Aa
Many symptoms
Hi Doctor. I'm a 31 y/o male and I have a host of symptoms since mid Nov.
I've tested neg for HIV (well into the window period of any possible exposure) and Lyme. My doctor tested my IFE serum and found no abnormalities. My blood work was mostly normal, though I had a high trig level and high LDL and low HDL. Latest labs: high folate level of 22.52 and normal B12 of 606. Previous blood work showed a slightly elevated protein level (a month earlier it was normal) but he thinks it is nothing.
In November, I noticed my joints were making crackling noises while working out. Soon afterwards, I noticed a rash all over my back and other parts of my body - sort of like acne but different. They eventually went away for the most part, and some of them left behind small purple spots which have mostly faded away.
Because of this, in Jan, I decided to have a physical with my insurance company and the nurse heard crackling in my lungs and noticed my high cholesterol so she referred me to a doctor. I visited him and had a chest x-ray which showed a small amount of fluid in my lower left lobe which cleared up by March. He also noticed some liver issues and he diagnosed me with fatty liver. Both my liver and cholesterol have been getting better.
By February, I had a couple of spots on my face which my doctor confirmed was molluscum and my tongue has been white and my doctor gave me nystatin which did not seem to work. He later said it might not have been candida (my tongue is still white with some occasional sores on the tip of my tongue that come and go), but this made me want to take an HIV test even though I had no risk. For a while in March/April I would feel extremely exhausted (though some of it might be due to stress) and my hands and feet would get numb very easily. Before I took my test for B12 I started taking sublinguinal B12 and it seems to help because those issues have mostly gone away.
I've tested neg for HIV (well into the window period of any possible exposure) and Lyme. My doctor tested my IFE serum and found no abnormalities. My blood work was mostly normal, though I had a high trig level and high LDL and low HDL. Latest labs: high folate level of 22.52 and normal B12 of 606. Previous blood work showed a slightly elevated protein level (a month earlier it was normal) but he thinks it is nothing.
In November, I noticed my joints were making crackling noises while working out. Soon afterwards, I noticed a rash all over my back and other parts of my body - sort of like acne but different. They eventually went away for the most part, and some of them left behind small purple spots which have mostly faded away.
Because of this, in Jan, I decided to have a physical with my insurance company and the nurse heard crackling in my lungs and noticed my high cholesterol so she referred me to a doctor. I visited him and had a chest x-ray which showed a small amount of fluid in my lower left lobe which cleared up by March. He also noticed some liver issues and he diagnosed me with fatty liver. Both my liver and cholesterol have been getting better.
By February, I had a couple of spots on my face which my doctor confirmed was molluscum and my tongue has been white and my doctor gave me nystatin which did not seem to work. He later said it might not have been candida (my tongue is still white with some occasional sores on the tip of my tongue that come and go), but this made me want to take an HIV test even though I had no risk. For a while in March/April I would feel extremely exhausted (though some of it might be due to stress) and my hands and feet would get numb very easily. Before I took my test for B12 I started taking sublinguinal B12 and it seems to help because those issues have mostly gone away.
Thanks for the quick reply. I was actually really worried about HIV, so I finally got a test a couple of weeks ago. The test was sent in using the same reputable lab that does all my other blood work for my doctor and I believe it was the ELISA...it was at least 8 months after any sexual contact I'd had (which was protected anyway) so I'm assuming there's no way it was a false negative. The test was for HIV 1 and 2, both unreactive. Can I eliminate this as a possibility? I also forgot to mention that I tested negative for acute hepatitis profile.
So what else could it be? After researching, the only infectious disease I could think of that I haven't tested for is syphilis, but I also took 4 weeks of doxycycline last month. Do you think my immunity is somehow affected? My doctor said that my labs (including my WBC) looked normal.
Also, I just realized that I had been taking a B complex vitamin daily for a week or 2 before I took my B12 test. Could this have affected the results as well (my B12 level was normal)? Currently my only symptoms are occasional numbness (I am taking B12 and it seems to help), my tongue, and residual skin issues as well as occasional dry skin areas. Perhaps it is celiac disease or something like that?
Any insight would be greatly appreciated. I plan on visiting a dermatologist next week but I do not have health insurance, so I'd like to minimize my costs. Thanks again
So what else could it be? After researching, the only infectious disease I could think of that I haven't tested for is syphilis, but I also took 4 weeks of doxycycline last month. Do you think my immunity is somehow affected? My doctor said that my labs (including my WBC) looked normal.
Also, I just realized that I had been taking a B complex vitamin daily for a week or 2 before I took my B12 test. Could this have affected the results as well (my B12 level was normal)? Currently my only symptoms are occasional numbness (I am taking B12 and it seems to help), my tongue, and residual skin issues as well as occasional dry skin areas. Perhaps it is celiac disease or something like that?
Any insight would be greatly appreciated. I plan on visiting a dermatologist next week but I do not have health insurance, so I'd like to minimize my costs. Thanks again
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
A variety of symptoms are described here, which may, or may not, be related.
That said, I agree with the HIV test in the setting of molluscum.
Refractory joint pain can be indicative of rheumatologic disease, and blood tests like an ANA level and/or rheumatoid factor should be done to exclude lupus or rheumatoid arthritis.
Regarding the skin condition, I would have this seen by a dermatologist, and if necessary, obtain a skin biopsy for a more definitive diagnosis.
About the numbness, I agree with checking the vitamin b12 level. A neurology referral and nerve conduction study can be obtained for further evaluation.
These options should be discussed with your personal physician.
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 Pho, M.D.
KevinMD.com
Twitter.com/kevinmd
That said, I agree with the HIV test in the setting of molluscum.
Refractory joint pain can be indicative of rheumatologic disease, and blood tests like an ANA level and/or rheumatoid factor should be done to exclude lupus or rheumatoid arthritis.
Regarding the skin condition, I would have this seen by a dermatologist, and if necessary, obtain a skin biopsy for a more definitive diagnosis.
About the numbness, I agree with checking the vitamin b12 level. A neurology referral and nerve conduction study can be obtained for further evaluation.
These options should be discussed with your personal physician.
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 Pho, M.D.
KevinMD.com
Twitter.com/kevinmd
I'm sorry I forgot to add that I did take keflex for a couple of weeks in early January (after my chest xray) and doxycycline during most of April (which helped with some of the acne and small boils I was getting). Thanks so much for your help.
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