Aa
Help me please
I am 33 years old, and I don't know what is wrong with me. I really don’t know how to start, maybe because I’ve never pay serious attention to my health, but because of it I had to leave my studies, my career, almost my dreams. I used to be a very energetic woman, always doing things, working, studying, running, dancing… now, I barely know myself. I refuse to give up, but in days like today… how pathetic I can be.
Around 6 years ago, when I was doing my masters in USA, I started feeling tired. I thought it was stress for the classes and my work, maybe the new language and country… but instead of feeling better with time, it was worse. From time to time (twice a year) I got a bad chess pain, but just for a moment then went away. Almost at the same time acne developed in my face, this also got worse with time. In 2006 a doctor discovered a myoma and gave me birth control pills as treatment, I also start the acne treatment (tetracycline). That year I got sick a lot, some infection (chills, fever, and headaches)… doctors never told me what it was because my entire tests were negative… just and infection that come and goes. By 2007 I was feeling really bad, getting sick a lot, feeling sick, numbness, my allergies get worse, very very tired, gaining and loosing weight, looking horrible because my acne never went away. No doctor told me what I had, no medicine made feel better… I had to return home. At home I went to every doctor in my city, nothing!! Two of them suggested that I was making this up… that made me feel horrible. I went to 2 physiologists and 1 psychiatrist, it was not on my head either… I almost wanted to be crazy, so I finally had an answer.
The positive side of seeing the psychiatrist is that he recommended me an specialist on liver. He did not tell me what is wrong with me, but he discovered I had high cholesterol (total cholesterol:224, HDL:48, LDL:148, triglycerides:150). He almost killed me though, when trying to control the cholesterol gave me atorvastatin, I lost it. I felt worse, and the third week I took the pills I could not wake up for a day… I end up in the emergency room… final score: total cholesterol:276, HDL:90, LDL:129, triglycerides:285, GPT:52, GOT:33. After that, doctor gave me 3 magical pills: Higanatur max (folfatidilcoline+silimarina or Silybum marianum), Higaprotector (fosfatidilcoline) and Verte (orlistat). I said magical because my acne started to get away… I am still taking the pills, because the moment I left them, my acne comes back and my appetite goes down.
I am still tired, but now it is for days… it is kind of a cycle. Some days I feel like wonder woman… then I think, maybe it is in my head, maybe I am getting better now, I cannot be sick at all. But other days I spent most of the day in bed, and not just because of the tiredness, because I feel burning up (but not fever), weakness, I have muscle spasms (arms, legs, face, even my tummy), joints pains, I feel like dying… I also made arrangements for it. Few months ago, a cardiologist discovered I have a conditions similar to Epstein syndrome, and also “cabalgamiento parcial de la aorta (sorry, I don’t know how to say this in English). Since then, I went to 3 cardiologists so far, two of them think that some of my symptoms can be explain by this, but the other one think not. I got this heart condition all my life, why now is a problem? Finally, I have the feeling that a swell some days, specially my upper body… well, I started to get records of my measurements and weight in a gym… and from day to day I can gain or loss two pounds, now I have proof.
Yes, I am working… brain is working just fine. But, my bad days do not allow me to have a regular life, or a full time job. I want to continue studying, but work and classes are everyday, not when my body pleases. I don’t know what else to do; I also considered pursuing a medical degree. Please, if somebody has an idea of what is going on with me… please, I am begging for help.
Around 6 years ago, when I was doing my masters in USA, I started feeling tired. I thought it was stress for the classes and my work, maybe the new language and country… but instead of feeling better with time, it was worse. From time to time (twice a year) I got a bad chess pain, but just for a moment then went away. Almost at the same time acne developed in my face, this also got worse with time. In 2006 a doctor discovered a myoma and gave me birth control pills as treatment, I also start the acne treatment (tetracycline). That year I got sick a lot, some infection (chills, fever, and headaches)… doctors never told me what it was because my entire tests were negative… just and infection that come and goes. By 2007 I was feeling really bad, getting sick a lot, feeling sick, numbness, my allergies get worse, very very tired, gaining and loosing weight, looking horrible because my acne never went away. No doctor told me what I had, no medicine made feel better… I had to return home. At home I went to every doctor in my city, nothing!! Two of them suggested that I was making this up… that made me feel horrible. I went to 2 physiologists and 1 psychiatrist, it was not on my head either… I almost wanted to be crazy, so I finally had an answer.
