Aa
Should I continue pursuing thyroid diagnosis or go in another direction?
I honestly don't know where to start as my symptoms are seemingly all over the place. First, I will be 19 in just a few weeks and I am a natural worrier - I worry about a lot of things, even when there's no need. Not chronically, by no means. But, I do worry. I had my thyroid tested about a year and a half ago due to missing periods (3-4 months), being tired, etc., as I have a family history of thyroid problems. My doctor told me that as long as I wasn't pregnant, she wasn't worried about me missing periods since my CBC was fine and my thyroid levels were in the 'normal' range. She told me I was probably depressed - something that I'm pretty positive is not the case here. My periods started up again and were fairly regulated, so I kind of just chalked up my missed periods to me stressing out about my last year of high school, college plans, etc. However, being tired DID persist. I blamed that on my full days of school + the CNA program that I was in. Over the course of the past year I guess, me being tired all the time is growing more and more. Within the last month, I have begun having periods where I just get SO hot. Sometimes to the point where I feel like I'm having trouble breathing. When this happens, I can have fans blowing on me on the highest setting - I feel the air blowing on me, but it doesn't cool me down. The temperature is definitely an internal thing. I don't seem to sweat when this happens, but I'm also trying to wear the most lightweight clothing possible. Along with this, I'm having random chest pains throughout the day. Usually it is on the left side of my chest, I honestly don't know how to best describe this pain. Along with this, for several months now I have been experiencing mood swings. Sometimes, I will get so angry over the smallest thing and just freak out. (I'm a very sensitive person, so rage etc. is not like me at all). I am honestly embarrassed by the way that I act sometimes. And when I know something is getting to me, I try to keep from getting angry but for some reason I just can't control this. I also have times where my legs feel really weak and tired, or achey. Headaches are pretty persistent as well. I have also begun to have troubles with my periods again - only this time they are heavy and cause major cramping. I also am experiencing a bit of insomnia - I can be extremely tired, but just cannot sleep. When I do get to sleep, I do not wake up feeling rested and I seem to get my best sleep during the day time, from like early morning hours to about 12 pm.
I went to the doctor after I started overheating once my parents were sitting in a room with me and I could barely stand to just SIT there because I was so hot. After describing everything to the doctor, she said that it definitely sounded like a hormonal thing - and agreed that testing for hyperthyroidism was a good idea. She also referred me to a gynecologist, and prescribed a birth control pill as a way to try to regulate my periods and some of the moodiness. My CBC came back fine once again, and my thyroid results were fine. (TSH, T3, T4). However, my doctor came and felt my neck and said "oh yeah, your thyroids huge!" they scheduled an ultrasound of the area, and everything came back fine for that as well..?
I have encountered many, many people that have had their thyroid tested with 'normal' results, yet it turns out through further testing or other ways, they are finally diagnosed. I have been really thinking that my problem was due to my thyroid, but I honestly just don't know what to think anymore. The doctor referred me to an endocrinologist, but couldn't get me in anywhere until the end of August. I DO have an appt at the regular doctor in a few weeks to see if my levels have changed enough for them to speed up my appt there.
I guess I'm just wondering if anyone has anything that just sticks out at them - some place I should start. I don't know if all of my symptoms are related or if there are other things.
This may not be needed, but I was diagnosed with acid reflux when I was younger. While I do struggle sometimes with this, it is nowhere near as bad as it could be. My main issues are usually nausea, but there aren't any specific foods that I can really tell trigger anything for me. I had a really hard time back when I was diagnosed with this - no doctors could figure out what it was...I'm remembering this experience now and I'm beginning to worry that this is going to go on and on and I'm going to have a really difficult time finding out what's going on now.
I have read many places that anxiety can cause the weird feeling in the arm - I don't feel anxious when this is happening, though. I mentioned it to my parents, and they suggest carpal tunnel.
I know that I need to go back to the doctor and really try and figure this out. I'm just feeling really bummed and since there are so many possibilities, I'm feeling pretty helpless as to where I should begin.
