Young Adult, Chronic Pain, No Answers...

Training Injuries
43

This is way past what can be answered over the web.

I would find a strength coach – a good strength coach, like one of the regular authors here. Try Cosgrove or BBB and see if they know anyone in your area. It is important you get hold of someone vetted by people you trust. Most trainers are really shitty and will mess you up. They are successful because their clients are good, not because they are.

Be warned that they might not be able to help fix you, but it does sound like you have multiple dysfunctions going on at once, and these will need to be disentangled and tackled. On the plus side, you’ll get a lot of fun homework and will get a lot stronger. Someone who also has training as a PT (like BBB) can literally make a world of difference. (See my related post on the neck problems I was getting from a mis-firing glute. Bizarre it was.)

Osteopaths, like any doctor, will seek to apply their specialty to you if asked. If you have a pain, they will suggest surgery. Take advice with a grain of salt and always get a second opinion if you get a diagnosis you don’t like.

Other issues might be related to anxiety about losing control of your body. I’ve been maimed (arthritis) – seriously so, as in about a decade ago I was on crutches and using a walker – and got fixed, so I understand how completely harrowing a serious but undiagnosable health problem is. You are also pretty young and life looms before you which should scare the heck out of anyone who is paying attention. Just saying that your “psychological issues” might just be common sense kicking in… Won’t offer more than sympathy because you do not need some random dude on teh Interwebz playing doctor. Get real help if you think you need it.

(Bit of philosophy: Not everything is a problem, meaning, a well-defined issue with a well-defined solution. Some things are worries, which means you do indeed worry about them and deal with them only strictly as needed. For instance, what you will do as a career is a worry, not a problem, as is whether or not your gf really loves you, 'k? Trying to turn a worry into a problem is about the surest way to be miserable I know.)

Best of Luck!!

– jj

44

Havent been tested for LD’S, at least not yet, will probably have to wait til i see the rheumy at beginning of feburary, as i had gone to the docs in the end of last week when i was in a lot of pain, they just said, wait til you see the specialist to see if anythings ging on, and some slightly stronger p killers.

I guess im being really hopeful about LD, it seems to have similar symptoms to loads of conditions, having said that, one of the “bites” i saw about the disease on wiki, i remember having a few years back, and it was practically identical. I had it on my shoulder which i had removed, when you asked if i had shoulder surgery;

Not sure if i developed raynauds after this too, guess i’ll have to check that with the docs when i go for the inital appointment.

It’s almost as though they’re thinking “yeah we don’t care if you die in the meantime”.

Seriously, when i think about this all, the past, etc etc, it crushes my mind. When i think, 1 year ago, i was running over the park with cousins, yeah i had a bit of on and off low back pain, but it’s managable and not the end of the world, 1 year later, my whole body is litreally rotting/falling apart.

Last night, both my heels/ankles were aching badly, as though id walked miles and miles, when i hadn’t, i might of walked about 30mins total that day. As tired as i was, it prevented me getting to sleep for 1-2hours. I also woke up about 7 and my back felt broken. It felt bruised and swollen, this has been happening the past few days, when i push my belly out, it’s real sore on my back, i thought maybe the matress, but ive tried a couple of beds.

The only thing i can think of for making it much worse is;
Over a park one of those bodyweight pulldown machines, done 40 odd reps on there, but seriously, are we even fucking talking about this? a 19 Yr old with possibily severe doms from some bw pulldown reps? Having said that, managed to get back to sleep for an hour or so, and magically, dissapeared. Instead im left with achy ankles again.

IT’S hard to not think of something serious, how can i not. Getting so fucking dizzy that i fall over, this aint right, and i don’t have a life right now, even avoiding going out for drinks with friends, why? Not because im depressed or what not, but i don’t know what’s going to happen, last time i had some drinks out, i was in agony, so it’s put me off frankly, you go out for a good time, not to worsen yourself.

Things are getting bad, and they either get better, or they get worse, if they get worse, i can’t see myself being here for much longer, because im doing nothing with my life right now, weak, out of energy, dizzy, achey, so i am concerned, if i have to go, i’ll have to, Ive tried talking to family about this, and then one says “so what’s the answer, have your little brother stand over your grave”, and it’s like, how the fuck do you think that makes me feel, that breaks my heart. Ive given up talking to them as i try explanining things and they say, “i can’t keep up with this, OR, i can’t deal with this”, then how do you think it makes me FEEL, seriously!?

I have no family history of anything serious or bad or anything like that so im not going to accept some illness or disease that prevents me living my life and has me restricted to sitting in a chair all day going for the occasional walk, this is acceptable and fine for some old folks, but im 19, im not old, im still classed as a teenager. everyday is taking it’s toll, but i guess all i can do for now, is wait.

