Question
I've been noticing burning sensation throughout my body for about eight months now,  and the joint pain started approx. two months after the burning sensation started.  Twice in the last eight months my left foot hurts when awake in the morning.  It hurts to the point that I can barely walk.  I noticed a couple of months ago that I have a lump on my left foot.  I only noticed it,  because I was looking for a reason why my foot would hurt.  The only way I can see it if I turn my left foot outward and the lump is diagonal to my ankle joint (towards the top of my foot).  It isn't painful to the touch and it has somewhat of a softness to it.  Softer than a bone (about the texture of a small bouncy ball).  At times my left leg will ache and I get joint pain throughout most of my body.  I mostly get joint pain in my left elbow, my left knee and my left fingers. My left thigh seems to have pain too.  I can't tell if it is muscle or bone pain.  It is a stabbing feeling. The pain mostly originates on my left side,  but occasionally I will feel joint pain in my right knee and left hand.  I don't have any swelling to my knowledge or hot to touch.  I do have left shoulder pain (at the top by my neck), and lower back pain when I sit.  I notice that the pain will subside if I stay active.  I will lift light weights on my legs and arms before I go to bed at night so I am less painful the next day.  If I have a full active day the pain subsides for a few days.  The burning sensation is constant at times then subsides for a few weeks and returns at a constant rate.  
I was on effexor xr for almost two years.  It took me almost seven months to wean myself off of it. I have been off of effexor since April 2008. I noticed the burning sensation within a week of being fully off of the medication.  Then the joint pain followed. Does the medication have anything to do with the pain that I am in? My family doctor won't take me seriously.  I'm not sure what type of specialist I need to see.  What would you recommend?  Thank you for your time!

Answer
Torie,

The symptoms you describe can be caused by depression. Since it started after coming off of effexor there could be a connection. It is something you should talk to a doctor about. Whether or not this is the cause you should see a doctor. You should not be in this kind of pain and the only way to stop it is to find out the cause.

Rusty