Tired, Neck/head Pressure, post nasal-- GASTRO related?

[cmanthomas]

I suffer from: ulcerative colitis, and a small hiatal hernia (symptoms include:bloating, gas, nausea, intermittent mild burning pain).

This past March, I began experiencing faintness, neck/head tension with overheated feeling, and tiredness after working out intensely for 3 days and following a bout with a sinus cold. For the following week, however, I became extremely lethargic and very tired (barely able to hold my head up). Aswell, I began noticing that the symptoms of my hiatal hernia had been triggered, and I found it incredibly difficult to sleep or lie down at night due to gas and nausea (further exasperating the tiredness). Also, I began getting a lot of post-nasal drip and pressure between my eyes and in my sinus areas (almost as if there was a weight pulling my face), which eventually led to a dizziness and feeling as if i was being pulled tot he left side (which has continued to this day). Finally, I began experiencing fleeting sensation of fatigue in my right arm and in the soles of my feet and my calves (without any actual weakness). All of this has continued off and on for 3 months, and most recently, I have begun to feel very sleepy (I could close my eyes and fall asleep) when attempting to exercise for long periods of time

I have had all the standard blood tests (CBC) to check for organ function, an abdominal ultrasound, an EKG, echocardiogram, and holter, aswell as a brain MRI and nerve conduction study--all of which were normal. I can't figure out why I still feel so groggy/lethargic and slightly dizzy--can it be related to hiatal hernia reflux or my colitis?

[CalGal]

Oh, and I should add that problems with gluten can also trigger muscle pain and discomfort.

[CalGal]

It may be possible that you could be experiencing some form of food intolerance. Many of the symptoms you're relating are found in those with specific food issues. Some with sensitivity to casein (the major protein in dairy) or gluten (wheat, rye, barley) find they experience copious production of mucus, post-nasal drip, changes in bowel habits, stomach pain, discomfort that could be described as GERD-like, rashes, dizziness, peripheral neuropathy, light-to-severe fatigue, and 'brain fog.'