Aa
Please help!
Hi,
I have been sick since January and so far nothing alleviates my symptoms. I'm 21 years old.
It all started in January, my hives flared up to extremes. I've had hives or chronic urticaria since I was 11 years old , doctors don't know why I have them, I treat them with antihistamines and prednisone. The antihistamines and prednisone did nothing to alleviate the hives, I was covered in them everyday. Then one day while I was covered in hives, I experienced what I thought was a panic attack (I have never had one in my life and I'm not an anxious person). I experienced the following symptoms: dizziness, faintness, racing heart, breathlessness and the feeling that I couldn't breathe. I still have these episodes today.
In February these episodes were accompanied with numbing of the limbs or face, or tingling of the face. I also developed sinus tachycardia which was confirmed by the doctor in March after wearing a halter monitor. I'm now on sotalol pills which has finally relieved the palpitations. Also when I have the episodes, I don't hyperventilate. I've counted my breaths to confirm this, but I still feel like I cant breathe. Later on in February I became ill, I had fevers, exhaustion, pain in my lower back near the left kidney, constant urination and my urine was cloudy and green. The doctors thought I had a urinary tract infection but my sample came back negative. I was on cephalexin antibiotics which treated the illness. While I was taking these pills my hives suddenly went away & I'm still hive free. I barely need to take antihistamines now.
Throughout mid February to present I experience burning sensations in my legs or feet. All my symptoms and episodes come on worse at night. In March I got 2 small lumps on the tip of my tongue which itch, tingle,sting and grow slightly in size. I thought they were hives but now I'm not so sure. They will not go away; I still have them now.
I've had blood tests which do not show anything extreme or specific. Overall I'm healthy. I was low in Bicarb. (20mmol/L), Urea (3.0mmol/L) and Phosphate (0.58mmol/L) which I was given a phosphate supplement drink for. I was high in GGT (41mmol/L), and CRP (10.3mmol/L). My thyroid is also healthy. I've had urine tests that come back normal with no traces of noradrenaline. I've tried taking b12 vitamin pills & iron supplement pills which didn't help my symptoms. I've tried a low histamine diet which didn't help. I've recently started an elimination diet but it's too early to see improvements yet. I am also taking magnesium supplements to see if that's the problem. After the 6th of April I have been getting worse, & have been experiencing issues with my throat such as the feeling like I have to cough, tickle in throat, & tightness in throat.
I'm healthy, I don't drink, smoke, have mental health issues, or any other health complications such as asthma. My heart is fine. So far I can't do anything but lay in bed as this is the only relief I get from the episodes I experience.
Please help.
Thank you,
Vanessa
I have been sick since January and so far nothing alleviates my symptoms. I'm 21 years old.
It all started in January, my hives flared up to extremes. I've had hives or chronic urticaria since I was 11 years old , doctors don't know why I have them, I treat them with antihistamines and prednisone. The antihistamines and prednisone did nothing to alleviate the hives, I was covered in them everyday. Then one day while I was covered in hives, I experienced what I thought was a panic attack (I have never had one in my life and I'm not an anxious person). I experienced the following symptoms: dizziness, faintness, racing heart, breathlessness and the feeling that I couldn't breathe. I still have these episodes today.
In February these episodes were accompanied with numbing of the limbs or face, or tingling of the face. I also developed sinus tachycardia which was confirmed by the doctor in March after wearing a halter monitor. I'm now on sotalol pills which has finally relieved the palpitations. Also when I have the episodes, I don't hyperventilate. I've counted my breaths to confirm this, but I still feel like I cant breathe. Later on in February I became ill, I had fevers, exhaustion, pain in my lower back near the left kidney, constant urination and my urine was cloudy and green. The doctors thought I had a urinary tract infection but my sample came back negative. I was on cephalexin antibiotics which treated the illness. While I was taking these pills my hives suddenly went away & I'm still hive free. I barely need to take antihistamines now.
