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Avatar universal

What do you think is wrong with me?

I know no one, not even an expert diagnostician can give me a definitive answer without a slew of tests, but my hope is that if I list all my symptoms, some aspiring nurse/doctor/patient/hypochondriac can give me a few options of what might cause them.  Since I have no idea what could be related, I'll list everything that seems abnormal to me and give an approximate date of onset, and include any tests that may be relevant.

13 years ago I was resuscitated from  an alcohol overdose while in another country.  Languages differences being what they were I wasn't quite able to understand everything that happened, but they seemed apologetic about something.. "cracking sternum perhaps?"  Records are pretty much impossible to get at this point.

About 10 years ago I started having somewhat blue fingernails that would come and go.  Over the years this has gotten worse and does seem to be aggravated by cold or stress (Potentially Raynauds).  Never really diagnosed since it never causes problems itself, doctor's find it curious however.  Oxygen saturation stays around 98% though even with bluish fingernails.  On occasion the will get so dark it's closer to black than purple, but the skin around the fingernail is never affected.  I.e. No blue finger's such as the google images that raynaud's bring up.

About 7 years ago I developed Ribbon shaped stool.  This in combination with a father who died of some cancer (Unsure, but heard from an unreliable source it was colon) caused me to get a colonoscopy around 4 years ago.  The colonoscopy was negative aside from some internal hemorrhoids, and I was given a diagnosis of Irritable Bowel Syndrome.  The ribbon shaped stool continues to this day and is generally the thickness of corrugated cardboard.  Occasionally larger but never normal.

About 3 years ago, I developed a large number of eye floaters and occasionally flashing specks that will dart to the peripheral of my vision.  I've been told that floaters are relatively normal.. However my entire visual field in both eyes are covered with them... Somewhat like looking through a cobweb, and the flashes are noticeable every few minutes.  When the floaters and flashes first developed I saw an ophthalmologist, but he was unable to find anything abnormal about either of my eyes.  The floaters and flashes continue to this day, with about the same frequency and concentration.

About 1 year ago I developed PVC's, (Premature Ventricular Contractions) for around a little over a month I was having around 35,000 a day.  Frequently in Trigeminy.  They resolved themselves for the most part before too much testing was done.  I will occasionally feel something which is similar to what I felt during this period, so I can only assume I still have them occassionally, but they are no longer consistent or particularly troubling.

About 6 months ago I developed pain near my liver that lasted for several weeks.  After having CBC's, Thyroid, Liver function and a few other blood tests done, all of which were normal an Abdominal Ultrasound revealed several gallstones but nothing else of note.  A 16mm blocking the duct, a 13mm and an 11mm.  I had my gallbladder removed and as far as I know the surgery went well.  I was told my gallbladder had adhesed to everything around it and that removal was a bit more difficult than most.

For the next month everything seemed fine other than I imagine is normal recovery after Laproscopic Surgery.  Then about 4 months ago I started having strange symptoms.  At first I developed a pain in the middle of my chest that seem to radiate through to my back in addition to the bottom of my neck.  I was told to go to the Emergency room where they did a chest xray and blood work to check my heart.  I was told everything was fine and eventually the chest pain did go away after a few days..  

About this time I noticed my tongue was frequently covered with white film that could be scrubbed off with a toothbrush (candida overgrowth possibly?)  While some days are better than others for the thrush symptoms frequently I'll brush it off in the morning only to have it reappear by the evening.  Coffee or Sugar really brings it out.

For the next two months my neck continued to hurt and seemed to spread from the left side only to underneath my jaw and onto the right side.

Two months ago the neck pain went away for the most part but I developed near constant nausea and sweating even when cold or sleeping.  I went to the doctor and he ordered a White Blood Cell count and Sedimentation rate which was in the normal range.

About Two weeks ago both sides of my abdomen near my liver and spleen have begun to hurt.  Particularly when I sleep on that side or hunch over.  The nausea and sweating continue.