Any help at all would be greatly appreciated. I'm sorry this is so long and scattered!
I went to the doctor after I started overheating once my parents were sitting in a room with me and I could barely stand to just SIT there because I was so hot. After describing everything to the doctor, she said that it definitely sounded like a hormonal thing - and agreed that testing for hyperthyroidism was a good idea. She also referred me to a gynecologist, and prescribed a birth control pill as a way to try to regulate my periods and some of the moodiness. My CBC came back fine once again, and my thyroid results were fine. (TSH, T3, T4). However, my doctor came and felt my neck and said "oh yeah, your thyroids huge!" they scheduled an ultrasound of the area, and everything came back fine for that as well..?
I have encountered many, many people that have had their thyroid tested with 'normal' results, yet it turns out through further testing or other ways, they are finally diagnosed. I have been really thinking that my problem was due to my thyroid, but I honestly just don't know what to think anymore. The doctor referred me to an endocrinologist, but couldn't get me in anywhere until the end of August. I DO have an appt at the regular doctor in a few weeks to see if my levels have changed enough for them to speed up my appt there.
I guess I'm just wondering if anyone has anything that just sticks out at them - some place I should start. I don't know if all of my symptoms are related or if there are other things.
This may not be needed, but I was diagnosed with acid reflux when I was younger. While I do struggle sometimes with this, it is nowhere near as bad as it could be. My main issues are usually nausea, but there aren't any specific foods that I can really tell trigger anything for me. I had a really hard time back when I was diagnosed with this - no doctors could figure out what it was...I'm remembering this experience now and I'm beginning to worry that this is going to go on and on and I'm going to have a really difficult time finding out what's going on now.
I have read many places that anxiety can cause the weird feeling in the arm - I don't feel anxious when this is happening, though. I mentioned it to my parents, and they suggest carpal tunnel.
I know that I need to go back to the doctor and really try and figure this out. I'm just feeling really bummed and since there are so many possibilities, I'm feeling pretty helpless as to where I should begin.
Any help at all would be greatly appreciated. I'm sorry this is so long and scattered!
Hi - haven't heard from you in a while.
Was reading about TMI and TMJ and found that often its caused by an infected tooth!! Do you still have silver (amalgam) fillings?
I have had all but one replaced. Need to do that soon. - Seems the muscles in our jaw contract in "anger" because they can't get rid of the infection in a tooth or the gum. The spasm then causes our jaw to move just enough to cause us pain when chewing or eating.
I am upset that a dentist last year put a post under a crown and it is giving me fits! I need that piece of metal removed. I hate going to the dentist, but I will have to get it done in Sept. as my plate is full for August.
Hope we get well soon!!
Was reading about TMI and TMJ and found that often its caused by an infected tooth!! Do you still have silver (amalgam) fillings?
I have had all but one replaced. Need to do that soon. - Seems the muscles in our jaw contract in "anger" because they can't get rid of the infection in a tooth or the gum. The spasm then causes our jaw to move just enough to cause us pain when chewing or eating.
I am upset that a dentist last year put a post under a crown and it is giving me fits! I need that piece of metal removed. I hate going to the dentist, but I will have to get it done in Sept. as my plate is full for August.
Hope we get well soon!!
Hello, I am so sorry to hear that your problems persist. I was hoping that the doctor had been able to help you.
Sounds like Anorexa Nervosa - my daughter has it. Takes some time to get over it... she was on Lorazapam. She says if you can get 18 bites in a 24 hour period you are doing good. She was also telling me that she can't chew gum because it makes her nauseous. She even gags when she brushes her teeth!
She takes Weight Gainer through a straw so it won't make her throw up. She is trying to gain weight.
Hope this info helps you, Kristaleann.
My daughter says her heart goes out to you....
Sounds like Anorexa Nervosa - my daughter has it. Takes some time to get over it... she was on Lorazapam. She says if you can get 18 bites in a 24 hour period you are doing good. She was also telling me that she can't chew gum because it makes her nauseous. She even gags when she brushes her teeth!
