Hi,
Background: I am a 17 year old female and I've been diagnosed with CFS/ME/POTS since around this time last year (March, 2013) and I had symptoms since February 2013. I've also been on a coeliac diet since I was 8 and I currently take the pill, beta-blockers and ritalin to help manage symptoms of my illnesses. About 5 months ago, I began to get quite bad polymyalgia - pain spots that are always there, but don't hurt until I accidentally itch that spot and then it's this searing, stabbing pain. I've also had really bad lower back and neck pain and have been unintentionally losing weight by about a kilo or more a month. I am about 175cm tall and used to weigh 68kg and as of writing this am now 63. Last time I saw my paediatrition who specialises in CFS/ME rehabilitation, she said that any lower than 65kg for my height would not be good. oops!
Issue: More recently, I've had neck pain so bad that I've been getting terrible migraines. Furthermore, every time I turn my neck from side to side, I hear a terrible crack, almost like glass breaking. After the first crack, it's not so bad, but then every time I turn my neck after that, it's sounds like someone walking on gravel, right at the base of my neck and it hurts. About an hour later, the sound of glass breaking when I turn my neck returns. I feel like I'm constantly using heat packs (to no avail) and taking some pretty strong medication (Panafen) for migraines, which contains codeine, so I don't like using them too much, but pills like neurofen just don't work...
I guess I just get so worried with each new symptom I get - I'm 17 years old for goodness sake! I almost feel like when I tell people all of my symptoms, they think I'm a hypochondriac, hahahaha. Is this neck cracking common for people with CFS/ME, fibromyalgia, POTS, etc.? Is this an issue I should be speaking to a doctor about, if so, which one? The paediatrician, neurologist and physio I see are all very difficult to get into and I refuse to go to a chiropractor (went to one when I was 10 and now blame him for my terrible back). Whilst we're here, if you have any tips as to how to help with any of these illnesses or any kind of therapy you've found helpful, I'm happy to hear it! :)
Thanks,
Mitty.