Why does my bones and joints make popping sound after getting a COVID vaccine?

Hello,

I have been dealing with a post-vaccine condition for 14 months (started the day after the COVID vaccine). I have not had any problems with my joints. Five weeks ago, an alternative medicine doctor gave me a depot injection containing CoQ10, Glutathione, Cat's Claw, and Acetylcholine. I had sore kidneys and cloudy urine for four days afterward and noticed worsening of my symptoms, but he said it would get worse first and then better, so I persevered. I began noticing my joints popping more. After two weeks, the depot ran out, and I had another one and a prolotherapy injection into my infraorbital nerve. I woke the next day with a headache, facial pain, and pain on one side of my neck. I got tinnitus and noticed my spine and neck-snapping loudly, everything clicking and popping, even when I breathed deep, ribs and sternum popping front and back. I also had a swollen left testicle, but it was painless and went away in two or three weeks. I do not know if I have an autoimmune disease. One doctor said that I had hypergammaglobulinemia for months and autoimmune neutropenia. I have had other problems for 14 months aside from the reaction to the naturopathic doctor's injections which were mainly neurological, pins and needles in my right hand, strange icy patches on my skin, dysesthesias, spasming, tremors on waking, headache, face aching, and left foot weakness. Here I am five weeks later with no change in tinnitus or joint snapping. My lower sacroiliac joint is sore, and the middle of my spine is also painful. I had never experienced any of this before. When I speak or move my head to the side, my eustachian tube makes a noise as if I am swallowing. I am worried. Please help. Currently, I am taking a strong antihistamine Fexofenadine hydrochloride 180 mg that I just started three days back, but it showed no changes in symptoms. I have not performed any lab tests. I think the tinnitus is due to changes in my joints, maybe TMJ or cervical spine. What is happening to me? I was always so strong and healthy. I am only 44, but I now look about 54. Please help, doctor.

Hi doctor,

That is the most honest answer I have received in the last 14 months. Is it really an allergic reaction? Or speeding up of autoimmune joint problems? My rheumatologist said that I carry the gene for ankylosing spondylitis and need to watch out for rheumatoid arthritis. I will have an MRI neck tomorrow morning. Maybe this will help to diagnose the problem. I do not understand why the problems have not abated even after five weeks, and I thought inflammation would go down by now. Should I stop the anti-histamine and begin Diclofenac or Prednisone? Would Ibuprofen do? How often and what dose? Also, you are so right about alternative medicine. I need to be much more careful. It is tough after 14 months, though, because nobody has any answers to my problems. I have not been able to work, and my wife also left me. When I get the MRI neck result, I will upload the reports, and hopefully, they will be clear. I noted your suggestion of hydrotherapy. Thank you.

Thank you doctor for the reply,

Please find the attached updated blood results and the cervical spine MRI report. The tinnitus is more pronounced during the night. When I rotate my head, I hear clicking sounds in my eustachian tubes. Additionally, when I rotate my head to the extreme right, it sometimes relieves some of the aching in my head and face, accompanied by a 'snap' sound. My spine continues to make cracking and popping noises when I move my head or body. For instance, applying slight pressure while scratching my head can result in a snapping noise in my neck, as well as in my mid-spine.

My hip and lower spine have been experiencing discomfort for the past two weeks. I am hopeful that this problem will resolve itself. I am awaiting a discussion with my primary care physician to share your advice. I was with a hematologist yesterday who mentioned a desire to check my pituitary gland due to elevated prolactin levels. My entire body is experiencing various issues. Can stenosis and hypertrophy conditions become permanent?

Thank you doctor for the reply,

You have given me plenty to ponder. I have re-uploaded the MRI files for the cervical spine; hopefully, they will work now. I am disheartened because I initially believed that the facet joint hypertrophy and foraminal stenosis might indicate inflammation, suggesting they could resolve over time. Could this potentially be a manifestation of ankylosing spondylitis? Alternatively, it might be genuine wear and tear, possibly exacerbated by my previous job in construction, where I carried heavy loads on my back for a decade before transitioning to healthcare. I was relieved to see that my autoimmune markers appear to be negative once again.

Upon examining the scan, I noticed what appears to be pronounced kyphosis and observed some disproportionate vertebrae, along with isolated white spots within the vertebrae. However, I believe these white spots are likely normal. Perhaps there is an interaction between inflammation and foraminal stenosis contributing to my headaches and the sensation of facial swelling. The pain I primarily experience is deep within the left trapezius, extending up to the base of my skull on the left side, with no pain on the right.