I eat relatively little primarily due to nausea.. Maybe 1000-2000 calories a day but seem to be staying a pretty constant 240-260 lbs.  I lift weights every other day, and jog an hour or about 4-5 miles on the off day.  I generally feel better after some form of exercise.  Less nausea/abdominal discomfort.   I have tried playing with my diet to no great effect.  I.e. Low carb, high carb, no sugar, high fiber.. Etc... No great difference in how I feel other than my tongue is less white with less carbs and sugar.

Also some time over the last couple years, I developed a large number of petechia, probably 50+ around my torso/upper arms/upper legs.  I wasn't really paying attention so I can't say for sure when they developed.

I know my post is potentially very confusing what with all the seemingly unrelated symptoms.  But I sincerely hope someone out there might be able to point me in a few directions as I simply don't have the money to run the vast assortment of tests that would be required to narrow things down from ground zero.  Thank you in advance for any help you might be able to give.
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Avatar universal
Rusty, my Specialist treating me is anIimmunologist/Rheumatologist, It is just not who DX'd me...yes, we are on the same page.
Raynauds is one of the many Vasculitis Diseases.
Just an FYI...Vasculitis is not a heart condition for those who have never heard of the disorder.
I make a lot of typing/spelling, errors due to my low vision, I may have mentioned it prior, but it bothers me a lot. My vision cannot be corrected with surgery or glasses.My disease was untreated to long and therefore I ended up with damage that cannot be reversed.
Good Luck! Sorry Rusty I was not clear as to the arena of Specialists I deal with. I also have Neuro-Behcets and see a Neurologist for it. I have several doctors depending upon what area is being affected but the Rheumatologist/Immunologist monitors my care not a PCP. Plus, the two go hand in hand but one has to find that combo of Specialist which was not hard. The difficult part is finding a EXCELLENT one that is knowlegable about Vasculitis disorders not just normal Rheumy ailments. (An Immunologist/Rheumatologist would do the HLA/antigen testing that I was speaking about in the post)
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Avatar universal
My advice is different, rush to an Immunologist!
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Avatar universal
Well, you will be glad to hear you have just met someone that can relate to the various symtoms that move around and it took me 17 years to get a DX. I have a RARE disease and it is a form of Vasculitis. My doctors argued for years over it.
I can tell you it is NOT cancer. Vasculitis is not a heart disease.
The reason it is hard for them is their is not a definitive tests unless  one gets into antigens and HLA.(must test all series not just one) It becomes complex.
I went to Mayo, Scripps in CA and to NYU in New York City. I live in the USA and live in Arizona and travelled across country to find answers. An infectious disease doctor found the link.They do unusual blood tests not normally done.
I do not know where you live, if it was mentioned I missed it as I focused on your symptoms. Please check out the Rare disease and the Vasculitis Foundation sites on your computer.
My doctors at first took each thing and had them seperate instead of a giant jig saw puzzle and putting all the peices together. They all are symptoms of one disease in my case. You are not the only one with this odd list.If you are close to NYU or to John Hopkins please go and see a doctor there that specializes in Vasculitis. At NYU ask for Dr. Yazici or at John Hopkins ask for Dr. Helman. In Jacksonville Fla {Mayo) ask for Dr. Calamari (sp?).(In Utah they have one doctor at their main University that is good for Vasculitis)
If those places do not work check with the Vasculitis Foundation and they have a list for varous states. In Arizona it is hard as their is not any one near here...except at U of A.
I do not check this site often, but had an invite to. I will try to check it more. Your eyes need to e seen by a Retina and Cornea Specialist when they do the floaters. In Boston Dr. Steven Foster with MERSA.
As you can tell I have travelled for my health.... I wanted an answeras what you are going thru started about 22 years ago for me. It took a long time to ge an answer, but keep a ist of symptoms and you will find an answer.
I only know one docto in the UK...Dr. Desmond Kidd in London.
I have Behcets Syndrome but their are other similar Vasculitis diseases too. I know have Neuro-Behcets. You can read on my disease but it will not cover everything. Medine has a good article on it. Good luck but I had to jump pretty high to get to the answer..
You do not have a left shift in your blood work so cancer would be ruled out. Mayo works off of a diagnotic aapproach and you need a multi-clinic like John Hopkins or Cleveland Clin that uses a clinical approach to find your disease. Skip all they seperate DX's and start putting the puzzle together and you will have and answer. Where ever you live if there is a GOOD infectious disease doctor see him. Lymes disease, Ceiac Disease and Mixed connective tissue disease can be considered also. They will rule out them if your markers do not come in right. My Sed rate was fine but my CRP was off and my white blood cells were slightly elevated.(back then)
Just an FYI...all of us should have a thin white coat on our tongue not just red, I think that is what you were trying to sat. But not a lot but we need that balance.. I am not a medical doctor but I know most of them from my journey and reading a lot one heath issues.One does not die from this unless they do not get treate by the right doctor.
(I lost sight just recently in one eye so forgive any typing errors, as I am trying to learn to read and type with just my one eye that has low vision.)

