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Crazy neck cracking and joint noises

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Posted 6/11/2016 5:17 AM (GMT 0)
Does anyone else get insane neck cracking when turning their heads? Sometimes I'll get like 3 to 6 cracks at once and I know that neck cracking is completely normal for most people, but it seems like mine has definitely been cracking a lot more since my symptoms started.

I also noticed that almost any time I stretch my arms or legs, I'll hear some kind of clicking, crackling or popping noise. It's never painful, just strange and irritating.
Posted 6/11/2016 1:44 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Lifelover!

These issues are very common to us Lymies! I know that a lot of these symptoms can be worrisome, so it is good that you ask.

I am not sure what causes it but it does happen a lot.

For me these issues have definitely gotten worse over time. I am older so some of it is probably common for that as well. Hopefully someone will know more about it than I do.
Posted 6/11/2016 1:51 PM (GMT 0)
not loud neck cracking but internal grinding, like there's sand in there.
Posted 6/11/2016 2:03 PM (GMT 0)
Agreed dacarte, for me it is the same. Almost like a lot of bubbles popping every time I turn my head!

We can sure come up with some descriptive ways to describe things!

Lifelover, Lyme really likes the joints. All joints. And I do think that the popping and cracking gets worse because of it.
Posted 6/11/2016 2:20 PM (GMT 0)
When I first got that "gravel in my neck" I went to a chiropractor. That was a waste of money.

I think is has to do with the collagen depletion due to lyme. Those buggers love our squishy cushion material between our bones.

I have no idea if it was because of lyme treatment or if it was the collagen and biosil I was taking, but it certainly has greatly improved.
Posted 6/11/2016 2:35 PM (GMT 0)
LifeLover - Dr. Horowitz says that "neck cracks" are diagnostic of Lyme. I would definitely focus my treatment on Lyme itself vs the co-infections right now if I was you (and you probably are! :)
Posted 6/11/2016 2:45 PM (GMT 0)
Post ABX, My neck no longer makes the grinding sound when moving. It was very deep feeling too, for 20 years.

But- I can pop it when doing myofacial muscle release on my neck/head and shoulders. As long as I keep my muscles lose, the grinding stays at bay. Its a daily routine for me to stay on top of it.

Tight muscles from lyme put tension on their connecting points, which are the joints, and force them to mis-alighn. Yes my spell check AND my spelling are questionable LOL.
Posted 6/11/2016 3:57 PM (GMT 0)
Agreed, Astroman. I've had to use heat and ice so many times over the years because of the tight muscles that were causing issues with joints/spine/neck. I get to where I can't lift my arm over my shoulder, turn my head, or move my leg much due to those tight muscles/tendons. Lots of stretching daily for me, plus my own little version of releasing those trigger points helps keep me moving though.

My joints have popped, cracked, made those "gravel sounds" ever since I can remember, but they were definitely reduced that year that I was healed.
Posted 6/11/2016 4:38 PM (GMT 0)
Well I'm sure glad I'm not the only one here with these neck, back and joint noises lol. Seems like everyone I've talked to about this says "it can only be either lyme or fibromyalgia", but of course my other symptoms clearly rule fibro out.

What's strange with me is that I'm only 22 and my neck is cracking as if I were 65 or older lol. It's honestly so bad that if all is quiet in my house, my dad can actually hear it from across the room! Does anyone have any good recommendations for medications, herbs etc that might help with this? And traveler, I'm glad that your joint noises seem to have stopped after treatment.
Posted 6/11/2016 4:52 PM (GMT 0)
They didn't actually stop - but I had been infected for 40 years. I actually was quite surprised as they did reduce quite a bit though! When I was in my early 20's, if I bent my knees past the half way point, they would pop loud enough to be heard by many, even if it wasn't all quiet. Same with most of my joints, including my neck.

My understanding is that you should be doing things to reduce inflammation (turmeric/anti-inflammatories) and rebuild collagen.
Posted 6/11/2016 5:07 PM (GMT 0)
Lifelover - are you being treated by a LLMD? I agree with Trav (what else is new?!) that reducing the inflammation is critical. Turmeric, Japanese Knotweed, Kudzu, Bromelain and Clove are excellent herbal anti-inflammatories.
Posted 6/11/2016 5:57 PM (GMT 0)
Yes! I got them a over my body, all day. It has only gotten better now with treatment. Was a pretty big symptom for me, and as I found out one doctors knew nothing about.
Posted 6/13/2016 5:38 AM (GMT 0)
@Evianangel, I'm glad yours have gotten better with treatment. I'm hoping it'll be the same for me once my treatments start. The noises don't bother me so much, it's the stiffnes that seems to come with it that irritates me. And my doc didn't seem to know anything about it either, just told me I "probably needed to stretch and exercise more". Amazing how clueless sone licensed physicians can be lol

Thanks for the advice Traveler, I'll be sure to remember this for when I see my llmd. :) I've actually had the obnoxious knee popping you mentioned for a while now come to think of it. There's even times where I'll be walking and you can hear a pop with each step.