She takes Weight Gainer through a straw so it won't make her throw up. She is trying to gain weight.
Hope this info helps you, Kristaleann.
My daughter says her heart goes out to you....
I really don't know what to do. I don't want to go back to the doctor I have been seeing, I haven't gotten the answers I'm looking for. I'm in a spot where I feel, again, that I have to do all of my own research and help myself, since it seems like I can't really get a doctor to help me.
I know I sound so whiny, I just really don't like feeling bad every day.
So, an update: I went to the gyno yesterday to get treated for a yeast infection - got a prescription and hopefully all will be well within the next few days. He told me that looking at my chart, he would definitely keep the endo appt. I'm wondering if they will even be able to find anything there, though. I'm still having the "hot flashes" - my external can even be sort of cold, but I'm still hot internally. I'm getting cold easily as well. I don't know if the birth control is doing a whole lot - of course, I have to give it more time to know. My moods are a bit different, however. I get mad easily still, but I'm not staying mad. I get sad pretty quickly - and can cry buckets... And it is over the smallest, silliest things. The thing is, I can look back and am aware that it happens, but I can't stop the moods from happening. It's so strange and unlike me. My poor boyfriend! - LOL. He has to deal with me the most in those times - it makes me feel pretty bad.
What's really going on now, along with the temperature irregularities (which totally seems hormonal to me - but I don't know just what it is?) is that my back, arms, and legs hurt. It seems to be neurological to me - like something originating in either my neck or my back and affecting arms, legs. I don't know if it is scoliosis or something else - and don't know exactly who to see about it. I think it'd be better to have a referral to a chiropractor, but I don't know. Also, just that I am always sleepy. I wake up feeling unrested - I can fall into a deep sleep in the early morning hours and then just stay asleep until early afternoon. Last night was the worst sleep I have had - maybe ever. Tossing and turning all night, extremely uncomfortable. Something is definitely disrupting my sleep. I don't really have a problem falling asleep - it honestly seems like I'm just not getting good sleep. But I have no idea what the cause is, and it is frustrating me.
My acid reflux is awful - I sometimes just get super hungry, super fast. Tends to happen the most on Sunday mornings - the mornings that I am up early getting ready for church. I always have to go get something small to eat while getting ready to hold me over before breakfast.
I am to the point that I don't even WANT to eat anymore, but I do because I know I have to. I say this because every time I eat, I feel nauseous - no matter what I eat. Sometimes I do vomit, but generally it is just nausea. I eat (get full quickly, so I never eat much at a time), stay nauseous for a while, and then I'm hungry again. It's seemingly neverending. I've been on the Prevacid since July 22nd, so I guess I need to give it some more time. I don't know if the acid reflux and my bowel issues have anything to do with each other at all. I CAN go - and sometimes go quite a few times a day. I just don't go a lot any of those times. I feel better taking acidophilus than I did when I was taking the miralax. But still not better.
I'm thinking about going to a small clinic - "urgent care" but mostly, people go for colds etc. I think I'm catching something else! Been sneezing quite a bit, sinus-type headaches, a sort of stuck-in-throat feeling, and my voice is kind of scratchy, lol. Maybe I will mention the acid reflux and possibly even the scoliosis thing there.
I hate being such a downer all the time :( I just want answers! As far as the anxiety, I realize when I am anxious, so it isn't something that is affecting me all the time. OCD - I AM obsessing over figuring out what is wrong, but that's because I have a drive. When I get something in my mind, I pursue it until I figure it out. Lol.
I know I sound so whiny, I just really don't like feeling bad every day.
So, an update: I went to the gyno yesterday to get treated for a yeast infection - got a prescription and hopefully all will be well within the next few days. He told me that looking at my chart, he would definitely keep the endo appt. I'm wondering if they will even be able to find anything there, though. I'm still having the "hot flashes" - my external can even be sort of cold, but I'm still hot internally. I'm getting cold easily as well. I don't know if the birth control is doing a whole lot - of course, I have to give it more time to know. My moods are a bit different, however. I get mad easily still, but I'm not staying mad. I get sad pretty quickly - and can cry buckets... And it is over the smallest, silliest things. The thing is, I can look back and am aware that it happens, but I can't stop the moods from happening. It's so strange and unlike me. My poor boyfriend! - LOL. He has to deal with me the most in those times - it makes me feel pretty bad.
