Feeling sick always, fatigue, nausea, headpain etc.

[FeelingBad]

I

[Mercyintexas]

It sounds like you have seen doctors who specialize in specific areas of diagnosis and treatment.  Have you had an overall physical exam with blood work to be sure that your endocrine system is functioning normally?  You said you are 18 years old.  Did you have a regular pediatric doctor when you were growing up? If you did, and if you can I would make an appointment with that doctor and get a complete physical.  Your pediatritian will have records from your childhood to use as historical reference concerning your overall health. Headaches, nausea, fatigue, dizziness and general feeling of ill health can be symptoms of diabetes, cardiovascular abnormalities and well, probably a dozen other physiological illnesses.  When you get a physical exam be sure to tell the doctor about all of the prescriptions AND over the counter medications you take...and nutritional supplements and vitamins.  And be honest about drinking, smoking (anything) or extra-curricular activities you wouldn't normally tell authority figures.  If you come out with absolutely normal physical exam results then you may need to examine other possible causes - all of which are probably more common than you'd think for an 18 year old.  I recall that age as being a weird time when I was just leaving home for the first time and there was a lot of stress and anxiety to go with the liberation and fun.  I hope that helps.  Good luck kiddo.

[FeelingBad]

Thanks alot. I have had a normal pediatric doctor for a while. My last full physical was summer of 2005 for football and I was ok. I do not drink, smoke, or do anything detrimental to my body. Currently I only take nexium and when I feel bad I take tylonel or rolaids. That is about it. I just want to live a normal life again and appreciate the response. Maybe since it has been almost a year from my last full physical I should make another appointment, but my parents think I have seen enough doctors and had enough tests done. They view it all as anxiety and panic, and don't worry like I do. Something else happened last night while at a graduation party with about 50 people or so. I was sitting talking to people and something that felt like fire went up and down my neck. I sat there and it was like a burning and tingling sensation that lasted about two minutes. I got up and went outside felt sick to my stomach and gagged, no puke. I was feeling just gennerally disoriented, had a guy check my pulse, fine. I was walking out to leave and got real dizzy and had to sit to compose myself. weird feeling in ears ,like a ringing. Felt the burning one more time, still nauseated, got out at home and my legs were real wobbly. I was inside for about 10min, felt it a little again, went outside and puked quite a bit, 5 times or so. During the day I ate lunch and that was it, forgot to take my nexium. The weird burning in my neck scared me alot, does this all sound stress/anxiety/panic related, or should I make the doctors appt. soon, I need to be better for graduation. Thanks so much for the help and advice.

[Mercyintexas]

Have you had any injuries playing football?  Any injuries to shoulder area?  You recall any particularly brutal collisions on the field in which you felt dizzy afterwards? Sometimes trauma can cause neurological problems (pain, numbness, dizziness which leads to naueau and vomiting) long after the initial injury occurred. Old football injuries have kept chiropractors in business for a long time.  

It is possible that your symptoms are caused by anxiety and stress.  When anxiety and stress or depression become severe enough it is not uncommon for physical symptoms to occur.  Sometimes the way people eventually get to counselors or psychotherapists is by first presenting physical complaints to their physician which cannot be explained by any apparent physical cause.  These patients do experience true physical distress - emotional anxiety is very taxing on all of the body systems. Common symptoms are headaches, digestive problems, pain in neck and shoulders from tension. I noticed the attack last night happened at a graduation party - which was probably great fun.  However the purpose of the party was to celebrate graduation and all that graduation represents...completion and end of school..separation from familiar friends and surroundings. Whatever you're supposed to do next - go to college, find a job all involve changes in your life.  Is there a counselor or teacher at your school that you like/trust and can talk to about what you are experiencing?  Sometimes people need a good unbiased listener when they are transitioning from the familiar to the new.

