After quite a lengthy time of examination and testing, (7yrs) for multiple other diseases (MS, ALS, and others), I was officially diagnosed with Myastenia Gravis, which is considered a rare condition (so rare the spell check engine doesn't even recognize it). There are different forms and they are based off different antibodies and the severity of the disease varies from person to person -- There is different types (sero-negative, MuSK, a Lipid Associated tests include imaging bloodtests, respritory eval, neuro eval, nerve conduction studies, Endrophonium administration challenges, a drug challenge, an electrical test, and some others that would be necessary for evaluation. MG is associated with antibodies against AChR and MuSK but you should know that these are not always detectable by conventional assays, and the assay sensitivity will greatly affect the outcome of such a test. The duration of disease at the time the assay is performed influences results. (You can have normal AChR antibody levels during the early phase of symptoms and elevated AChR antibodies thereafter.) Associated factors may include any of the following pathologic antibodies on the postsynaptic membrane: Autoantibodies may also target other end-plate proteins (LRP4, rapsyn) and proteins involved in muscle contraction and excitation–contraction coupling (titin, myofibrillar proteins and RyR).
ACh: Acetylcholine;; ColQ: Collagen Q; LRP4: Lipoprotein-related protein receptor 4; MuSK: Muscle-Specific tyrosine kinase; RyR: Ryanodine receptor, ANA, AChR: Acetylcholine receptor; LRP4: Lipoprotein-related protein receptor 4; ; VGKC: Voltage-gated potassium channel, and other https://www.medscape.com/answers/1171206-92611/what-is-seronegative-myasthenia-gravis-mg
One should note, about 85% of those with MG have the autoantibodies, and test positive for postsynaptic nicotinic acetylcholine receptor but there are cases where none of the blood tests show antibodies, yet the treatment does abeit symptoms. Research is continues to find a biomarker for these MG seronegative subsets. https://www.aao.org/editors-choice/possible-biomarker-double-seronegative-myasthenia-
The popping in the case of MG results from laxity in muscles as they weaken, well it was in my case. As muscles weaken they are less able to stabilize joints and bones and this can also lead to pain and other injuries. A neurologist does the type of testing necessary to make a diagnosis, but you must find a doctor who has seen it before. Almost all cases have the vision changes though, and in some this stays localize to the eye muscles. In my case, the eye problems also led to severe headaches. The symptoms can come and go with severity based on time of day, exertion level, heat/cold exposure, stress level, and it is possible that MG can go in to periods of remission. It also does not always attack the same areas/muscles/muscle groups every time so the variety of symptoms and patient's vagueness in they description of a wide variety of symptoms are often misdiagnosed as "psychological" in origin by inexperienced primary physicians who have never seen a case. Some but not all of the symptoms you describe were what i noticed early on. You did not mention any headaches or vision changes, but that was part of what i was experiencing with fatigue. Here is a good resource on MG, please note the symptom list is a "may include" and not necessarily an "must include" set of symptoms. https://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/patient-caregiver-education/fact-sheets/Myasthenia-gravis-fact-sheet
Also, on the other note - There are cases of some drugs affecting joints and junctions, and you should look into this and see if any of the drugs you were prescribed had that as a possible side effect. One of the more common ones known to cause ligaments to tighten is widely used https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10663388
I am now on medications that are very helpful and have greatly improved my quality of life. I hope you find answers for your illness.
I have the same joint cracking and fatigue symptoms. I am 26 years old, feeling like I'm 86. I have fibromyalgia, chronic pain, and bursitis from a car accident almost 4 years ago. All of my bloodwork and imaging has come back negative. No one can explain why my joints crack. I can pretty much crack any part of my body. It's weird. Let's not talk about anxiety...It makes me anxious. <3
I’ve had the same symptoms plus many many more. Even neurological. Which messed me up and put me in a dark place. The more stuff I get tested for the more I think it’s related to the gut. I have had 4 rounds of antibiotics due to chronic sinusitis. And I feel that just tore my stomach up real good. Now I’m planning on doing a strict healthy diet with probiotics and supplements such as magnesium and curcumin. Good luck everyone. And anxiety makes everything worse so try to stay under control.
i have the same thing and i'm just 18 . it started a year or two ago and now i just feel old as even playing a simple sport makes my ankles and muscles hurt after .Was wondering if any of you were vegetarians (since i am) ,so maybe it's some sort of deficiency .Need urgent answers :/
It's been one year since the start of my initial symptoms. I still have random jolts throughout my body and my hands and arms feel very fatigued with any activity. My joints in my hands feel like if I have arthritis sometimes.
I'm still having symptoms one year later. I have constant random jolts throughout my body. I am a physical therapist and anytime I do hands on my patient such as a massage my arms and hands feel like I have just done an hour workout. They feel very fatigued and it almost feels like I have arthritis. Anyone feel some of the same symptoms?