I am genuinely concerned that these symptoms of snapping, clicking, and popping in my neck, spine, front sternum, and around my ears began after that naturopathic doctor gave me the concoction (as you called it). These symptoms were accompanied by orchitis, headaches, a sensation of pins sticking into my left ear, lack of response from my left eustachian tube under pressure, and a severe headache spanning from the left side of my neck to my left head and jaw. It seems like it could be an allergic reaction, doesn't it? However, as you have rightly pointed out, it may be related to EBV reactivation. I discussed this with the hematologist, and he assured me there was no active infection and nothing to worry about. I also consulted an allergist or immunologist who suggested it could be a chronic EBV infection. But how should it be treated? Would intravenous oxygen therapy be an option? Perhaps if my white blood cell count were higher, it might be under control. I suspect this could explain why my ALT is chronically elevated, even if it is just slightly so.

A naturopathic doctor suggested that my white blood cell (WBC) count is low due to damage to the hypothalamus or pituitary gland, which is causing abnormal cortisol levels and hormone messaging. I do not feel stressed in the traditional sense; instead, I have been feeling emotionally devastated for quite some time. The naturopath also had me taking high doses of amino acid drinks every day. However, I stopped all of that five to six weeks ago when I had a reaction to his depot injection. I forgot to mention that on that day, he also injected my infraorbital nerve with a mixture of Lidocaine and Dextromethadone (prolotherapy, he said). One additional detail is that when I had my sperm count checked last time, it was extremely low. I do not know if it has improved since then, and I am unsure if it is related to the pituitary gland issue. Perhaps the cortisol levels are affecting the right hand nerve, impeding its quick healing, this possibility could be observed in the MRI scan. Considering all of this, maybe I should consult with a neurologist.

Another thing I have noticed with my neck is that when I do not move it for about 15 seconds, it makes a 'crunch' sound upon moving as if it is stiffening. This is something that seems to have eased over the past three to four days, maybe it represents an improvement in these issues at last! I have recently started taking monolaurin, turmeric, and activated charcoal three times a day to see if they will improve my condition. My father offered me tablet Diclofenac 75mg, but I declined. Perhaps, if I cannot get Diclofenac or Corticosteroids, I should consider trying it.

It is a mystery why my body is producing all these noises, and tinnitus has developed. I wonder if the naturopath's concoction could have caused a 'tightening' or constriction of ligaments, possibly even 'atrophy,' leading to everything feeling so 'tight.' For instance, when I move my head, my ears feel somewhat pulled inside, and the clicking seems to be in the areas around the TMJ (temporomandibular joint) near the ear.

Does an MRI reveal the tightening of ligaments? Could that help explain the tinnitus and snapping sounds? Could his concoction have caused this? Will the ligaments eventually loosen up with time? Should I consider taking the anti-inflammatory medication? Is this possibly related to fibromyalgia or costochondritis? There is no pain except for the neck, headache, and face aches.

I apologize for writing so much! I am really eager to improve. Thank you very much.

Thank you doctor for the reply,

Unfortunately, things have not changed since our last conversation, despite trying various treatments and holding onto hope. Following your valuable recommendations, I completed a two-week course on Diclofenac. I did not notice any drastic changes during that period, but in the final days, I vaguely recall a slight reduction in joint noise and tinnitus. I cannot be entirely certain, as there were external events during the treatment that might have affected my perception.

So, there is a treatment called HELP apheresis (major autohemotherapy typically used in coronary artery disease), which is being promoted as a treatment for long covid and post-vaccination syndromes, both of which are believed to involve 'micro-clotting.' Getting an appointment for this treatment is quite challenging, but I managed to secure one. Prior to the treatment, I consulted with their doctor a few days in advance and was prescribed Levothyroxine 50mg for three days, then 100mg, along with Clopidogrel 75mg and Aspirin 325mg once daily. I continued taking Diclofenac for an additional two weeks as well. During the apheresis procedure, a relatively large amount of 'waste' (including cholesterol, fibrinogen, and other large particles) was removed from my blood. However, after the treatment, I experienced a sudden worsening of symptoms. These included loud tinnitus, snapping sounds in my head, neck, spine, and chest, a burning sensation in my left foot with a 'weak feeling' (though no loss in strength), a painful swelling sensation in the upper left cheek with a feeling of iciness, aching in my right hand and forearm, along with 'engorged' sensations and pins and needles, neck pain, and left orchitis without pain. I suspect that this may have been related to 'oxidative stress,' a phenomenon documented in HELP apheresis research but not widely discussed.