The positive side of seeing the psychiatrist is that he recommended me an specialist on liver. He did not tell me what is wrong with me, but he discovered I had high cholesterol (total cholesterol:224, HDL:48, LDL:148, triglycerides:150). He almost killed me though, when trying to control the cholesterol gave me atorvastatin, I lost it. I felt worse, and the third week I took the pills I could not wake up for a day… I end up in the emergency room… final score: total cholesterol:276, HDL:90, LDL:129, triglycerides:285, GPT:52, GOT:33. After that, doctor gave me 3 magical pills: Higanatur max (folfatidilcoline+silimarina or Silybum marianum), Higaprotector (fosfatidilcoline) and Verte (orlistat). I said magical because my acne started to get away… I am still taking the pills, because the moment I left them, my acne comes back and my appetite goes down.
I am still tired, but now it is for days… it is kind of a cycle. Some days I feel like wonder woman… then I think, maybe it is in my head, maybe I am getting better now, I cannot be sick at all. But other days I spent most of the day in bed, and not just because of the tiredness, because I feel burning up (but not fever), weakness, I have muscle spasms (arms, legs, face, even my tummy), joints pains, I feel like dying… I also made arrangements for it. Few months ago, a cardiologist discovered I have a conditions similar to Epstein syndrome, and also “cabalgamiento parcial de la aorta (sorry, I don’t know how to say this in English). Since then, I went to 3 cardiologists so far, two of them think that some of my symptoms can be explain by this, but the other one think not. I got this heart condition all my life, why now is a problem? Finally, I have the feeling that a swell some days, specially my upper body… well, I started to get records of my measurements and weight in a gym… and from day to day I can gain or loss two pounds, now I have proof.
Yes, I am working… brain is working just fine. But, my bad days do not allow me to have a regular life, or a full time job. I want to continue studying, but work and classes are everyday, not when my body pleases. I don’t know what else to do; I also considered pursuing a medical degree. Please, if somebody has an idea of what is going on with me… please, I am begging for help.
Go see an infectious disease specialist or someone who specializes in chronic fatigue syndrome. Did they do sedimentation rate? The best way to cure this is to go on a weeks worth of prednisone every so often as needed, but do not take them for more than a week every few months as needed. Chronic fatigue syndrome comes and goes, but when you are feeling good and exercise or do more than usual, it can make you tired for another two weeks.
In my last visit to my doctor (liver specialist), he told me the same thing as you. The problem is that he seems unconcerned with the WHY. That drives me crazy because I think it is the most important question. Right now I am just taking the pills for my liver, no more birth control pills or acne treatment for me… I guess that is why my acne is almost gone; it comes back when I leave the pills for my liver.
When I was 17 I had hepatitis type A. I remember I used to feel a horrible pain in the side of my liver, and also on the other side too (like a very bad stomach ache). Well, sometimes now, I feel pain in the side of my liver, but not that painful. My doctor told me that the liver does not hurt, that pain is from the duodenum. I am not a doctor, so I “had” to believe him… but, after 6 years of experience with doctors, I have to ask… is it true?
Though, I think is interesting to try with vitamins, maybe I have a deficiency as you say. Thank you so much for your interest and good advice. You don’t know how important is for me to get the answer. Sure I will continue trying. Feeling good today!!!
When I was 17 I had hepatitis type A. I remember I used to feel a horrible pain in the side of my liver, and also on the other side too (like a very bad stomach ache). Well, sometimes now, I feel pain in the side of my liver, but not that painful. My doctor told me that the liver does not hurt, that pain is from the duodenum. I am not a doctor, so I “had” to believe him… but, after 6 years of experience with doctors, I have to ask… is it true?
Though, I think is interesting to try with vitamins, maybe I have a deficiency as you say. Thank you so much for your interest and good advice. You don’t know how important is for me to get the answer. Sure I will continue trying. Feeling good today!!!
Hi rakela,
One thing that links a lot of your problems is "liver health". This is behind high cholesterol, and may be behind acne and tiredness. The question that needs to be answered is WHY is your liver under so much strain? Giving silybum marianum and phosphatidul choline would help your liver, but it doesnt treat it at the root of the problem - what is making your liver struggle in the first place?
Liver congestion or sluggish liver could be due to several things, ranging from nutritional deficiencies, to excessive amounts of things it has to process. Things that may strain the liver in processing could be too many pollutants, bad chemicals from our surroundings and our food (eg from a change of diet and environment when moving to a different country), chemical overload from drugs, and overload of hormones that it has to process. The myoma and the acne suggest that your liver has to deal with excessive oestrogen (blood tests would confirm this).
For treating the liver the first step is ensuring you have a good diet to support the liver - give yourself all the raw materials a liver needs to work optimally, including a good amount of protein (a protein powder supplement may be helpful), as well as good amounts of vitamins and minerals (a multivitamin can be useful here, particularly one that has around 400-800mcg folate or vitamin B9 because this can help also lower cholesterol, and 500-1000mg vitamin C and around 40mg zinc, and 600-800mg magnesium - the magnesium might help with the involuntary movement of your muscles.)
The second step is eliminating all the things that may be loading your liver. Eliminate as many foreign chemicals from your diet and environment. This will help your liver.
