Strange And Scary Journey

[Rippinit]

Hello everyone-my name is Adam, and I am 21 years old. Let me first thank all those who take the time to read my lengthy post in advance and let me also apoligize for its length as i have alot to get off my chest. Untill two months ago, i have been otherwise perfectly normal and healthy. I am, under normal circumstances, in the gym 5 days a week, following a bodybuilding workout routine and have achieved somewhat advanced development muscularly. Almost three months ago, i began to have a strange headache originating from my occipital area upward. I mentioned this to my primary care physician on the day of my most recent physical  on march 4- which was also the 1 week mark of the headache's initial onset. My doctor told me that if it persisted to come back to take a closer look at it. Three days later, the headache began to be accompanied by blurred vision, fatigue, and a feeling of almost intoxication. I returned to my primary, who ordered an M.R.I. of my brain, which returned normal, thank God. My symptoms persisted and increased in number, however. The additions included numbness on the right side of my face that seemed to increase with exertion/movement, and perhaps the two most prominent were a distinct borderline painful soreness and numbness in my quadriceps and calves-as if i had worked them out extensively-but i hadnt. This was acompanied my a stiffness and tightness of both hands.I also noticed weakness of the hands as well as dropping things alot. I returned to my primary's office and told the PA my symptoms, who referred me to a neurologist. During the time between that visit and my neurologists appointment, i began to experience an indigestion-esque pain in my chest, that almost felt cold. I went to the ER, where a cardiogram was taken, which was normal. The doctor who saw me also examined my reflexes and balance, which were normal. He prescribed me xanax and i went home. My symptoms persisted, so i asked if i could get a sooner appointment, which i got with a different neurologist. He performed a neurological examination on me, which was normal and perscribed me lexapro for anxiety. I kept my appointment with the other neurologist, who is more well known. He performed another neurological examination on me, which was also normal. I asked him if another M.R.I. could be done, which he was kind enough to order on my cervical spine. This was also normal. Other symptoms appeared, which were a hoarse voice that seemed to get worse with use and physical activity-which i still experience, as well as what i percieve as some trouble swallowing certain foods. I returned for my follow-up with my first neurologist who told me that the only thing  that was left to be done was an E.M.G. Since my right side was seemingly more symptomatic, he perfomed it on that side. It was completely normal. He told me that there was nothing left for him to do for me and that there was no reason to think that i had any type of neurological disorder. During the course of the two months that i had all the tests performed, i was beyond terrified that something was seriously wrong with me. I have noticed a visible indent in my left hand as of lately in between my thumb and pointer finger palm up, as well as a baggy sort of look to the skin in the area. I showed this to my neuro who perormed the E.M.G. and he said that it didnt look abnormal to him. I am still worried and afraid, and this has taken over my life. I dont know what else to do as i am still experiencing stiffness and fasciculations in certain areas at random times. I have also experienced electric-shock sensations in my legs, which have since subsided. The only symtoms that are grabbing my attention now are stiffness and slight weakness in my ankles and wrists, hoarseness in my voice, minor swallowing difficulties andthe indent in my hand, as well as blurry vision and floaing spots. I have also had a negative lyme test as well as normal blood work for b12, etc.I am at a loss here and baffled. I have had a recent terrifying fear that i have A.L.S. or some sort of neuropathy. I mentioned this to my neuro and he said that there was no reason for me to think that i had any type of disease. I am still very worried and scared. Any opinions are welcome and thank you all in advance for reading/responding.

[ggreg]

Dear Rip,
Don't be scared anymore.  You said you stopped the supplements and also your symptoms have subsided.  I think your thyroid was indeed goofed up for a while there, sometimes early on the tests don't show it, but if they had taken blood a few months later, the tests might have come up positive.  In any case, some fat-burners do contain a chemical that has been shown to cause hypothyroid.  So, it's good you've stopped those.  Just let it go, assume it was your thyroid telling you something, assume the supplements caused it, and now that you do indeed feel better, I think you'll be okay for good now.
GG

[Rippinit]

Another thing that has been mentioned to me on this board is a trigeminal issue by a physical therapist called trigeminal exitation.Any thoughts on this?