Throughout mid February to present I experience burning sensations in my legs or feet. All my symptoms and episodes come on worse at night. In March I got 2 small lumps on the tip of my tongue which itch, tingle,sting and grow slightly in size. I thought they were hives but now I'm not so sure. They will not go away; I still have them now.
I've had blood tests which do not show anything extreme or specific. Overall I'm healthy. I was low in Bicarb. (20mmol/L), Urea (3.0mmol/L) and Phosphate (0.58mmol/L) which I was given a phosphate supplement drink for. I was high in GGT (41mmol/L), and CRP (10.3mmol/L). My thyroid is also healthy. I've had urine tests that come back normal with no traces of noradrenaline. I've tried taking b12 vitamin pills & iron supplement pills which didn't help my symptoms. I've tried a low histamine diet which didn't help. I've recently started an elimination diet but it's too early to see improvements yet. I am also taking magnesium supplements to see if that's the problem. After the 6th of April I have been getting worse, & have been experiencing issues with my throat such as the feeling like I have to cough, tickle in throat, & tightness in throat.
I'm healthy, I don't drink, smoke, have mental health issues, or any other health complications such as asthma. My heart is fine. So far I can't do anything but lay in bed as this is the only relief I get from the episodes I experience.
Please help.
Thank you,
Vanessa
Hi Vanessa.
I'm very happy for you and to see this is taking a positive direction.
One word of caution though.
All your tests for your thyroid you have done may be enough for a
hashimoto's dx, however, they may be still inadequate to accurately indicate thyroid cellular function!
This would be vital in your case for thyroid regulation, since your dx is
likely going to be confirmed with your current results anyway.
So, my opinion (very strong) is that in order to live peacefully and well with
Hashi's, it is imperative to have your cellular thyroid function frequent monitored by testing Free T3 (ft3),Free T4 (ft4) and Reverse T3 (rt3) to ensure proper regulation.
Paying attention to your body, improving dietary and nutritional habits and also keeping a journal, documenting changes, symptoms, etc. will help you optimize your treatment.
You need to train your doctor too though, lol!
If your insurance does not cover rt3, Labcorp Walk-in Labs had as of recent a very special price for it (if you live in the USA)
Last time I checked, it was offered at $58 instead of $236.
You can also do your own screening periodically for thyroid function by doing Dr. Barnes Basal Temperature Test. Just look it up online or I can send you the details.
Another thing you may find is that your thyroid might be cycling for a while from hypo to hyper states, so you need to make occasional adjustments to your dosing, but it's best if you discuss all these details with your doctor,
Meanwhile keep an eye on your bicarb levels , which could still be a separate outstanding imbalance.
Wishing you well!
Niko
I'm very happy for you and to see this is taking a positive direction.
One word of caution though.
All your tests for your thyroid you have done may be enough for a
hashimoto's dx, however, they may be still inadequate to accurately indicate thyroid cellular function!
This would be vital in your case for thyroid regulation, since your dx is
likely going to be confirmed with your current results anyway.
So, my opinion (very strong) is that in order to live peacefully and well with
Hashi's, it is imperative to have your cellular thyroid function frequent monitored by testing Free T3 (ft3),Free T4 (ft4) and Reverse T3 (rt3) to ensure proper regulation.
Paying attention to your body, improving dietary and nutritional habits and also keeping a journal, documenting changes, symptoms, etc. will help you optimize your treatment.
You need to train your doctor too though, lol!
If your insurance does not cover rt3, Labcorp Walk-in Labs had as of recent a very special price for it (if you live in the USA)
Last time I checked, it was offered at $58 instead of $236.
You can also do your own screening periodically for thyroid function by doing Dr. Barnes Basal Temperature Test. Just look it up online or I can send you the details.
Another thing you may find is that your thyroid might be cycling for a while from hypo to hyper states, so you need to make occasional adjustments to your dosing, but it's best if you discuss all these details with your doctor,
Meanwhile keep an eye on your bicarb levels , which could still be a separate outstanding imbalance.
