unexplained symptoms

[ashers2232]

I have been having some very disturbing symptoms that I can seem to find no relief for.  I get this gripping feeling in the left side of my head at times it feels like someone is grabbing my brain and squeezing it, then releasing. It follows with headaches at times then pressure that lasts most of the day and I get severely depressed afterwards.  I also have what seems like motor difficulties, my body feels very rigid most of the time and my movement very slow.  I have family always commenting on how slow I am.  I have a very difficult time thinking, at times when I am driving down the freeway, I almost have to pull over because all of a sudden I have a severe sense that I don't know where I am and nothing looks familiar to me. I also get these feelings around people. During Easter, I was very upset because I was having a hard time connecting to my family because they all looked very strange and forgein to me. I also have dizzy spells and ringing in my ears where my hearing seems to come in and out.  I also have fuzzy vision at times then it clears up after a few seconds.  I have gone to the doctor about my complaints and they ran some blood work, the only abnormality was my low lyphmocyte count which has been ongoing for a couple years. I thought maybe I was having a psychotic episode and was assured by the doctor that it wasn't psychosis but that and dementia are the only two things that I can possibly relate to.  I also get intense hives, chronically for over a couple years now but they have recently began to get a lot worse.  I had to get a shot of epinephrine in the ER a few weeks ago because my throat was swelling shut and my left eye was swollen.  The hives begin to itch severely and form into HUGE red/white welts, dissapear but sometimes leave a reddish/purple bruising for a few days until my next outbreak.  I've tested negative for HIV, std's and have had only standard blood work- CBC w/differential and a partial chemistry.  My doctor is referring me to a neuropysch for futher evaluation and I should be hearing back from them within the next couple days I hope because I don't know how much further I can put up w this.  I take no medications currently, do not do drugs although I have had what you'd call a "run" with meth about 2 years ago which seemed to make my symptoms worse but only worse, the symptoms were already there.  My mother has lupus which I've yet to be tested for.  I know it seems a bit hypochondriacal but I do go online and try to see where my symptoms fit, I just want to know what's wrong.  I thought maybe it was lyme ( I lived in Missouri in my teenage years and was bitten my ticks) I just don't understand, any help would be appreciated, thank you.

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi
Welcome to the MedHelp forum!
These could either be partial epilepsy episodes or it could be due to severe anemia, hypoglycemia or hypothyroidism. I would suggest you get the blood levels of the following checked if they have not already been checked: potassium, calcium, sodium, magnesium, vitamin B complex, or vitamins B1, B3, or B6 and Vitamin D. Generally deficiencies of any of the above can cause muscle twitching and spasms in localized or generalized areas of the body. Get your kidney function, parathyroid gland function and adrenal function tests done because these affect the electrolyte balance in the body. Stress, alcohol, caffeine and fatigue all cause similar symptoms. Hence if you take alcohol or coffee then cut this down. Sleep at regular hours and see if it helps. Certain sleep disorders can also be the cause.
Since I cannot examine you and know other related conditions you may be having, nor is a detailed history possible on net, I have listed the various possibilities that should be looked into. Please consult your PCP for primary examination followed by proper referral.
Take care!

[lindale]

I would suggest getting tested for lime disease because of the ticks.  But I think the most important thing would be to go to an allergist.  If there is some food, pollen, dust mites, etc. that you are allergic to you might get rid of most of your problems simply by avoiding those allergens. Also a brain scan to rule out more serious issues.

[margypops]

Wondering if you are allergic to something you eat. yet .Lyme does have some strange symptoms  and as you wre bitten by ticks I would say testing would be in order.The Lyme Forum is excellent and may be helpful if you put the symptoms in there .Good luck hope you get some answers soon .