Need assistance

All of my joints are snapping and popping and feel like they are slipping. My muscles cramp very easily. The joint issue started out in my thumbs four years ago and is now affecting every joint including my spine. I have just started to feel some real pain in all of my joints. My wife has the same symptoms that I have and I suspect the underlying cause could be viral? My CK levels have read high and sometimes my esiphonil counts. Everything else comes back normal. I did have sex about 4 years ago with a person other than my wife and after that I became very sick. All STD's including HIV were negative. What could we have? My joints feel like they are being attacked and destroyed and the only thing they can come up with is Ostheoarthritis, but why would my wife have the same symptoms? My joints are getting worse daily. Please help.

[Kevin Pho, MD]

I agree with the workup thus far.

A systemic rheumatologic disease can be considered, like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis.  

Imaging the affected joints can be helpful.  I would also consider a sedimentation rate, ANA level and rheumatoid factor.   The x-rays can determine whether osteoarthritis is present.  

Elevated eosinophil counts can be due to a parasitic infection, allergies, or skin and inflammatory lung diseases.   This should be worked up further.

These options can be discussed with your personal physician.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
www.kevinmd.com