Hydroxyapatite Crystal Disease

Hydroxyapatite Crystal Disease has few notes written about it, and even searching other online sources, the same paragraphs are repeated. I have this disease, and not finding, or having been given much information regarding how it progresses, apart from being told the end result is, the complete destruction of any infected joint, with no chance of having a joint replacement, i have decided in order to help others with this disease, to explain how my symptoms have progressed over the years. In 2004 i started having pins and needles in my right hand, a few weeks later my left hand started the same. My GP arranged for tests, which showed i had Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in both hands. (have since been informed this disease can cause Carpal Tunnel Syndrome). I had the operations three months apart. Working with my hands in the construction industry, over the next two years i found the pain increasing and my right hand would "explode" open, dropping whatever i was holding. I could not grip tools so had to give up this work. My GP again sent me for x-rays on both hands, then referred me to a specialist in 3 months time. I paid to go private to hasten things up. The outcome was, after 3 different specialists and dozens of tests, scans etc, over a two year period, i was informed i have this disease. To date, (02/16) this disease is in most fingers, both hands, wrists, most toes, both feet and ankles, and now left shoulder. (early symptoms are starting in my right shoulder now). I had, and still have violent painful spasms (like receiving an electric shock) in the infected joints, some of which are now transforming into a longer periods of excruciating pain, which makes my cry out. Rest is the best relief of pain, and waking in the morning is the best time of day regarding having less pain. Getting to sleep can take 3 or 4 hours, so now i sleep in my reclining chair during the day or whenever i need to. At the moment, i am taking 2 x 50mg "Tramadol Hydrochloride Capsules" when the paid is bad, and only take them when i have too, as a side effect is constipation. My GP said the next level of pain relief will have to be morphine based. I gave up driving almost 5 years ago due to the spasms and bad grip of the steering wheel. I now use a mobility scooter to get around, as even walking more than 30 feet if almost impossible. I hope to add to this comment in future, to allow people with this disease to have some expectations of it's progression. I hope this has helped some ?. 26/ 03/ 2016. Added comment. In the past couple of months the grip in my right hand has deteriorated, after holding a knife, trying to straighten my fingers is very painful, also i can feel the tendons in some of the fingers "flick", as if caught on something then being released, causing great pain. The left hand is painful but not as bad as my right yet. The palms of both hands give out great pain when holding anything too. The left shoulder is now affected, mainly when lying on my right side in bed, but when i turn onto the left side, the pain eases. This shoulder pain is a constant pain and not shooting pain as other joints ?. After about three months the pain eased off and is now sporadic. Once again, if any new symptoms arise, i will add them to this page.