What's really going on now, along with the temperature irregularities (which totally seems hormonal to me - but I don't know just what it is?) is that my back, arms, and legs hurt. It seems to be neurological to me - like something originating in either my neck or my back and affecting arms, legs. I don't know if it is scoliosis or something else - and don't know exactly who to see about it. I think it'd be better to have a referral to a chiropractor, but I don't know. Also, just that I am always sleepy. I wake up feeling unrested - I can fall into a deep sleep in the early morning hours and then just stay asleep until early afternoon. Last night was the worst sleep I have had - maybe ever. Tossing and turning all night, extremely uncomfortable. Something is definitely disrupting my sleep. I don't really have a problem falling asleep - it honestly seems like I'm just not getting good sleep. But I have no idea what the cause is, and it is frustrating me.
My acid reflux is awful - I sometimes just get super hungry, super fast. Tends to happen the most on Sunday mornings - the mornings that I am up early getting ready for church. I always have to go get something small to eat while getting ready to hold me over before breakfast.
I am to the point that I don't even WANT to eat anymore, but I do because I know I have to. I say this because every time I eat, I feel nauseous - no matter what I eat. Sometimes I do vomit, but generally it is just nausea. I eat (get full quickly, so I never eat much at a time), stay nauseous for a while, and then I'm hungry again. It's seemingly neverending. I've been on the Prevacid since July 22nd, so I guess I need to give it some more time. I don't know if the acid reflux and my bowel issues have anything to do with each other at all. I CAN go - and sometimes go quite a few times a day. I just don't go a lot any of those times. I feel better taking acidophilus than I did when I was taking the miralax. But still not better.
I'm thinking about going to a small clinic - "urgent care" but mostly, people go for colds etc. I think I'm catching something else! Been sneezing quite a bit, sinus-type headaches, a sort of stuck-in-throat feeling, and my voice is kind of scratchy, lol. Maybe I will mention the acid reflux and possibly even the scoliosis thing there.
I hate being such a downer all the time :( I just want answers! As far as the anxiety, I realize when I am anxious, so it isn't something that is affecting me all the time. OCD - I AM obsessing over figuring out what is wrong, but that's because I have a drive. When I get something in my mind, I pursue it until I figure it out. Lol.
Whatever you decide, I hope it works for you! A good chiropractor will take x-rays before he begins to manipulate your spine/bones. He would probably pick up on your scoliosis immediately.
My daughter has scoliosis, but wasn't born with it - a horse rolled over her, breaking her back. She's been "crooked" ever since. Everytime she gets a back x-ray they pick up on it and ask her if she was born with it! Funny....
I don't have scoliosis, but one leg is slightly fatter than the other!!! LOL sorry, I get silly sometimes. Hope you appreciate a sense of humor!! :D
My daughter has a lot of health problems also - she takes Trazodone to help her sleep. She gets upset with me when I try to introduce her to a new supplement... but I'm just trying to help...
My mother is 94 and is taking the supplements that I recommended to her. But, she thinks the doctor told her to take them. - She is losing her memory so we ordered Huperzia aka HUP A. She has just started taking it, so we'll see if it helps spark the neurons in her brain. She is so afraid that she'll get dementia like her sister.
OK - my turn for tmi! LOL :D
Let me know what you decide - I truly care and am highly interested in knowing how your fare!
My daughter has scoliosis, but wasn't born with it - a horse rolled over her, breaking her back. She's been "crooked" ever since. Everytime she gets a back x-ray they pick up on it and ask her if she was born with it! Funny....
