Strange symptoms, and scared beyond belief! What could this be?

[mjk216]

Over the past 3 months, I have been having some strange and frightening symptoms.  It seems as if I have had every test in the book, and seen every doctor in the book, and no-one has been able to effectively diagnose me.  The symptoms are as follows (in order of occurrence):

* Lump-in-the-throat feeling (globus sensation), but there is nothing obstructing my throat. Started with a bad cold last Fall; the cold went away, but the throat problems have stayed. Medication for GERD ineffective; upper GI endoscopy normal.

* Loss-of-balance, often accompanied by disorientation and dizziness. Not a feeling like the room is spinning, but rather, feeling of unsteadiness or inability to place myself correctly in space.  Neuro-otologist says it's some sort of vestibular disorder involving my left ear, according to results of balance testing. Prescribed vestibular rehab therapy (not started yet).

* Extreme "brain-fog," i.e., memory loss, "reaching" for words I should easily know, inability to concentrate or perform sophisticated cognitive tasks, stuttering or hesitant speech (when disoriented, see above). Brain fog always accompanied by feeling of pressure and heaviness in the head; often concentrated at my forehead (esp. behind the eyes), may involve entire head.  Sometimes, mild/moderate headaches along with the feeling of pressure; most often in the forehead area above my left eye, but also toward the back of my head/base of my skull. Eyes also feel tired and bulgy (although don't look that way in the mirror), esp. at night, as if there is pressure behind them. MRI of the brain (with and without contrast) normal; no sign of tumors, demyelinating disease or sinusitis.

* Chest pressure sensation along my breastbone, but will spread at times to my upper pectorals and under my left arm.  Feels as if someone is sitting on my breastbone.  Sometimes there is mild pain, but not often.  No shortness of breath; just feels like it's hard to breathe sometimes because I am working against a weight on my chest. EKG and stethoscope exam of breathing/lungs are normal.

I've had the above tests, plus a blood tests for anemia, diabetes, high cholesterol, pituitary/thyroid function, inflammation and autoimmune diseases, PPD test for tuberculosis, chest X-ray, and others. Except vestibular problem w/ left ear, nothing else has been diagnosed. GP says possible hyperventilation syndrome, but didn't seem too sure about that, and could offer no suggestions in the way of treatment.

Even if loss-of-balance could be caused by a vestibular disorder, so-far, no-one has been able to account for the globus sensation, brain-fog, or chest pressure. Some doctors seem to want to write this off as anxiety related, but I am absolutely NOT anxious about anything, except their inability to figure out what's wrong with me, and the piecemeal approach to my medical care so far. I'm scared + frustrated.

Any suggestions? Should I get a 2nd opinion or another GP? Thanks so much.

[kt21]

Hi I had to comment because I have got the exact same symptoms and have been beyond scared! I'm sorry that your going through it as well but it helped in a weird way to know that Im not completely alone...bear with my story it's a build up to feeling everything that you do and more!

I

[Kevin Pho, MD]

There has been a pretty comprehensive evaluation done.  Anxiety certainly is possible, but should be considered if all the other conditions have been ruled out.

Regarding the globus sensation, GERD is indeed the most common cause.  Other possibilities can include post-nasal drip or sinusitis.  A sinus CT scan can be considered to evaluate this.  I would also consider an ENT evaluation for this - for possible laryngoscopy.

Regarding the loss of balance, you can consider further neurological workup.  This can include metabolic diseases like B-12 deficiency, thyroid disorders or diabetes.  The MRI would rule out many of the major neurologic disorders.  

I would evaluate the cardiac causes of chest pain before attributing it to anxiety.  A stress test with echocardiogram can be considered to evaluate this.

These options can be discussed with your personal physician, or another physician opinion.