Five days later, I underwent a session of HBOT (Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy) and noticed that my tinnitus had significantly decreased, to the point of being almost unnoticeable. This improvement persisted into the following morning. However, the reduction in tinnitus was short-lived as it returned after I attended my next HELP apheresis session. Following this second session, the side effects were not as severe as the first time. Despite being advised by their lead doctor to continue these costly treatments, I decided to discontinue them because I began to sense insincerity in the approach. I did take into account your advice regarding hydrotherapy and had been swimming nearly every day during these weeks. Strangely, I noticed that my tinnitus became considerably louder after swimming, possibly due to the high salt content in the water. Two days after the apheresis, based on the suggestion of a German doctor who theorized that I might have parasites, I initiated a three-day course of Mebendazole.

As I had been experiencing left-sided pubic pain and occasional kidney pain, along with the orchitis, I decided to consult a urologist. The urologist conducted an ultrasound of the bladder and kidneys, examined the prostate and testicles, and reassured me that everything appeared normal. About a week later, I woke up with kidney pain, a burning sensation throughout my body, and aches similar to the flu, which I had not experienced for over 10 years. My tinnitus was also very loud, and I spent the entire day in bed. The following day, I realized I had tested positive for COVID-19. I developed a sore throat and a mild cough. After two days, I felt better, except for the lingering sore throat, which persisted for 10 days, and the cough, which seemed to hang on much longer. I continued to isolate until I received a negative PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test result, which took 12 days.

Subsequently, I sought consultation with a doctor who conducted thermography scanning and recommended 'Ten Pass Ozone Therapy.' I underwent a total of six of these treatments over the course of two weeks. To briefly explain the process, heparin is administered via a cannula, and then a machine vacuums 16.9 fluid ounces of blood into a revolving bottle suspended overhead. The blood is mixed with 'ozone' before being returned to the body, with the waste remaining in the bottle. This process is repeated five times during each session. I must admit that I was astonished by the initial contents of the bottle during the first session, resembling a green-black lump of jelly, with additional jelly adhering to the needle. However, over the course of the six sessions, this residue gradually reduced to nothing. While I maintain a degree of skepticism, I cannot think of a way in which the process could have been manipulated dishonestly, and I believe it to have been a genuine treatment. Regrettably, the symptoms did not show significant improvement. However, repeat thermography scans, conducted one month apart, did indicate a reduction in inflammation in multiple areas. I will attach these images though I am aware that these diagnostics and treatments are considered controversial.

Following the recommendation of the German doctor, I decided to visit a testing facility to undergo several tests, including a TB (tuberculosis) spot test. Interestingly, the lingering cough I had after recovering from COVID-19 disappeared within two days. It is possible that the test temporarily boosted my immune response, or there may be some other connection, but I found it intriguing.

I underwent additional tests that would typically be unavailable at home. Upon reviewing the attached results, you will notice that there was minimal change in my blood count. Specialized testing for blood gangliosides specific to neurological conditions associated with the vaccination yielded negative results (I understand that testing cerebrospinal fluid closer to the vaccination may have been ideal). My copper levels were found to be within the normal range.

However, my immunology profile showed some disturbances. I consulted a friend of mine, who mentioned that the low T-cell counts could be indicative of a 'common variable immunodeficient' state. I have limited knowledge in this area, and it appears to be quite a specialized field. Unfortunately, it is impossible to consult with an immunologist here due to a waiting list of four years. While I was at a pharmacy, the pharmacist suggested trying Meloxicam for my joint noise. I followed her advice and used Meloxicam for three days, but I did not notice significant improvement. Admittedly, I was doing excessive walking, and I ended up developing a sore knee, which has persisted for the past two months.

About a week after this, I came across a paper on Lyme disease (even though I tested negative for Lyme) and consulted with a hematologist online. Following their advice, I decided to embark on a three-week program: one week of Doxycycline, one week of two Filgrastim injections, and another week of Doxycycline. After the first Filgrastim injection, I experienced reduced spasming and tingling for a few days. However, during the second injection, I was traveling back home and encountered several stressful obstacles over three days, including changing a flat tire at midnight in a monsoon rainstorm and being stuck in the airport overnight. Unfortunately, my symptoms returned during this period.