I hope that made sense. : )

[FeelingBad]

I cannot thank you enough for your comforting words and advice, it is hard everyday going through all the things I think are or could be wrong with me, but you have helped alot. I did not have any injuries in football involving the neck, back, or head, this just came out of nowhere. It frightened me alot, but I have felt better all day, just minimal neck discomfort. I don't worry consciousnly or think about all that is going on, but I beleive subconciuosly all the stress and anxiety of what is happening is bothering me in the back of my head. I think it has taken a toll on me, and talking to someone I think would be a great idea. Since if I started to go through things, I might find they really are stressing me out. It just stinks that the symptoms come and go, and differ. When looking up the symptoms I have online it makes me worry more, but I have to think that most 18 year olds don't just drop dead. I still think it would be wise to make another appt. for my physical just to check up on things, but the stress/anxiety may be a major cause. I appreciate your help and advice so much, I just need to decide what steps I need to take next.

[sylvie71]

Hmmmm...This is far fetch and dont mean nothing bad by this but my son had the same symptoms and he had mono,what they call the kissing disease.They never found out how he got it but they did cure it :-)

[sunflower garden]

It sounds like you need to find out if your stress is causing your symptoms or your symptoms are causing you stress. That could be tricky since you haven't felt well since Sept.2005. Alot of your symptoms my friend has and they found that she has a goiter on her thyroid(TSH test came out normal) but she insisted it wasn't stress and they finally did a thyroid scan and now she is on her way to feeling better. Keep us posted please.

[FeelingBad]

Thanks to all. No I haven't been checked specifally for mono, but had the bloodwork done in October, how much does blood work change? Today again around 5pm I felt like taking a nap, arms felt weak. I slept from 1am-11:30am, so I should have felt fine. Does this all go with thyroid issues? What should I ask/tell my doctor or what tests, my parents still swear it is anxiety and panic, and want me to address that before anything else. I'm 18 I shouldn't be tired at 5 in the evening!

[sunflower garden]

I think that your family is right about the stress, some of the symptoms that your describe seem to be stress related but you need to remember what started all the stress in the first place. Was there something really bad that happened in Sept.2005? Or were you feeling bad and then got stressed out because you didn't know why?

[sunflower garden]

I guess I should mention that I had anxiety attacks when I first got ill (7 years ago)and my family and doctors said it was all stress related and they put me on antidepressants and I tried to convince my self that they were right for a year until I nearly went blind with headaches and they did a spinal tap and my spinal fluid was 3 times to high and csf test were abnormal. Only then did everyone believe that I have an illness and that was what stressed me out. I should tell you that dwelling on it will make the stress worse. Try and focus on what started this whole thing.

[FeelingBad]

I didn't have anything major happen in Sept. of 05 that I can think of, my 18th birthday, but I was sick, before, during, and after that. It seems that one night at my high schools football game it got worse, where I felt real weird like I was going to pass out, combined with bad nausea. I have these "episodes" once in a while similar to that. Another time at a basketball game, same feeling like I was going to pass out, real weak and nauseated. Now I just feel tired alot. After school I'm very tired, eyes bothering me, certain things on back of head. It seems the symtoms spread and manifest in different ways. My main issue now it fatigue and eye discomfort, sometimes the back of my head/neck hurts. I wanna think it's sinuses or anxiety or stress, but always think it's not. I don't feel to have energy anymore, and it really stinks. Since I had the CT Scan and bloodwork, and other tests in October does that rule out major problems. I had anxiety issues back in Middle School, but it didn't effect me physically like this, it was breathing and yawning. I of course think it has to be cancer or something else, but I looked into family history. Great grandfather died of blood problem at 84, grandma at 80 of lung cancer from smoking for 60 years, grandpa died of lung cancer at 67 smoked all his life. Other grandma still alive at 70 no major health issues, other grandpa has stomach issues, as do it, but other than that healthy. Other great granparents both died of natural causes and old age both over 90. Does this help me? And due to my tests in the fall does that mean I'm ok? The losing of 30lbs in 6months worried me, but I'm guessing this could have to do with the acid reflux which was the majority of my health issues then. Thanks again to all.

