Aa
Chest pressure/ poor sleep/ headaches/ nose bleeds/ rapid weight gain /fatigue
(I apologize for the unholy length of this and hold admiration and appreciation for anyone with the patience to read through it, feel free to just read thru the symptoms and give an opinion, the rest is more of a rambling story.)
Hi, I've been experiencing strange symptoms in the last few months, my doctors are giving me answers that don't answer the question and seem very unsure of what I have. I am 19 and in fairly good health, no prescriptions less allergy shots. I've been experiencing incredible fatigue lately with many other symptoms (pressured feeling on chest (somewhat high blood pressure), poor sleep (I feel more sleepy when I sleep then if I don't), fatigue(probably from sleep deprivation), lethargy, headaches (always on the right side, enough pain to distract me from doing school work), nose bleeds (again, always on the right side, VERY distracting =P ), raised liver enzymes and rapid weight gain (from 210 to 250 in two months, On a diet my dietitian approved of =/ ). Recently, my vision has become very poor when reading smaller text as well (playing cards is near impossible) and even more recently, my memory retention has become nearly nonexistent.
I've received many diagnoses, many called a misdiagnosis by my next doctor. My GP first said I probably had fatty liver a year and a half ago after I described physical symptoms and received a panel stating I had high liver enzymes (ordered after he noticed elevated blood pressure). I had a liver ultrasound done which confirmed fatty liver (nonalcoholic) based on fatty cells in my liver. The GP wasn't satisfied with this and set up an appointment with a liver specialist at the University of Michigan hospital. They did another ultrasound and based on the low number of fatty cells and normal size of the liver, called the first results a misdiagnoses. This was after gaining 40 lbs. in my "diet" (I had the symptoms before I gained rapidly) and after a visit with a new liver specialist (GP wanted new doctor, not me) he said the symptoms were a result from obesity, liver hepatitis, sleep apnea or fatty liver (he thought fatty liver was most possible, calling the misdiagnoses a misdiagnoses).
My GP insisted fatty liver didn't fit with the most life-altering effect, fatigue, sleepiness, headaches and nose bleeds. He also said migraines, depression, clogged arteries and insomnia is nearly impossible to present itself within weeks of each other (my third specialist proposed that) and reinforced the idea of sleep apnea. So, I go to another specialist, my wallet quickly thinning and my absences becoming hard to keep up with. This time, a sleep specialist. He says almost every symptom is consistent with sleep apnea except the raised liver enzymes (he said that that is common only in people who've had sleep apnea for many years) and so a sleep study is ordered. I was rather excited that waking up for school will no longer be more challenging than the classes themselves.
(Just a little more reading) So, I go to the sleep study, and through much effort, I manage to sleep just 2 of the 5 hours, not even entering the fourth stage of sleep. He said I had only one apnea and after waking up, didn't experience another, which he said wasn't worth fitting in a CPAP (sp?) test within the next few days. So... Now I get to wait until my next school year (how convenient!) to take a test for the dosage and type of CPAP I should use, and still, there's no diagnoses for the liver.
I'm becoming afraid to visit doctors anymore, it seems to have become increasingly worse ever since the first visit to the GP and I don't think I can wait another 6 months before my GP (who I think I'll be dropping by next time)even looks at the liver enzymes. Vision problems and poor memory has even worsened my school grades and I'm nearing the 60% mark in some of my classes (originally an A-B student). I don't know what I'll tell my parents if I spend hundreds of their dollars on a class only to retake it =/.
I'd really appreciate any help I can get, whether it be a homeopathic short term remedy to get me through what's left of school or even an idea to bounce off a doctor.
Hi, I've been experiencing strange symptoms in the last few months, my doctors are giving me answers that don't answer the question and seem very unsure of what I have. I am 19 and in fairly good health, no prescriptions less allergy shots. I've been experiencing incredible fatigue lately with many other symptoms (pressured feeling on chest (somewhat high blood pressure), poor sleep (I feel more sleepy when I sleep then if I don't), fatigue(probably from sleep deprivation), lethargy, headaches (always on the right side, enough pain to distract me from doing school work), nose bleeds (again, always on the right side, VERY distracting =P ), raised liver enzymes and rapid weight gain (from 210 to 250 in two months, On a diet my dietitian approved of =/ ). Recently, my vision has become very poor when reading smaller text as well (playing cards is near impossible) and even more recently, my memory retention has become nearly nonexistent.
