What's wrong with me?

[HyamBarber]

Hi everyone, please bear with me and be patient, i could talk litreally for days and days about the multiple issues wrong with me, but I'll do my best to break it down and keep it as short as possible, i know i need to see specialist docs, and that's underway, in the meantime, i would appreciate some feedback on what the hell is going on with me. Im seeing a rheumatologist in just over 2 weeks, i have been to the docs countless times in the past 15 months, need to get to the bottom of this and fix myself up. Here goes.

I am 19 years old, a male, and from the UK, specifically, England.

It all started in October 2010. In the last week of sepetember, i was away on holiday with some friends in Cyprus, on a 3 week vacation, on the last week, only I feel really ill out there, and i had severe sickness and diarheaa, even when on the beach i had to go to the toilet and make myself sick for litreally 30mins flat. I was told by a pharmacist out there it was due to change in climate.

So, in october 2010, i started working with my father, just doing some painting, i noticed i starting experiencing low back pain, i initally thought this was just me not used to the work and i pushed through expecting it to get better, but it never want away, it was in my sacrum area if you would like specifics.

I used to workout and lift weights and run to keep fit also id like to point out, but never had an injury or trauma to cause any of these events.

In January 2011, whilst i was working out, i noticed my neck started to hurt really bad, deep right in my cervical spine, i took it easy, but again this seemed to get aggravated whenever i tried training and i went to the doctors to get it checked, they ordered x-rays, but they came back normal.

During the couse of the year, my neck started to get progressively, slowly worse, it become weak and i found it difficult at times to look down and read a book, sleeping on the back of my head, and still to this day, i sleep on my side because of it.

In the summer, i was staying away on vacation, the mattress was really old and i woke up with BAD low back pain, so i decided to go for a walk, within 20mins, both my achilles tendons starting aching bad, i rested for the pain to ease up, then made my way back, used anti-inflammatory gels, and this seemed to solve the problem.

So i would occasionally get this problem.

In around july 2011, i tore my lateral meniscus of my right knee, i have no idea how, i got up from a push up position and just could not straighten my knee, i got it MRI scanned in October to get it confirmed. My knees had previously been hurting for years, the tendon in the inner side of my knee, had always been aggravated, even at the age of 15, i got it checked in the past, but apparently it was fine, both knees this was.

I went on holiday in september 2011 to Teneriffe for a week, long walks and all, but nothing too bothersome, i would occasionaly need to rub an anti-inflammatory gel on my heels and knees, but i was pretty muh ok for the whole holiday.

I started further investigating what was wrong with me, researching and going to the docs back and fourth, Ive had blood tests and i can't even remember some of the stuff Ive had tested for. I do remember having 2 blood tests in the past (FBC - Full blood count), one time i was anaemic in iron, so was given iron supps, 420mg daily. My levels raised back up, but what a concern from the doctor was, was a slightly low platelet level (thrombocytopenia), i had it tested twice, the later session, it was better than previous, from research, i know co-infections of lyme - babesia can cause this, yet at the time i had no idea, even what lyme disease was. I was referred to haemotology for investigations, and the consultant diagnosed me with "chronic ITP", and discharged me stating i had nothing to worry about as my platelet level was only just under the normal range.

Now before i went on holiday to Turkey in october 2011, i had been obesessing about what was wrong with me, i was convinced i had AS (Ankloysing spondylitis), 2 doctors, a chiropractor, and an osteopath, all believed this was not the case, it spoiled my holiday, and i developed bad psychomatic issues, such as anxiety and depression. Ive had ESR tested and that was low, Ive even had my lumbar spine MRI'ED but the doctors have no concerns as it came back normal. I eventually got this off my mind and started to wonder what was going on.

I noticed in August, and this was only from thinking about the past, that for about 2 weeks, my eyes were bothering me. They were really watery and i was continously blinking, constantly, i saw an optician and she said they were fine, this was before i went to teneriffe, and the problem went away.

So around novemember-december 2011, i started experiencing more problems, i started getting a dull ache in my left distal bicep tendon, i was referred to an osteopath for the low back issues, the tendon pain started also occuring in my right bicep tendon and progressed to a lot of cracking (crepitus), when i straightened the elbow, the osteo initally thought it was just growing pains along with bad anxiety, but recently advises i get checked out by a rheumatologist, but ultimately, he feels i'll be fine.

Now, in december 2011, i had agonising pain. I woke up one night with severe back pain, 3am, my whole back was hurting badly, i took some pain killers, sprayed deep heat on my back, tried sleeping on a heat pack, but it was too bad to get back to sleep, so i went to A+E. I was given more pain killers but they didn't do a thing, i was seen by a couple of doctors, one said there was some swelling, but couldn't spot anything wrong, as i had good mobility, and nothing seemed obvious to aggravate the pain. The next doctor i saw said she felt it was muscular, gave me a muscle relxant and more pain killers, during my time at A+E i had an uranylisis and an x-ray on my chest (which would show my spine), both came back fine. Within 8 hours the pain started go away. On this day i had severe diarhea and vommitting. I even had diarheaa, litreally 5mins before seeing a doctor, he examined my bowel and back and i told him i had litreally just had diarhea in the toilet and said my bowel was fine, and im just after pain killers to become a drug addict - made me furious!

