Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Take this interactive test to see if your symptoms could be RA.

RA vs SSLR

a serum sickness-like reaction (SSLR)

Of the list of things you mention,  I notice the following as being part of CFS, CFIDS 'gulf war syndrome' symptoms ...

or Harm from 2-butoxyethanol poisoning.

autoimmune disorders  *

IgM nephropathy *

seizure disorder *

hypothyroidism

rash, urticaria, photophobia, malaise

Autoimmune urticaria CIU autoantibodies to the IgE receptor

gradual onset on neck and shoulder pain radiating down the arms

numbness in the hand

joint pain

Not as many are hereditary as is thought -  

I strongly suspect this chemical's poisoning.

 

What else to look for

 

Try glyconutrients Maybe it would be a help to stop the AUTOIMMUNE functioning of the Immune System.

For those chemically poisoned (whether directly, indirectly, or from a parent prior to one's conception), it is important to avoid exposure to other chemicals, as you are already concerned about.

Margaret e-mail

I know several people who were exposed to the 2-butoxyethanol chemical during the Exxon Valdez oil spill cleanup who have come down with RA

http://medhelp.org/perl6/arthritis/messages/85.html

The FATIGUE
Brain Tumors?
 
Protect Yourself From Future Harm - Learn what Products YOU use that contain it

Check for what products contain 2-butoxyethanol
(CAS Registry Number: 000111-76-2)
in the Household Products Data Base
http://hpd.nlm.nih.gov/ingredients.htm

5% concentration is not safe for home use, per one expert in product development.

Also check for the complex version Diethylene glycol monobutyl ether or 2-2-butoxyethanol (CAS Registry Number: 000112-34-5)

4-27-05

serum sickness-like reaction

Serum sickness was first described by von Pirquet in 1905 following the use of antidiptheria horse serum. It is characterized by fever, arthralgia, skin eruptions, lymphadenopathy, nephritis, edema and neuritis.

A similar condition, known as serum sickness-like reaction (SSLR), has been recognized in association with a variety of drugs including: penicillin, sulfonamides, thiouracils, hydantoins, p-aminosalicylic acid, phenylbutazone, thiazides and streptomycin. Cases of SSLR have also been reported following the use of cefaclor, a second generation cephalosporin. In contrast to classic serum sickness, signs and symptoms of SSLR involving cefaclor appear to be confined primarily to findings including erythema multiforme or other skin manifestations accompanied by arthritis or arthralgia, with or without fever.

Source:  http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hpfb-dgpsa/tpd-dpt/adrv6n4_e.html

fair use

Reaction to penicillin - sslr aaaai.org/aadmc/inthenews/news/2003archive/serum_sickness_penicillin.html

e-mail & reply from the American Cancer Society