I guess your goal will be to get in to a doctor that know about Behcets and Vsduclits.
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Avatar universal
If your having pain don't hesitate to go to the hospital. Two weeks is a long time to wait when your hurting.
Hum, I've never heard of the ice water feeling, don't know what that could be. Don't take any chances and don't feel bad about going to the hospital. That's what they're there for. I went one time when I was having severe jaw pain thinking it could be my heart. Turns out I have TMJ. It really put my mind at ease knowing my heart was just fine.
Remember to ask your Dr about the coating on your tongue.  Remar
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Avatar universal
Thanks again remar for all your help and encouragement.  Went ahead and made an appointment to see a Dr., unfortunately not going to get to go in for over a week.  Almost went to the hospital the other day, both the left and right sides of my abdomen were cramping really bad.  Definitely feels like something is inflamed in there.  Feels strange going to an e.r. When I don't think I'm about to die.  But two weeks is a long time to deal with this amount of discomfort, and it seems to be getting worse quicker.  Here's hoping something doesn't pop, feels like that's a possibility at times.  Also been having a strange cool sensation in my abdomen, like ice water is being poured inside of me..  Very strange hopefully it's neurological.  To answer your question about the tongue, yeah, it's still white frequently.  I've been brushing it off in the morning and evening.  Always seems to come back.  I'll definitely talk to the doctor about it.  Thanks again.
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Avatar universal
There are couple things that stand out:  your BP is high, your weight is high (not sure how tall you are), the problems with your heart.  I would recommend following up with a Cardiologist and also have your PCP rule out Diabetes.
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Avatar universal
Additional Comment: Take a good Fiber product each day. (Work up gradually -- same applies to the Magnesium -- stools will determine how much you need.)
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Avatar universal
Learn as much as you can about Magnesium. Try a good product; just putting 2 cups of Epsom Salt in your bath may be sufficient.
For the white tongue: if antifungals don't do the trick, try an antihistamine (like Claritin) for those times when you eat sweets.
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Avatar universal
If your blood sugar levels were out of range the Dr would have told you. So they must have been normal. It still would'nt hurt to have them checked again.
The PVC's could have been caused from stress. You sound like me. I do very well during a stressful situation and then later it hits me hard. Like I mentioned earlier, anxiety and stress can cause all sorts of symptoms. I get those heart palps when I'm feeling very anxious.
That's great that you completely changed your diet. It does take your body a little while to adjust to the changes.
Are you still having the coating on your tongue? See your Dr if you still are to get treated for that. Like I said before, you could have too much yeast in your body.  Remar
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Avatar universal
Unfortunately I'm not sure what my blood sugar levels were, only that the doctor didn't let me know they were abnormal.  It's one of the tests I'll definitely request once I save up enough money to see the Dr.