I have the same symptoms, also started after an antibiotic treatment..from my research I believe it's related to some gut dysfunction..but i didn't find yet any remedies. Any of you have an update on this?
I suffer from the same symptoms, and it was caused by Avelox a flouroquinolone antibiotic I took 6 years ago.
I'm a healthy male in my mid 30's. I exercise 4 times a week. My muscle twitches began 12 months ago, I noticed them after feeling some strange numbness and discomfort in my wrists on my daily swims. It was combined with a general sense of constant fatigue. My joints started cracking about 6 months ago and are now cracking all over my body (fingers, toes, hips, neck, back, shoulders etc.) with most basic movements. I have also developed tinnitus.
Over the past 10 months I have had ANA blood tests (normal), Lyme disease test (normal - mind you it was just the basic NHS test), MRI - Brain scan (Normal), I have seen psychologists, had CBT, taken meditation classes, acupuncture, changed my diet, cut out alcohol and kept my exercise routine as constant as possible. But my symptoms just gradually worsen.
After the course of actions I have undertaken I have concluded that my condition is not mentally related, but I am at a total loss as to what it is. I only turn to online forums because after 10 months of taking the medical and some alternative medical paths I've still got no closure to an answer, which is depressing.
I am wondering if it's some sort of bacteria related illness from a month long course of antibiotics I took about 14months back (due to a foot infection). I've just started taking magnesium and gingko to see if that helps my symptoms. And I'm considering a 3 month course of pro-biotics (I say considering because they are expensive).
If anyone who has posted previously on this thread or some health professional knows more about these type of symptons please share your treatment experiences.
I have the same issue you all are describing. Wonder what kind of diet you had when this happened, any major life experience, activity changes or other chronic illness? I am a type 1 diabetic whose had a rough life experience when the twitches and then joint cracking set in. Been 1 full year with twitches and a few months joint cracking.
I've been having similar symptoms. It first started about 4 weeks ago when I had constant muscle twitching on my left and between my thumb and index finger. This lasted about 2 weeks straight. Then after two weeks it stopped but I am now having random muscle fasciculations/ jolts sporadically thoughout my body. It has been 4 weeks straight and still has he to stop. I also recently noticed increased joint popping. Is this a sign of muscle wasting? I'm still able to run up my stairs and use both hands so Im not sure if it's just the start to a bigger problem or what. Let me know if I should be concerned or not.
Exact same problem i'm going through at the moment, i'm 26 and having all of those symptoms described above, all started with a small back pain that went into shoulder etc, now i have twitches, mussel pains, aches, and constant joint cracking. Worried its some muscle wasting disease.
What your explaining is exactly what I'm having go on. The twitching randomly started 2 years ago in my legs, and now occurs in my entire body. Extremely random but basically occurs all the time. I just turned 30, I'm in shape, and live a very active lifestyle. Have been puzzled as to what is going on. Recently my joins have also started popping, I am not affected physically by this, but having a joint pop with almost every movement seems weird. A specialist suggested I may have a form of Muscular Dystrophy called CMT. Haven't paid for the expensive testing to confirm yet. With this post being a few years old, have you had any luck diagnosing anything ? I've only had a flu shot once in my life, which did happen to be a few months before all of this started. Hadn't thought of that until I read this post.... hmm, any ideas?
Hi I am having exact same problem. I think its the tendons which are cracking but i don't really know. my doc says its tendons wear and tear. once a thread goes it doesn't grow back but apparently new ones grow. you have to see physiotherapist. to strengthen tendons. the other pains i have been seeing alternative therapist, she says certain ways that the way we live our lives causes energy blocks and wear and tear. so eat well and well im craving sunshine.
did you have a flu jab. I was wondering if my probs where related to flu jab.
yrs n.
Thanks for the advice. The one instance of cramping isn't the issue however; its the constant, if not painful joint cracking in almost all my joints. At my age it seems very uncommon and considering the other symptoms (fasciculations, occasional feelings of muscle twitching, carpel tunnelesque wrist and lower arm stiffness and occasional pain) I'm left wondering if they could be connected...
Thank you for your question. Although without being able to examine you, I can not offer you the specific advice on diagnosis and treatment that you need, but I would try to provide you some relevant information about your health concern.
Usually, muscle cramps are common in salt imbalance, circulatory problems, with certain medications, excessive cold temperature, whilst you are relaxed or resting, during or after exercise, or after sitting in an uncomfortable position and sometimes with nerve impingement. Most of the times, they are not related to any underlying disorder but needs checking out with a doctor to assess that your leg circulation and nerve supply are working appropriately. Meanwhile, I would suggest eat a diet rich in fruit and vegetables, vitamin E & zinc supplement, drink at least eight glasses of water in a day and avoid smoking. Hope this helps.