multiple wierd symptoms - any ideas

[Richard48]

Here's my story: 53-year-old male, 150 pounds, used to be in very good to excellent health - colds, bronchitis, that was it; I get considerable exercise, never smoked, minimal alcohol 10+ years.  I live in the boondocks of Montana.  Early long-term history includes untreated arthritic (?) neck pains, about 15 years (more recently down into middle upper back, sometimes) and tinnitis about 20 years (worse on left side); no history of headaches.  

January 2001 I fell on ice (did not hit head, landed on butt) and in a week developed symptoms that were diagnosed as probable stretched trigeminal nerve (severe burning sensation, left ear and upper face/forehead, some left eye motion problems; evolved to strong headaches also) + pinched neck nerve (left arm).  MRI brain was normal; anti-inflammatory drugs cured left arm problem but not the head burning/headaches.  I also had giardia at about the same time.  Everything got better (to normal) in about 2.5 months.    Next: September 2001, began an attack of GERD (esophageal reflux) - only previous history was after taking cipro for a prostate infection (2000).   The GERD time (into October) included some relatively minor headaches.  Initially treated GERD as possible candida yeast infection, diflucan=no effect.  Then treated GERD immediately successfully with aciphex.  

Nov. 16-17 - out of the blue, severe left-side headaches, and around left eye, and large floaters in eye.  Much like the previous January but worse.  Improved until gone about Dec. 3.  Dec 4, opthamologist says eyes are fine.    About Nov. 24 began a large suite of symptoms that have continued variously till now:  1) Feeling of burning all over (especially head, face, and neck), but no fever; sometimes intense for hours; strictly a burning feel +/- headache, not sensitive or painful to touch. 2) Precipitous loss of sex drive over 2-3 days, along with all feelings of spirit, initiative, pleasure; general depression, sometimes severe.  This recovered some after about a week, but not to normal.  3) Also dry mouth (occasional metallic taste), dry eyes, 4) persistent fatigue and weakness.   Sometimes extremely cold hands, but the 'hot body' feeling predominates.  5) Sometimes rapid heartbeat during episodes of burning feeling.  6) Blood pressure measured Dec 19 was 140/90, when the previous highest in my life (in October 2001) was 108/72. It was 125/80 two weeks later.   Dec 15 - began to have 7) stomach aches as well as 8) 'twinges' in left kidney area.  IVP CT scan was all normal from lower lungs to prostate.  Detailed blood tests for thyroid problems all normal.  Urinalysis normal.   The 'kidney' pain spread to nearer the spine, but continued to reach around to both left and right sides.  Blood test revealed marker HLA-B27, typical but not absolutely diagnostic for ankylosing spondylitis (infectious arthritis), also positive anti-nuclear AB w/reflex; all other blood tests were normal (cholesterol/heart things VERY good, no diabetes, good testosterone).  

9) Beginning Dec. 30, episodes, sometimes severe, of  'woozy-head' feeling, as if I'm about to collapse - but not a dizzy feeling; involves eyes, can't seem to track correctly; some headache, but mostly a heavy-headed feeling, hard to describe; almost nauseous, saps energy, and it is definitely not a lightheadedness related to standing up quickly.  Also rare but noticeable upper chest pains, below collarbone, both sides. Gastroscopy 1/11/02 revealed duodenal ulcers and healthy esophagus & stomach; treatment relieved stomach issues immediately, and I've had several days without much back pain too.  Acupuncture has relieved many things temporarily to some degree.  * At this point I'm most concerned by the "woozy-head" feeling (and the burning sensation), when it really attacks it takes complete control for maybe a half hour or so, and when it is minor (for a couple days or more), it still affects thinking, sleeping, moving.  It, and everything on the list other than the fatigue, comes and goes (though the 'burning body' sensation is also pretty consistent, just at different levels; sometimes keeps me awake almost all night).  I've had 3-4 day periods of almost normal feeling, then one thing or another will 'attack'.  Activity has a slight tendency to make things better, sometimes.  The 'whole-body' burning feeling is worst in hands and neck and head, somewhat stronger on the left side.  The 'woozy head' feeling is also slightly worse on the left side.

Questions: does all this ring any bells?  And given that I seem to have addressed the gastric issue, do you think a neurologist should be my next step?  Could this be a relapse of the trigeminal problems I had a year ago after the fall on the ice?  Or inner ear, or anxiety, or B-12 deficiency?  Do I need another MRI? Thanks very much, sorry this was so long.

[CCF-Neuro-M.D.-JT]

Sorry to hear about your symptoms. As I have not personally examined you nor reviewed your films, I cannot make an accurate diagnosis just educated guesses. Usually when I see a patient with multiple symptoms, I ask which symptom bothers them the most and start from there. You mention the episodes of wooziness and burning sensation. As they are episodic, one thing your spectrum of symptoms could represent is pheochromocytoma, a disorder of the adrenal glands in which too much adrenaline is secreted causing transient high blood pressure, dizziness, sweating, flushing, vision changes. Another syndrome is carcinoid, a GI disorder that secretes too much serotonin which can also cause episodic sweating, flushing, low blood pressure and fast heart rate. Whole body burning is rather unspecific for anything, but these symptoms localized to the legs or arms can signify peripheral neuropathies caused by things such as B12 deficiency or diabetes. Cardiac problems can cause the "woozy" feelings such as uncontrolled blood pressure. And finally, anxiety can present with all of these symptoms. A neurologist would be helpful to do a formal neuro exam and perhaps an EMG to check you for any peripheral nerve problems if the exam is suggestive of that. Good luck.