While I don't remember feeling particularly stressed out during the period of PVC's (other than while having the PVC's) there were a few stressful events around the time(Closest relative died, and moved).. It's quite possible the stress was still there and I was just numb to it at that point.

The dietary change was relatively gradual.. Two years ago I was eating take out and binging alcohol nightly.  By one year ago it was only unhealthy 2-3 times a week, and around the liver/gall bladder scare it changed to what it is now.  I put my body through a lot though, so anything could be wrong and it wouldn't surprise me too much.
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Avatar universal
Your heart rate is well with in normal range so that's a good thing. I bet when your at the Drs office you are having white coat hypertension. Try to pick up your own BP machine so you can check it at home.
Getting your blood sugar checked is a really good idea. Do remember what the number was from a year ago? I'm sure if was too high or low they would have told you. But it would'nt hurt to have them check it again.
Ask your Dr if the just checked your TSH. Just doing that test is not the best indicator of thyroid problems. You also need to have you FT3, FT4 and antibodies checked.
Yes, some of us that have had our gallbladders removed still have some occasional pain and stomach problems.
At the time you were having the PVC's were you under a lot of stress? Is that around the time you changed your diet? Drs don't normally check hormones and vitamin levels unless they think you may be low on them. The B vitamins need to be replenished every day. B complex is the best thing to get because all the B vitamins work together.   Remar
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Avatar universal
Thanks again for all the advice, I'll look into trying to find a good cardiologist.  I really hope whatever is causing all this nausea get's resolved soon.  This near constant nausea has to be the worst pain (if you can call it that) I've ever felt.  You just can't block it out.

remar - To answer your question.  I do occasionally have anxiety, particularly in any instance where someone might tell me I have an incurable disease or ask me to take all my clothes off and cough, so you're right, that very well may be padding the blood pressure.  Heart rate seems pretty normal, around 60-80 bpm.  Haven't really had much in the way of flutters or tachycardia since the PVC's resolved themselves last October.  I know the Dr. ordered a thyroid around September when I was having the PVC's.. It was normal, but I haven't had any other hormone or Vitamin deficiency tests done that I'm aware of.  I'll also look into getting some B complex vitamin's, anything that might help, and it sure couldn't hurt.

It's also been awhile since I've had my blood sugar checked, probably over a year, I don't remember them doing that test during this last stint with the gallbladder.  I really should get that checked in case my pancreas is acting up, it frequently does hurt around that area (could just be residual surgery pain though).
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363281 tn?1643235611
COMMUNITY LEADER
Wow, you sure do have a list. I agree with Remar, I would start with the cardiologist. I have had those horrid "flutters" they scare me silly, just had one a minute ago. I would ask for an echocardiogram to make sure your heart is structurally normal and healthy and they will take it from there.

I would also purchase a BP monitor, these are relatively inexpensive and really valuable, you get better readings at home as you are not as nervous as you are at the doctor's.

Blood work such as the thyroid, blood sugar,  and some auto-immune tests would be helpful. I am afraid there is just no way around going to the doc, you really need to do this.
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Avatar universal
I'm not sure if it could be heart related but it would'nt hurt to have a treadmill test. It's a pretty simple test, I've had it done myself. You walk on the treadmill until they get your heart rate where they want it. Then you lay down and they check the blood flow going threw your arteries.
You have a very good diet and it's great that your not eating processed foods.
You can get a BP machine at any pharmacy or even at Walmart. I take mine at home and give the reading to my Dr because I have anxiety and I know it's going to be higher in his office. He completely understands white coat hypertension. That very well could be what's going on with you and your numbers may be just fine when your at home. How is your heart rate?
I'm just throwing this out there, but do you have anxiety? It can cause what feels like heart flutters and chest pain.
If I were you I would get more testing done to rule everything out. Did they check your thyroid, vitamin levels and hormones? I'm wondering if you may be low on B vitamins. Being low on those vitamins can cause nausea, heart palps and tiredness.
Did your Dr check your blood sugar levels? He can do that right in his office. Don't eat for 12 hours before having this test. Your number should be below 100. If it's lower 70, I think, you could have hypoglycemia.
It hard to say about heart defects. My daughter has mitro valve prolapse and is very athletic. It's when she's under stress or has too much caffeine that her heart acts up, not when she's working out.  Remar.  
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Avatar universal
Thanks for responding remar.  So you think the most likely cause of the nausea and sweating that's been plaguing me these last few months might be heart related?

