Not Sure...

[pimz]

Hello,

I am 17 years old, and am experiencing some distressing pain.

I've had severe headaches for about 2-3 years now. They are usually incredibly sharp and centered in one exact point, kind of like a knife digging itself into my brain. They usually occur on the upper left side of my head, but I have felt it in pretty much every region. It gets very, very sharp some of the times, other times its just a dull pain that goes away after awhile. The ones above my eyeballs hurt the most.

I get weird and somewhat random spasms on my body. They have happened pretty much everywhere, but usually in the same location. It happens in my upper arms (both arms), right above my kneecaps, in my neck, in my eyes, near my rear, my hands, and in my foot. They are for the most part not painful, but just annoying. They get strong enough as you can see it moving underneath my clothing. They last anywhere from 20 seconds to 5 minutes, and sometimes once a day, sometimes 10 times a day, or some days it doesn't.

I have some memory problems as well. For a recent example, I cannot remember what teams play who in the NBA playoffs, which I have been following closely. For some reason, I just cannot remember the teams. Its very infuriating because its something I should definitely know. Just little things like this. I used to be able to remember any telephone number somebody would say, and repeat it without pause, but now I can't, or I mix a couple numbers up. Stuff like that.

I have also noticed I have been speaking differently. Its hard to explain, but its like my brain or mouth can't keep up with each other, and I sometimes miss a word or say it funnily (not saying the word all the way through kind of thing).

Mental-wise, I sometimes think thoughts I shouldn't and can't get them out of my head (such as my parents dying, not me killing them of course, but like them getting shot or falling off a cliff, and stupid bad thoughts like that). I also get scared of things, such as recently, I was too scared to go down the hallway to go to my bedroom for some reason, so I slept on the couch. I know it was irrational now, but when it happened I just could not explain it. I am also VERY VERY afraid of going out. I cannot go the store with my parents, or go pretty much anywhere with them. The thought of it makes me want to throw up and makes my stomach burn. This is probably my most bothersome "symptom".

There are also some red spots on my forearms and on my thighs. Research leads me to believe its something called Keratosis Pilaris, but I think I have also read somewhere this could be a symptom. This has been very damaging to my self esteem. Where I live it gets like 100F in the summer, and to cover up the spots I have to wear long sleeve shirts/jackets, which makes me very self conscious and embarrassed. I feel this to be one of the reasons I cannot go out as well.

My mental state has prohibited me from going to see the doctor. My parents are aware I have headaches and pain, but not the full extent. I am pretty large for my age, so its not like my parents could forcefully take me to the doctor. I just feel like I can't go to the doctor and I have no idea why. I really do want to go and get my skin looked at and see whats up with rest, but its just impossible for me. It really makes me feel helpless.

[Dr Santos]

Hi,
How are you? Do see your doctor for your symptoms. For proper management, you should be evaluated properly by knowing your complete medical history and direct examination. The headache, spasms, and memory problem highly suggest neurological cause that needs to be checked. Prescription medications may help. Take care and do keep us posted. Best regards.  

[rumpled]

Go see a doctor, and get properly diagnosed for the headaches and the skin.