Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

worth getting checked out?

Hi, I'm wondering what could possibly cause these symptoms. Is it just life, a series of colds or something I should consider asking my doctor about? I know ultimately that I should probably go to my doctor about medical complaints, but I have yet to get my medical sorted out and...well, nobody likes the doctor, right? In any case, I'm curious as to what could be causing this. I'm inclined to think it might be simple exhaustion or a persistant cold, but, hey, I'm curious.

The symptoms seem very unrelated to me, but what do I know? First one is bone/muscle and joint pain [I mention it first because as I type this, I'm in quite serious pain with this]. It's mainly upper body joint pain, but the general achyness is pretty much everywhere. I mention bone because I dunno... I feel very conscious of my bones, especially in my legs, if that makes any sense? They feel, mentally, I guess, although with some possible psychosomatic actual feeling, tender and delicate. Weird, huh?
Second thing is bruises; bruises, so what? I bruise ALL the time, but recently, and I am someone used to unexplained bruises from being generally clumbsy, an increase of bruises. Having not done anything to get bruises recently, I blamed it on enthusiastic bus journeys, but I haven't been on a bus in weeks. I really do think it's nothing, but the bruises are taking a long time to fade and the ones on my legs look like ones I'd know about getting. One was the size of my fist, at least, and on my other thigh I had a cluster of between five and seven largish bruises. The large one now has a small lump underneath it; I recognise this as being normal for some bruises, since I very severely bruised my hip in a swimming pool theme park type thing a few years ago, and under the massive, very painful bruise there were several simular lumps that soon faded. My point is that I wasn't worried about the lumps then, but this bruise doesn't seem half as serious and is much, much less painful.
Third symptom is a change in sleeping habits. This might be brought about by moving? In any case, I'm perpetually tired and have barely any energy, but my sleeping habits are highly irregular. I barely sleep or if I do try to sleep, I wake up at least four times a night, which I never used to do. I also used to dream a lot, nearly every night, but now I don't know if I simply don't remember dreaming or simply am dreaming much less. I get massively hot; it's freezing outside, but during the night I sweat a rediculous amount even with the radiator turned off. I have a history of insomnia-esque sleep problems that strike during stressful times of life.
I also seem to be getting ill increasingly often. I never got ill as a kid, I was the kind of kid who was ill maybe once or twice a year, very infrequently. Last year I got some kind of cold bug which made everyone get the sniffles. I got a very sore, swollen throat and ultimately lost my voice. It became too painful to cough properly, and as soon as the throat started to get better, the cough started. I had it for at least a week and noticed that coughing wasn't really shifting any phlegm and in addition to that, I could hear rather alarming noises when I breathed, weird clogging or wheezing sounds in my chest and throat. It got so bad that I ultimately fainted [or something] on a family day out. I really have no idea what that was. Is it usual for such severe cold symptoms? I've never really had a bad cold before that, so I have no idea.
Anyway, I now find it increasingly difficult to shake off colds and coughs. I really suffer with them and have even nearly been dragged to the doctor because of them. I got a cold a while ago, and finally managed to shake it off about just under two weeks ago, and now I have another one. I know it's common to get colds around this time of year, but it's just getting rediculous. I've also noticed I feel increasingly sick and sensitive to bright lights, loud noises or temperature changes, smells and tastes. The other day I could barely eat, because everything made me feel so ill.

I personally think this might be stress related, but I was seeking opinions. Are there any genuine medical conditions which I should consider being the cause of my symptoms? I'm young and until recently very healthy. I eat a healthy diet, despite the odd drink, am not vegetarian but do not eat very much meat [I have recently cut down even more because of the prices of good meat and my own inability to cook], eat a lot of fruit and vegetables. I don't smoke. In fact, I'd say I'm reasonably healthy. Any suggestions?
4 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
Thank you both for your suggestions, I never knew that there were so many possible problems. I'm young, so here's hoping that it's nothing too resious, right? I doubt it's TB, though, since I've had all my jabs and only had my TB vaccination a few years back when I was in school. I would have thought I'd be properly protected by that?
Helpful - 0
351246 tn?1379682132
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi

Thanks for the post.

