See a neurologist or endocrinologist? HELP!

[Lenore38]

I have had the following symptoms increasingly over the last three years:

- numbness in hands and feet
- 'burning' sensation in both hands and feet; forearm and shin
- stiffness in neck; all joints - elbows, knees, wrists, ankles - rheumatoid arthritis has been ruled out
- cant sleep well
- unexplained weight gain - 60 lbs in less than 5 yrs
- increased urination
- constipation
- problems digesting - had a colonoscopy last August; everything is good
- fatigued; can sleep at a moments notice - hard to get through the day
- swollen feet; ankles and legs - blood clot ruled out
- cant exercise or walk much - doesnt hurt to do it; afterwards is painful; stiff, sore muscles and joints - just not worth it.  
- cant stand clothing rubbing against the tops of my kneeds - lower part of thigh...it BURNS.
- sudden shooting sharp pains in bottom of both feet and left arm
- facial pain
- shooting pains in back of head
- dizziness; nausea; loss of balance - have had to pull over when driving - worried that I might be having a stroke or seisure.

Heart disease runs in my family; father's side.  

I have sinec quit smoking in March 18th of this year; my symptoms have intensified; maybe because the smoking masked them before.  Need some direction - they are putting me off to see an endo in LATE NOVEMBER; has been rescheduled three times now.

Had a test for Thyroid Antiglobulin  - shows that is should be < 30 ; mine was 181 --- they dont seem to be alarmed.  

[Carol in PA]

Lenore,
I recognize a pattern to your symptoms.  You are going to have problems getting an accurate diagnosis.
The numbness and burning sensations in your hands and feet sounds like neuropathy.
Look for an article by Dr. Jacob Teitelbaum, "Effective Treatment for Neuropathic Pain."
I've been taking a sublingual B12 supplement that has helped reduce the neuropathy.
Read the article, there are some things you can try for yourself without waiting for a doctor's appointment.

When you can't sleep well and have problems getting enough REM sleep, the pituitary gland does not release enough growth hormone.  This is needed to repair the wear and tear on the muscle fibers, and you end up feeling stiff and achy.
My rheumatologist diagnosed me with Fibromyalgia Syndrome and prescribed Flexeril 5 mg at bedtime.  This helped me to get into Stage 4 sleep, and I noticed a difference in the achiness within three days.

Low thyroid will cause the weight gain...you won't be able to lose it.
The gut slows down, so you'll have problems with constipation.
Look for information about Wilson's Syndrome.  

A syndrome is not a disease, it is a collection of symptoms.
It may be triggered by an underlying infection, such as Borrelia burgdorferi.

Wishing you the best,
Carol

[DrNoopurMD]

Hi,

Have you been checked for nerve compression?
A compressed nerve can cause weakness, numbness and shooting pains in the head.
I would suggest you to consult a neurologist as you need a complete neurological evaluation.
At the same time the level of your thyroid antibodies is quite high and indicates an autoimmune thyroid disease. It would be advisable to seek a second opinion of an endocrinologist as well.

[crwstar]

Sounds like a neurologist would be a good next step??? Especially if the Endo's office keeps canceling. Do you have a primary care doc managing everything? Though I can see why you are being sent to a Endocrinologist with the numbers you posted. Can you get a referral to a different Endo?