I don't have scoliosis, but one leg is slightly fatter than the other!!! LOL sorry, I get silly sometimes. Hope you appreciate a sense of humor!! :D
My daughter has a lot of health problems also - she takes Trazodone to help her sleep. She gets upset with me when I try to introduce her to a new supplement... but I'm just trying to help...
My mother is 94 and is taking the supplements that I recommended to her. But, she thinks the doctor told her to take them. - She is losing her memory so we ordered Huperzia aka HUP A. She has just started taking it, so we'll see if it helps spark the neurons in her brain. She is so afraid that she'll get dementia like her sister.
OK - my turn for tmi! LOL :D
Let me know what you decide - I truly care and am highly interested in knowing how your fare!
I've done some researching, and I see that the fish oil can cause acid reflux issues. I've stopped taking that, it's been about 2 days now.
I've had a bowel movement 5 different times today - and haven't taken the stool softener in probably at least 3 days. I just seem to switch back and forth from constipation to diarrhea.
I'm trying to pay closer attention to my acid issues to see if there are any specific things that contribute or make it worse. I really don't drink a lot of soft drinks, and when I do they are generally caffeine free. However, I have decided to stop on soft drinks all together (which I should have done a long time ago!) I plan on drinking mainly water, with occasional juices, teas, etc. but to mainly just drink water. It will be extremely beneficial and will hopefully contribute to some weight loss (yay!)
Isn't it crazy how you can chat with someone for a while and never have a clue how old they are? I really enjoy it, haha. Hearing from others is always interesting to me, and I love to learn more and more.
One thing I remember: I think it was probably about a year and a half ago I had a physical before I could start my CNA class. I mentioned the fact that one of my hips is different than the other - bigger, slightly higher, etc.
The doctor (which is actually one of the ones I have been seeing now) looked at it; although she said she didn't see a huge difference (I was wearing jeans and just pulled my shirt up, so it was less noticeable)
she did say that I had slight scoliosis.
In the past day or so, I thought about that... Scoliosis tends to get worse over time, even if you aren't growing a whole lot. I didn't think anything about it at the time - I never contributed all the problems I was having with my leg to it. But now that I thought about it....
It causes back/neck pains, tingly arms/legs, pains in arms/legs, fatigue, irritability.. not to mention uneven shoulders and hips, assymetrical breasts/differing size.. which I definitely have. Also! Sleep disturbances!!
I don't want to see the same doctor I've been seeing, though.. since she thinks I worry so much, she may not take me completely seriously.
I don't know if I should try to see someone specializing in spinal issues or what. I don't know what insurance will cover. Maybe a chiropractor, and I've heard that yoga can do a lot of good - maybe it will become my new obsession!
I've had a bowel movement 5 different times today - and haven't taken the stool softener in probably at least 3 days. I just seem to switch back and forth from constipation to diarrhea.
I'm trying to pay closer attention to my acid issues to see if there are any specific things that contribute or make it worse. I really don't drink a lot of soft drinks, and when I do they are generally caffeine free. However, I have decided to stop on soft drinks all together (which I should have done a long time ago!) I plan on drinking mainly water, with occasional juices, teas, etc. but to mainly just drink water. It will be extremely beneficial and will hopefully contribute to some weight loss (yay!)
Isn't it crazy how you can chat with someone for a while and never have a clue how old they are? I really enjoy it, haha. Hearing from others is always interesting to me, and I love to learn more and more.
One thing I remember: I think it was probably about a year and a half ago I had a physical before I could start my CNA class. I mentioned the fact that one of my hips is different than the other - bigger, slightly higher, etc.
The doctor (which is actually one of the ones I have been seeing now) looked at it; although she said she didn't see a huge difference (I was wearing jeans and just pulled my shirt up, so it was less noticeable)
she did say that I had slight scoliosis.
In the past day or so, I thought about that... Scoliosis tends to get worse over time, even if you aren't growing a whole lot. I didn't think anything about it at the time - I never contributed all the problems I was having with my leg to it. But now that I thought about it....
It causes back/neck pains, tingly arms/legs, pains in arms/legs, fatigue, irritability.. not to mention uneven shoulders and hips, assymetrical breasts/differing size.. which I definitely have. Also! Sleep disturbances!!
