I Don't Know Where Else to Turn!??

[Heavenly_Angel4505]

Hi.  I'm a 24 year old female.  I take no medications.  I was on birth control pills, but stopped them 3 weeks ago. I've had recurrent UTIs for years. I'm SCARED about my symptoms. Shortly after Thanksgiving,I finished 2 courses of antibiotics when I noticed a twitching in my eyelids and legs, which I had never experienced before.  Shortly after, I started having leg aches, joint pain, and the twitching moved all over my body.  I saw a doctor (not my GP) who said "It's anxiety".  I was under a lot of stress at the time, and it seemed to go away. However, for the past 6 or 7 weeks, I've been having the following symptoms:



constant dizziness

daily headaches

induces forehead ache when I push above eyebrows

blurry vision, sensitivity to light

eyes hurt, feel dry

fatigue

ears pop & feel plugged

jaws pop when I chew or open/close them

stiff neck

dry lips/mouth



Now, the following symptoms are here:



leg/arm aches(mostly legs)

bottoms of feet hurt around ball of foot

muscle twitches all over, but especially legs & eyelids

legs feel tired and numb after walking

pins & needle sensation in fingers

chest pain, pressure, palpitations



I've had the following tests, all NORMAL:



2 EKGs & heart X-RAY, Vision exam, Parnasal sinus CT scan, brain CT scan



A few days ago, I had allergy testing.  I had mild tree & grass reactions; SEVERE dust mites, cockroach, candida yeast reactions. I have an appointment with a neurologist Wednesday.  I'm worried about everything from ALS to MS. I don't really notice any weakness. What about fibromyalgia?



Thanks

Lisa

[CCF-Neuro-M.D.-JT]

It's understandable that you may be concerned about your muscle twitching or fasciculations, but ALS usually presents with progressive weakness and muscle wasting (not just aching and fatigue).  As your history doesn't appear to include that, it's unlikely that ALS is a big possibility in your case. Rather, it could represent benign fasciculation syndrome in which stress and anxiety can play a major role.  As for MS, this can present in many different ways, sometimes with vague neurological complaints although usually there is objective evidence of a neurological deficit on exam. A formal neurological exam and complete history should help your doctor choose the appropriate diagnostic testing as needed to assess that possibility. Finally, fibromyalgia is an illness or symptom complex that is thought of by some physicians when patients present with multiple areas of aches and pains that can stem from "trigger points," but it's typically considered to be more chronic in nature.  As your symptoms are relatively recent and appeared in a stress-related setting, I suspect there is a large component of anxiety, though it may not be the underlying problem. Hope you appointment on Wed went well, and again, further testing can be done to rule out general medical conditions like thyroid disease and electrolyte disorders as well as more specialized testing for neurological disorders pending the results of a complete history and physical. Good luck.

[Heavenly_Angel4505]

Oh I forgot to mention that the reason for the sinus CT scan was my GP originally thought I had a sinus infection because I had postnasal drip and sore throat along with my headaches/dizziness.  I had tried 2 different antibiotics and when the symptoms didn't improve, she sent me to an allergist.  She thought allergies were causing ALL of my symptoms.  I had to beg her to schedule me for the brain CT scan (which was NORMAL).  I've also seen an ENT doc, who looked in my ears and said he didn't see anything wrong.  I've been to a urologist for my recurrent UTIs.  I'm scheduled for a cystoscopy on Feb. 20th.  I'm wondering if allergies is causing a lot of my symptoms and the rest are from anxiety I've been experiencing? I see the neuro Wednesday.  I had to make my own appointment.  GP wouldn't refer me.  Keeps insisting it's ALL coming from allergies. Any ideas are welcome!



Thanks

[crazyboutcats]

I will be most anxious to hear the reply to your symptoms as I too suffer from many you have named. Each time I tell a doctor about it, they say it is stress/anxiety and "just calm down" as if I could! I do know that when I am calmer, many of the symptoms ease up. But I am very interested to know if this is just stress

or something else,( since I don't seem to be getting any help from drs.) and what can be done for it.

I am taking Valerian (herb) for the nerve part of things and trying yoga for my tight muscles, but as soon as I quit these things it all seems to be back, making me thing it might be something more serious.

If you'd like to comment or e-mail me at armidillo ***@**** maybe we can compare notes.

[graham]

Hi Lisa, reading your symptoms I wondered if you have thought about vitamin deficiency. In particular a lot of your symptoms could be caused by a b12 vitamin deficiency, including dizziness, headaches, blurry vision, and fatigue. Neuriological symptoms, like tingling in the legs and arms, can develop if the condition is not identified and treated.



It may not be anything to do with your symptoms but I would ask your doctor if he has checked your b12 level. If it is anywhere near the bottom end of normal you should ask for your methylmalonic acid and homocysteine to be checked. They can be better indicators of b12 deficiency than the serum b12 test on its own.



At 24 years of age you are not really in the normal age group for this, but it is still certainly possible.



Is there plently of b12 produce in your diet, mostly found in meat, eggs, cheese, milk and some fish. Are you vegetarian or have you had stomach problems and been on acid blocker drugs, which can effect absorption.



As I said, it may not be your problem but without an explanation that you are happy and confident about, it is worth considering.



Best of luck

Graham

[Heavenly_Angel4505]

Hi Graham,



I have had a LOT of stomach problems!  I've tried all the different acid reducing medicines on the market:  Nexium,