[sunflower garden]

When I first started feeling ill all the doctors and my family told me it was stress and to quit dwelling on it and I couldn't stop thinking of it and I made myself worse. I stressed myself out so bad thinking I had cancer(because I also lost alot of weight) That I believe I made my thyroid go out of whack. I was losing about 3 to 5 pounds a day for 2 weeks and eating like a horse until I insisted that I was sick and told the doctor to run TSH levels and I finally got a diagnosis of hyperthyroid. I too was tired all the time but I wasn't able to sleep more than 3 hours a night. Then they treated it with meds and I turned hypothyroid and thats when I felt exhausted all the time and would sleep 12 hours a day and gained 60 lbs in 1 month. So I know both sides of thyroid and I suggest that you ask for a TSH test. My point to the whole thing is try not to think of the worst because you will make yourself more sick. But you do need to keep focused and get second opinions from other doctors to make sure they rule everything out before they just say it is stress. The labs that the doctors typically run will usually rule out major diseases.

[FeelingBad]

So getting a TSH test would be a good idea? How do I go about that, just tell my Dr. I think I need one, or what? And you would reccomend stopping worrying about cancer, does it sound like I do not have it based on my symptoms and tests? Thanks again.

[sunflower garden]

Im not a doctor or anything but I do know alot about anxiety and stress related illness and I know first hand how you can physically make your self sick with worry. Just tell, not ask your doctor that you would like them to check your thyroid hormone levels just to rule it out and for piece of mind. (Thyroid problems you can treat)And as far as if I think you have cancer, I don't have the answer to that. But what I will say is if you are currently seeing a doctor and complain of weight loss and fatigue they typically run the labs to check your RBC and your WBC which could indicate a problem. Just curious what type of cancer do you think you have?

[FeelingBad]

Thanks. I don't even know what type of cancer I think I have. I just think something is wrong. I have looked up so much about it and I couldn't tell which ones I think I may have. I had the bloodwork done in Oct., which I think would have ruled out most types, like Leukemia or Lymphoma, those are the two most likely I think I have. Not for any particular reason. I have a family history of lung cancer, but don't think it is that. It's just there are so many types of cancer. I just think, I'm 18 and feel like I have no enegery after school. I don't think it is sinuses and stress, but I always worry and think the worst of everything. I am just thinking cancer is the cause of me feeling like I do, even though it is very unlikely. I'm driving my g/f insane, and my parents won't allow me to address my worries until we figure out if it is all anxiety and stress.

[sunflower garden]

My friend had cancer and she was tired before diagnosis but she didn't loose any weight. She did loose alot of weight when she started treatment but was able to gain it back when she finished her treatments.I hope the best for you, just remember not to worry yourself sick. Good Luck.

[FeelingBad]

Thanks a million for your kind words, I really appreciate it. I dwell on my health way too much, and it seems that could contribute to my fatigue. Just for my comfort, is the likelihood of cancer in an 18 year old who is healthy very unlikley? Am I worrying over nothing, or should I try and get some more tests to stop my anxiety?

[peach123]

hi im 16 and having very similar symptoms.  I've gotten tests done and all the doctors are attributing it to stress also.  Have you gotten anywhere with your search for answers?  Because I know for me it is very hard to go through everyday life with the constant pain.  Even little things that make me happy bring on the nausea feeling and I'm really frustrated that I'm not getting answers.  So just to let you know I know what you are going through and please let me know if you find out anything that works.

