[Kathy7794]

i have lived with some problems for years, that has gotten worse, such as my knees feel like the are going to just snap, can't walk up and down stairs much, can't run, cant walk up inclines, i was told by my ciropractor i have "rust" built up behind my knee caps.
It's these new things thats scareing me to death tho, my hair is falling out from the back, at my neck line, going up to the top of my head, it's a big patch that just keeps getting bigger, i have visual field defects in both eyes , according to my eye doc, my back has started hurting lower and rite between shoulder blades, i cant stand at sink and wash a sink full of dishes i have to take breaks cause it just hurts to bad, my fingures and toes have started going numb, and feeling as if they are on fire, alot. mostly fingures tho.as well as haven headach that start at the top of my neck, where the back of my head meets it, i have no insurance so can't just go to any doctor, but i'm thinking i need to soon...lol, but if you can give me a clue as to what all this might be it would be helpful, thank you for your time
i heard that some hair lose can be autoimmune problems, and wondering if this is all linked together as some bigger problem i just dont know anymore........

[Deelited]

Hi Kathy,

I suffer from a lot of the same symptoms as you and have recently been diagnosed with an autoimmune thyroid disorder. If I were you I would start investigations with your thyroid. The only way you can know for sure is through blood tests.

Unfortunately autoimmune conditions are difficult to diagnose and usually require a battery of tests from different specialists. I have been searching for answers for many years and only recently been diagonsed, its just so frustrating. The hair loss is such a rotten symptom to cope with, I truly know how you feel. I have only recently started on medication (Oroxine) and the Dr states it may help the hair loss, it may not, wait and see.  

I hope you find some answers soon. Feel free to message me if you want to chat, take care x

[bauerboy67]

Hi Kathy7794

Have you ever had your Thyroid checked at all?  When I was in grade 3....many MANY years ago, I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's Disease.  Now I have two other auto-immune disorders (RA and Vitiligo).  It's like a combo platter, you get one thing, you get them all! With thyroid problems, that could be the cause of your hair problems.  For your bones and the sorts, get a ra factor test and see where that puts you.  It never hurts to get a blood test done every now and then!  

The best of luck to you!

[karajo]

It is very possible that the hair falling out could be related to the joint and muscle problems.  

The one thing that comes to mind is Lupus.
There are 11 criteria for a lupus dx.  You must have at least 4 of the 11 to recieve a dx.

They are:
1. malar rash over cheeks (butterfly rash) (74%)
2. discoid rash, red raised patches
3. photosensitivity - reaction to sunlight, resulting in skin rash and flare up of other symptoms (50%)
4. oral and (or) nose ulcers
5. arthritis (95%)
6. serositis - inflamation of the lining of the lung or heart
7. reanl disorder - excessive protein in urine and/or cellular casts
8. neurologic disorder - seizures, or psychosis
9. anemia or low white blood count or lymphopenia or low platelet count
10. positive ANA
11. positive anti-DNA or anti-Sm, or antiphospholipid antibody or false pos. syphilis test

Other symptoms are:
fever (90-95%)
abdominal pain
chest pain
shortness of breath
blood in urine
hair falling out (27%)
fatigue (90%)
muscle pain and weakness (90%)
dizziness
poor memory
headaches
poor circulation in fingers and toes
tingling in extremities
diarrhea
bloating
nausea
weight loss
blurred vision
depression
palpitations
raynauds (where fingers turn white when cold)
intollerance to cold
sore throat
lymph node swelling (50%)
...to name a few

Lymes can also cause joint pain.  

Rexall has a product you might want to try for your hair.  It's called Hair, Skin and Nails.  You can find it in the supplement section.

Is there not a place you can go to get any health care at all?  If so, they might want to do an ANA.  This is an expensive test, but is one of the 11 criteria.  The sad part about it is, they don't take just one test, they do many to see if it is consistantly elevated.  The best tip I ever got was to spend time in the sun prior to having my ANA checked.  It really helped speed up the dx process.  There are many things that can cause joint pain and other aches.  I know only a dr. could examine you to determine and rule out possibilities.  Generally the diagnosing is a long process of putting puzzle pieces together.  Meanwhile try to keep a diary of symptoms.  And whether sun exposure makes things worse.

God bless you

[lisaob1]

hi, my daughter has a rare genetic syndrome called goldberg and shprintzen syndrome,.also not to be confused with shprintzen goldberg,they are totally different,she is one of only 15 in the world,i still search for answers now as its so rare there just isnt any but as you know as a mother it doest stop  you trying. she has an extremely rare muscle disease an syringomyelia,an so many other complications, i dont think for one minute you are experiencing this syndrome,but i do feel as far as feeling alone and not knowing whats happening and how to deal with it i can so relate,its so hard to put into words in such a short blog,but i hope you truely know where im coming from and that your not alone,i will always be here if you need advice or even just to talk an put the world to rights ha with love and best wishes xxxx

[Kathy7794]

thank you so much for answering, what rare genetic syndrome does your daughter have?

[lisaob1]

hi my daughter has a rare genetic syndrome and the symptoms you have mentioned she has.her hair although it doesnt fall out is very sparse,and she has a muscle disease that affects her where her joints click. i dont think for one minute you have my daughters syndrome but i would look to further investigate what your going through as there is a possibility of it being genetic,i say this as there is furthermore you finding answers and the help you deserve and you are looking for.good luck. im just going from this post but if you want to talk more please dont hesitate best wishes