The third step is to test your hormone levels. Test oestrogen, testosterone and thyroid hormone levels. Imbalances of any of these could lead to some of the symptoms you are experiencing. I suspect you might have oestrogen dominance because you had a myoma and acne - but this will be confirmed upon testing (although test results will be inaccurate as long as you are taking a birth control pill..) Interestingly, oestrogen dominance itself could be caused by a sluggish liver! I would also test your thyroid hormones to check that you don't have hypothyroidism which may cause other hormonal imbalances and also tiredness.
Other things you can do to help is to lower choelsterol, try lecithin granules which you can sprinkle on your food and they are quite tasty. I would also advise a probiotic (as well as the vitamin C and zinc in the multivitamin) to strengthen your immune system which seems to be low if you have allergies and constant infections.
hang in there! There is an answer, it just needs to be uncovered! :)
One thing that links a lot of your problems is "liver health". This is behind high cholesterol, and may be behind acne and tiredness. The question that needs to be answered is WHY is your liver under so much strain? Giving silybum marianum and phosphatidul choline would help your liver, but it doesnt treat it at the root of the problem - what is making your liver struggle in the first place?
Liver congestion or sluggish liver could be due to several things, ranging from nutritional deficiencies, to excessive amounts of things it has to process. Things that may strain the liver in processing could be too many pollutants, bad chemicals from our surroundings and our food (eg from a change of diet and environment when moving to a different country), chemical overload from drugs, and overload of hormones that it has to process. The myoma and the acne suggest that your liver has to deal with excessive oestrogen (blood tests would confirm this).
For treating the liver the first step is ensuring you have a good diet to support the liver - give yourself all the raw materials a liver needs to work optimally, including a good amount of protein (a protein powder supplement may be helpful), as well as good amounts of vitamins and minerals (a multivitamin can be useful here, particularly one that has around 400-800mcg folate or vitamin B9 because this can help also lower cholesterol, and 500-1000mg vitamin C and around 40mg zinc, and 600-800mg magnesium - the magnesium might help with the involuntary movement of your muscles.)
The second step is eliminating all the things that may be loading your liver. Eliminate as many foreign chemicals from your diet and environment. This will help your liver.
The third step is to test your hormone levels. Test oestrogen, testosterone and thyroid hormone levels. Imbalances of any of these could lead to some of the symptoms you are experiencing. I suspect you might have oestrogen dominance because you had a myoma and acne - but this will be confirmed upon testing (although test results will be inaccurate as long as you are taking a birth control pill..) Interestingly, oestrogen dominance itself could be caused by a sluggish liver! I would also test your thyroid hormones to check that you don't have hypothyroidism which may cause other hormonal imbalances and also tiredness.
Other things you can do to help is to lower choelsterol, try lecithin granules which you can sprinkle on your food and they are quite tasty. I would also advise a probiotic (as well as the vitamin C and zinc in the multivitamin) to strengthen your immune system which seems to be low if you have allergies and constant infections.
hang in there! There is an answer, it just needs to be uncovered! :)
You know medications can cause aches, fevers, involuntary movements and more. I would start with every drug you took or do take, and include any herbs and vitamins and find out the side effects. This means go deeper than the list they give you. You have to get a copy of the physicians list. Althought most people can take meds and not have reactions, some people have horid ones and get the reactions they say are rare. Just another avenue to pursue if you get desperate. Let me give you and example. A lot of people can tolerate an antibiotic, but some have normal type allergic reactions, and yet others, allbeit rarely, may end up with burns all over their body from them. Others still may experience a heart rythm issue. Every drug no matter how safe they say it is, has the potential to cause adverse reactions.
Thank you for your comments, I really appreciate somebody put attention on this. But I made a mistake about one symptom. I do not have muscle spasms; I have involuntary movement of my muscles. Sorry about that... it is my horrible English. I used to travel before; I was at the Bolivian forest (2002), In Mexico (2004), and everywhere in Peru. I know this kind of information is important for doctors; actually, USA doctors pay more attention to this. But, as far as I know none of them took tests for parasites or viruses. And about a genetic disease, I thought about it too, but I did not find a specialist.
I am not depressed, I feel really sad when feeling sick; but I work as a consultant, so I administrate my time, I go to the gym (when my heart and coach allow me), I love taking pictures (every time I go out), and study (not regular though). When I feel good, I can do many things as before… when I feel bad… I have to postpone my life. Thank you guys for reading.
I am not depressed, I feel really sad when feeling sick; but I work as a consultant, so I administrate my time, I go to the gym (when my heart and coach allow me), I love taking pictures (every time I go out), and study (not regular though). When I feel good, I can do many things as before… when I feel bad… I have to postpone my life. Thank you guys for reading.
