Mystery symptoms

Not sure what this could possibly be...just wondering if anyone else has experienced this as well?

I'm currently experiencing (since late Nov 2012):
--right-sided numbness/tingling (my entire right side, head to toe...comes and goes, but I experience it every day)
--constant dizziness, every minute of every day
--joint pain
--all-over body pain
--muscle pain
--tinnitus and sensitivity to sounds
--vision issues (eyesight dimming, pain behind eyes, floaters in my eyesight, blurry vision, sensitivity to light)
--head pain/pressure (tension headaches and migraines occasionally, but just a general allover head pain, and sharp pains in my left side)
--tension in neck/head/shoulder/arm/back...mostly right side
--shocks of pain that run through my limbs and sometimes cause moments of not being able to use them (anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes)
--memory problems, brain fog, forgetfulness
--balance issues, clumsiness
--my limbs get tired very easily just doing very simple tasks
--strange bruising on right calf (bruises look HORRIBLE, but they don't hurt at all)
--anxiety attacks
--racing heartbeat, irregular heartbeat

I hope I got everything...these are the main symptoms I'm having. I get these EVERY year, multiple times a year. Usually once in the winter and once in the summer. My winter flare-ups usually last about 3 solid months or so. Summer flares usually last anywhere from a couple weeks to a month or so. I've been dealing with this for about 5 years that I can think of. It gets worse every year and often with each flare-up.

Doctor examined me and said she thinks stress is a big factor, but that she doesn't know what is causing my symptoms to return every year. Said it could just be stress, could be my fibro flaring up, but she also said she'd like to test for MS and B12 deficiency as possible factors. Haven't done any of that testing yet...checked my thyroid and blood sugar and all is supposedly well there.
I had an MRI (without contrast) done 3-4 years ago. Outcome was normal, but there was a "change in white matter in frontal right lobe" which I was told didn't necessarily mean anything serious. Had a lumbar puncture 3 years ago and that came up clean. My doc would like to send me for another MRI, so I'm just waiting to be approved for that and make the appt.

Background:
--34 year old female
--hypothyroid, pcos, fibromyalgia, pre-diabetes, GERD, Vit.D deficiency, blah blah blah
--meds: levothyroxine (thyroid), omeprozole (for GERD), Vit.D, Vit.B-complex, and Ativan as needed

[Phtartist]

Im sorry you're suffering with no answers. If you have not seen a  Lymes literate doctor, please do so.
If you visit the LDA site ( Lyme Disease Assoc.) you can learn how close your symptoms are to Lymes and other tick diseases.
You share mine and my daughters symptoms.

[Nikodicreta]

Hi mvandiver.

Welcome to the forum.
Oh my. You are so young and you have so many issues.
But, if you can find the strength and courage to do what it takes,
I have confidence that you can improve substantially, provided
that you do not lose power over your condition(s), regardless of
the severity of the symptoms , regardless of your treatment.
Phtartist gave you a very good suggestion to look into.

I would recommend that you do that, but, since there are some other things you can rule out that are easier to do than ruling out Lymes & company
(I call this all the other co-infections that are usually "bundled with Lymes)
  I wouldn't start with the Lymes investigation-which does not prevent you from checking things out in regards to Lymes, so you can be ready, when and if the time comes for that)

The simple list to rule out or to do.

1.  levothyroxine (synthetic drug)may not work as well as armour ((desiccated natural thyroid medication).
In the  Endocrine Today blog, endocrinologist and osteopath Thomas Repas, has a 3 part article on this FYI.

2. Vit B12 and D3 Try methylcobalamin sublingual drops for B12
and D3 sublingual drops. It may work better.

3.Most important!
How was your GERD diagnosed? If only clinical dx, then it's a 50/50 chance it is not from excess stomach acid, but too low. The symptoms are very similar!!!
You can do a simple test (indicative-not diagnostic) for this.
Here’s the quick, at-home way to see if you have low stomach acid:

Mix 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda in 4-6 ounces of cold water first thing in the morning before eating or drinking anything.
Drink the baking soda solution.
Time how long it takes you to belch. Time up to five minutes.
If you have not belched within five minutes stop timing.