Wishing you well!
Niko
Hi everyone,
After many doctor visits I've finally found out my diagnosis today. I have a thyroid problem which looks like hashiimotos disease but I haven't had the chance to confirm this with a specialist yet. I asked my doctor to do a full blood work on my thyroid which tested for TSH, T3, T4 and antithyroid antibodies; it showed that I have high antibodies. I urge anyone that has my symptoms and a family history of thyroid problems to make sure that you get a full blood work done on your thyroid and test for these things. Make sure that you don't only test for thyroid functionality as you may have a problem with your body rejecting the thyroid hormones rather than your thyroid isn't working. I had 2 functionality tests which came back normal, because of this my doctor told me that I didn't have a thyroid problem. So it's really important if you think you have a thyroid problem that you test for everything that you can about it.
I wish everyone the best. Thank you so much for your help. I can't describe how thankful I was to have someone try and help me, I was desperate.
Thanks again!
Vanessa
After many doctor visits I've finally found out my diagnosis today. I have a thyroid problem which looks like hashiimotos disease but I haven't had the chance to confirm this with a specialist yet. I asked my doctor to do a full blood work on my thyroid which tested for TSH, T3, T4 and antithyroid antibodies; it showed that I have high antibodies. I urge anyone that has my symptoms and a family history of thyroid problems to make sure that you get a full blood work done on your thyroid and test for these things. Make sure that you don't only test for thyroid functionality as you may have a problem with your body rejecting the thyroid hormones rather than your thyroid isn't working. I had 2 functionality tests which came back normal, because of this my doctor told me that I didn't have a thyroid problem. So it's really important if you think you have a thyroid problem that you test for everything that you can about it.
I wish everyone the best. Thank you so much for your help. I can't describe how thankful I was to have someone try and help me, I was desperate.
Thanks again!
Vanessa
Another health update: Yesterday I noticed that my tonsils are enlarged and I have a mucous like substance on my right tonsil and one of my glands are up. I saw the doctor today who said I may have tonsillitis but it's most likely a viral infection and he thinks I have mono glandular fever. So I'm getting tested for that tomorrow and then I'm going to the cardiologist to see if anything is wrong with my heart.
Niko, I think you might be on to something. I've been looking at metabolic acidosis and it sounds like a possibility so I've been trying to increase my Bicarb levels and I'm feeling better today. Thanks for your help!
Vanessa
Niko, I think you might be on to something. I've been looking at metabolic acidosis and it sounds like a possibility so I've been trying to increase my Bicarb levels and I'm feeling better today. Thanks for your help!
Vanessa
You're very welcome! I hope you find answers soon. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions. I know all too well how it feels to not be properly diagnosed.
Hmm, some kind of heath care system we have!
What next?
Here's my 2 cents (sense?) of medical wisdom:
Metabolic acidosis is suspect since you have low bicarb levels.
One of the consequences is an increase in the risk of cardiac arrhythmias!
One of the compensating mechanisms is*Respiratory Compensation by which blood pH can be altered by varying the respiratory rate, which
helps to minimize the change in pH but please note it does not achieve perfect correction.
(Healthy blood pH levels range from 7.35 to 7.45 and have your levels checked if not already checked)
By artificially interfering (thru solatol) with calcium channels to decrease electric signals for contraction and with potassium channels to delay the
generation of another electric signal, it does very little to approach the root cause.
*One of the long term consequences of unresolved Metabolic Acidosis
is Respiratory Acidosis-another compensating mechanism, when metabolic bicarbonate levels get exhausted- which becomes at that point a very challenging condition to reverse.
There are other implications which I will not get into at this time.
Has any of the above observations been explored by your doctors in detail?
Also have you ruled out Herpes Simplex Virus 1 &2 ?
Oral and genital symptoms are possible in either type and blood tests cannot detect them, should these be in an inactive phase at the time of testing! Follow up testing is highly recommended.
