Aa
Concerned about my health
Hi, I'm a 21 year old female who was generally healthy up until 2 months ago. I just had a baby in June of 2007 also, so I don't know if that might be causing a depression that could be giving me these symptoms, or if there is an underlying physical problem.
It all started 2 months ago... I was sitting on the couch and got really dizzy all of a sudden. That night, a terrible headache set in and stayed for 2 weeks. It was unlike any other headache I've ever had before, though. It wasn't painful like ouch, but it felt like someone was crushing my head. Now I'll just list the rest of my symptoms, since there are a lot.
-vision disturbances
-dizzy spells
-slightly swollen neck lymph node
-excessive weight loss
-extreme fatigue
-occasional muscle weakness
-chronic cold
-gastrointestinal problems (being tested for Crohn's)
-hives like blotchy rash that comes and goes and is also heat/pressure activated
-ringing in ears
-i've always had low blood pressure but recently it was really low even for me (87 over 60)
I've also been suffering from lots of anxiety, depression, tearfulness and panic attacks. I've had panic attacks in the past, but they've gotten worse over the last 2 months. And the depression has also gotten worse, but I don't know if I'm depressed because I'm sick or sick because I'm depressed.
My doctor doesn't seem to be taking my concern over the my health very seriously and is only testing me for Crohn's. I just want to find out what's wrong, whether it's physical or psychological, so I can get better and get back to taking care of my daughter properly and enjoying life.
Do you have any ideas on what I might have?
It all started 2 months ago... I was sitting on the couch and got really dizzy all of a sudden. That night, a terrible headache set in and stayed for 2 weeks. It was unlike any other headache I've ever had before, though. It wasn't painful like ouch, but it felt like someone was crushing my head. Now I'll just list the rest of my symptoms, since there are a lot.
-vision disturbances
-dizzy spells
-slightly swollen neck lymph node
-excessive weight loss
-extreme fatigue
-occasional muscle weakness
-chronic cold
-gastrointestinal problems (being tested for Crohn's)
-hives like blotchy rash that comes and goes and is also heat/pressure activated
-ringing in ears
-i've always had low blood pressure but recently it was really low even for me (87 over 60)
I've also been suffering from lots of anxiety, depression, tearfulness and panic attacks. I've had panic attacks in the past, but they've gotten worse over the last 2 months. And the depression has also gotten worse, but I don't know if I'm depressed because I'm sick or sick because I'm depressed.
My doctor doesn't seem to be taking my concern over the my health very seriously and is only testing me for Crohn's. I just want to find out what's wrong, whether it's physical or psychological, so I can get better and get back to taking care of my daughter properly and enjoying life.
Do you have any ideas on what I might have?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
you have such a diverse number of symptoms, it's unlikely to be from 1 condition, and may be related to something like fibromyalgia or other complex pain syndrome. It would help to get a referral to a pain medicine / physiatry specialist since the CT & MRI studies have been reassuring.
It's going on 3 months now that I've been sick. I also had surgery to remove a cyst on my small colon 3 weeks ago, and since then have been feeling steadily worse. On top of all the symptoms I originally listed, I've recently developped new ones, which include more swollen glands, I've missed my period, the vision problems I have are getting worse, and so are the gastrointestinal problems. I was wondering if you could give me some insight. Do you think all my symptoms are related, like maybe I have celiac disease... or could it be something else? I'm getting really desperate, and my doctor and others don't really seem to be taking any of my concerns seriously. I just want to start feeling better and am getting really tired of being sick all the time.
would you happen to be able to give me any insight on what you think might be going on? I just realized also that I have a lot of pain in the soft hollow spot at the base of my skull, right in where I think the vertebrae start. Could it be a pinched never causing the vision problems and headaches and such and maybe depression causing the other symptoms? or what else is at the base of the skull?
that's a lot of symptoms. honestly don't have much to offer. wait to see if someone else posts. also post back when you have some more news pls.
I should also mention that it always feels like there's something caught in my lungs/chest and sometimes it hurts. But whenever I cough, nothing comes up.
Yes, I had a bunch of blood tests done, as well as a CT scan and an MRI of my head and c-spine. My doctor said that all the tests have come back normal so far. I had a CT of my abdomen done and they found a mass which they thought might have been lymphoma (which would have explained a lot of my symptoms), but it turned out just to be a benign cyst. The symptoms I've been having had worsened after my surgery. And this morning, my right armpit has been really tender and painful. I don't know if it's because there's a lymph node that is starting to swell up. Asides from the blotchy rash that comes and goes, my skin stays abnormally pink for a really long time when it's pinched, pressed on or rubbed. The vision disturbances that I have are also there constantly and have been for the last 2 months. They haven't gotten better or gone away at all. It's like everything I'm looking at is there, but not there. There are little black dots that float in and out of my vision sometimes, and the rest of the time it's really speckled with flashing dots. I have a hard time seeing myself in the mirror (it's hard to describe though... the best explanation I can give is that it's like looking at myself with only one eye. I can't focus on the entire image). When I read signs with my glasses on, I have to be looking at them straight on. If I turn from side to side, the words become blurry. So all of this, plus the other symptoms I've been having are getting really bothersome. I just want to find out what's wrong so I can get better. I don't recall having a problem with bleeding after giving birth, so Sheehan's syndrome seems pretty unlikely to me, and I'm sure they would have found it if they did blood tests, no? Is it possible that this is some mysterious virus that isn't coming up on my blood tests? Or something else?
it's difficult to say for sure. you do have different symptoms. some of the things i'd be concerned about would be post partum depression. you seem to have some of the symptoms of that. however, it's important to rule out a general medical condition first. thyroid dysfunction is well documented after delivery and you seem to have some of the symptoms of that as well. i'd imagine that you've had a cbc and tsh (thyroid test) done already.
some of your symptoms do not fit with the above, such as the hives and swollen lymph nodes.
looking down the list at rare disorders, there is something called sheehan's syndrome, which generally presents acutely and is hardly missed with the standard of care now. while the majority of cases are acute, the literature describes this syndrome as having a delayed presentation as well. although non specific, you symptoms may also fit into that, and GI problems have been described as well.
i would be concerned about your symptoms, and would investigate every avenue to determine what the problems here are. most importantly, you describe a depressed mood that and that should be a priority in the management of your condition.
if you feel that your physician is not responding to your needs, it may be a good time to have a discussion with him or her about what they are thinking, and what their treatment goals are. if that doesn't satisfy you, you may want to seek a second opinion.
some of your symptoms do not fit with the above, such as the hives and swollen lymph nodes.
looking down the list at rare disorders, there is something called sheehan's syndrome, which generally presents acutely and is hardly missed with the standard of care now. while the majority of cases are acute, the literature describes this syndrome as having a delayed presentation as well. although non specific, you symptoms may also fit into that, and GI problems have been described as well.
i would be concerned about your symptoms, and would investigate every avenue to determine what the problems here are. most importantly, you describe a depressed mood that and that should be a priority in the management of your condition.
if you feel that your physician is not responding to your needs, it may be a good time to have a discussion with him or her about what they are thinking, and what their treatment goals are. if that doesn't satisfy you, you may want to seek a second opinion.
You are reading content posted in the Family Health Forum
Discharge often isn't normal, and could mean an infection or an STD.
In this unique and fascinating report from Missouri Medicine, world-renowned expert Dr. Raymond Moody examines what really happens when we almost die.
Think a loved one may be experiencing hearing loss? Here are five warning signs to watch for.
When it comes to your health, timing is everything
We’ve got a crash course on metabolism basics.
Learn what you can do to avoid ski injury and other common winter sports injury.