I don't want to see the same doctor I've been seeing, though.. since she thinks I worry so much, she may not take me completely seriously.
I don't know if I should try to see someone specializing in spinal issues or what. I don't know what insurance will cover. Maybe a chiropractor, and I've heard that yoga can do a lot of good - maybe it will become my new obsession!
It's a pleasure to "chat" with you and exchange advice and ideas.
One 50 mg tablet of Zinc a day is all that is really necessary. Some people get acne on their back and it's difficult to see and take care of. Zinc does the job.
I take Zinc just because I know it's good for me. I take lots of supplements - because I'm getting older (LOL) old actually. I'm 69 but very young at heart and don't look my age - partially due to the fact that I do take so many supplements! My Mom is 94 and in better health than I am. She takes only 5 supplements a day.
You might try taking a Melatonin supplement to help you sleep. You only need 1 mg. just before bed. Even my 8 year old grand daughter takes it - she's an insomniac as am I. It seems to run in our family.
When we discovered Melatonin it was an answer to prayer! Sleep, restful sleep. I have Fibromyalgia and the Melatonin has helped me more than the drugs the doctor prescribed (Trazodone, Amitriptyline, etc.) The drugs left me groggy and out of it the next day.
I also take fish oil for the Omega 3's. It keeps the skin supple and smooth.
Just to help allay your worry about your heart, it would be good for your parents to help you see a cardiologist - at least once. Your chest pains might go away with the Melatonin, though. (I have heart trouble and a prescription for nitro - but I hardly ever have to use it! Good thing, too, because it causes the worst migraine ever!) :D -
I hope and pray that things work out for you. Sounds like you and your doctor are on the right track! Thank goodness your doctor is the type to listen to you. Be sure to thank her/him for that as well. Finding a good doctor that you are happy with is so important nowadays. So many won't listen and start to write the prescription as soon as you walk in the door (almost).
As always, wishing you the best, Silverfox
One 50 mg tablet of Zinc a day is all that is really necessary. Some people get acne on their back and it's difficult to see and take care of. Zinc does the job.
I take Zinc just because I know it's good for me. I take lots of supplements - because I'm getting older (LOL) old actually. I'm 69 but very young at heart and don't look my age - partially due to the fact that I do take so many supplements! My Mom is 94 and in better health than I am. She takes only 5 supplements a day.
You might try taking a Melatonin supplement to help you sleep. You only need 1 mg. just before bed. Even my 8 year old grand daughter takes it - she's an insomniac as am I. It seems to run in our family.
When we discovered Melatonin it was an answer to prayer! Sleep, restful sleep. I have Fibromyalgia and the Melatonin has helped me more than the drugs the doctor prescribed (Trazodone, Amitriptyline, etc.) The drugs left me groggy and out of it the next day.
I also take fish oil for the Omega 3's. It keeps the skin supple and smooth.
Just to help allay your worry about your heart, it would be good for your parents to help you see a cardiologist - at least once. Your chest pains might go away with the Melatonin, though. (I have heart trouble and a prescription for nitro - but I hardly ever have to use it! Good thing, too, because it causes the worst migraine ever!) :D -
I hope and pray that things work out for you. Sounds like you and your doctor are on the right track! Thank goodness your doctor is the type to listen to you. Be sure to thank her/him for that as well. Finding a good doctor that you are happy with is so important nowadays. So many won't listen and start to write the prescription as soon as you walk in the door (almost).
As always, wishing you the best, Silverfox
You are reading content posted in the Undiagnosed Symptoms Community
Discharge often isn't normal, and could mean an infection or an STD.
In this unique and fascinating report from Missouri Medicine, world-renowned expert Dr. Raymond Moody examines what really happens when we almost die.
Think a loved one may be experiencing hearing loss? Here are five warning signs to watch for.
When it comes to your health, timing is everything
We’ve got a crash course on metabolism basics.
Learn what you can do to avoid ski injury and other common winter sports injury.
