Can anybody relate to these symptoms?
Early 2024 I developed 'tendinitis' in two separate sites in each shoulder and one on each distal biceps tendon. There was no injury, no changes to my training or diet, and no explanation that I could give to the cause. This was diagnosed by a physio, but as somebody with a human physiology based biology degree, I was already suspicious that something systemic was at play. Symptoms persisted for around 5 months, not noticeably improving with physiotherapy and only NSAIDs provided mild relief. Gradually over time symptoms reduced (and physio then became more successful), but never went away.
During the first half of 2025 I developed hip issues. Each hip would ache when lying in the fetal position, initially it would be the top hip that ached, nowadays both hips are in agony in the top or bottom position. The pain became very severe over time and has drastically reduced my quality of life. It affects me all day long, but is worse in the morning and at night when everything seizes up. The issue persists to this day, it did die down for about 3 weeks towards then end of 2025, then came back without any incident or aggravation, and today is worse than ever.
Between January and May 2026, my 2024 issues (which were still mildly present, but died down significantly) came back to rear their ugly heads, and this time they brought friends. Both distal biceps tendons, two places in both shoulders, both distal triceps, both distal quadriceps and some knuckle, finger, toe and metatarsal pain, just for seasoning. I also developed inner eyelid inflammation to the point where I can no longer wear contacts, and severe stomach cramping / nausea / vomiting symptoms and, oddly, a new aversion to foods that I used to love.
Now, there is not a human being on this planet, of any profession, that could convince me there is nothing systemic going on. The multi-site, symmetrical, unprovoked, episodic and 'flaring' nature absolutely scream a systemic driving force behind these issues.
Recent MRIs have found 'signs of damage' to both my SI joints (may be misremembering the word damage here, but they found something) and some localised low-level oedema. They took bloods to be sent to test for HLA-B27 but the lab sent back generic bloods and didn't test for that marker (the only thing we actually wanted to test for, lol), so I need to go back.
Anyway, apologies for the long post, I do struggle to be concise and this is something that has dominated my life for nearly 3 years and I just desperately want help.
So, can anybody relate to these symptoms?