Still Looking for Answers/Any Sugg

[Padro46]

Any Suggestions Where to go from here   Sorry so Long



November 2008-- Present Time: Still having minor AB and Chest Pains, Bowel Movements just not the same as prior to Dec07,  Back of the head numbing and brain
freeze/tingling, seems to have also moved to my face and jaw area, seem to be having
some balance issues not always but does happen.  Minor back pains, Brain Fog (Just
seem to be out of it). Vision appears to be worse/blurry up close, (have been to eye
doc no change)  Still tired but not as severe as early in the year, Un- refreshing
sleep, Sore Back(seems to always need popped, Periodical a stopped up head feeling
and very minor pain in and around ears. Will sometimes have tenderness in Lymph
nodes in Neck, Armpit and Groin. There are no factors that seem to change the above
it can be morning or evening seems to progress as the day goes on.  Do not have all
symptoms at the same time but have some of them everyday.   Results of testing are
enclosed for your review.    
                                                  
History I am 47 years of age 6 FT-190 pounds, weekend beer drinker and a reformed
smoker (quit in Jan 07) Up to Dec 07 NO health problems, had probable been to a
Doctors Office 10 times total in my life.  In Dec 07 I was on a business trip in San
Antonio, Tx when I began experiencing symptoms (all of a sudden like someone flipped
a switch) that included the following. Chest Pains and Burning (felt hot to the
touch) Back of the head numbing and what felt like an Ice Cream brain freeze.  I
also had this out of it feeling like a BRAIN FOG.  Not wanting to have a problem in
another town, I left and returned home 7 hours away.  My wife drove me to a clinic
where I was put on a EKG machine and the clinic Doc advised all ok gave me some
Meclizine put me back on Prevacid (which I had been on years earlier) for Acid
reflux and sent me on my way.  At this time I did not have a Primary Doc and made an
appointment with one.  This doc did Complete Labs, and found nothing but elevated
EBV numbers.  Doc advised would look at numbers again in 30 days due to this being a
Virus there was nothing else to do but Time also gave me some sinus sprays.  This
was a REALLY BAD time from the months of Jan-May I felt terrible, Chest Pains which
really had me concerned, TIRED all the time could not wait to get to the bed or
couch, loss of appetite, cold all the time, Dizzy/Lightheaded, back of the head
pain(really bad that a aspirin would not help) , AB Pains, Irregular Bowel movements
(still everyday but not as much product), Facial numbness/tingling, Brain Fog, Did
not want to do anything.  These was of great concern and due to not EVER having
medical issues I returned several times to my family doctor and the following are
the test and medications I have been on during this experience.

Test: Blood Test-X 5   CBC, Comprehensive Metabolic Panel, Lipid, PSA, TSH, Lyme, HEP Panel, HIV Panel, Rheumatoid Arth. Factor, Sedimentation Rate-Westergren, EBV Panel, B-12, Alpha Fetoprotein Serum, H. Pylori. From the months of Jan08 to the last one Sept08

Results:  With exception of EBV numbers (which all Docs say is no longer a concern)
and up and down Cholesterol LDL sometimes a little high--- ALL NORMAL XRAYS and CT SCANS--  MRI-(April08)  Brain(Normal)  November 2008 with Contrast all normal and C-Spine-(May08) (see results under other)
CT scan Heart (Feb08) and Abdominal (June08 Prior to Colonoscopy) ---All Normal
Chest X-ray X 2    (June 08) this one remarked a few calcified granulomas are
present. The Second (April08) listed Brocades otherwise No acute Cardio disease
identified. Colonoscopy and Endoscopy (June08) —Acid Reflux No other problems
identified ENT exam (Sept 08) - All Normal Full Cardio Work-up (Feb08) Echo and CT
scan, Carotid Artery Ultrasound- All NormalL Medications: That I am currently
using—Prevacid, (Acid Reflux) Dicyclomine spastic colon-(only three times did not
like side effects) some natural meds by Dr. Jernigan’s Borrelogen, Nutrametrix-OPC,
Fish Oil Tablets.  Nortriptyline (Pamelor) Not taking----Topamax    Other: C-spine Impression: Neural
Foraminal caliber is low normal or mildly narrowed throughout the cervical spine.
This appears to be the result on congenital factors as I see no evidence of facet or
uncovertebral hypertrophy.  Disc morphology is well maintained, as is spinal canal
diameter.  Have also seen an Infectious Disease Dr. and a Second M.D  2nd MRI of the Brain Neg.  MRA of Brain Neg  Waiting on Lupus Panel

[Padro46]

Yes,  Have had 1-MRI Brain w/out Contrast June 08  1-With and Without Nov 08  Also a C-Soine in June 08 and a MRA in Nov 08 all Unremarkable.  No CT Just MRI

[stevensmom14]

Have you had an MRI or CAT Scan done on your head?