[HyamBarber]

Ive had pain in my spine almost constantly today, upper back mostly, but mid back too, tried having a bath with muscle gel, pain killers, didn't help at all. I used the foam roller and it helped a bit. Went for a walk but still not much help. Used the foam roller again and it took away the stiffness and pain in my back, but then instantly after the glands in the side of my neck are now hurting, im starting to feel like, why?

The pain in my spine is deep and feels like someone needs to push it back into place, what should i do int he meantime, i can't get to the docs yet, but i honestly can't sit around another month in pain just to see a rheumatologist.

[HyamBarber]

See, now this is weird. Today, i woke up, went a pee, had a coffee, few cups of water, and ddn't need to pee for a good 4 hours or so. Ive got tests to do in a couple days anyway, for blood glucose and urea/electrolyes, perhaps im slightly low on salt or something, but some investigations inthat respect.


Seriously guys, is this looking like lyme? Today Ive got back pain again, but it's not just upper back or low back, the common areas, even the uncommon areas like my mid back hurt, and it's aches, and directly in my spine it feels, also the surrounding muscles usually feel stiff. Ive read lyme can mimic many disease, but am i just hopefully wishing here that it's the answer?

Ive heard of people being disabled and being spoon fed by loved ones from lyme, guess that's severe cases, even so though, the back ache and pains which pain killers don't seem to touch - last night my low back was severe pain, but i managed to get to sleep from it.

Ive done nothing or any injury that could of caused it, what do you guys honestly think? Should i push the docs for some tests, even if i convince them, they'll likely try to avoid testing, or just give me the unrealiable ELISA one. Should i say i remember a tick bite? I mean, i feel i'd have to almost say that to push them to get me some testing, i can't wait around no more, im wasting my life and precious time by sitting around.

Sorry to go on and on but any suggestions on what i should do next is massively appreciated, thanks.

[HyamBarber]

So, in a nutshell;

- Pain over most areas of my body, varies in intensity and each day is different;
Neck - weakness and stiffness
Back - Both upper and lower back, low back is often severe.
Ankles/heels - aching tendons
Wrists + thumbs, sometimes go numb
Tendons at elbow, sometimes ache and make my arms feel weak

- Occasional fatigue/tiredness.
-Dizziness/Lightheaded/Weak.
-Nausea, increased motion sickness
-Excessive thirst and urination + dry mouth with foul taste.
-Itchy bottom - sometimes after going to the toilet, with this when i use the tissue, there is often waste there (embarrasing, sorry)
- Left eye twitching
-Increased sensitivty to cold (i have raynauds, but even so this is relevant)

All i cna think of right now, ut every day is different, for instance where i have been in less physical pain, i have noticed the excessive thirst and urination a lot more? I feel if i go to the docs about all this they will just label me as nuts or a hypochrondriac, im going there later today to ring up the thirst and urination, but im sure they'll just say, possible urinary infection. My dad says he has one at the moment, so could well be, but ive had this for years, just more noticeable past few days.

[HyamBarber]

I just don't understand what's going on with me and it's all getting overwhelming and TOO much to bear. Raynauds, probaly DI, knee op in few days, pain everyday, i just can't deal with it no more and it's coming to the point where it is making me depressed and making me feel as though i just don't want to be here and end this misery, im ******* 19 and i haven't even had chance to get on with my life yet.


Today, Ive had to pee 3 times in 2 hours, and that's from drinking 2 glasses of water. I don't understand this though, Ive had this for as long as i can remember, but although it's been a nuisance, it's not been as bothersome or major as it is now. Perhaps because i know what it likely is im worrying, i don't know, but again, it's been a lot worse, and i haven't been in as much physical pain, so don't know if that's a possible connection from lyme magnifiying things? Going to go to the docs later, if i can't get in, i'll go to the hospital because this is making me sick.

Last night for instance, when in MC D's, had a coffee, and we were out a good hour or so and i was fine, perhaps i was just dehydrated, but the coffee got rid of the bad taste in my mouth, i just dunno, but Ive had it for as long as i can remember, but only the past couple days has it been ruling my life.

[HyamBarber]

Nope, no heavy metals. I have the thirst/urination issue for as long as i can remember. A few years back i took the complaints to the GP's and they tested me i think twice for diabetes which both came back negative. Maybe should consider DI though. Only u/a i had was at A+E when i went in for severe back pain, perhaps they didn't test the thirst/urination as i didn't mention it, however when i was up there, i drunk ALOT of water.

The spit/slavia isn't sweet, just a really disgusting taste which usually only goes away with some type of food. It's almost as though there's a prolem with my tongue,

[hyenakiss]

a rheumatologist doesnt specialize in these other things but should be aware of them because before they specialize they still recieve a full range of medical training... the thirst and urination is a common symptom of diabetes or kidney problems. i doubt it wuld be salt intake unless it is extremlly excessive. if your spit is white and foamy you are dehydrated and should drink more water, not soda or tea or anything but actual water. the foul taste could just be a side effect of the dry mouth. though it can also indicate other things... is it sweet? that leans tword diabetes if its ammonia like or metalic could be kidneys. just let the doctor know all of your symptoms and likely they will refer you to someone more appropriate. have you ever been exposed to heavey metals?

as far as testing for lyme, even if there are no labs that do that in europe test samples can be sent over seas.