After another week with no medication, there was still no change in my condition. Based on the advice of another individual who had experienced post-vaccine syndrome, I decided to try Hydroxychloroquine at a dosage of 200mg twice daily for one week. After a week, I added Ivermectin at 15mg once daily to the regimen, continuing Hydroxychloroquine for 10 days and finishing the Ivermectin after another 10 days. It has now been three weeks since completing this treatment. I underwent another round of blood tests, but unfortunately, despite the temporary increase in counts observed with Filgrastim, they have returned to low levels, including neutropenia. I consulted with the hematologist once more, and they have recommended trying a one-month course of Prednisolone in combination with an anxiolytic medication. They also mentioned that a bone marrow biopsy should be considered at this point, especially given the duration of my symptoms (20 months since the initial injury). However, the local hematologist does not believe I warrant a biopsy and does not attribute my condition to the vaccination, which seems to be a matter of medical politics.

I am extremely concerned that this might be a permanent condition now. Although I am pushing myself to return to work (initially just two days a week for research and practice), my health is far from optimal, and I fear that I will not be able to carry out my responsibilities. I am currently experiencing immediate headaches in response to loud noises, constant noise around my ears when I tilt my head or speak, persistent and distressing tinnitus, tingling and aches when typing, itching, or using a touchscreen, as well as random muscle spasms, and various other unsettling changes.

Furthermore, about four weeks ago, I woke up with significant stiffness and pain in my back, causing me to walk with a gait resembling that of an elderly person. It is possible that this is related to the Ivermectin I was taking at the time, but I cannot be certain. Fortunately, I believe this symptom is gradually subsiding.

I have the following medications available to me here: Methylprednisolone, Prednisolone, Diclofenac, Montelukast, Dostinex, Lorazepam, Propranolol, Fluvoxamine, and Amitriptyline. I am also considering anabolic steroids along with Somatotropin. The FLCCC (front-line COVID-19 critical care alliance) has recently started recommending Oxytocin peptide nasal spray for post-vaccine tinnitus. I am wondering if I could use it in combination with Prednisolone or Montelukast, the latter of which is linked to addressing COVID-related mast cell dysfunction. As you can see, I am still as desperate as ever to regain my health and my life. I wake up every day wondering how this could have happened to me. I make an effort to keep myself busy each day for the sake of my mental health. I apologize for the length of this message, but I wanted to ensure you have all the information. Over the past 20 months, I have consulted with numerous doctors and specialists and expended all my resources, and yet, there is been no improvement. I am holding onto the hope that something in this message may trigger a potential solution.

Below, you will find a record of my primary symptoms and their changes since all the treatments from May until now, along with comments on what appears to be effective.

Pain in left chest - May 14th 3/10; July 19th 0/10; Aug 14th 1/10; Sept 11th 0/10; Serrapeptase definitely reduces and stops this.

Tremors in arms on waking - 0/10; 2/10; 3/10; 2/10

Tinnitus morning - 0/10; 7/10; 3/10; 2/10

Tinnitus daytime - 6/10; 6/10; 2/10; 3/10

Tinnitus nighttime - 6/10; 7/10; 4/10; 2/10

Snapping sounds in neck - 8/10; 8/10; 7/10; 7/10

Snapping in back and chest - 7/10; 5/10; 6/10; 7/10

Pain in left temple - 4/10; 2/10; 1/10; 0/10

Swelling in left face - 2/10; 4/10; 2/10; 2/10

Left neck pain - 4/10; 3/10; 1/10; 0/10

Right hand pins and needles - 6/10; 3/10; 1/10; 3/10

Right hand aching - 3/10; 6/10; 1/10; 1/10

Left calf swelling - 4/10; 2/10; 2/10; 2/10

Left foot weak and burning - 4/10; 2/10; 2/10; 2/10; Possibly affected by caffeine, definitely affected by immediate stressors like noise.

Ear clicking - 7/10; 7/10; 7/10; 7/10

Left pubic or testicular pain - 3/10; 4/10; 0/10; 0/10

Pronounced tingling - 2/10; 3/10; 2/10; 1/10

Random muscle spasming - 3/10; 3/10; 6/10; 3/10

Iciness under Left eye or cheek - 1/10; 3/10; 2/10; 2/10

Iciness and picking in the right thigh - 2/10; 3/10; 0/10; 1/10

Back pain - 7th Aug 6/10; 11th Sept 5/10.