In theory, if your stomach is producing adequate amounts of stomach acid you’ll likely belch within two to three minutes.  Early and repeated belching may be due to excessive stomach acid (but don’t confuse these burps with small little burps from swallowing air when drinking the solution).  Any belching after 3 minutes indicates a low acid level.

Because the time frames can vary person-to-person, as well as how they drink the solution, this test is only a good indicator that you might want to do more testing to determine your stomach acid.
Source: SCD Lifestyle

Your symptoms are more consistent with low acid than high acid levels.
if this is the case, then this can explain so many things, as low stomach acid is associated with bacterial overgrowth and infections,serious deficiencies and malabsorption of nutrients , minerals , vitamins, electrolytes, leading to hormonal dysfunction, neurological issues,Asthma,
GERD symptoms, G/I and digestive issues, food allergies,
neurotrsansmitter dysregualtion , cognitive dysfunction, stress, Autoimmune disease and just about any illness.
This MUST be checked out thoroughly.
Also low acid may affect the effectiveness of your medications as well as your supplements.

There are other possibilities, but these stand out more.
Please let me know what you think about all this and if you have any questions post again or pm me. You can reclaim your health and your life for that matter.
Stay strong and focus on what you want (not what you don't want!)
You can do it!  We're here to help.
Blessings!
Niko

[mvandiver]

I definitely have low-acid. But what can I do about that? My stomach overproduces acid to compensate...I get the most intense acid reflux and heartburn if I don't take my medication. But I know that lo acid can affect the absorbtion of my medications and vitamins. I just feel like most doctors I have had don't like to be told or asked to test for certain things or whatever. My doc is sweet and caring, but I feel like she's convinced this is just stress-induced fibro flare-ups or other possible diseases.
I need to write down everything you typed out so I can bring it to her to ask her if she'll help me! Thanks so much for all that info and advice.

[mvandiver]

Oh also...in regards to the thyroid medication...I was told that Armour is no longer available in the US. My entire family has thyroid issues and I was told this by numerous people, but I suppose they could be wrong. Also, I can't afford anything more expensive than the generic brands right now. I know my health should be and is worth the money, but I physically cannot produce more money right now without going under. I'm cutting back on everythng I can already, as a single mom. I wish I could, and someday I will be able to afford better, but right now I can't.
I'm off to seek out the availability of Armour, just in case! And I will ask my doc about that as well.
Again, thank you!

[Nikodicreta]

Hey mvandiver,
You must be able to access support and assistance for what is deemed,
an essential need, from various public agencies.
Just do some inquiries.

Low stomach acid, if indeed low,  with  contra-indicated anta-acids, PPIs
H2 blockers medicine, will take away your health, period!
And if this has to do with an opinion of a doctor, normally treating GERD symptoms as Hyperclorhydria (high stomach acid), it must be corrected!

Knowlege is power.
Here's the scoop on low stomach acid:
                                                              
1. PH 2 Very Acidic--------------PH 7 Neutral-------------- PH 10 Very Alkaline
2  Esophagous normal PH 7
3  Stomach environment normal PH 2-4
4  Duodenum normal PH 8
5  Pyloric Sphrinchter (at the bottom of the stomach) relaxes at PH 2-4
so  stomach contents move down to the duodenum.
When acidity is PH 4+ then the Pyloric Sphrincter constricts, not allowing the contents to go down, causing a back up and with pressure from the contracting stomach, moderately acidic food and liquids go upwards into the esophagus causing GERD symptoms.

The consequences of chronic low stomach acid are dire!
I don't mean to alarm you unecessarily, but please do confirm
the low stomach acid, and then proceed with a safe protocol
to correct the low acid and minimize the GERD symptoms, without
jcompromising your health.
This should take care of a big part of your issues!
Post again or pm me for follow up recommendations.

I would recommend have a serious talk with your doctor about this!

I will send you a link for Armour inquiries(US office).

Take care.
Niko