And Mister Mike, I'm actually still in the process of getting diagnosed unfortunately. Although my doctor finally seems to recognize that I'm showing all the signs of late stage lyme and co so he referred me to a renowned neurologist /llmd in my area who I'm hoping will be able to start me on treatments rather soon. And thanks! I'll be sure to give some of those remedies you listed a try. :)
Posted 6/13/2016 8:34 AM (GMT 0)
The sounds we hear from the joints are due to our inflammatory processes that involve nitric oxide. Nitric oxide is a gas and has an extremely short life span. The sound we hear is from the reabsorption of the unbound gas that causes a shift in the synovial fluid. There are three locations/types of nitric oxide, the one causing the popping noises is made from the inducible nitric oxide synthase which plays a role in the inflammatory process. NO acts as a free radical scavenger that destroys superoxide anion radicals through oxidation. This is the same oxidation that harms our body so NO is beneficial and can be harmful. When our superoxide di****ase levels decrease due to epigenetic shifts, more cellular and neuronal damage will occur. This shows up as a SOD2 mutation. Many of us have this issue.

It could be hypothesized that the muscular twitching that we often experience may be caused by a localized arginine deficiency. It would certainly warrant further study. From the literature,

"Stimulation of intestinal or anococcygeal nerves liberates NO, and the resultant muscle relaxation is blocked by arginine derivatives that inhibit NO synthesis."

www.pnas.org/content/87/4/1620.short
Posted 6/13/2016 11:36 AM (GMT 0)
I have this too, all over my body! I go to put my hair up in a bun/ponytail and POP, my neck pops. The grinding, my knees popping when I straighten them!

I hope you have a good LLMD. The one I saw was ILADS certified, but he left my appt 3 times for a half hour each to see other patients. I spent $500 to see him only to find out he doesn't believe in herbal therapy (but DOES fanatically believe in god, go figure). My antibiotics would all be out of pocket, and he said 8 months of them...

Good luck and keep posting. Sounds like we are on the journey at the same point!
Posted 6/13/2016 2:32 PM (GMT 0)
LfeLvr - I, too get that A LOT - like every day, some cracks in the base of head, neck area sometimes freak me out and I don't have to move my head much for it to happen. Even when I am changing positions in bed or tossing and turning ( I don't sleep well AT ALL), it'll happen....so annoying. I also get a lot of on/off stiffness in my neck and travels all the way down to shoulder area.
Posted 6/16/2016 6:43 PM (GMT 0)
Since getting Lyme I have grinding noises in my neck and a snapping in my back. I had an xray and it showed that I have degenerative disks in both my neck and back and bone spurs. Sometimes turning my head sounds like a stick breaking. Has anyone tried PRP (plasma rich protein)? I also have noisy knees and shoulders due to bone spurs. When I first got infected I sounded like rice krispies when I got up in the morning.
Posted 6/16/2016 7:47 PM (GMT 0)
I have the gravel in my neck but not as much cracking. The chiro told me it's pretty normal and that lots of people have it. I'm not sure I believe that.

My jaw cracks like crazy. It feels different, almost brittle.
Posted 6/17/2016 5:12 AM (GMT 0)
Crunchy poppy everthing ..i think my cartalige is severly compromised. .trying gelitan lions main royal jelly etc etc
Posted 9/15/2019 4:18 PM (GMT 0)
To bluely don't forget the hyaluronic acid powder mixed into the gelatin, one teaspoon hyaluronic acid powder to one tablespoon gelatin or collagen powder, 3X daily I find it the only thing that helps with crunchy cracking neck pain sometimes twice a day will work, its gluey and not easy to drink, just mix water into it, maybe first some hot, then some could and drink it down when it is drinkable temperature Pine pollen tincture, lion mane; powder or tincture,Vitamins b+E; and Uncaria rynchophylla, 3x dailykudzu ticture, echinecea augustafoil tictureand nasty knotweed, I take powder. Its truly nasty but apparently oh so important; fermented cod liver oil; anyway, I take all these things, many 3 times daily. Can't recommend Buhners book or protocol strongly but as I've only been taking it for 2 months I really don't know it works in the end. It will make you feel better though
Posted 9/15/2019 4:26 PM (GMT 0)

sheilapro60 said...
To bluely don't forget the hyaluronic acid powder

Fav brand HA?

Lapis had a post on this too. Some of the ingredients were ones I avoid though.

Edit: I just noticed this post was started in 2016, ha ha. They need to make the date LARGER so we read it.

Post Edited (astroman) : 9/15/2019 11:29:56 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 9/16/2019 12:32 AM (GMT 0)
I get it when I herx, it kinda feels good to me though
Posted 9/16/2019 5:25 PM (GMT 0)
JovaLyme - Muscle has blood, thus immune cells it it.

White/soft tissue is mostly void of blood, thus no immune defense, and thriving lyme. It gets inflamed and damaged, with lack of circulation it takes a LONG time to heal and can leave scared tissue (sometimes changed forever possibly).
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