Chris lived with Veronica at 407 N Broadway for approximately 10 years starting in the early 2010’s. In April of 2016, he had his first inflammatory arthritis attack in his ankle while hiking in Big Bend National Park in Southern Texas. He’s had an attack every 6-10 months since in a different large joint, including the elbows, knees and ankles. Each attack hits one joint at a time, lasts from three to 14 days, and forces the joint to swell up with a reduced range of motion.
At first, we thought it was gout but the disease didn’t seem to track with gout’s typical symptoms; it didn’t attack the big toe, it seemed to attack tendons and ligaments instead of inside the joint, and uric acid levels were within the normal range. Tests could not verify. So, we asked for a blood test seeking any possible cause including Lyme and Celiac diseases. All tests have been negative, so there has been no explanation.
The National Institute of Health has determined that mold can cause such attacks, so living at 407 N Broadway may have caused the pain. And the attacks have diminished significantly — in terms of the severity of pain, the length of time between attacks, and the duration of the attacks — since moving out on Oct 7, 2021. And the attacks seem to be fading away altogether.
Here’s a brief documented history:
June 14, 2021 – Seek help with an attack in elbow
Chris visits GP Paul Murata to discuss joint attacks. Mistakenly label it gout for a lack of a better explanation. Given printout about medial epicondylitis (golfer’s elbow) due to inside-of-the-elbow pain.
June-14-2021-elbow-pain-visit-murataAug 13, 2021 – Elbow attacked again
Chris is in Oregon, so he uses a virtual visit through his insurance. Again explains that it might be gout out of ignorance, but Nurse Practitioner Kimberly Marshall is skeptical; thinks it is something else. Advised to go to the ER.
aug-13-elbow-pain-virtual-visit-1-combinedThe ER in Oregon City, OR, found no evidence of gout. Chris told that it’s “possible bursitis,” prescribed anti-inflammatories and advised to rest.
aug-13-er-visit-finds-no-goutOct 12, 2021 – Seek answers about joint pain from new GP
Joints continue to swell and ache so a blood test is performed to determine possible cause. Gout, Lyme and Celiac disease — all possible causes — come back negative. Have not found cause of attacks to this day and there is no test for mold-caused arthritis.
Oct-12-blood-panel-REDACTEDEver Since – Joint attacks abating
Joint attacks have greatly diminished. Only two in the two years since moving out and both were mild. The last attack, occurring early June 2023, only lasted three days with mild pain, swelling and very little loss of range of motion.