Unexplainable pain

[Lintu]

Hi All,
I was wondering whether anyone may have insight into what's been causing me pain for awhile now.

About 3 or 4 months ago, I came down with some kind of virus that gave me big, swollen, infected tonsils (along with fatigue, malaise, body aches, mild fever that went away within a couple of days). The strep test came back negative, so I was told to wait it out. I went back in after several weeks still complaining of infected areas on my tonsils and burning pain, was given Zithromax just in case it really was strep, and sent on my way. Many weeks later (with the help of some peroxide rinsing), the infection went away. The tonsils are still swollen and pitted, but the throat pain has mostly subsided and the white infection spots are gone.

The ENT doc had asked me to call him and let him know how the throat was feeling, so I called him and mentioned that the throat pain was mostly gone, but that I had new symptoms. My joints were aching all of a sudden (particularly my knees), popping frequently, and just overall hurting. I also had intense lower back pain and pelvic pain. The ENT doc directed me to a rheumatologist, who tested me and examined me for a variety of things (including lupus and rheumatoid arthritis), all of which came out as negative as could be. I don't have fatigue or any mental fog and I don't have fibromyalgia trigger points. The doc put me on 500 mg naproxen twice a day, which definitely helps. He says that in two months, if I'm not feeling better, he's going to refer me for physical therapy...although I just don't think it's mechanical.

If I don't take the naproxen, though, the pain comes back within a couple of days. The most intense part is the lower back pain, along with knee pain. The knee pain is very strange...activity doesn't bother it at all (in fact, I went rock climbing yesterday without pain), yet while on the way home, I found my knee excruciating to extend. I put it into an extended position, and within 10 minutes it felt completely normal again.

I'm at a complete loss as to what is wrong with me. As I mentioned, I've been tested for lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, sjogren's, thyroid problems, and hormonal imbalance. Everything has checked out fine. Using the pain medication, I can manage, but I'm only 23 years old. I'm too young to be in unexplained, chronic pain.

Does anyone have any ideas?

Thank you!

[_mystictiger_]

Have you been checked for Mono? If not get checked hun as it could be this.

[Lintu]

I haven't, but I had mono already (3 years ago). I also don't have fatigue, although I didn't really have fatigue when I had it 3 years ago either!

[_mystictiger_]

Mono can reoccur in rare cases so get yourself checked for it again hun. I've had it twice now myself. Also have a test for Lymes just incase.

[chloflo07]

I am currently in the same situation you were in at the time of this post. A couple weeks ago I had swollen tonsils and was tested for strep but it came back negative. I was given Zithromax and that seemed to help. I had blood work done and was later told that I had both mono and strep throat. Once the sore throat went away I developed extreme pain mostly in my hips. I was tested for arthritis, but my labs came back normal. I have no idea what is wrong with me. I just wanted to let you know that you are not alone. Also, let me know if you ever found out what was wrong with you.