HELP

Oh where to begin.

First I am a 42 yr old female who teaches elementary school. My health issues started about 3 yrs ago with a diagnosis of Mono ~ Ifluenza A ~ & strep throat. I also developed a rash on face and arms that responded to bactroban cream.

During the process of a diagnosis I have been to infectious disease specialist whose first remark to me was "People your age don't get mono." Following a full battery of test he concluded that it was mono and chronic. ANA was "normal".

Further testing revealed Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
(Hysterectomy took uterus 15+ yrs ago) ~ Metabolic Disorder for which I see an endocrinologist.

I have battled repeated flare ups of debiltating fatigue, repeated strep infections, mastoiditis, etc. It is like everytime I begin to think I am feeling better and I "overdo" it (I say overdo, but actually it is only what use to be normal for me activity wise) I relapse and pay dearly with the pure exhaustion that cripples my life so much. Finally, sent to Cleveland Clinic, I was diagnoses with CFIDS.

In the last 6 months, I have been having odd  headaches. Jabbing, sharp pains from the base of my skull up to the crown. There really is no ache, darting pain or pressure describes it more accurately. They hit without warning. My BP is fluctuating, I am having more frequent heart palputations, and suffering severe vertigo and nausea.I also have serious bouts of disorientation/confusion...searching for words/words other than the one I am thinking coming from my mouth.

I actually thought it was my medications, so I quit taking them. It made little difference. I had an MRI just last week that showed "increased signal in the periventricular white matter felt to be related to chronic microvascular ischemic change"...My doc says perhaps due to my High BP. It also showed chronic mastoiditis ..so I was referred to a ENT who says it is just scarring from my youth.  I also suffer from ringing/buzzing in the ears...have for as long as I can remember. My dad has tinitus. I also have these weird sensations at times...best described as bubbles rising from the neck up into the back of my head...it is just a sound within my own head. The ENT has referred me to an audiologist. The school audiologist says my hearing is good.

I am quite confused that no one seems to be concerned with these changes in my brain...it's my brain for god's sakes. I swear if another Dr. tells me it is stress I am going to scream. I know how out of sync I feel..granted it is not every single day, but when it does hit...it is debilitating.

I feel as if they keep sending me from one doc to another and no one is communicating with each other. I get very frustrated and have spells where I just accept that this is the way it is going to be...and other times, I feel as if I am wasting my time and money trying to figure it out...and sometimes I even feel as if it all in my mind...which I know is untrue.

Would it be a reasonable request a consult with a neurologist?

[scarlet37]

     It's not unreasonable to consult as many dr. as you need until you can find one who will work with you!! It's your health and you are your own best advocate!
     I would try a neurologist sure never know, perhaps it is in the head so to speak! Get copies of all lab testing and keep in a home file- that way when you see another dr. you have all your test records with you.

     Has lyme disease ever been considered?

   Good Luck

[BlondeDarlin]

Well audiologist and ENT have decided that I have no inner-ear issues to explain the vertigo.

And a re-do of the MRI with contrast has determined that the lesions are less likely to be MS in nature.

So tomorrow I go get strapped into a BP ambulatory monitor.

We shall see.