I've received many diagnoses, many called a misdiagnosis by my next doctor. My GP first said I probably had fatty liver a year and a half ago after I described physical symptoms and received a panel stating I had high liver enzymes (ordered after he noticed elevated blood pressure). I had a liver ultrasound done which confirmed fatty liver (nonalcoholic) based on fatty cells in my liver. The GP wasn't satisfied with this and set up an appointment with a liver specialist at the University of Michigan hospital. They did another ultrasound and based on the low number of fatty cells and normal size of the liver, called the first results a misdiagnoses. This was after gaining 40 lbs. in my "diet" (I had the symptoms before I gained rapidly) and after a visit with a new liver specialist (GP wanted new doctor, not me) he said the symptoms were a result from obesity, liver hepatitis, sleep apnea or fatty liver (he thought fatty liver was most possible, calling the misdiagnoses a misdiagnoses).
My GP insisted fatty liver didn't fit with the most life-altering effect, fatigue, sleepiness, headaches and nose bleeds. He also said migraines, depression, clogged arteries and insomnia is nearly impossible to present itself within weeks of each other (my third specialist proposed that) and reinforced the idea of sleep apnea. So, I go to another specialist, my wallet quickly thinning and my absences becoming hard to keep up with. This time, a sleep specialist. He says almost every symptom is consistent with sleep apnea except the raised liver enzymes (he said that that is common only in people who've had sleep apnea for many years) and so a sleep study is ordered. I was rather excited that waking up for school will no longer be more challenging than the classes themselves.
(Just a little more reading) So, I go to the sleep study, and through much effort, I manage to sleep just 2 of the 5 hours, not even entering the fourth stage of sleep. He said I had only one apnea and after waking up, didn't experience another, which he said wasn't worth fitting in a CPAP (sp?) test within the next few days. So... Now I get to wait until my next school year (how convenient!) to take a test for the dosage and type of CPAP I should use, and still, there's no diagnoses for the liver.
I'm becoming afraid to visit doctors anymore, it seems to have become increasingly worse ever since the first visit to the GP and I don't think I can wait another 6 months before my GP (who I think I'll be dropping by next time)even looks at the liver enzymes. Vision problems and poor memory has even worsened my school grades and I'm nearing the 60% mark in some of my classes (originally an A-B student). I don't know what I'll tell my parents if I spend hundreds of their dollars on a class only to retake it =/.
I'd really appreciate any help I can get, whether it be a homeopathic short term remedy to get me through what's left of school or even an idea to bounce off a doctor.
As I was searching for answers my doctors can't provide me with, I stumbled upon your post. It was written a few years ago and I was wondering how it was all going.
I also am 19 and have experienced weight gain, fatigue, headaches (but on my left), blood when I blow my nose, lethargy, and chest pain. These symptoms all being so vague have not helped my doctor out at all. I have had a ton of bloodwork done with no results. I've tried several diet changes, but those haven't worked. My parents are exhausted with my doctor bills, and I'm sure they feel I'm making it up. So, I was wondering if you ever got to the bottom of the problem?
Thanks.
I also am 19 and have experienced weight gain, fatigue, headaches (but on my left), blood when I blow my nose, lethargy, and chest pain. These symptoms all being so vague have not helped my doctor out at all. I have had a ton of bloodwork done with no results. I've tried several diet changes, but those haven't worked. My parents are exhausted with my doctor bills, and I'm sure they feel I'm making it up. So, I was wondering if you ever got to the bottom of the problem?
Thanks.
I'm stuggling with many of the same symptoms you are right now and will be seeing my GP tomorrow and will start pushing for answers.
But the reason for my repsonse to you is specifically for the issue of Sleep Apnea. If, in fact, you have sleep apnea, find a dentist that specializes in oral appliances for the purpose of addressing sleep apnea rather than going the CPAP route. I was diagnosed with mild Sleep Apnea 2.5 years ago and was sent in that direction (by chance) and experienced dramatic results instantly (no adjustment period). After using the oral appliance for 1.5 years, I switched to CPAP, thinking that the oral appliances was the cause of my tinnitus ... nope! ... and struggling daily with the CPAP machine was NO FUN. I'm back on the oral appliance and sleeping great again ... dreaming more than ever before.
Good luck with your health!