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_b

[weatherby]

I'VE HAD ALL THESE SYMPTOMS AFTER HAVING ORAL SEX WITH A WOMAN I DIDNT KNOW AND CANT FIND. I GOT TESTED FOR EVERYTHING UNDER THE SUN. ITS BEEN GOING ON NOW FOR 3 MONTHS THIS LUMP IN MY THROAT,SWOLLEN LYMPH NODES IN UPPER BODY,TINGLING IN SCROTTUM,JOINT PAIN,BACK MUSCLES ACHE,DIFFICULTY SLEEPING, FEELING LIKE ULCERS IN MY THROAT,TIRED OF THIS FINALY AFTER DRIVING MY DOC NUTS SHE RAN MORE BLOOD TESTS ON ME AND SAID I HAD MONO AND THAT MOST OF MY SYMPTOMS ARE FROM GUILT AND ANXIETY. WOULD THIS BE ALL THIS IS.IM ON A MISSION MAYBE SOMEONE THAT HAS THE SAME SYMPTOMS COULD GET TESTED FOR THE EPSTIEN BAR VIRUS THEN WE COULD RULE THIS OUT. THE PROBLEM BEING IS THAT I DONT HAVE ANY OF THE CLASSIC SYMPTOMS OF MONO. IVE LOST MY WIFE OF 13 YEARS 2 CHILDREN 10 AND 5 OVER THS AND IF I DNT FIGURE THIS OUT IM GOING TO GO ON A SERIOUS LED DIET.

[emma-c]

Hi,
New to this also...just had the diagnosis yesterday of globus sensation..never heard of it!  Been on the internet alot today.  My symptoms are the feeling of something caught in my throat and pain in my ear.  I saw an ENT..first test was the scope down the nose and into the throat...nothing.  The feeling in my throat just wouldn't go away.  Went and had a barrium swallow...negative.  Told I probably have globus sensation.  I never thought I'd find so many with this same problem.  Now I need to find out want will help.  I know stress is one of the main factors and it is worse when I'm under more stress then usual.  Anybody have any help they've had that they can pass on...Herbs...any kind of remedy?
I'm hoping this will clear up on it's own, but Ive had it off and on for alittle over two years now.
Thanks for listening!

[cheery]

I wanted to write because mine seems different than everyone elses.

I started out with balance issues, swallowing problems, weakness on one side of my body, and pain in my chest on the same side.

After more testing than one would have thought possible I have now been diagnosed with MS.

Please see a neuro to rule out a neurological condition.

The swallowing problem is due to my muscles not getting the right signals from my brain. It would not show up on the tests you had done. They would have to do a video swallowing study.

Take care

[Tsua]

Hello everyone, am new to this site.

Am 30 years and am going through the same problem and each and every day I thank the Lord for letting me see another day with my family, especially my kids. I've had test done on me too and everything keep coming back negative and it's very very frustrated when no one can give me an answer to my problems. I haven't yet gone to the nuerology but am going to mention it to me doctor. I don't know how many time I've gone to see me doctor bout my symptoms and she keeps telling me that she doesn't know what else to do. Now she requested that i see a pyschology to ruled out my "Anxiety/Depression". I agree to it and if that doesn't help me, then I don't know what else to do. I understand how everyone on here feels and what they are going through and how frustrated when you can't seem to get any other answers. I wish everyone luck on finding out what causing their symptoms. My symptoms got worse after having my twins boys bout two months ago and my friend keep telling me not to give up and keep buging my doc bout my symptoms. I've had my head scan, and that came out negative, done blood work - that came out negative, done EKG cause i was having chest pain - negative. Now am going to see the GI doctor to see if am having problem with my stomach since they had ruled out that i had GERD/Gastritis (done the x-ray on my stomach, haven't heard anything back from them so it must be negative). Going in tomorrow to see the cairdo doctor bout the chest pains which he problem would say, "that there is nothing wrong with your heart". I'm just scared like everyone on here. If anyone finds out what is cause there's symptoms, please, please update us on the subject.

Thank you all and again I wish everyone luck on finding out what there symptoms or what's causing it.