I will read your post again and should I find anything else noteworthy, I'll post again.
Meanwhile look into the above and feel free to ask me any questions,
however, please note that my comments are not intended to replace medical advice.
Best wishes,
Niko
What next?
Here's my 2 cents (sense?) of medical wisdom:
Metabolic acidosis is suspect since you have low bicarb levels.
One of the consequences is an increase in the risk of cardiac arrhythmias!
One of the compensating mechanisms is*Respiratory Compensation by which blood pH can be altered by varying the respiratory rate, which
helps to minimize the change in pH but please note it does not achieve perfect correction.
(Healthy blood pH levels range from 7.35 to 7.45 and have your levels checked if not already checked)
By artificially interfering (thru solatol) with calcium channels to decrease electric signals for contraction and with potassium channels to delay the
generation of another electric signal, it does very little to approach the root cause.
*One of the long term consequences of unresolved Metabolic Acidosis
is Respiratory Acidosis-another compensating mechanism, when metabolic bicarbonate levels get exhausted- which becomes at that point a very challenging condition to reverse.
There are other implications which I will not get into at this time.
Has any of the above observations been explored by your doctors in detail?
Also have you ruled out Herpes Simplex Virus 1 &2 ?
Oral and genital symptoms are possible in either type and blood tests cannot detect them, should these be in an inactive phase at the time of testing! Follow up testing is highly recommended.
I will read your post again and should I find anything else noteworthy, I'll post again.
Meanwhile look into the above and feel free to ask me any questions,
however, please note that my comments are not intended to replace medical advice.
Best wishes,
Niko
Thanks for the information. I've been looking into Lyme disease as it is definitely a possibility. Before I got sick I started going on bush walks so I might have been bitten by a tic or something.
Thanks for your help :)
Thanks for your help :)
No problem! I'm in the U.S. but Lyme does exist in Australia. Please visit http://lymedisease.org.au/ for resources on Lyme in Australia. Also, you will need to e-mail them for a list of Lyme aware doctors in your area so you can get properly tested. I believe Igenex is the best test. You may be able to send them a sample directly. I would check their website. Please make sure you go through a Lyme aware doctor (through website above). Lyme is often overlooked and misdiagnosed so that is important. Some doctors will even tell you that Lyme doesn't exist in your area. I was told that and tested positive! Please let me know if I can help in any way. Even if the test is negative Lyme is a clinical diagnosis. Also, the bulls eye rash is only present in a small number of cases and it can be transmitted by more than a tick bite. I got mine from a mosquito.
Hi Braxnum1 & Winnie104,
Thanks for replying, I really appreciate it. My illness seems like a mystery, so it's good to hear someone else's experiences and theories.
Winnie1040, would you mind telling me what country you live in? I just wanted to ask because I know that Lyme disease is handled differently by doctors in other countries. I live in Australia.
Thanks,
Vanessa
Thanks for replying, I really appreciate it. My illness seems like a mystery, so it's good to hear someone else's experiences and theories.
Winnie1040, would you mind telling me what country you live in? I just wanted to ask because I know that Lyme disease is handled differently by doctors in other countries. I live in Australia.
Thanks,
Vanessa
Hi, you sound a little like me. I had hives, panic attacks, numbness, tingling, closed throat feeling, constant cough, burning in my legs and feet. No doctor was able to diagnose me. With research I noticed that my symptoms were from Lyme disease with a co-infection of Bartonella. I went to a Lyme literate medical doctor who ran tests through Igenex labs to confirm this. You really should consult a Lyme literate medical doctor (google "how to find a Lyme literate medical doctor" because regular doctors will not refer you to one) and please get tested by Igenex labs for Lyme and it's co-infections. I had an Elisa Lyme test done by my regular doctor and the test showed a false negative. The test is very inaccurate so you need to be tested by the western blot through Igenex. Please look up the controversy of Lyme. It's highly political and causes a myriad of different symptoms making it hard for the regular medical community to diagnose.
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