Things like supposed to be having my knee op, ive delayed and people are saying, why don’t you just get it done, i will have to soon, but it’s the last thing i feel like fucking doing with all this going on, i wish i was fine and then id get it done and back to training, but im struggling just to live, i really don’t want rods and stuff shoved down my knee.

It’s almost as though the others aren’t taking me seriously either because i look ok in myself, if my hair was falling out or something like that which theycould see with their eye, then they’d probably be concerned as i am.

45

Again, Ive been up for around 6-7 hours, and already im tired to sleep. I feel really weak and lethargic. Like i don’t want to do nothing but sit down, so i have been, this is ridiculous. My neck and trap area seems so tense and stiff that if i were to look down to read a book it’ll ache almost instantly.

Let’s hope this is just lymes and can all be resolved, has to be, because i seriously am not enjoying life at the moment.

47

Damn, lol. I read the last post and saw something like you saying wow, i thought… then you was going to say something like yeah that spot looks famiiar, then realized, it was page 1, lol.

48

[quote]ColdFeet wrote:
Again, Ive been up for around 6-7 hours, and already im tired to sleep. I feel really weak and lethargic. Like i don’t want to do nothing but sit down, so i have been, this is ridiculous. My neck and trap area seems so tense and stiff that if i were to look down to read a book it’ll ache almost instantly.

Let’s hope this is just lymes and can all be resolved, has to be, because i seriously am not enjoying life at the moment.[/quote]

It sounds as if you’re getting tested for Lyme, yes? Your neurological and joint conditions sound reminiscent of latter stages of Lyme. Peripheral neuropathy seems to be present, perhaps encephalomyelitis. Babesiosis is possible as well, it’s a known co-infection with Lyme.

For the pelvic pain, can you locate a PT (physios, I believe you call them) who specializes in pelvic PT?

Lastly, are you hypermobile, by chance? Can you bend your thumb down to your wrist, your little finger back more than 90 degrees, place your hands flat on the floor with knees straight?

Cheers.

<----------------- Not an MD

Edit: Have you had a significant amount of bloodwork done? It’s entirely possible your various ailments have different causes. For example, your neurological symptoms could be caused by Babesia, you may have hypothyroidism accounting for your fatigue, a fall as a child could account for a misaligned sacrum, etc.

49

I haven’t been tested or am in the process of bein tested for lyme. I had a rheumatology appointment at the beginning of feburary, which is when the whole situations will be investigated further, so will likely get some blood work done.

The pelvic pain seems to come and go, like i have no control over it, almost as if it’s non-mechanical low back pain, however, it was my first symptom. I have been to a physio about in before in the past, who gave me stretches to do and thought it was muscular, it does bother me, but there are things i can do to help it.

Im not hypermobile, i have good and decent mobility, but of the hypermobile questions you asked, only the last one i can almost do.

Ive had a lot of blood tests in the past, but what i remember, only were they basic ones. I can get my results and up to date information when i go to the appointment, but i remember certain tests like, FBC (Full blood count), which i was anaemic in iron in the past, and was given daily 420mg of iron, which is now fine, along with lower than normal platelet.

Also a couple of SED rates, which showed not much inflammation, or at least it was deceleared normal and in range. Nuclear antibody, i think, which was normal. RF - normal, there are more, but all i can seem to remember off head, sorry.

50

Might be paying too much attention to my body problems here, but Ive noticed recently that my left eye lid has been twitching fairly recently, i think it did in the past before a few times, but never paid attention to it which is why i can’t really remember at all if it did or not.

Aches in my right testicle, and both my nipples were tender earlier - i know these are weirdish symptoms which i could be paying too much attention too, but again, there not exactly common aches and pains i feel.

This week ive read a lot on LD and that so many people are misdiagnosed with conditions and that how unrealiable the testing is showing false negatives and what not, i mean, in a way i hope this is all it is that can resolve my symptoms with treatment, but it’s like, 15 months ago the low back pain started, few months later neck pain, then it’s been like that for since the last 2-3 months when things have been much worse, however things like bouts of insomnia i alwys used to get from time to time. I don’t want to sit here thinking there’s something i cna do and that i could be making myself worse from not taking action.

Things like my neck feeling incredibly stiff day in day out and being so weak to hold my head up and do simple daily activities like looking down for too long causing it to ache makes me feel so old.

51

Have you been tested for MS, Lupus, etc? Have you been diagnosed with fibromyalgia? You would seem to meet the criteria.

False positives for Lyme are much less frequent than false negatives. False positives are usually a result of either courses of antibiotics or immunosuppresive drugs. What is more common is a false positive. This is a bridge you would cross once you have a positive DX in hand.

