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Stiff Joints (Do I have arthritis?)

Derp

Derp

May 29, 2013
157
144
#1
My fellow TBers, has anyone here had joint problems?

I first started cracking my fingers when I was about 12-13. I later started to routinely crack not only my fingers, but also my toe joints. At 14-15 my jaw started to get stuck shut. If I keep my mouth shut for a while, when I want to open it I have to overcome a point of resistance and crack my mouth open. At 15-16 I started cracking my knees in the mornings. Now i do it frequently. Several months ago my shoulders started to feel weird sometimes, so sometimes I pull my shoulder to crack it. Now I also feel the need to crack my spine a couple times a day by twisting my body in different directions.

I'm 19 now and I've been ignoring this ever since, because I thought, you know, everyone likes to crack their knuckles once in a while, right? But lately I've been noticing how frequently I do it and how annoying and unhealthy it is and it seems to be getting worse each day.

I know I definitely have to see a doctor as soon as I can but currently I don't really have such an opportunity.

Any input will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
 
#3
I am not a doctor, nor do i play one on tv.

That said, my understanding is that joint cracking is something you shouldn't induce for the heck of it, but it won't cause arthritis either.

There are any number of types of arthritis and you're not describing them. You're describing a habit or a nervous twitch or something else in the psychological realm. Try giving it up for Lent. You have nothing to lose.
 
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#7
I'm of the age and many decades of playing bass where my finger joints are fairly stiff in the morning, fortunately it doesn't last, but its a more recent thing that keeps reminding me of my age.
 
#8
I'm 40 years into a diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis.
I was diagnosed at 25 so just a little older than you now.
However, your symptoms don't sound like what I deal with.

There are many types of arthritis, some kinds are due to joint wear and may be associated with certain activities.
Some kinds, like in my case, are where your immune system thinks normal tissue is the bad guy and goes on the attack. But it really takes a diagnosis by a Rheumatologist. In my case I went through a couple of doctors before they figured it out. You should not hesitate to see a doctor sooner than later.

Arthritis ain't your poor achin' grandpas knees like many would have you believe. Don't listen to those who would say you are too young for that. Little kids can have Arthritis. There's a whole association out there devoted to Juvinile Arthritis. It's really bad seeing little kids go through this, especially when you literally know their pain.

It can be very debilitating especially if left untreated. See a doctor. Let the pros work this out for you. There are a lot of really helpful meds these days to treat many types of Arthritis. If you have one of the forms of degenerative Arthritis, then the sooner you get on track with treatment, the easier your life will be when you are my age, or even 30.

I hope that what you have going on is something simple and non-chronic. At your age it could just still be growing pains. The fact that it's become more widespread is a bit worrisome though.
Let the docs figure that out for you. Good Luck.
 
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#9
Derp said:
My fellow TBers, has anyone here had joint problems?

I first started cracking my fingers when I was about 12-13. I later started to routinely crack not only my fingers, but also my toe joints. At 14-15 my jaw started to get stuck shut. If I keep my mouth shut for a while, when I want to open it I have to overcome a point of resistance and crack my mouth open. At 15-16 I started cracking my knees in the mornings. Now i do it frequently. Several months ago my shoulders started to feel weird sometimes, so sometimes I pull my shoulder to crack it. Now I also feel the need to crack my spine a couple times a day by twisting my body in different directions.

I'm 19 now and I've been ignoring this ever since, because I thought, you know, everyone likes to crack their knuckles once in a while, right? But lately I've been noticing how frequently I do it and how annoying and unhealthy it is and it seems to be getting worse each day.

I know I definitely have to see a doctor as soon as I can but currently I don't really have such an opportunity.

Any input will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Click to expand...

You don't have Arthritis. You've got Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.
 
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#10
image.jpeg
 
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#13
I am 57. Never cracked a joint (intentionally) in my life and I am eat up with arthritis. Several joints have been replaced with artificial joints and have a plate holding my left foot together. Everyone has suffered from a headache. Imagine that headache except emanating from the offending joint. I was hard on my body young. Played ball and raced bikes as a kid. Jumped out of airplanes in the Army and jumped off stages and PA stacks in my 20's & 30's. I am living proof that the abuse you put your body through in youth will revisit you with a vengeance in old age. You are young and I doubt you have arthritis unless it is a hereditary thing. Your mind is working overtime. Yes, see a doctor. But then take advise from this old fart and take care of your body now.
 
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