[Rippinit]

Thanks for your response and input- very insightful. My father has hypothyroidism and takes medication for it. It is interesting that you mention the supplements- i have been taking "fat burners" for the past year plus. I actually had my thyroid levels checked in the blood work that was done and they were fine. Would it be beneficial for me to go see an endocrinologist anyway due to the extended period of time i have been taking all these supplements for? I have stopped taking them since my symptoms began, and maybe it is related or maybe it isnt, but most of the symptoms i have experienced initially have subsided. I am still very scared however. I have only taken the xanax once because i know that it is addictive and not the best idea. When i went back to my primary for an unrelated issue, he noticed that it souded like i had a sore throat and tested me for strep which was negative. An endocrinologist hasnt been brought up.

[Rippinit]

Thanks for your support and response. I was treated from the ages of about 13 to 19 for social anxiety disorder with paxil. I have no family history of neurological problems. I have been taking lexapro since it was prescribed to me initially at a start dose of 10 mg tapered up to 30. Recently, my psychiatrist has added seroquel at 100 mg twice a day. It should be noted that i stopped taking paxil on my own about 4 years ago. The psychiatrist that prescribed it to me said that it wasn't a concern- it hasn' created any problems.

[Rippinit]

Thanks for your support and response. I was treated from the ages of about 13 to 19 for social anxiety disorder with paxil. I have no family history of neurological problems. I have been taking lexapro since it was prescribed to me initially at a start dose of 10 mg tapered up to 30. Recently, my psychiatrist has added seroquel at 100 mg twice a day. It should be noted that i stopped taking paxil on my own about 4 years ago. The psychiatrist that prescribed it to me said that it wasn't a concern- it hasn' created any problems.

[Rippinit]

Thanks for your support and response. I was treated from the ages of about 13 to 19 for social anxiety disorder with paxil. I have no family history of neurological problems. I have been taking lexapro since it was prescribed to me initially at a start dose of 10 mg tapered up to 30. Recently, my psychiatrist has added seroquel at 100 mg twice a day. It should be noted that i stopped taking paxil on my own about 4 years ago. The psychiatrist that prescribed it to me said that it wasn't a concern- it hasn' created any problems.

[Rippinit]

Thanks for your support and response. I was treated from the ages of about 13 to 19 for social anxiety disorder with paxil. I have no family history of neurological problems. I have been taking lexapro since it was prescribed to me initially at a start dose of 10 mg tapered up to 30. Recently, my psychiatrist has added seroquel at 100 mg twice a day. It should be noted that i stopped taking paxil on my own about 4 years ago. The psychiatrist that prescribed it to me said that it wasn't a concern- it hasn' created any problems.

[Rippinit]

Thanks for your support and response. I was treated from the ages of about 13 to 19 for social anxiety disorder with paxil. I have no family history of neurological problems. I have been taking lexapro since it was prescribed to me initially at a start dose of 10 mg tapered up to 30. Recently, my psychiatrist has added seroquel at 100 mg twice a day. It should be noted that i stopped taking paxil on my own about 4 years ago. The psychiatrist that prescribed it to me said that it wasn't a concern- it hasn' created any problems.

[Rippinit]

Thanks for your support and response. I was treated from the ages of about 13 to 19 for social anxiety disorder with paxil. I have no family history of neurological problems. I have been taking lexapro since it was prescribed to me initially at a start dose of 10 mg tapered up to 30. Recently, my psychiatrist has added seroquel at 100 mg twice a day. It should be noted that i stopped taking paxil on my own about 4 years ago. The psychiatrist that prescribed it to me said that it wasn't a concern- it hasn' created any problems.

[Rippinit]

Thanks for your support and response. I was treated from the ages of about 13 to 19 for social anxiety disorder with paxil. I have no family history of neurological problems. I have been taking lexapro since it was prescribed to me initially at a start dose of 10 mg tapered up to 30. Recently, my psychiatrist has added seroquel at 100 mg twice a day. It should be noted that i stopped taking paxil on my own about 4 years ago. The psychiatrist that prescribed it to me said that it wasn't a concern- it hasn' created any problems.