[nosher]

Hi,
I am so relieved to find that there is someone out there with the same symptoms that I have been having.  It felt as though I could have  written those words myself. I have had these symptoms for the past few years and have had a chest x-ray, echo cardogram, sinus scan, 3 MRI scans and blood tests.  The only thing that is different is that 2 years ago I woke up and went suddenly deaf in my left ear and lost some in my right ear as well.  I now wear hearing aids.  My first 2 MRI scans were clear, however the 3rd revealed mild cerebellar atrophy. I have to wait now to see my neurologist to find out what this means,although my doctor assures me it is nothing to worry about!  Easy for him to say!
My symptoms still remain a mystery although I havent been tested for GERD.  What is that, is it serious?
I hope we both get a diagnosis soon and prove to everyone that we are not depressed, anxious hypocondriacs!! Good luck

[Panicattackjack]

Omg i'm very bad with panic attacks believe me ever since i was 14 ive had them severely been to the hospital so many times i worry about my health constantly im on xanax now which is helpin ok i guess but i hate pills cause if i read the side effects i freak out and think i have them all and it feels like i really do, but about 4 days ago i was diagnosed with mono ive been having sore muscles and achy hard to concentrate pressure in my head had ct scans that 1 said blood clot in my brain i really freaked out but then they wanted me to have a mri so i prayed to the good lord went and had my mri done and came back sinusitis but about a month later which is now i have mono its saying mainly pressure in my head muscle aches and pains sometimes numbness had my blood drawn mono test came back positive but my lymphocytes were low only 15.9 but neutrophil was good 73.5 protein was a little high along with basophil and albumin and sodium my son had gotten over the fifth disease me and my g/f believe due to his symptoms and not long after he had this is when my muscles started doing this but i guess there gettin a little better but i almost believe i dont have mono because i have no high fever or nausea if any nausea it is mild i am under alot of stress can this be the cause others told me fibromyaglia,and chronic fatigue syndrome, i was worried about MS. But my life is a wreck i caused my g/f to be nervous all the time now too she been gettin panic attacks but not as bad as me anyone have a diagnosis for this. thank you

[tdot-dude]

People, I am a living truth about anxiety. I can think of any pain right now and it will happen. I left school today around 3pm

[liltraveler]

Hi. I had a friend who had very similar symptoms and also was tested for everything under the sun (and everything came back negative). Turns out he was suffering from anxiety attacks. Have you considered that or been tested? Best of luck, beth

[bukowski]

Hi- Here's my symptoms

August, 2005:

[jennyjenny]

My nephew suffers from Arnold Chiari Malformation Type I.  These symptoms are somewhat similar to what you've described.

"The only way to positively detect an Arnold Chiari malformation is by having an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging).  The symptoms of Chiari are typically subtle and come on over a period of time. Because of this, people go months and sometimes even years living daily with symptoms that are caused by Chiari. Some of the major symptoms are: loss of balance, head pain when getting up, changing positions, coughing or sneezing, frequent headaches, heaviness on chest when lying flat, loss of gag reflex, sense of smell, feeling on skin surface and taste, muscle spasms, restricted movement in neck, pain along eye, jaw and ear on same side of face, pressure in neck, ringing in ears, shallow breathing, swallowing problems, and swaying back and forth when sitting or standing,blurred vision, burning/shooting pain in head or neck, decreased sensation in limbs, mouth and throat, difficulty adjusting vision to changes to light, difficulty focusing vision on printed materials, difficulty walking down stairs or on uneven surfaces, dizziness or vertigo (blackout feeling when standing or changing positions), double vision, feeling pressure behind eyes, foot drop, "

[kt21]

Hi,

I

[hanete]

no comment

[steffe]

Have you had your Potassium checked?
  Low potassium can set off a large chain of ailments,
from muscles to psychology.


im not a doctor :)
im  ***@****



   Low Potassium Symptoms  

Usually the symptoms of low potassium are mild. At times they can be vague. Sometimes you may have more than one symptom involving the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, kidneys, muscles, heart, and nerves.

Weakness, tiredness, or cramping in arm or leg muscles, sometimes severe enough to cause inability to move arms or legs due to weakness (much like a paralysis)
Tingling or numbness
Nausea or vomiting
Abdominal cramping, bloating
Constipation
Palpitations (feeling your heart beat irregularly)
Passing large amounts of urine or feeling very thirsty most of the time
Fainting due to low blood pressure
Abnormal psychological behavior (depression, psychosis, delirium), confusion, or seeing or hearing things (hallucinations)