There are certain causes for chronic sore throat like infectious mononucleosis (commonly called mono infection or glandular fever or EBV infection), tuberculosis of lung, allergic bronchitis, certain cancers and autoimmune diseases.

I suggest you also look at this link because you could be suffering from fibromyalgia where a person has generalized aches and pains in the muscles and bones. Alternative diagnosis to fibromyalgia like “myofascial pain syndrome (MPS), cFIDS (chronic fatigue immune dysfunction) and thyroid disease. Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) of unknown cause often co exists with fibromyalgia.” You should get your thyroid and blood sugar level tested if not done already. Refer: http://www.fibrofatiguerelief.com/extreme-fatigue-upon-exertion.htm

Since you are bruising so easily you should also look at causes of low platelets like Ideopathic Thrombocytic Purpura, an autoimmune disorder (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idiopathic_thrombocytopenic_purpura#Signs_and_symptoms). Also rheumatoid arthritis cannot be ruled out.

However it is difficult to diagnose without examining. You may also need to take some blood tests to rule out infection, TB, cancer etc, X-rays to rule out allergic bronchitis and TB etc. to reach a diagnosis. You should not ignore the symptoms and see your doctor immediately.  Hope this helps. Please let me know if there is any thing else and do keep me posted.

Helpful - 0
563773 tn?1374246539
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hello,

I will try answering your queries one by one.

Firstly,the aches in joints and muscles can be due to fibromyalgia,chronic fatigue syndrome ,polymyositis (means 'many muscle inflammation') ,polymyalgia rheumatica
or arthritis. Complete physical examination along with investigations like ESR blood, platelet count Rheumatoid factor, creatine kinase,electromyography and muscle biopsy may be needed to make a diagnosis

Secondly, anemia and deficiency of vitamins C, K, B12, or folic acid are the common causes of easy bruisability.Try taking iron tablets and multivitamins for some days and see if the symptoms improve.If not then other serious causes like SLE, bone marrow disorders, liver diseases,aplastic anemias or leukemias have to be probed.

Thirdly,your change in sleeping habits and night sweats can be due to anxiety and stress,infections,hypothyroidism,allergic rhinitis or obstructive sleep apnea.A consultation of a sleep specialist will be helpful.

Lastly,the sore throat ,voice loss and cough are all related and can be due to laryngitis and lower respiratory tract infections like bronchiolitis,bronchitis or pneumonia.The chest pain on coughing and exposure to cold can also be due to irritation of the nerves of the chest on coughing and are normally present in any of the above conditions.

I feel that for all your above symptoms ,you need to consult a physician/sleep specialist and discuss these possibilities with him.Also take iron supplements and multivitamins for some days.

Hope it helps.Take care and pls do keep me posted on how you are doing and if you have any additional queries.

Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
* I have no idea how to edit my post, so would like to clarify that I had the cough in question for more than a week. It took, I meant, a week for it to really get going and me to think it was worse than my usual cough. I also got really, really severe chest pains [and still do] whenever I went out in cold weather with the cough to the point where it was agonising to breathe or be outside. That's normal, I think. I know many people with the same complaint. Just to clarify, though.
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Undiagnosed Symptoms Community

Top General Health Answerers
363281 tn?1643235611
Nelson, New Zealand
1756321 tn?1547095325
Queensland, Australia
19694731 tn?1482849837
AL
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Discharge often isn't normal, and could mean an infection or an STD.
In this unique and fascinating report from Missouri Medicine, world-renowned expert Dr. Raymond Moody examines what really happens when we almost die.
Think a loved one may be experiencing hearing loss? Here are five warning signs to watch for.
When it comes to your health, timing is everything
We’ve got a crash course on metabolism basics.
Learn what you can do to avoid ski injury and other common winter sports injury.