[Rippinit]

Thanks for your support and response. I was treated from the ages of about 13 to 19 for social anxiety disorder with paxil. I have no family history of neurological problems. I have been taking lexapro since it was prescribed to me initially at a start dose of 10 mg tapered up to 30. Recently, my psychiatrist has added seroquel at 100 mg twice a day. It should be noted that i stopped taking paxil on my own about 4 years ago. The psychiatrist that prescribed it to me said that it wasn't a concern- it hasn' created any problems.

[Rippinit]

Thanks for your support and response. I was treated from the ages of about 13 to 19 for social anxiety disorder with paxil. I have no family history of neurological problems. I have been taking lexapro since it was prescribed to me initially at a start dose of 10 mg tapered up to 30. Recently, my psychiatrist has added seroquel at 100 mg twice a day. It should be noted that i stopped taking paxil on my own about 4 years ago. The psychiatrist that prescribed it to me said that it wasn't a concern- it hasn' created any problems.

[Rippinit]

Thanks for your support and response. I was treated from the ages of about 13 to 19 for social anxiety disorder with paxil. I have no family history of neurological problems. I have been taking lexapro since it was prescribed to me initially at a start dose of 10 mg tapered up to 30. Recently, my psychiatrist has added seroquel at 100 mg twice a day. It should be noted that i stopped taking paxil on my own about 4 years ago. The psychiatrist that prescribed it to me said that it wasn't a concern- it hasn' created any problems.

[ggreg]

Dear Rip,
You should see an endocronologist because you are the picture of someone who has hypothyroidism.  This can be caused by some bodybuilder supplements, stuff you wouldn't even think could goof you up like this.  It can also be caused by a lot of other things too, but ask the endocronologist to check your thyroid levels, and I'll betcha they are some kinda messed up.

See, the thyroid is a gland that produces hormones that perform all kinds of duties, and if it gets irritated somehow, it can swell up, and many of your body systems will start to shut down. You'll get pretty much all the symptoms you have, including the hoarse throat, the cold, kind of limping to one side, weakness, the whole nine yards.  I had a hypothyroid and I have witnessed people who have hypothyroid, and you are the poster boy.  

The dead giveaway was the hoarse throat, and then when you referred to how you were kind of weak on one side, that clinched it.  People with hypothyroid have a distinct appearance, gait, and sound.  The reason your primary didn't pick up on it is because you weren't displaying the full-blown hypothyroid standard when you first came to him.  If he had heard your raspy throat and seen you kind of limp into his office, plus several other signs, he'd have known to have you tested by an endocrinologist right away.

Now, you might say you're not taking any supplements.  Fine, but you still should go to the endocrinologist and have your thyroid levels checked.  All sorts of things can cause a thyroid to goof up, and an endocrinologist can get to the bottom of it, and it can be treated, and some people improve when a cause can be found.  However, if you are indeed taking bodybuilding type stuff, one sure-fire way to find out if it's affecting your thyroid is to quit taking any and all vitamins, fat-reducing blends, whatever stuff you're consuming related to your bodybuilding activities, and gradually you should get a whole lot better.

I also would like to add that as soon as you start feeling better, you can taper off the Xanax and the Lexapro, but PLEZ cut dose real slow, give yourself a whole month to go off those, as you can go into seizure if you just haul off and stop those medicines.  Gosh, I hope this helps you.  You've been through the mill.  
GG

[bodhigirl]

All I can think of is to encourage you to listen to your body. If you feel there is something wrong, continue to look for a doc who can help you get to the problem. Keep in mind that anxiety is a nasty thing- it can morph itself into many different phsyical ailments. Do you have a family history of neuro problems? Have you taken the Lexapro? Has it made a difference? Sometimes anxiety can masquerade as a physical ailment for years   until all diagnostics give you a clean bill of health. But, if you truly think something is wrong, dont hesitate to continue investigating. Keep a medical journal and time your symptoms, frequency and duration...and see if you can come up with a pattern. Good luck!