To respond to your questions, they did a chest x-ray when doctor sent me to the E.R. after complaining of chest pain radiating to my back/neck around 4 months ago.  Everything seemed to be fine, they sent me home with an all okay.

My sodium's actually pretty low currently as I don't eat many processed or prepared foods.  Fairly simple diet really apples, grapefruit juice, oatmeal with protein powder and olive oil, cottage cheese, broccoli and flax oil.  Occasionally Yogurt, quniua, eggs, lentils, or chicken breasts.  Nothing that takes too long to prepare or that's processed.   This certainly wasn't always the case with my diet though, a couple years ago I ate pretty unhealthy.

I don't have a blood pressure machine of my own, I'm only basing the readings off of what they've been over the last 6-7 times I've been to the doctor this last year..  My last reading a couple months ago was 140/90, fairly high, but they didn't have me sitting in the office for a bit before they took it, so there might have been some anxiety present.

I've never run a Stress test, my primary physician at the time was considering referring me to a cardiologist to get one done during the period of PVC's last September.  But they subsided before the tests got that far.

I know it doesn't mean my heart is sound..  Plenty of more athletic people than me fall over dead from heart attacks/aneurysms/strokes.  But I generally feel pretty good after a 4-5 mile jog, much better than I do when I start at least.  Getting started when I'm nauseous and achy is an exercise in willpower though.  If I have a heart defect/damage shouldn't I generally feel worse after exertion though?
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Avatar universal
No, you don't sound like a hypochondriac. There's something going on and you need to find out what it is.
These things may or may not be related. I think it would be a good idea to see a cardiologist, just to safe. Have you had a treadmill test yet?
Floaters are very common but you should see an eye Dr to find out if that's what's going on.
Your family Dr can give you something for the coating on your tongue. It sounds like you may have too much yeast, just like you said.
Have you had ex-rays done on your chest? I'm wondering if they did break your sternum and it never healed properly. If it did'nt this could be causing you a lot of chest and rib pain.  
You might be able to get your BP down with diet. Your right about having pre- hypertension. What is your salt in take like? Are you taking it after sitting and resting for at least five minutes?  
I also had my gallbladder removed and was told not to eat fatty or fried foods after the surgery. When I do eat something like ice cream it can bother my stomach or cause some pain.
I'm hear to listen and help anyway I can.  Remar
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Avatar universal
I should also probably mention I'm a 33 year old Caucasian Male with no familial illness on my Mother's side and a Father who died of some form of Cancer in his late 40's early 50's.

Incidentally my blood pressure has been running high normal/low pre-hypertension this last year 130/80 - 140/90. 60-80 bpm.

Also one symptom I forgot to mention, this last year I've noticed whenever my heart rate is elevated stress/after exercise/warm bath.  I feel a very strong pulse in my abdomen.  My entire stomach tends to move around 1 cm, I'm not sure how normal this is, but this didn't used to be the case.  When sleeping on my stomach or left side I frequently feel my heart-beat on the side of my abdomen I happen to be sleeping on.  However the doctor has listened for any abnormal sounds, and no one mentioned anything after the ultrasound.  So I'm probably pretty safe as far as Abdominal Aneurysms are concerned.

I know how much of a hypochondriac I sound like, and sometimes I question my own sanity in this regard.  However when you frequently feel as terrible as I have lately and odd things begin happening that no one is able explain, it's very difficult to not become hyper-observant and overly analytical.  I really would be very grateful for any guidance that anyone would be willing to give.
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