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Mental Health (Expert Forum)
Hypochondriasis or MS?
Answered by
Roger Gould, M.D. - Mental Health, Wellness
Questions posted in the Mental Health forum are being answered by Dr. Roger L. Gould, author of the Mastering Stress and Depression program and affiliated with the UCLA. Department of Psychiatry. Topics covered include anger, attention deficit disorder (ADD) , bipolar disorder , dementia , electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) , learning disabilities, memory, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) , panic , personality disorders, phobias , post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) , schizophrenia , stress , transitions, and work problems.
Hypochondriasis or MS?
by gemini1975, Apr 20, 2007 12:00AM
My problems began at 30, with beefy, raw patches on my tongue, then lump in my armpit that turned out to be benign. A week later, it seemed as if my eyesight instantly became more blurred than usual, and I acquired some floaters (I am nearsighted). Recent visits to both an optometrist and an opthalmologist determined that my eyesight is "normal" (for nearsightedness at my age, 32) with no inflammation.
Then my back began to stiffen, and my left leg began to hurt, with numbness at the knee. A recurrence of squeezing in my chest turned out to be Asthma (diagnosed by my physician, who has asthma, and gave me extensive tests before reaching the diagnosis). Although walking and stretching seem to have helped a bit, I'm now very conscious of my gait. I'm currently suffering from sinus pressure, and I now get a facial paresthesia that comes and goes and is very troubling.
NOW I have a slight tremor in my hands and weakness in my arms (I have been suffering from on-off numbness in my right arm, and stiffness in my fingers, though I attributed these to computer work) - it's very apparent when I'm paying attention to it - which is all the time now. One day I nearly knocked over a bottle of water when I was grabbing for something else, and now I'm obsessed with fine-tuning every movement.
I've been to a million doctors, researched every condition, had four blood tests (all normal, slightly elevated rheumatoid factor), a CT Scan, analysis of my urine, a pelvic and endovaginal ultrasound (small ovarian cysts and two fibroids). Every doctor has felt my abdomen and lymph nodes (I get these painful lipomas under my armpits and on my abdomen, but no one can figure out the cause). Please give me some guidance - MRI/diagnostic tests for MS, etc., or a good psychologist and some cognitive behavioral therapy. I'm so fatigued and burned out. I can remember the confident person I used to be. I'm a biracial female (Black, Mexican), non-smoker. Thanks.
Then my back began to stiffen, and my left leg began to hurt, with numbness at the knee. A recurrence of squeezing in my chest turned out to be Asthma (diagnosed by my physician, who has asthma, and gave me extensive tests before reaching the diagnosis). Although walking and stretching seem to have helped a bit, I'm now very conscious of my gait. I'm currently suffering from sinus pressure, and I now get a facial paresthesia that comes and goes and is very troubling.
NOW I have a slight tremor in my hands and weakness in my arms (I have been suffering from on-off numbness in my right arm, and stiffness in my fingers, though I attributed these to computer work) - it's very apparent when I'm paying attention to it - which is all the time now. One day I nearly knocked over a bottle of water when I was grabbing for something else, and now I'm obsessed with fine-tuning every movement.
I've been to a million doctors, researched every condition, had four blood tests (all normal, slightly elevated rheumatoid factor), a CT Scan, analysis of my urine, a pelvic and endovaginal ultrasound (small ovarian cysts and two fibroids). Every doctor has felt my abdomen and lymph nodes (I get these painful lipomas under my armpits and on my abdomen, but no one can figure out the cause). Please give me some guidance - MRI/diagnostic tests for MS, etc., or a good psychologist and some cognitive behavioral therapy. I'm so fatigued and burned out. I can remember the confident person I used to be. I'm a biracial female (Black, Mexican), non-smoker. Thanks.
Doctor's Answer
by Roger Gould, M.D., Apr 23, 2007 12:00AM
, Apr 23, 2007 12:00AM
You sound like you are not only at your wits end, but also caught in a tough cycle. What I mean by that is once you start paying close attention to your body, and amplify everything with fear, you find all sorts of symptoms. I would suggest that in order to get your perspective and confidence back you spend some time talking to a therapist about the anxieties in your life. I think that will help.
This week i have had two EKG's, an echocardiogram, cardiac enzyme test, chest X ray, shortness of breath panel and bloodwork. So far everything's normal.
I am under a GREAT DEAL of stress at home, work has cut my hours so I am worried about money, I can't work outide the home as I don't have a car, my sister and her 4 kids (2 babies) moved in with me 3 weeks ago, I broke up with my fiance (we are always fighting) 2 weeks ago...
It's like the world is crashing in.
This week i have had two EKG's, an echocardiogram, cardiac enzyme test, chest X ray, shortness of breath panel and bloodwork. So far everything's normal.
I am under a GREAT DEAL of stress at home, work has cut my hours so I am worried about money, I can't work outide the home as I don't have a car, my sister and her 4 kids (2 babies) moved in with me 3 weeks ago, I broke up with my fiance (we are always fighting) 2 weeks ago...
It's like the world is crashing in.
I tried to talk myself down from how I was feeling, and I was at home alone and just feeling SO scared. My beautiful prince of a boyfriend came home, and I had a total meltdown about how I was feeling. He told me he loves me, and he knows I'm not feeling well, but he doesn't think I need a Neurologist - he thinks I need to stop making doctor's appointments and get it together. And I think he may be right. Doctor, thank you for taking the time to help me - I have found a psychologist and will be booking an appointment for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy ASAP. Lola, bless you for sharing your experience with me. You were a friend (though I don't know you) when I needed one.