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Could throat problems be the source of all of my neurological issues?

I know this is stretching a bit, but I want to explore a few more options before just giving up and accepting that there is no explanation for all of my symptoms.

I've had a ton of weird seemingly neurological symptoms for the past about 9 years. I used to have difficulty pronouncing words. My sense of taste just completely stopped working when I was 14. I have 24/7 headaches. I have a ton of cognitive issues that I never had until about 3 years about (difficulty concentrating, trouble recalling words, making a ton of typos when writing, awful memory, etc.). I have symptoms that seem like they might be seizure related like biting down repeatedly in my sleep and randomly smelling something burning. My hearing is awful. I get really dizzy and feel off-balanced a lot. The list goes on.

There is also this white spot on the right side of the back of my throat that flares up and gets really sore every couple of months or so. It's been giving me trouble since high school (I'm 23 now), but I was so much more afraid of all of the other issues I began having around that time that I just kind of ignored it...a sore throat isn't all that concerning when you're also having dizzy spells and trouble speaking without slurring your words or stuttering.

I recently read that throat issues can cause seizures, which is why I'm wondering if maybe the issues I have are related to the throat problems. Just curious if anyone knows if this may be the case. I'm guessing that it's not strep if I have some kind of infection (I really hope it's not oral cancer) because my GP recently did a strep culture that came back negative. She then sent a culture off to another lab to check for other things, and that came back negative too.

I've already been evaluated by neurologists, cardiologists, internists, GPs, chiropractors, you name it. Everything is coming back negative. A neuropsychologist recently wrote in my records that it's basically all in my head, but I know it's not.
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Avatar universal
I minored in psychology in college. I've done a good bit of research on psychogenic illness and never said that it was synonymous with hysteria. However, when I state that I know that it's not the case in my situation, indicate that I feel that the psychologist who said it was was just impeding my ability to get to the real root of the problem, and do not ask for any input on psychosomatic origins in my post, I shut down and do not want to answer any questions from the person suggesting that maybe I just don't know what I'm talking about. My choice to respond to or not respond to anything in my thread.

Thanks for the good luck wishes!
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Avatar universal
To pose the idea of psychosomatic or psychogenic illness is not in any way to dismiss symptoms or pain, which are very real.  (And, by "some of us," I was referring to myself - but beyond that... never mind  Do the research rather than relegating psychogenic illness to some level of hysteria).  For the record, your symptoms were not being dismissed.  On the other hand, you did not supply answers to questions asked, which are pertinent to your healh, and which might help solve the diagnostic puzzle.  Good luck with it.
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Avatar universal
Thank you for the suggestion. I researched Behcet's a bit but should research it more. So far, doesn't really sound that characteristic of my symptoms, but some symptoms are in line with what I experience. I get the neurological symptoms like confusion, memory loss, and potential seizures, but it sounds like most of these people get things like genital sores, which I've never experienced. It sounds like the spots people with Behcet's get are more like cold sores, whereas mine is more just a patch of the back of my throat where the skin (is it considered skin? Gums? idk) is white, but it doesn't look like a sore. And it's always just that one spot. I don't know how to describe it; I wish I could get a picture, but my camera is crap..I've tried.

I'll continue researching it and ask my neurologist and/or GP about it if nothing else is found at my ENT visit...whenever that will be...still waiting to hear back on the referral.
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596605 tn?1369946627
Behcet's Disease spelled it wrong
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596605 tn?1369946627
I am a little bit familiar with ur case, in that u have symptoms but no solid diagnosis yet. This is just a thought. I've got a friend who was diagnosed with an autoimmune condition called brucet's. You might read about it to see if this might be something worth having ruled out. One issue that she has are these white spots in her throat when she is having a "flare". I think that she worked with a rheumy and internist to get to that diagnosis.
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Avatar universal
Thank you for your response, Paderla Anitha, DNB. The idea that the white patch in my throat could be cancerous or pre-cancerous is definitely something that has crossed my mind numerous times and something that I worry about. My GP tested it for strep, which came back negative, and also sent a culture off to another lab to test for other bacterium, which also came back negative. Now she's sending me to an ENT, which has me really scared because I guess he'll probably check me for cancer. I'm going to ask if he can check for issues with my inner ear while I'm there as well. That said, I've never been a tobacco user. Not sure I've ever even touched a cigarette, actually.

I don't really have much to say about the suggestion that it's all psychosomatic other than that it's not. I'll write that in my own blood. Just because doctors haven't figured it out doesn't mean it's not real or not physiological in nature. I find it pretty dangerous and irresponsible to diagnose someone with alarming symptoms with a psychiatric disorder, actually. Plus, I've been to psychologists before, and they weren't able to help with anything because it was like trying to treat a virus with an antibiotic. I've also been to some different types of naturopaths. They wanted to help but were ultimately unable to. I'm seeing a lady who does reiki next week. I don't really have a lot of faith in reiki or energy healing in general, but I told her husband I'd try it out once to see if it helps.

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Avatar universal
Sometimes some of us must consider psychosomatic causes of our ailments when other causes have been ruled out.

Given that you say that the neuropsychologist wrote that your symptoms were all in your head, did the blasted neuropsychologist then make any referrals and/or recommendations about what you should do next?  If h/she did not, then I'd ask h/her why not?  

The kinds of symptoms you are reporting could certainly be anxiety-related, but what is your daily nutrition like?  Also, the kinds of symptoms you report are great fodder for a naturopathic physician, and, you just might be able to afford to see one.  You would probably feel very comfortable with that approach.

You have spent a lot of time on this already, so if you haven't done so, you might write down exactly what was going on with you, and your life, and environment, 9 years ago, and 3 years ago.  Make it s detailed as possible - foods, beverages, too.  You might get some clues.
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Avatar universal
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hello and hope you are doing well.

It may not be related your symptoms and the white patch in the throat and your neurological issues. White patches are common in many throat  infections. It could also occur due to trauma, chemical injury. It could also be Leukoplakia, which is a condition where patches of keratosis appear as adherent white patches on the mucous membranes of the oral cavity and throat. It is a potentially pre-cancerous disease of the mouth and throat. A biopsy may help to diagnose this condition. The cause of leukoplakia is unknown, but tobacco, whether smoked, dipped or chewed, is considered to be the main culprit in its development. Treatment is with laser or cryotherapy. So, don't worry and discuss these options with your doctor.

Hope this helped and do keep us posted.
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Avatar universal
Does anyone know of a more appropriate place to ask this question if no one knows here?
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