Pain in the neck (literally) and everywhere else

Posted , 3 users are following.

Hello. I'm new to the community. 39 Caucasian male. I have for the past 3+ years been fighting for answers to what is going on with me. Neither a general practitioner, spine doctor, lung doctor, rheumatologist, endocrhonologist or ENT can find what is going on with me. All tests, everywhere from Syphallis to Vasculitis come up negative. The symptoms are as follows in the order these 'flares' present themselves.

  • Achy neck, starting with the most prominent bone just near the spine.
  • Pain radiates to both sides of my neck.
  • Start to become lathargic.
  • When taking a deep breath I feel a resistance, ache on the back of my spine/chest (hard to pinpoint)
  • The ache in my neck reaches to my shoulders and my breathing becomes more labored. Inhaling becomes more difficult without pain.
  • Laying down on my back becomes impossible and I can only get comfort on my shoulders.
  • Shoulders begin to ache and burn like my neck and back.
  • Aches reach out to my body, down to my ankles and wrist.
  • I am very tired at this point with cold chills and a low grade fever.
  • Eventually in a week I become bed ridden and cannot do any activities, my urine turns brown and I can only moan in not, unable to move.
  • I can hear my heart beat as I lay down then become sick to my stomach and eventually start vomiting.

Things to keep in mind. I tested negative for all STDs. I tested negative for all forms of Rhumetological conditions. I did test positive for ANA when I had my flare but recently when being checked I tested negative for ANA. No blockages or lesions in my lungs or heart, my nerves according to the MRI were working properly (with contrast). Painkillers like Norco/hydrocodone did not work. Non-Steroid ASIDs failed to work, even high doses of Diclofenc. Gabipentin did not work, cold or warm compresses do not work, antibiotics did not work. The only thing that worked was Steroids (Prednisone). Once I get 40 mg of Prednisone's within 4 hours the symptoms almost all go away. In a full day I completely recover...but this has been a battle in itself. Since steroids have been the only thing to keep these unknown flares at bay I have been wrestling trying to ween. I am at 9MG of Prednisone now and sometimes when I get low my flares may or may not come...I do not know what triggers them. I was under the impression it was caffeine but as of late I still get the flares regardless so I am not sure if it is caffeine. It got so bad to the point is where my muscle fibers felt as though there were going to burn and smap. If I layed on my side my arm felt like it did a million pull ups. My chest I was only able to lay for an hour before the pain turned my chest into an oven. I am stiff as a bored. This is my constant struggle, this I have no answers for and wish to be able to get a diagnosis.

Things I do have:

*Low T levels

*Non-alcoholic fatty liver

  • Sleep apnea
  • gerds
  • prostititus
  • Osteopenia of the spin and hips
  • Spinal stenosis of the C1-C4
  • DDD of the lumbar L1-L4

Any insight would be helpful.

-Adam

0 likes, 1 reply

1 Reply

  • Posted

    Adam,

    From what you have outlined I would imagine you are in some serious pain from all of this, what are you doing for your stress? Stress can make all these things worse for you. I wish you had said something about your symptoms so we could help you with ways we have found helpful in our dailies.

    Hang in there!

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.