Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Undiagnosed symptoms for 10 years, no doctor seems to want to help

All my issues started almost immediately after I had my son 10 years ago.  First I started losing my hair (while my obgyn said I was over reacting ten years later I am almost total bald on the top of my head), then I began gaining weight (I had lost weight during pregnancy) and no matter how much I dieted or exercised I couldn't lose it, then I began having random episodes of high fever and joint pain that would last 24-48 hours, then I started getting psoriasis patches on my elbows - ten years later I now get them on my head and breasts, I started easily bruising and getting little sores on my legs and breasts which can take up to a year to heal and leave scars.  My finger nails and toe nails began turning purple when immersed in warm/hot water.  As a child, I was constantly sick but since this began I am almost never sick - it was like a complete 180.  I'm always exhausted - I could sleep 14 hours a day and still be tired, I'm now depressed and have no motivation.  After 10 years, at the age of 33, I feel like I'm dying.  All the doctors I've seen run the standard blood tests and tell me the same thing - everything is normal except I'm vitamin D deficient and my c reactive protein is extremely high - it's high every month, and my thyroid is normal.  My mom has very similar symptoms and hers also started after she gave birth to me.  She has never had a concrete diagnosis either, though her doctors think she has lupus.  Every doctor I see goes through the motions for a while, then they just kind of give up.  I feel like giving up too.  I know I can't "live with this" another 10 years.  Does anyone have some possible insights or advice?
6 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
1530171 tn?1448129593
secret_serpent, you are very welcome.

I cannot emphasize enough the huge risks of low vitamin D .
Total sun avoidance might be a bit extreme , so off peak hours, some exposure  without sunblock will likely be beneficial.

You may also want to consider some Vitamin K2 and Vitamin A as protective  from any possibility of vit. D toxicity ( rare ) as these  will help with
calcium being deposited on bones and teeth instead of soft tissues, after calcium gets metabolized by vitamin D.

Best wishes.
Niko

Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank you so much for your kind reply.  I don't believe I've been tested for psoriatic arthritis, but I do not exhibit any symptoms of it as far as I know.  I am rh negative also.  I can tell you my mother was diagnosed and treated for rheumatoid all those years ago, but I think they just didn't know what it could be so they treated her for what seemed to make sense.  She has variably seen other doctors who've diagnosed Lupus or Fibromyalgia simply because nothing else seems to fit.  It is rather like a jig saw puzzle, but I know I'm not alone.  
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank you so much for the information.  After reading your post on Vitamin D, I recalled that the same tests indicated severely Vitamin D deficient.  The physicans I saw all said this would not be unusual for someone living in Montana (as I do) since we do not get a lot of sun. They did not recommend a supplement, but I am now of the opinion it can not hurt. Also I am very fair and avoid the sun at all costs.  I will begin supplementing right away and then have myself re-tested to see where my levels are at.  Again, I can not thank you enough and this is at least a place where I can start to take some control back.
Helpful - 0
1530171 tn?1448129593
Hi again.

Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with many autoimmune conditions including autoimmune hypothyroidism AND vitamin D affects over 3000 genes!! Not a typo,lol!
It is critical that you supplement  with higher doses of D3 till you reach a Minimum of 35 ng/ml.
If you are supplementing and your levels are not increasing, you may have
underlying issues, which prevent the absorption and assimilation of Vit. D.

-- Problems with Vitamin D absorption, assimilation & resistance to vit D:

*General Inflammation and G/I inflammation(Very common with low thyroid sufferers) or Leaky Gut Syndrome.
* Low fat diet or issues with fat digestion also relating to not enough cholesterol for hormonal AND vitamin D synthesis ( vit D is fat soluble)
* Obesity
* certain drugs
* high cortisol
* Vitamin D Receptor (VDR) gene mutation  ( genetic /autoimmune) or decreased VDR expression, common with Hypothyroid & Hashimoto's sufferers also.)
In this case need increased levels of D, above and beyond normal serum levels, for optimum function.

More suggestions next time, but please look into this, as your ability to recover with unresolved Vit.D deficiency, is compromised.

Blessings.
Niko
Helpful - 0
434278 tn?1324706225
Hi and welcome to the forum.  My heart really went out to you.  There are several really knowledgeable people on this forum who might be able to help you.  TheLightSeeker is one of them.

I'm wondering if they ever did an ANA or dsDNA test?  The high CRP has to indicate inflammation in your body somewhere.  There is an arthritis that is connected to psoriasis.  Surely they have tested you for that.  Another thing they can do is biopsy the skin lesions you said take a year to heal.
Helpful - 0
1530171 tn?1448129593
Hey secret_serpent. Welcome to the forum.

I'm so sorry to read about all the pain and suffering you're going through.

To what degree, I can help, is uncertain, however, I think I can give you
a lot of insight and you can take it from there.

The one main concern is that what I call Iatrogenic -definition: of or relating to illness caused by medical examination or treatment- with an expanded
meaning which would include LACK of proper treatment, is likely in the center of your health issues!

I will post later with some specifics, when I have more time.

Love and Light.

Niko
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Autoimmune Disorders Community

Top Autoimmune Diseases Answerers
1756321 tn?1547095325
Queensland, Australia
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Condoms are the most effective way to prevent HIV and STDs.
PrEP is used by people with high risk to prevent HIV infection.