But the reason for my repsonse to you is specifically for the issue of Sleep Apnea. If, in fact, you have sleep apnea, find a dentist that specializes in oral appliances for the purpose of addressing sleep apnea rather than going the CPAP route. I was diagnosed with mild Sleep Apnea 2.5 years ago and was sent in that direction (by chance) and experienced dramatic results instantly (no adjustment period). After using the oral appliance for 1.5 years, I switched to CPAP, thinking that the oral appliances was the cause of my tinnitus ... nope! ... and struggling daily with the CPAP machine was NO FUN. I'm back on the oral appliance and sleeping great again ... dreaming more than ever before.
Good luck with your health!
Alright, thanks for all the excellent responses. I had another sleep study done with 186 apneas in one night, almost all of them in the 3 hours REM sleep. I'm scheduled for a CPAP titration this weekend and a followup to my GP (where I'll ask about Cushing's) and sleep doctor.
(sorry for another post)
Allergies actually explains another good bit of it. I'm allergic to most everything outdoors less oak trees. I've been getting allergy shots for a year and they've helped with running nose and red watery eyes, but I've been getting a lot more nosebleeds.
My sleep doctor said that poor eyesight is occaisional in sleep apnea patients (something about eye muscle being tense in sleep or something? Can't remember =/ ) so I'll see if eyes improve after using CPAP for a month and if not, I'll have an eye exam done.
"Typical findings are striations (stretch marks) on the abdomen, elevated blood presure, moon facies, and thinning of the skin and extremities. Petechiae (pin-point red lesions) are also common from the thinning of the skin."
While I have stretch marks (I assumed from gaining weight) and elevated blood pressure, I'm unsure about the petechiae (My back is fairly bumpy, the bumps are shaded red but it itches a lot, is it supposed to itch?) and know I don't have moon facies. I'm unsure if this is related to topic of thinning skin but my veins are almost non-visible on most of my body, 3-5 pokes when going in for blood work =/.
Allergies actually explains another good bit of it. I'm allergic to most everything outdoors less oak trees. I've been getting allergy shots for a year and they've helped with running nose and red watery eyes, but I've been getting a lot more nosebleeds.
My sleep doctor said that poor eyesight is occaisional in sleep apnea patients (something about eye muscle being tense in sleep or something? Can't remember =/ ) so I'll see if eyes improve after using CPAP for a month and if not, I'll have an eye exam done.
"Typical findings are striations (stretch marks) on the abdomen, elevated blood presure, moon facies, and thinning of the skin and extremities. Petechiae (pin-point red lesions) are also common from the thinning of the skin."
While I have stretch marks (I assumed from gaining weight) and elevated blood pressure, I'm unsure about the petechiae (My back is fairly bumpy, the bumps are shaded red but it itches a lot, is it supposed to itch?) and know I don't have moon facies. I'm unsure if this is related to topic of thinning skin but my veins are almost non-visible on most of my body, 3-5 pokes when going in for blood work =/.
Usually people with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome have low blood pressure. In addition, they usually have unrefreshing sleep, frequent infections, ringing in the ears, dizziness, muscle aches and/or other symptoms.
I would definitely consider following the advice from the 2 posters above. If you have all of these tests and still don't have a diagnosis, consider getting tested for lyme disease. Also... watch your stress level.
i'd suggest you talk to your GP about getting an ultrasound, a CT scan, an MRI, a PET scan, or whatever, because obviously what tests they've done haven't helped! if your GP refuses, maybe it's time to look for a new GP!
your symptoms may all be related to one big illness, or there is always the possibility that they could be grouped into smaller more simple things. for example: headaches, nose bleeds and poor eyesight could actually be attributed to allergies - these are the exact symptoms i get around this time of year. no runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes... classic allergy symptoms... just headache, nose bleeds, and vision problems (caused by dry eyes).
also, lack of sleep can cause poor eyesight as well. not sleeping dries out your eyes, and dry eyes cause poor eyesight. have you had a thorough eye exam lately? if you haven't, make sure that you do!
stress (such as worrying about what big scary disease you might be suffering from!) can cause elevated blood pressure, chest pain/pressure, headaches, insomnia, fatigue.... have you ever researched the effects of stress on the body? it's amazing!
it is fairly normal to gain weight around age 18-19, usually between 10-20 pounds though. but if you started feeling crummy and became way less active than you were before you started getting sick, and you started laying around a lot because you were feeling crummy, that could account for the rapid weight gain (yes, even 40 pounds!).
please don't think i'm trying to make light of your problems! i do know what it's like to feel like **** and feel like nobody will do anything about fixing it (going through it myself right now!). but if it helps get a diagnosis that fits, start breaking down the symptoms into more manageable categories and perhaps test them one at a time.
