Recurring symptoms

[annali]

Almost 2 years ago I began having bouts of vertigo and severe naseau, during these attacks which lasted about an hour, I would have to urinate frequently and have diarrhea. During the next couple of days I would feel completely wiped out. They happened about twice a week. I also began feeling stiffness in my right foot. Numbness and shooting pains on my fingertips and toes. I went to the doctors and she did a whole lot of bloodwork and I also had an mri without contrast and an abdominal ultrasound. Everything came back normal except my rheumatoid factor was 160. Because I have chronic hep b since I was born- passed to me by my mother- I suppose, she said that hep b will elevate the rheumatoid factor. My symptoms lasted about 7 months. Then as mysteriously as they appeared they disappeared til last week when they all started again. I have the same stiffness in my right foot and tremors in my hands, legs and eyelids. Weakness in my left forearm and hand. Numbness in my back and shooting pains on the bottom of my feet and fingertips. My voice is raspy for no apparent reason. My vision is blurry. What could be causing all this and what kind of specialist should I be seeing. Could this in fact be rheumatoid arthritis?

[Sis angel]

I already know that I have an extreme amopunt of anxiety. I had a wreck 2 years ago that broke my arm in 27 places and also gave me a severe concussion. I was in the hospital for 7 days because of the concussion and the shock.   3 weeks after I got out I started experiencing anxiety attacks. I always thought I was dying, having a stroke, heartattack, zoned, tunnel vision...   They were bad enough to last about 4 hours and then I would sleep for the next 15 hours easily. I then tought myself how to control then so that when I do have them they last 10-15 mins at the most.
Now, all of the sudden I had a bad reaction to metoclopromide. I was nursing and lost my milk and they wanted to stimulate my glands with this med. I then had a distinic reaction that caused my face to freeze. They fixed the prob. but ever since then I have had fuzzy eyes, numbnessin my forehead and down the right side of my head and my throat ( the muscles) seem to tighten but no swelling. I haven't started my period in 11 weeks since my c-section. They told me it was stress and I don't know what to believe it feels like a stroke! They won't Test me for anything else!  What do you think?

[Sis angel]

I already know that I have an extreme amopunt of anxiety. I had a wreck 2 years ago that broke my arm in 27 places and also gave me a severe concussion. I was in the hospital for 7 days because of the concussion and the shock.   3 weeks after I got out I started experiencing anxiety attacks. I always thought I was dying, having a stroke, heartattack, zoned, tunnel vision...   They were bad enough to last about 4 hours and then I would sleep for the next 15 hours easily. I then tought myself how to control then so that when I do have them they last 10-15 mins at the most.
Now, all of the sudden I had a bad reaction to metoclopromide. I was nursing and lost my milk and they wanted to stimulate my glands with this med. I then had a distinic reaction that caused my face to freeze. They fixed the prob. but ever since then I have had fuzzy eyes, numbnessin my forehead and down the right side of my head and my throat ( the muscles) seem to tighten but no swelling. I haven't started my period in 11 weeks since my c-section. They told me it was stress and I don't know what to believe it feels like a stroke! They won't Test me for anything else!  What do you think?

[Kevin Pho, MD]

I agree with the workup thus far.  The MRI would evaluate for major central nervous disorders.  You can consider an EMG or nerve conduction studies to evaluate for peripheral neuropathy.  Blood tests looking for diabetes, thyroid disorders or B12 deficiency can also be considered.

An ANA level can be done as well looking for other rheumatologic disease like lupus.  Rheumatoid arthritis is possible, and can present with several of the symptoms you described.  

I would consider a neurology and rheumatology referral at this point.

These options can be discussed with your personal physician.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
kevinmd_