I think i can relate to you alot about some of the symptoms your'e describing, although i am only 16 for the past 2 years i find it difficult to live life and feel so sick i just stay home all day and feel like im dying literally not just because im depressed, just feel so unmotivated and like theres a massive tonne of bricks on my head !
in 2009 was when it all started for me, i had low iron, tummy aches, chronic fatigue, extreme headaches, then the doctor finally diagnosed me with coeliacs, although my health did escalate from there i could write a 5 page essay on all my symptoms i have now and they just keep telling me theres nothing showing up ! but anyway to the point..
have you looked into autoimmune diseases? such as coeliacs. With these sort of things your syptoms are quite weird and random and affect your everyday life and i would strongly suggest it may be something to look into, maybe something runs in your family you never no, i think it might be worth doing.
things like exercise and other hobbys, no matter how dreadful you feel atleast get your mind off things for a little bit, and herbal teas and fresh foods may also help, i myself am beginning to learn that if the doctor can't help you and says theres nothing wrong you just have to try yourself, try and get motivated if only for 30 minutes a day.
anyway take care and i hope this helps to some degree !
in 2009 was when it all started for me, i had low iron, tummy aches, chronic fatigue, extreme headaches, then the doctor finally diagnosed me with coeliacs, although my health did escalate from there i could write a 5 page essay on all my symptoms i have now and they just keep telling me theres nothing showing up ! but anyway to the point..
have you looked into autoimmune diseases? such as coeliacs. With these sort of things your syptoms are quite weird and random and affect your everyday life and i would strongly suggest it may be something to look into, maybe something runs in your family you never no, i think it might be worth doing.
things like exercise and other hobbys, no matter how dreadful you feel atleast get your mind off things for a little bit, and herbal teas and fresh foods may also help, i myself am beginning to learn that if the doctor can't help you and says theres nothing wrong you just have to try yourself, try and get motivated if only for 30 minutes a day.
anyway take care and i hope this helps to some degree !
Hi there,
Well first off I'm so sorry to hear the doctors haven't been much help! I know how frustrating that is. Sometimes the worst part is not knowing what is wrong.
My best suggestion is to look at when it all started. It is very difficult to investigate symptoms you are experiencing while on medication, because prescription drugs come with a whole load of side effects on their own. A lot of the time it leaves the person confused about which symptoms are caused by the drugs, and which symptoms are caused by the actual illness.
Try to really think of what may have been causing your fatigue when you were doing your masters. Stress could have definitely brought it on, as can high cholesterol, allergies to certain foods, vitamin/mineral deficiencies, dehydration, adrenal fatigue... Clear signals are the chest pains, weakened immunity and acne breakouts which are all typically associated with anxiety.
My guess is that you didn't seriously investigate the problem the minute it began and so it progressively got worse overtime. If the doctors can't find anything medically wrong, then you shouldn't be taking medication. Even things such as high cholesterol and stress can be improved though natural means, such as nerve-supporting herbs, foods, exercise, rituals... all the things we often underestimate.
Because your tests are all coming back negative, I would suggest weaning yourself off the drugs and start from scratch. Some medications take time to leave the system, so don't be alarmed if you're not feeling 100% right away. It may take a little time for the side effects to subside. Then, pay more attention to your diet and exercise regimen, and make time for yourself to do the things you love. It really is important to have all these things in balance. If they're not, your body will find a way to tell you that it's time to adjust your lifestyle.
Well first off I'm so sorry to hear the doctors haven't been much help! I know how frustrating that is. Sometimes the worst part is not knowing what is wrong.
My best suggestion is to look at when it all started. It is very difficult to investigate symptoms you are experiencing while on medication, because prescription drugs come with a whole load of side effects on their own. A lot of the time it leaves the person confused about which symptoms are caused by the drugs, and which symptoms are caused by the actual illness.
Try to really think of what may have been causing your fatigue when you were doing your masters. Stress could have definitely brought it on, as can high cholesterol, allergies to certain foods, vitamin/mineral deficiencies, dehydration, adrenal fatigue... Clear signals are the chest pains, weakened immunity and acne breakouts which are all typically associated with anxiety.
My guess is that you didn't seriously investigate the problem the minute it began and so it progressively got worse overtime. If the doctors can't find anything medically wrong, then you shouldn't be taking medication. Even things such as high cholesterol and stress can be improved though natural means, such as nerve-supporting herbs, foods, exercise, rituals... all the things we often underestimate.
Because your tests are all coming back negative, I would suggest weaning yourself off the drugs and start from scratch. Some medications take time to leave the system, so don't be alarmed if you're not feeling 100% right away. It may take a little time for the side effects to subside. Then, pay more attention to your diet and exercise regimen, and make time for yourself to do the things you love. It really is important to have all these things in balance. If they're not, your body will find a way to tell you that it's time to adjust your lifestyle.
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