[graham]

Richard, sorry to hear about your problems. They must be difficult to deal with and always worse when you dont have an answer for them.
I know from experience that b12 deficiency can have very wide spread symptoms, including burning sentations, feeling light headed, body feeling overheated and great fatigue.
Have you had your b12 level checked and what was it?
Even if it is ok but at the lower end of normal make sure they do further checks for methylmelonic acid and homocysteine. This seems to be one of the most misunderstood conditions by many doctors who are not up to speed with current research.
I'n not saying this is your problem but you should definately get it checked out
Best of luck.

[Van]

I am sorry to hear you are feeling so poorly. You should see a neurologist. The left sided headaches, lightheadedness, tingling/burning can all be signs of migraines. I have very similar issues as you have and although I have seen 8 neurologists in 2001, I still have no answers. I also have lightheadedness often to the point I think I might pass out, I have horrible tingling/burning that feels like pins and needles in my face and hands, my vision is very spotted like walking into the bright bathroom in the morning as your eyes are adjusting, and I also have a dizzyness that feels as though I am walking, sitting, or standing on a boat dock all the time. I used to have migraines with all of these symptoms, however now I have the symptoms all of the time with no headache. All the doctors say is that it is a migraine with no headache, however every test I do comes back normal including MRI, MRA, EEG, VER, SSER, B12, thyroid, and other blood tests. I haven't responded to any preventative migraine therapy. However if you see a neurologist they can have you try many preventative medications that may work. I sympathize with you. I hope you find some answers. If you do will you please post back a comment. I have been trying to put my question on this site for months but it is always full.

[Richard48]

Thanks to the doctor for the ideas.  I had suggested pheochromocytoma to my primary physician, and I think he thought I was becoming a hypochondriac, but he did ask for a careful review of the IVP CT scan for that in particular, and it was negative.  Many thanks to Graham and Van for the thoughts about B-12 especially.  I learned a lot -- and my physician was pretty keen on it too, though he was skeptical that the acid-inhibitors I've been taking (prevacid, aciphex) could do anything significant in 4 months.  He gave me a B-12 shot yesterday.  It is much too soon to tell -- all these things wax and wane on their own schedules, so it could be coincidence, or a placebo effect because I WANT something to happen -- but, I had the most refreshing night's sleep last night in a long long time; my burning all over is not quite, but almost gone, the headaches, woozy head, and wierd eye things are gone.  For now at least.  We'll see what happens in a week or so - I'm to get a B-12 shot a week for four weeks.   My own thought is that I might have been low- or marginal B-12 (I'm not a strict vegetarian, but I don't eat a lot of meat) and the acid inhibitors (and H. pylori in the ulcers, plus anxiety) might have 'pushed me over the edge,' and an already weak/fragile nerve system in my head (from the stretched trigeminal nerve a year ago) was ready to react.... but I'm not a doctor, though I do know my own body!  (At least I used to).

Anyway, thanks very much for your thoughts, and Good Luck to you as well.
Richard

[Richard48]

Just a note on posting --the way I managed to do it was by getting up for 5 days at 5 or 6 am (Mountain Time) so as to try to be the 'first' in the queue.  It worked on the 5th day.

[maz c]

Please consider seing a chiropractor/physiotherapist/osteopath to check for neck muscle weakness or trigger points. The sternocleidomastoid muscle can cause lots of weird symptoms if not functioning properly. I have had balance problems, visual problems, tinnitus, feelings of spatial disorientation and more for nearly 9 years. The problem is with my left sternocleidomastoid. Unfortunately it may be too late for me but not for others. If you can, read any Travell & Simons research or case histories. Good luck!

[JudyJJ]

Regarding unexplained symptoms:  Since 1996 I have had leg pain in my right leg.  It has progressed since then to falling down, tremors, inability to walk on my toes or heels and inability to walk for any distance.  I have gone to a cane and now a wheelchair.  I went to a neurologist who, without examining me asked if I had been sexually abused as a child.  I said "yes" and he explained that this probably explained by symptoms.  I have asked men if they have ever been asked this question and have yet to find one.  It seems that the medical profession ignores women with physiological complaints assuming they are "hysterical."  I thought that went out with Freud.  I've had my MRI and today an evoked potential test.  But, if this is negative I feel hopeless that any doctor will take my debilitating pain seriously because of my past.  My advice - never tell a doctor you were abused (if you are a woman).

[sgoldie]

Richard, If you see this I wish you would email me at-
***@****. I had a similar fall,along with
a possible viral infection,and possible gardia too.
I have been experiencing similar symptoms,but in addition,
I also think I had encephalitis (swelling of the spinal
cord and brain). PS-My dr prescribed anti-psychotics, For
all you women out there-if they don't know what it is you
must be hysterical. Lack of medical insurance also is a
big problem!

[boosky137]

A related discussion, Various symptoms was started.