[Padro46]

Thanks, My primary has put me on 50000 Vit D for 4 weeks, He also spoke with my Nuero and the plan so far (dont know if I agree) is call the first of Jan after Vit D if no improvement going to begin a month of predozone (steroids) the Nuero told my Primary he thinks I am suffering from the left over effects of a viral ifection that has affected several of my nerves and may have brought on C.F.S. (Another term I dont like means I dont know) and follow up with the Nuero in six weeks--Which happens to be the first available appointment with  a Rhemmy as well.  Whats your thoughts on the Steroids I just dont think we Are finding whats wrong with me just covering ot up.

[Weesy68]

By the way, I never mentioned your Vitamin D levels, but if I am reading it right, your vitamin D levels are low according to the value you wrote.  Did your doctor not recommend you supplement with higher doses of vitamin D?  If not, he needs to.  My Vitamin D levels were at 11.8, and adults can get osteomyelitis at 10, so the fact that yours are 9.16 is not good at all.  Your doctor needs to address that and put you on a dose of Vitamin D that will bring those levels up.  If I am reading it right, 9.16 is not acceptable at all.  Do not take more Vitamin D than the daily allowance without a physician's approval as you can overdose on it, but absolutely have your doctor or find a new doctor to address that.  I am on 2,000 units per day of Vitamin D and those who are more deficient are often put on even higher doses, but you need a doctor to confirm that.  The only safe way to treat a vitamin D deficiency without a doctor is to get yourself into the sun.  Just 1/2 hour per day without sunscreen would help you significantly but you may need more than that right now because your levels are too low as far as I can tell.

[Weesy68]

An endocrinologist is the doctor who specializes in Hashimoto's and other endocrine disorders.  I will also be seeing a vascular surgeon in January to see how serious the Raynaud's phenomenon is and if there may be another underlying disorder causing that, although my guess is that it is the Hashimoto's.  So I would see an endocrinologist first if I were you and go from there.

Even with specialists you may have to be pushy if they don't do the labs that need to be done.  No one before the neurologist had ever tested my labs for thyroid peroxidase antibodies.  That particular test is more sensitive when it comes to diagnosing Hashimoto's.  I can tell you now that it knocks you down.  I read on a site that it gives you what they termed, "Couch Potato Syndrome," and that hit the nail right on the head.  I have no desire or energy to do the things I used to do and have aches and pains that did not exist 9 months ago, but am hopeful that this will all be cleared up for the most part once I begin the medication.

One thing you want to keep in mind is that with Hashimoto's you get infections much easier than a normal person, so if you do have Hashimoto's some of your symptoms may be related to infections.  I don't have typical symptoms with UTI infections so unless I make them culture it, they miss it.  Both UTIs that were cultured found bacteria, but neither dipstick did.  Every time I am on the antibiotics the pain under my ribs goes away.  I don't know how to explain that one except to say that maybe there is an infection going on in my stomach that clears every time I am treated with antibiotics.  The GERD also seems to lessen each time I am on antibiotics.  I have tested negative three times to H-Pylori, two blood tests, one breath test, so I know it's not that.  

Anyway, make an appointment with an endocrinologist first and go from there.  Write your symptoms in a journal every day that you can.  I carried a small one with me in my purse and every doctor visit while I waited I would update the journal.  It will help you remember some symptoms that may come and go but could also aid in a diagnosis.  It also helps you mentally as well because I know when they can't tell you what's wrong and look at you like you're a bit crazy, you start to wonder yourself if you are.  Good luck!  Let me know how you are doing.

[Padro46]

What doc would you think that might be??  My Primary is calling the Nuero to talk about my case and try to come up with the next step, which will probable be nothing more we can do, have checked you and cant find anything at this time.