Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Arthritis (Expert Forum)
Multiple Symptoms - No Diagnosis
Answered by
Kevin Pho, MD - Internal Medicine
Kevin, M.D.
Boston - MA
This forum is for questions and support regarding arthritis issues such as: Arthritis, Autoimmune Disease, Bursitis, Fibromyalgia, Gout, Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus, Myositis, Neuralgia, Osteoarthritis, Polymyalgia Rheumatica, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Sciatica, Tendinitis, Vasculitis.
 |
Multiple Symptoms - No Diagnosis
by LRL, Jul 27, 2007 04:01PM
Dear Doctor,
Thank you so much for this forum. I have had multiple symptoms this year that range from odd to alarming. There isn't a day that goes by that I feel "normal" or well all day, and I'm really in need of help. Yet I honestly don't know where to turn for this help. I've provided a list of the serious symptoms:
Extreme Fatigue
Bruise Easily
Hair Loss on Head
Hair Growth on Face and Other Parts of Body Not Previously Hairy
Malignant Melanomas removed from right breast
Frequent Illness (colds, flu)
Asthmatic but with it under control via Advair and Zyrtec
No libido and slightly painful sex
Extreme pain in back (have scoliosis, but this is beyond that - I'm in pain all the time)
Achy knees (and I'm not overweight)
Depression and anxiety
I know that is a huge list, but I needed to put all of it out there in the hopes that someone could point me in a direction. I've had bloodwork recently to check my hormone levels and also had an RA panel because my previous bloodwork showed ANA. I was told they both came up clean. (Whatever that means.)
I don't know how I can be experiencing all these symptoms yet be told I'm normal. I know something is wrong - likely very wrong - but I don' t know where to turn for answers.
Thank you for any direction you may have for me.
Thank you so much for this forum. I have had multiple symptoms this year that range from odd to alarming. There isn't a day that goes by that I feel "normal" or well all day, and I'm really in need of help. Yet I honestly don't know where to turn for this help. I've provided a list of the serious symptoms:
Extreme Fatigue
Bruise Easily
Hair Loss on Head
Hair Growth on Face and Other Parts of Body Not Previously Hairy
Malignant Melanomas removed from right breast
Frequent Illness (colds, flu)
Asthmatic but with it under control via Advair and Zyrtec
No libido and slightly painful sex
Extreme pain in back (have scoliosis, but this is beyond that - I'm in pain all the time)
Achy knees (and I'm not overweight)
Depression and anxiety
I know that is a huge list, but I needed to put all of it out there in the hopes that someone could point me in a direction. I've had bloodwork recently to check my hormone levels and also had an RA panel because my previous bloodwork showed ANA. I was told they both came up clean. (Whatever that means.)
I don't know how I can be experiencing all these symptoms yet be told I'm normal. I know something is wrong - likely very wrong - but I don' t know where to turn for answers.
Thank you for any direction you may have for me.
Doctor's Answer
by Kevin Pho, MD, Jul 29, 2007 09:14PM
, Jul 29, 2007 09:14PM
These are fairly non-specific symptoms, and I am not able to come up with a unifying diagnosis.
The normal ANA level and RA panel would make rheumatologic disease less likely.
You can consider endocrine abnormalities including thyroid disorders - which can be evaluated via blood tests.
Hair growth can be due to an elevated testosterone level - which should be measured as well.
The frequent illnesses may be due to immune dysfunction. An HIV test and CBC would be reasonable things to check.
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_
The normal ANA level and RA panel would make rheumatologic disease less likely.
You can consider endocrine abnormalities including thyroid disorders - which can be evaluated via blood tests.
Hair growth can be due to an elevated testosterone level - which should be measured as well.
The frequent illnesses may be due to immune dysfunction. An HIV test and CBC would be reasonable things to check.
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_
Communities
Ask a Doctor Forums
Tools and Applications
Personal Information
Medical Information
Doctors and Partners
You might want to ask your physician about polycystic ovary syndrome:
http://www.4women.gov/faq/pcos.htm#e