Thank you.

Thank you doctor for the reply,

I know I have immersed myself in the world of alternative controversial treatments, and I have definitely learned a lot. However, I have very mixed feelings about it. To keep it brief, I have been dealing with ongoing neutropenia, and my symptoms do not seem to be improving. Have you ever witnessed a patient develop joint or ligament issues as rapidly as within two weeks? Could it be inflammation, or is it something more serious like osteoarthritis?

If indeed it is inflammation, I wonder why it is not subsiding. Perhaps I have been subjecting my body to too many treatments in an attempt to heal, which might have had the opposite effect, causing more stress. I have pondered this extensively, and I think it could either be chronic inflammation due to ongoing viral activity or chronic inflammation resulting from overly sensitive nerves or other substrates damaged during the initial acute event. It could even be a combination of both factors. The challenge remains that even if I manage to reduce the inflammation with medications like prednisolone, given my disturbed immune profile and low NK cell count (any insights on those results?), would the inflammation just return? I suppose, in both scenarios, it appears crucial to address two primary aspects: 1) inflammation and 2) stress or the perception of stress. Consequently, it seems prudent to consider an anti-inflammatory approach and incorporate strategies to reduce stress. I am curious if you have any thoughts on this or if I might be completely off track.

Thank you doctor for the reply,

It is very kind of you to share your personal experience. Indeed, COVID-19 can have strange effects on the joints. I often wonder whether there is still ongoing viral activity in my body or if I have entered a slow recovery phase. Do you know if the disturbed immunology profile will eventually return to normal? It was disappointing to see the white blood cell count drop again after the temporary increase from Filgrastim.

I had previously tried Moringa supplements and even up to 0.07 ounces of NAC daily, but there were no noticeable changes. I had not tried Septilin, and I came across this study that suggests it might be as powerful, if not more so, than Prednisolone. Moreover, when combined with Diclofenac, it seemed even more effective. So it does seem worth considering. However, I can relate to your skepticism about supplements, given their sometimes exaggerated claims. I am also tempted to go with the tried and tested Prednisolone.

I also noticed something today. When I raised my left arm laterally while holding a small bottle of water (my left shoulder has been painful for the past month), I experienced a synchronized painful swelling, tingling, and ache under my left upper cheek or jaw at a certain point. This could potentially be related to the cervical spine issue. If these viruses or vaccine components can cause or contribute to cervical spine problems, does that mean it is reversible? (Many in the vaccine-injury community are reporting left-sided cervical spine pain similar to mine).

Thank you doctor for the reply,

If the inflammation does not subside with the medications, should I then consider that it might not be inflammation but something else? I have noticed that when I move my shoulder blades, the left side sounds like it is bone-on-bone. Perhaps this condition also affects cartilage, although I have not experienced much pain in smaller joints or elsewhere. Getting input from an immunologist is definitely necessary, but I am unsure about how to access that expertise. I thought maybe someone who specializes in acquired immunodeficiency states could help. I have seen doctors described as allergists, dermatologists, or immunologists, but they seem to focus more on allergies and skin diseases rather than the complexities of immunology and neuroimmunology. Do you have any suggestions for who I should consult to review my immunology profile?

Thank you doctor for the reply,

I had been consulting with a rheumatologist online, but I preferred to see one locally. However, I have been informed that there is a waiting list of about two or three years here. Regarding the hematologist, it was quite disappointing that the local one did not take my situation seriously, possibly due to medical politics related to the vaccination. It is possible that I may need to travel abroad for a biopsy, which probably should have been done a year ago. The rheumatologist did request input from hematology, but the local hematologist appeared dismissive. Initially, he did not have the blood film report ready, but he assured me there was no problem. A few days later, he found several issues in the blood but dismissed them as likely stemming from a chronic viral infection, advising me to return in six months. It was quite frustrating.

To be honest, I started taking Prednisolone this morning because when I ordered the Septilin, it was going to take three weeks to arrive. My plan is to taper down from 10mg twice a day to 5mg and then stop after four weeks. I will complement this with a stress-reducing medication every few days, perhaps a low dose of Lorazepam or Propranolol. Alongside this, I will take a good multivitamin and B-complex and try to keep my stress levels as low as possible.

I appreciate your support, and I am doing my best to explore all available options. Thank you again.