[lovely21]

Hi there im sorry to hear you were not feeling so well and i hope you are feeling better now.You symtoms do sound a bit stress related but i do think it would be worth seeing a docter and getting some tests done just to rule out other things.
Try and take it easy and try not to stress too much about things as you have many years ahead of you, if you do feel that bad maybe seing a counsellor might be the best solution try swimming for relaxation talk to your girlfriend too who would probably be more willing to listen and care,try to be positive and beleive in yourself ,all the best xx

[AllWoman]

Hi there! your symptoms sound so familiar, and i've had them..number one cause is definately "stress", and having so much stress can cause alot of these symptoms. I too have acid reflux, had it for years now, its not fun...and anxiety? oh god yes ive had my share of anxiety attacks, and wouldnt wish it on anyone, its horrible and very scary. I too thought there was something horribly wrong with me, until i had tons of tests done and i was over-stressed! Your young, i was in my mid thirties, and been taking paxil for over 5 yrs, it HELPS so much. Dont know what i would do without it! Definately talk with your primary physician, see what can be done to help you...and i agree with others whove posted about your thyroid, that could be causing major problems...best of luck : )

[tinkerbell007]

Im so glad that i found this site. First of all, im 24 and i had those symptoms about a year ago, BUT BAD.  I had nausea all the time and bad, to the point where i would sit for hours in the bathroom, always tired, lost 20 IBS in 3 weeks and headaches and so on.  I had to quit my job because i felt so nauseous and light headed that i was unable to cope with day to day activites, not to mention always crying because i wanted to eat so badly.  I was tested for everything under the sun, even did my own research, my tests came up positive for H-Pylori, a bacteria that can get out of hand if not treated (ask your doctor to test you for it) they gave me a combo of pills to get rid of it, still after it all i still had symptoms, then because i couldnt take it anymore they referred me to a gastrointologist (stomach specialist) He did an endoscopy (the do a biopsy, and check for ulcers, ect, dont worry i asked about cancer too, and he laughed and said i was way to young, so please get cancer out of your mind)  my doctor said it was stress and that caused my stomach to not bring the food down to my lower intestine, causing the nausea.  He gave me metoclopramide, and ask for promethazine for the nausea ITS A MIRACLE, the first day that i took it i was able to eat and within the week i ate PIZZA!!!! I know that your only 18 and stress is sometimes inherited, at least it was for me, i had huge manic attaches ect,  so ask your doctor to refer you to a stomach specialist, Its been a year and i only take these med when im under a lot of stress or if i start to feel symptoms again.  I hope that this sheds some light and you get better,  i took the docts months so this is a way to speed up this process,  let me know how you are felling and you are more than welcome to email me ***@****

[Pum]

It certainly sounds like anxiety with the tiredness indicating depression even.  The internet can be a nightmare for people worried about health.
Have you thought about therapy? Cognative behaviour therapy can be helpful for irrational fears. If this is badly affecting your life (study, relationships, sleep) you need to see the doctor again and see if they can help further, not because you have cancer but because you are suffering ill health even though the cause is probably anxiety.
You are about to enter a new exciting phase of your life and that often triggers this sort of thing.  It's the uncertainty of your future as an adult that leads to obsessing.
I went through something very similar and wish I had realised how common it was.
Try doing some things for other people and keep busy.  Maybe even ban yourself from looking up health things for a couple of weeks.  2 weeks won't change any health outcome even if you had something but if you find you are actually addicted to the checking process then you'll have a clue to what is really going on.
Good luck.

[feelingworse]

I am 20 years old and am in the exaxt same boat as you. I get a headache or start to feel tired or nauseous and I google symptoms of tumors symptoms of strokes...I have begun to drive myself and everyone around me crazy. Hearing that I'm notthe only one with these symptoms is somewhat nice because we ARE OK...write back...

[feelingworse]

I am 20 years old and am in the exaxt same boat as you. I get a headache or start to feel tired or nauseous and I google symptoms of tumors symptoms of strokes...I have begun to drive myself and everyone around me crazy. Hearing that I'm notthe only one with these symptoms is somewhat nice because we ARE OK...write back...

[smitty1980]

I am 28 years old and i can relate to a lot of what youre going through.. a couple years ago i got dizzy and ended up with the flu. since then it seems like everywhere i go i always start to worry that its goin to happen and i almost seem to scare myself into feeling light headed and i get a big headache. ive been to doctors and everything comes up normal. i hope youre feeling better soon. i  also have days where i feel better than others but once i get that thought in my head its so hard to ignore it.  i hope this can help you out some!