What do joint pains, chest pain, and itchy hands suggest?

Question

Hello doctor,

My mom and sister both have autoimmune disorders. I am starting to think I might as well and wondering if I should see a rheumatologist. My symptoms are the following: pain in joints such as headaches; chest pain randomly when breathing deeply; toes turn purple and cold a lot; hands and toes turn red if I walk, especially in the heat, and they also start swelling or itching or burning; cheeks and nose are red or pink a lot; IBS; and sensitivity to cold.

Please suggest.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

It is really important to take your symptoms seriously, especially with a family history of autoimmune disorders and the symptoms you are describing.

Your symptoms and what they might indicate:

Joint pain, headaches, chest pain on deep breaths, and sensitivity to cold can be linked to autoimmune conditions like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, or other connective tissue diseases.
Purple toes and coldness, plus red, swollen, itchy, burning hands and toes with heat or walking, could suggest issues with blood vessel circulation, such as Raynaud’s phenomenon, which often occurs in autoimmune diseases.
Cheeks and nose that are red or pink a lot could be a “malar rash,” which is classic for lupus.
IBS and sensitivity to cold may or may not be related but can be part of a systemic process.
Your blood test showing high phosphatidylserine or prothrombin antibodies (IgG) suggests a possible antiphospholipid antibody presence, which can increase clotting risk and is associated with autoimmune conditions like antiphospholipid syndrome (APS).

What should you do?

Yes, seeing a rheumatologist is a very good idea. They specialize in autoimmune and connective tissue disorders and can evaluate your symptoms and laboratory tests in detail.

The rheumatologist can order further tests, assess your symptoms, and help create a management plan to improve your quality of life and reduce risks.

It is important to follow up on the repeat blood test in 12 weeks to confirm if the antibody is persistently elevated.

Meanwhile:

Keep a symptom diary (when symptoms flare, what triggers them, and severity).
Avoid extreme cold to reduce Raynaud’s symptoms.
Seek medical attention urgently if you experience severe chest pain or neurological symptoms.

I hope this has helped you.

Please feel free to reach out to me again if you have further queries.