you might try getting tested for allergies, start using eye drops, try a natural sleep aid (stay away from prescriptions and otc sleep aids - those will just leave you even MORE tired!!!) there are herbal remedies you can try, or foods that are meant to induce sleep. try to cut out processed foods, sugars, fatty foods, caffine, alcohol (all those things can really mess you up!) and stick to a more natural diet with whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, etc. for stress relief, take 15-30 minutes a day and devote that time to RELAXING... you could take a walk, take a bubblebath, take a nap, sit in a dark room and just breathe deep, join a boxing class (you'd be amazed at how good you feel after just repeatedly punching the **** out of something!), go rollerblading.... but make sure you limit the time (especially if you nap) to 30 minutes (more than that induces feelings of guilt, which only adds to stress levels!).
anyway, again, not making light of your problems AT ALL! just hoping you might be able to eliminate some symptoms and then get a real diagnosis for the real problem! and again, INSIST that your doctor do those imaging tests! good luck!
your symptoms may all be related to one big illness, or there is always the possibility that they could be grouped into smaller more simple things. for example: headaches, nose bleeds and poor eyesight could actually be attributed to allergies - these are the exact symptoms i get around this time of year. no runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes... classic allergy symptoms... just headache, nose bleeds, and vision problems (caused by dry eyes).
also, lack of sleep can cause poor eyesight as well. not sleeping dries out your eyes, and dry eyes cause poor eyesight. have you had a thorough eye exam lately? if you haven't, make sure that you do!
stress (such as worrying about what big scary disease you might be suffering from!) can cause elevated blood pressure, chest pain/pressure, headaches, insomnia, fatigue.... have you ever researched the effects of stress on the body? it's amazing!
it is fairly normal to gain weight around age 18-19, usually between 10-20 pounds though. but if you started feeling crummy and became way less active than you were before you started getting sick, and you started laying around a lot because you were feeling crummy, that could account for the rapid weight gain (yes, even 40 pounds!).
please don't think i'm trying to make light of your problems! i do know what it's like to feel like **** and feel like nobody will do anything about fixing it (going through it myself right now!). but if it helps get a diagnosis that fits, start breaking down the symptoms into more manageable categories and perhaps test them one at a time.
you might try getting tested for allergies, start using eye drops, try a natural sleep aid (stay away from prescriptions and otc sleep aids - those will just leave you even MORE tired!!!) there are herbal remedies you can try, or foods that are meant to induce sleep. try to cut out processed foods, sugars, fatty foods, caffine, alcohol (all those things can really mess you up!) and stick to a more natural diet with whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, etc. for stress relief, take 15-30 minutes a day and devote that time to RELAXING... you could take a walk, take a bubblebath, take a nap, sit in a dark room and just breathe deep, join a boxing class (you'd be amazed at how good you feel after just repeatedly punching the **** out of something!), go rollerblading.... but make sure you limit the time (especially if you nap) to 30 minutes (more than that induces feelings of guilt, which only adds to stress levels!).
anyway, again, not making light of your problems AT ALL! just hoping you might be able to eliminate some symptoms and then get a real diagnosis for the real problem! and again, INSIST that your doctor do those imaging tests! good luck!
more info (much more relevant then story of doctors)
Doctors HAVE ruled out diagnoses though, including Mono, hepatitus, Lyme disease, Wilson's disease, Celiac disease, hypothyroidism, Lupus and delayed ehhh... something related to sleeping with the word delayed in it, delayed sleep pattern syndrome?
Suggested (not ruled out yet) causes include:
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Depression (I personally rule this out as I'm generally very laid back and happy), Fatty liver, Cushing's Syndrome (has promise but not investigated yet) and sleep apnea. If not mentioned, it's still an idea to bounce off my GP or specialist.
Feel free to ask of other symptoms, for there have become too many to list (morning rage, gazing, becoming "too" calm at times).
Doctors HAVE ruled out diagnoses though, including Mono, hepatitus, Lyme disease, Wilson's disease, Celiac disease, hypothyroidism, Lupus and delayed ehhh... something related to sleeping with the word delayed in it, delayed sleep pattern syndrome?
Suggested (not ruled out yet) causes include:
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Depression (I personally rule this out as I'm generally very laid back and happy), Fatty liver, Cushing's Syndrome (has promise but not investigated yet) and sleep apnea. If not mentioned, it's still an idea to bounce off my GP or specialist.
Feel free to ask of other symptoms, for there have become too many to list (morning rage, gazing, becoming "too" calm at times).
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