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Crepitus? What's going on?!?

For the last two and a half months I've been having some transient muscle and joint pains. They're not debilitating but they do hurt and are putting a strain on my emotional well-being. They all started after frottage and body kissing with a girl at her apartment. I was pretty stressed about it (I'm a germaphobe) and thought that the pain might be psychological. However, I've had horrible crepitus this last two months. Every SINGLE joint cracks (toes, shoulder, fingers, knees, elbows, neck, spine) My pain might be psychosomatic but it could also be viral or autoimmune. The thing is, my doctor has no idea. He doesn't think it's lupus (I'm young, male, and white/pain in spine), rheumatoid arthritis (transient and migratory pain in EVERY joint, effects large and small joints, lower spine pain), CFS (no fatigue whatsoever), rheumatic fever (negative titers/no strep throat), Whipple's disease (1000 recorded world-wide cases in history), Multiple myeloma (less than fifteen cases under the age of 21 in recorded medical history), Behcet's (very, very rare and very, very, very rarely effects the muscles or causes myalgia), thryoid problems (negative tests) , Ankylosing Spondylitis (HLA-B27 negative), MS (pain in the joints), or lyme (negative tests). Every single STD test is negative and conclusive.

I think my true diagnosis might lie with the symptom of crepitus. I know that certain forms of arthritis that can cause it, after years of deterioration. But this happened two weeks into the onset of symptoms and, as someone who has played sports and actively stretched all his life, I know exactly what part of my body cracks and how loudly it cracks. I now sound like I'm 80 and made of peanut brittle.

Every time I think that I have something specific (lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, CFS, behcet's) an aspect of my symptoms (spine pain, muscle pain, lack of fatigue) discounts it. With such vague and uncommonly grouped symptoms, I wonder if crepitus might be the key to unlocking my diagnosis. Will inflammation cause it ( I have had two negative tests for both ESR and CRP)? Is crepitus common of autoimmune conditions or viral conditions? This early on in the process, I'm sure it can't be indicative of destruction of the joints, can it?
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Avatar universal
Hi there

Did you ever find some explanation to your symptoms?

I feel I have similar symptoms and have found forums that are discussing this.

Andrew
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1 Comments
How is your condition today, are you better
Avatar universal
I'm a 27 y/o male And I've also been having the same symptoms of crepitus from head to toe within days of exposure to HSV-2. It started on only the left side of my body, but after a couple of weeks the crepitus started affecting both sides of my body and has not gone away (now 6 mths approx).

I've tried glucosamine condrointin with MSM and a ton of other natural supplements and no change.  It also seems to worsen with heavy drinking. :(

Can anyone help us?
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Avatar universal
Having very similar symptoms as well. Wondering if the original poster has found the root of the problem?
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1 Comments
I'm wondering too, how are you doing  with yours
Avatar universal
hi Amy
I was wondering how you are doing after almost 3 years since these posts? Have you found a cure for your problem? I am asking as I am experiencing the exact same symptoms. I am a 26 year old male and I am desperate for a diagnosis and some treatment options. I am not sure whether you will get this message but I would really like to hear how you are doing.
Thanks
James
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1 Comments
I realize you didnt received a response.  How about your case, have you gotten help  as I myself I'm experiencing the same problem
Avatar universal
Also, I was wondering how most of you feel about the theory that many autoimmune disorders are triggered by viruses. My symptoms started two weeks after simple body kissing and licking (no mouth-to-mouth). Otherwise, I'm not sexually active and don't do drugs (a real germaphobe). I don't exactly know how a simple little exposure can kick off whatever response by body has manifested, if, in fact, it ISN'T viral. I wasn't even symptomatic of a virus. I know that very simple, everyday viruses like EBV, CMV, HPV, Hepres Simplex, HHV-6, HHV-7, and Parvo has been implicated in triggering autoimmune conditions. The thing is, a large majority of people will acquire these diseases before they graduate high school and many even before they start grade school. This is strange because autoimmune disorders are vastly more common in adults than children and it indicates to me that, if viruses do, in fact, trigger these disorders, it take years for the process to show symptoms. Before these symptoms, I hadn't been to a hospital in eight years and was as healthy as a horse. As far as the doctor's testing goes, I still am. It just seems so coincidental to happen directly after this innocent kissing incidence.
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Avatar universal
My grandmother actually has fibromyalgia, so it does run in the family. That's about the only thing that does (well, she's the only one that has it), as every single person in my family is free of cancer, disease, and  autoimmune disorders and have lived well into their nineties. Does fibromyalgia effect the joints though? Would it cause crepitus?

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Avatar universal
The symptoms you are describing are autoimmune in nature, Fibromyalgia can onset very quickly, as you are describing  some classical symptoms? Did you have a nerve conduction study done, this will rule out central nervous system. What your describing is how rapidly the symptoms came upon you. Have an MRI head so doctors can rule out neurological issues. The best advice I can give you is don't worry about what it might be, wait for test results, besides worry does not change the results I promise.
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Avatar universal
I agree with Want20bike.  I have been researching raw food, am on that journey right now. Most days I am eating 80% raw but as I listen to Dr. Janet Lang ( www.restorativeendocrinology.com) I am NOT EATING ENOUGH of a day. Yes I'm my own best experiment, but what I have noticed is as I decrease the toxins ( I'm also in the process of removing 4 amalgam fillings the SAFE way) I am feeling better.  I have trouble with being patient and I want results right now, but as i stick to the "plan" I'm seeing results slowly but surely.

It just makes sense that TOXINS are part of the picture.  Check everything you're putting in your mouth, on your skin, spraying on your head...it all builds up in the body over time and then the body says enough is enough.  Ofcourse there are other issues going on as well.  When I started this journey I became overwhelmed by all the conflicting information out there.  The Medical profession knows their answers only subdue symptoms and don't restore health.  The alternative approach is great if you can find someone to stick with out through out the healing process and not just treat symptoms the "natural" way which never leaves you feeling well and HEALED.  So many self-help people are "on their own" to find what protocol they need to heal their own bodies.

Lots of great information here on this site.

What are you seeking long term?  a healed body or just dealing with symptoms?  and which ever one you are is ok , you may be both...many times you have to deal with symptoms before you have enough energy to deal with actual healing.

Keep in touch.
~Amy~
Eat well, live well, be well.
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Avatar universal
Did you have any dental work done recently? Amalgam fillings are 50% mercury and  not good for the body.  Do you smoke, eat artificle sweetners, eat alot of sugar, eat alot of meat,eat pork, eat alot of process foods, drink alot of soda, consume alot of alcohol, take alot of drugs prescription or otherwise, drink unfiltered water, live or work around a smelter or industrial job which puts alot of toxins in the air.  Think you should examine your enviroment to make sure you are not taking in too many toxins.  If your body take in more toxins than it can get rid of you will get sick.  It might be cancer, MS, Parkinton, Lupus, or any number of the diseases the doctors have names for but it all amounts to the toxins you have in your body.  A solution to your problem could be adjusting your diet to 80% fruits and vegetables and not the kind in a can.  Raw fruits and vegetables offer the body what it needs to repair itself and get rid of the toxins.  Check out your enviroment and make sure you eliminate as many of the toxins as you can find.  Good Luck.  
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