You probably have a few things going on. The arthritis is a given and the treatment for that could have given you a new, or agravated an existing ulcer. The protonix is a good move and especially taking it twice a day. It does take a few weeks or even months to heal that ulceration. The pain in your back could be referred pain from your eroded esophogus. If x-rays and MRIs were clear, I wouldn't worry about tumors or cancer or anything. If your activity level is staying up good and the pain medication helps keep your pain under control, you are probably going the right coarse of treatment. The tightness in your calves and fingers... The calves concern me, it could be some sort of blood clot. There is a simple way to test for that however. If you can flex your "toes towards your nose" and you aren't having severe pain or heat, it wouldn't be a blood clot. The tightness in your fingers could be more joint pain rearing its ugly head. More blood tests and possibly a CAT scan from your arthritis specialist or even an internal medicine doctor could help rule more things out. I am concerned hearing that you are having all this joint and muscle pain. Could it be Fibromyalgia, Rheumatoid Arthritis, or Multiple Sclerosis? Those kind of things could be ruled out by working with an internist (internal medical doctor.) Hope this helps!
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