Expert: Dr. Nekessa Remy - 12/10/2009

Question
Hi I am a 25 yr-old caucasian female. At about 13 years old I noticed that I had a awkward hip poping. It usualy happened when I walked or rotated my hip or pelvis when doing stretches or excersise. While standing I can pop it out and you can see and feel it. It didn't really hurt but it was a strange and uncomfortable feeling. I have over flexibility in my hips, elbows, and shoulder joints. I also have a history of TMJ, Asthma, IBS, excema and allergies.  A year ago I had also been experiencing pain in my wrist that I believe is associated with my profession. It radiated up my arm and into my elbow; I also had numbness in my thumb. If I ware a brase it keeps it to a mild ache. The brase also seemed to get rid of the numbness in my thumb. Over the recent couple of years I have been experiencing increasing pain in the hip and knee and on rarer occasions my elbow. Cold seems to increase the pain in my hip and knee as well as sitting for long periods of time. All my joint pain is located on the right side of my body only. Recently over the past couple years I have also been experiencing numbness and tingling on the left lower part of my back as well as my right toes. This happens at least once or twice a week now. About 2 years ago I lost feeling and motor control in my right leg while standing for about a minute but it hasnt happened since. So my question is; Do I have arthritis? What kind of Arthritis?Is it related to my allergies or food intolerance? Is it a nerve problem? Im only 25 why do I feel like Im 60?!

Answer
Arthritis is a possibility but you need x-rays to confirm this. Osteoarthritis is more likely that rheumatoid arthritis. The latter is associated with swelling in the joints as well. In terms of your neurological symptoms, I can't give you a definite answer without examining you myself. The fact that you lost control in your right leg concerns me, this should be examined by a healthcare professional. There are certain vitamin deficiencies that can cause neurological symptoms including vitamin B. A naturopath may be better able to assist you with your current concerns

Best of Luck