Aa
26 year old male; unsure of what's wrong.
I am a 26 year old male; myriad of symptoms. When I was 24, I came down with what felt like a severe flu w/ fatigue, muscle, and joint pain. Episodic 'brain fog' would accompany this, as well. Blood test showed positive ANA; rheumatologist tested me for 'everything'. Only abnormalities seen were low WBC, leukocytes, elevated igA, and a mildly elevated CPK; negative for RA, lupus anticoag, etc..ANA remains negative to this day.
These muscle and joint pains never went away, but seemed to wax and wane as time went on. Was worse when I was worn down; when I felt this way, I would take it easy at the gym; not lift/run as much. (My body didn't seem able to support a rigorous workout on those days.) These issues, while still present, rarely gave me cause for concern. However, mid-summer, I came down with a colitis viral/bacterial infection, per a CT scan and gastroenterologist's diagnosis. Resolved; but this seemed to mark the beginning of new symptoms which have made me extremely worried that these joint and muscle aches are something more serious.
Recent blood work showed low testosterone, both free and total. No prescription meds or steroid use. My hands, unaffected before, feel weak and clumsy. It began with popping in my joints: wrist, elbows, shoulders, neck. I felt weakness/trembling when lifting anything with my right arm, from the elbow joint down, and affected the pinky. Also caused right hand cramping/soreness, and aching in knuckles. My knees are extremely sore at the joints; have gotten worse, pain feels like it is coming from anterior portion and aches literally in the bone area. Lower back is sore. Woke up today w/ mild pain in left hand pinky. Mild ptosis in one eye, may have always had this. Rheumatology diagnosed fibromyalgia.
Brain MRI and opthamology exam 1.5 yrs ago showed no abnormalities...but thinking something neuromuscular or something else? Concern in that symptoms seemed in check for the past 1.5 years, and have drastically changed for the worse. Ideas regarding positive ANA that remains negative?
These muscle and joint pains never went away, but seemed to wax and wane as time went on. Was worse when I was worn down; when I felt this way, I would take it easy at the gym; not lift/run as much. (My body didn't seem able to support a rigorous workout on those days.) These issues, while still present, rarely gave me cause for concern. However, mid-summer, I came down with a colitis viral/bacterial infection, per a CT scan and gastroenterologist's diagnosis. Resolved; but this seemed to mark the beginning of new symptoms which have made me extremely worried that these joint and muscle aches are something more serious.
Recent blood work showed low testosterone, both free and total. No prescription meds or steroid use. My hands, unaffected before, feel weak and clumsy. It began with popping in my joints: wrist, elbows, shoulders, neck. I felt weakness/trembling when lifting anything with my right arm, from the elbow joint down, and affected the pinky. Also caused right hand cramping/soreness, and aching in knuckles. My knees are extremely sore at the joints; have gotten worse, pain feels like it is coming from anterior portion and aches literally in the bone area. Lower back is sore. Woke up today w/ mild pain in left hand pinky. Mild ptosis in one eye, may have always had this. Rheumatology diagnosed fibromyalgia.
Brain MRI and opthamology exam 1.5 yrs ago showed no abnormalities...but thinking something neuromuscular or something else? Concern in that symptoms seemed in check for the past 1.5 years, and have drastically changed for the worse. Ideas regarding positive ANA that remains negative?
Please send PlateletGal a message with your labs. See if she has any info for you. I really think she could help you.
Click on "people" at the top of your page and type in "PlateletGal". She is very knowledgeable on micro organisims and is getting some results on a treatment option.
God bless, Kara
Click on "people" at the top of your page and type in "PlateletGal". She is very knowledgeable on micro organisims and is getting some results on a treatment option.
God bless, Kara
Has anyone noticed that everyone has the same symptoms and no diagnoses?You will get no help as I have got no help from 2 urologists,1 nuerologist,2 parasitologists,6 infectious disease "experts"2 top Rheumatologists,an endocrinologist,2 oncologists,2 G.I.s and many others,all expensive,the best NYC docs only take cash,and no diagnoses or help.We have all been infected by nematodes of either a Morgellons or strongyloides strain.You tube has stories about it as well as the cure zone.Anti-parasitic herbs,magnesium,cats claw and anti-helminths bring some relief but no cure,doctors will not bring relief or a cure.Get any kidney stones lithotripsied and attempt to heal yourself.The CDC is aware of this yet will not go public.Why?
My ANA was 1:320, speckled pattern. Remains negative to this day, after 5 or 6 re-tests. Joints aren't swelling; just have soreness and intermittent shooting pains in them during the day. Have not had a discussion regarding MS. No face rash, thyroid is normal, as is vitamin D level. I take both B-12 and Vitamin D. Tested for lyme; tested positive on a iGG, but after Western Blot and specific band test, confirmed negative.
Thank you for your response, it is very much appreciated. My nervousness revolved around something like myotonic dystrophy or ALS; but MS is just as scary. Strange to worry about this in what should be the prime years of health for me.
Thank you for your response, it is very much appreciated. My nervousness revolved around something like myotonic dystrophy or ALS; but MS is just as scary. Strange to worry about this in what should be the prime years of health for me.
Thanks for being so thorough. There are different things that can cause an elevated ANA. If it was in low titers, it could be it was insignificant. Do you know your level was and the pattern?
Some of your symptoms sound like fibromyalgia. Do any of your joints swell?
Irritable Bowel can be assoiciated w/ fibro, lupus and I think MS. I'm not familiar w/ MS symptoms other than muscle weakness. The ptosis "could be MS related. Did you ask your dr. about that? Just because lesions didn't appear on the MRI does not fully rule out MS.
I do know that a person w/ lupus can have a low WBC and leukocytes. Do you ever get a rash on your face.
One thing I've learned about lupus is the sun can cause an immune response in your body. So if they check your ANA again, you will want to spend time in the sun. I have lupus and fibromyalgia. When I get in the sun, I have joint pain w/ swelling, face rash and diarrhea. Another thing that causes lupus to flare is stress. But there is no way I would be working out at a gym. Even now on medicine, my muscles and joints could not hold up to running and putting so much stress to my joints. But there again, it could be the beginning stages of something.
Something else I would recommend they check is your vit D level. Even if you think you get enough sun exposure. This could cause the "bone pain" you described. Something else that has made a bid difference is vit B-12 shots. Have they checked your tyroid?
There are several things that mimic lupus. One of them is lymes disease. Have you been tested for that?
Some of your symptoms sound like fibromyalgia. Do any of your joints swell?
Irritable Bowel can be assoiciated w/ fibro, lupus and I think MS. I'm not familiar w/ MS symptoms other than muscle weakness. The ptosis "could be MS related. Did you ask your dr. about that? Just because lesions didn't appear on the MRI does not fully rule out MS.
I do know that a person w/ lupus can have a low WBC and leukocytes. Do you ever get a rash on your face.
One thing I've learned about lupus is the sun can cause an immune response in your body. So if they check your ANA again, you will want to spend time in the sun. I have lupus and fibromyalgia. When I get in the sun, I have joint pain w/ swelling, face rash and diarrhea. Another thing that causes lupus to flare is stress. But there is no way I would be working out at a gym. Even now on medicine, my muscles and joints could not hold up to running and putting so much stress to my joints. But there again, it could be the beginning stages of something.
Something else I would recommend they check is your vit D level. Even if you think you get enough sun exposure. This could cause the "bone pain" you described. Something else that has made a bid difference is vit B-12 shots. Have they checked your tyroid?
There are several things that mimic lupus. One of them is lymes disease. Have you been tested for that?
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