52

[quote]ColdFeet wrote:
I don’t want to sit here thinking there’s something i cna do and that i could be making myself worse from not taking action.
[/quote]

You can do something, and it sounds like you’ve taken some important first steps. First, make sure the doc you’re seeing in Feb has all your medical records before you go for your appointment. You want him to be familiar with your case when you walk in his door. Next, give him a written timeline of symptoms as well as any sickness going back 6 months prior to the onset of symptoms.

Use these forums to brainstorm what kind of general health markers you’d like him to test for. You can go to the TRT forum and look at the blood test sticky for ideas. At a minimum you want a CBC, metabolic panel, hormone panel, etc…

Finally, go in with a few diagnoses of your own. Lyme is a reasonable one. Do you live in an area where it is present? Have you traveled to an area where it is a concern? Any travel to equatorial areas where mosquito-borne illness is a problem? Do you have a family history of MS or autoimmune disease. Educate yourself as to what the tests are for these ailments.

You sound young to me, does a parent accompany you to the Doctor? Do you have someone to advocate on your behalf, if not, you’re going to have to do it on your own. Treat the doctor as a health consultant. That means he is to help you determine how to best go about treatment, do not take what he says as though it comes down from up high on stone tablets. That being said, know that docs can be pompous asses and tread carefully. Although the internet is a wonderful resource, know that he spent a large part of his adult life studying medicine and may not be particularly receptive to someone entering his office, demanding a course of treatment, and using Wikipedia as his source. You can catch more flies with honey than vinegar.

Cheers.

53

Damn, already posted a reply to this thread, guess it didn’t get through.

Haven’t been tested for any of those, or been diagnosed, which is what im trying to stay away from, i mean, this has to stop, i can’t go on like this no more, but i worried about being DX’d with something like that, which is supposed to affect 80-90% females with the average age being 45, would seem uncommon for a young male like myself to be as unfortunate.

This is the thing, my complaints started in OCT 2010, when my low back pain started at work, it never went away. A month prior to this i was on holiday in cyprus, the last week out there i fell sick, but was told it was “change in climate”. Jan 2011, the neck pain started, i noticed it as it bothered me when working out, but i still continued, by the way i have had 2 clear neck x-rays. Then until pretty much the near the end of the year i started getting other symptoms like migrating pain, it would be in one place at a time, and move to another, which i hear is something that can occur in LD.

Ache in shoulder blade went away after some ART (thank you BBB), and is now more of just a normal ache if it does occur. Then started getting ache in left bi tendon, which then as i started to get massive psychological involvement was in both, i was told it was growing pains, but it got worse with a lot of creptius, however (touch wood), past 4 days or so it has been not so noticeable, i guess as Ive taken my mind off things and had abetter attiude, my symptoms are better.

I live in England, so i don’t think it’s as common here as the US. Places Ive travelled abroad aren’t many, 2003 spain, 2010 (month before LBP) CYprus, 2011 SEP, tennerife, 2011 OCT - Turkey. The only bite or mole/spot i can recall is on the previous page, which was removed as the docs didn’t know what it was but didn’t believe it was harmless. This was 3 or 4 years ago i think.

As far as i know, no family history of MS or autoimmune diseases, so fairly good in that respect. I have raynauds, which to what im aware isn’t autoimmune disorder but vasoplastic. I recently got diagnosed with chronic ITP, but was discharged as there wasn’t much concern as my platelet level was only just under the “normal range”, to get this diagnosis, it was picked up after having 2 FBC’S, the later my platelets were improved, but still slightly low.

Mosquitos/gnats seem to enjoy biting me, at least when it’s hot, i always seem to get bites. Which is another reason why im staying positive and hoping it’s something that can be treated, because i don’t have a life at the moment, and won’t if there’s nothing that can be done about all this.

I am young, im 19. I could have my mother meet me at the hospital to see the rheumatologist, as she knows this is important to me, and is concerned too.

Sorry to seem stupid, but had trouble understanding the blood and TRT stuff you posted, hope this is the right thread;
General health labs
-CBC: Complete Blood Counts
-Hematocrit: Part of CBC but needs its own discussion
-Lipids: Fasting Cholesterol and related
-Vit_D25 hormone -yes vitamin D becomes an essential steroid hormone
-Glucose: Fasting levels indicate insulin function
-Liver markers -are they really liver specific? [Hint: not]

I live in the UK, so not sure if some of these tests have different names, or why, which should be necessary, the abnormal thirst/frequent urination has always been a problem though, and perhaps it’s connected to the puzzle? Maybe i need some tests on my thyroid?

By the way, today ive pretty much been ok, not soo tired, just a really stiff weak neck.

Thanks for your time.

54

Probably paying too much attention again, as usually i wouldn’t even give this a second thought, but thought id bring it up incase it’s a possible symptom.

Last night when i went to bed, i got itches in several places, migrated from one to another. My wrist, my arm, my hair, my ear lobe and in my actual ear, what i can remember, i mean, everyone get itches, but all these, one after another, seemed a little un-unsual.

Ankles were aching bad this morning, but dissapeared after an hour or so, haven’t felt too bad so far just this crazy consistent stiff neck, light headed, which i seem to get a lot, even in the past. Wrote down my history timeline of when what occured as you suggested, but won’t post that too, before you’ve had a chance to reply as Ive wrote a fair amount already.

55

Listen, I have read every post you have written and I honestly feel bad for you but no one is going to diagnose you over the internet. There are tests that must be done for all of the possible diseases/syndromes you might have and they can only be administered by trained medical professionals. Airing your entire medical history out on a message board BEFORE going to a Rheumatologist is a waste of time since the most common response will be, “Sounds like you need to see a doctor.”

56

Im not after a diagnosis. It’s more of a log where i can collect some suggestions, advice and opinions on the matter, im going to see doctors, which is the main thing, but any input i appreciate, things like keeping hope for LD, and it’s possible treatment methods rather than ending up with a DX’d incurable and suffering condition where im left to rot for the rest of my life, because, honestly, im not prepared to do that, and i won’t.

There is something wrong, it’s just a matter of finding out what, but if it’s anything major, i dunno… guess have to wait and see for now. Could have underactive thyroid and multiple issues, i just don’t know yet.

57

Somethings make me quite sad deep down, for instance, earlier when i saw some friends, we were speaking of booking a “lads” holiday away, you know things a lot of young pals do, and something i SHOULD, be able to, it’s not so much that i CAN’T do it, but i know for instance, even a plane journey, sitting down for long periods, my low back or neck would be absoutlely killing me, and it’s hard explaining some symptoms because there’s more than one and i could talk about it for ages.

For fuck sake, im 19, this can’t be something serious that restricts me from normal life? Ive put up with it long enough i feel, weak stiff neck and all, still nothing is set in stone right now and i need to keep positive and not worry about anything which may not affect me.

58

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There’s a lot of people on this site who will do their best to help you, and we sincerely empathize with you. I want you to get better and I hope that you have a quick and easy recovery from whatever is ailing you.

But, speaking for myself, the whole “woe is me” schtick is growing thin. You’re beginning to sound like a drama queen. So, chin up, keep yourself occupied with things that interest you and don’t drive your friends away because you’ll be thankful for their support.

59

Yeah i didn’t mean to come across that way. Overall, the past few days have been an improvement, my symptoms have been better, i guess based on my mood, of not worrying, crying, obessing about when my life is over, poor me and what not.

My attitude is now, more along the lines of, not that i don’t give a shit, because i clearly do, but im not worrying about it so much as i was before, because nothing is set in stone. Im staying open minded, paying attention to the family members that say “you’re fine” and instead of being occupied and down about a potential illness, becomming more occupied with something that does have treatment options and are possibilites such as LD, as i have read ALOT the past few days, and it is good to keep hopeful and having a good attiude. LD may be a long shot as it’s not diagnosed often, but it’s also rare for someone of my age and gender to have a serious illness like any of the posted above.

You know, big psychological involvement did occur, mostly stemed from when i was overly panicking and obbessing about AS, which clearly didn’t help me, but i do have the situation a lot more over control now, whether i need councselling or not is another story, but for now, i feel im ok. Some family members and even friends wouldn’t know anything is wrong, because i don’t show it or let them know, and because i look fine in my appearance, they don’t suspect no different, but seriously, one way or another this does need to end, because im getting minimal enjoyment from life at the moment.

60

Today has been different. Started getting dull ache in bi tendons at the elbow for a few hours. First it was my right arm, then eventually the left was also affected. Makes my arms feel weak and is hard to ignore.

They’ve settled down this evening, instead im left with a muscle ache in my right foot - but that’s nothing too bothersome.

I feel everyday im discovering new stuff. It was only earlier that i remembered a period i think around August last year, for around 2 weeks i was having trouble with my eyes, they were really watery and i was constantly blinking, i even went to an optician about it, she checked my eyes and said they were ok. Although it could mean nothing, it could also be a piece to the puzzle.

So im preparing myself for seeing this doc in just over 2 weeks so i have plenty of time to be ready. Currently im thinking of asking about Lyme, however i know how unreliable the tests are, and the ELISA one, is apparently somewhere around 30-40% accurate. Will also ask about thyroid testing, any others you guys have suggestions for?

Thanks.