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Thread: *LONG* TMI medical issues - you've been warned

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    Senior Member LunaCera Fenella's Avatar
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    Default *LONG* TMI medical issues - you've been warned

    I've been debating posting this for a while now... and finally I figured.. WTH.

    Lots of info revealed so you may want to refrain from reading further. (and it's gonna be ridiculously long)

    PLEASE UNDERSTAND: I made a grand total of $766 last year, and nothing this year. There are 2 clinics here, one only hands out birth control and does not employ doctors. The other requires you to work in this county to be treated, and they have a 3 month waiting list. (i talked to them this morning) I have an application in every possible place i could get to - but people are losing jobs left and right so it's not just me struggling. The women's health clinic also told me to "pop out a couple kids" and I'll get healthcare.

    My boyfriend quit his local job and took a job 4 hours away for 3-4x the pay. He did this so I could get help and we could start working on our debt. My big question is... I'm not going to have the opportunity to visit a bunch of doctors. I know a GP will just send me to a specialist, so should I just go to one in the first place and save money? or will they not let me in without a referral?

    I really think I should see an Endocrinologist because a lot of this seems hormonal/chemical.

    ...or maybe my body is missing some vital nutrient and I just can't figure it out. Please help



    Basically I have a million crazy symptoms. Here goes:

    Jaw pain/popping/swelling (since puberty/final growth spurt)
    Mouth pain/swelling/sores - most food cuts my mouth. no cavities/no dental work EVER, no rotted teeth or obvious gum disease (since 10/09)
    Tongue occasionally swells in my mouth(only slightly). Weird and random. (since 12/09)

    Limb tingling - painful pins and needles (1-2x/wk) (since 07-0
    Sharp pain in underside of upper arm. accute and intense 3-5x/wk (since teen yrs)
    Joint pain - knees, wrists, elbows mostly (since teens)

    Skin rash pops up at random - gives my skin a "basketball" type texture. itches and burns, lasts about 10-15 minutes and vanishes. No common denominator when it happens each time. shows up on wrists, forearm, and upper thigh (been happening for a year)
    I have two spots of skin discoloration. Located on my upper inner thigh and looks like a tan.Does not itch, burn, or have any other symptom. (since05/09)
    My nails don't grow properly. They break, rip off when wet, have horizontal ridges and are pitted, and very rarely will discolor for a day or two. (had this for years - dr's looked at it - not a fungus)
    My toenails a (slightly) too thick and are constantly blue or purple.

    Heartbeat randomly speeds up and beats very hard

    I'm constantly bloated - upper and lower abdomen

    In the past 6-8 months I have experienced:
    30 lbs weight gain (118-150)
    Insomnia (can't fall asleep. when I do I CAN stay asleep)
    headaches/light sensitive migraines
    New mole that bleeds and hurts
    Two new small freckles/moles that appeared recently - I have had ZERO sun exposure in the past few months (less than an hour a month)
    Periods lasting 2-3 wks minimum, sometimes longer. Impossible to know when I will menstruate. Excessive clotting. I always seem to have BV, and have gone to great lengths to avoid it, to no avail. But every time I get medicine (tindamax) it goes away immediately with no prob. Just comes back all the time. Doc said that's just how it is sometimes.

    My eyes (esp left) have started swelling, hurting and watering at random. again, no common issue with each occurrence.
    When I cry, my tears burn the holy fuck out of my eyes. Good incentive not to get upset.

    My appetite has gone crazy - I can't stop eating. It's not emotional reflex. I feel like my body wants food NOW! and I eat until I'm so stuffed I feel like I'll be sick. As soon as the 'overstuffed' feeling is gone I feel like I need more food. I constantly get that "hungry" feeling even when I'm full. I crave both sweet and salty foods, but sugary stuff makes me shake and feel sick.

    I used to be freezing cold all the time (even in 80 degree house) and now I have more tolerance, but my feet/legs get numbingly cold.

    My skin and eyes look dull. If I pull my lower eyelid down it has a yellowish tint (not so extreme that I look jaundiced) but I look severely unhealthy
    My skin has also been dry this year (legs and arms) and I've never had this problem before. I treat it with coconut oil now. My face has become oily, and I constantly have acne on my chin, jawline, and neck. (painful)

    My hair used to only need washing 3-4 times a wk, now it gets oily within 18 hrs of a shower.

    Another change that I did myself: I pretty much dont eat fried foods anymore and I eat a lot more fruits, veggies and poultry.

    I'm also experiencing pain in my abdominal area. The best way to describe it is think of where your kidneys are... but in front instead of back. And I have tenderness in my lower left side that has been present since I was 15.

    I get nauseous frequently and easily.

    Milk makes me sick so I drink Lactaid.

    If I don't eat (nearly constantly) I feel weak and sickly.

    Mental issues: (we all have these, right? lol)

    I have poor memory and can't keep days straight
    Can't concentrate
    Can't focus on reading much
    Have mood swings
    Have no sex drive
    Overreact with anger/anxiety when it's unnecessary.

    About me:
    I don't smoke, drink, or do drugs. I try to eat from all food groups daily, but generally miss fruits more than anything. I started using aspirin (bc powder) on my face at night and it has helped with blackheads but not acne, but my skin is still dull.

    I'm am 23 years old and look/feel like a 40 yr old bar fly.

    Sorry if some of this jumps around... I tried to make it bearable. But I haven't slept in 2 days and I was crying earlier because my kidneys hurt so damn bad.

    i just don't know what to do or where to turn. I feel like I have no options.

    Thank you to those of you who actually managed to get through all of this venting! It's extensive.

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    Veteran Member MixedBabe88's Avatar
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    Default Re: *LONG* TMI medical issues - you've been warned

    i have a feeling it you've got some sort of thyroid problem. i think you hit seeing the endo right on the dot.

    http://www.drkaslow.com/html/thyroid.html

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    Senior Member Candy Girl's Avatar
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    Default Re: *LONG* TMI medical issues - you've been warned

    Maybe lupus? Auto-immune impairment. Pls google for details. Hope you feel better.

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    Senior Member LunaCera Fenella's Avatar
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    Default Re: *LONG* TMI medical issues - you've been warned

    OMG. thank you so much for going through all that. I was really just guessing on what I should do... but sooo much of that fits. When I started feeling worse than usual, I kept a log of when and what was going on.

    Now... should I take this to a doctor? I always get in front of a doctor and kinda... forget everything I was gonna say. I seriously just draw a blank.

    But I'm also scared that they won't believe me so it's SO MUCH... they're think I just copied it down from a page.

    My last doc YELLED at me. And then brought another doctor in to YELL also. I was in tears. It was because I asked for Lamisil. It's not even a damn narcotic, it's just to help treat nails. wtf?!

    Any tips on getting a doctor to seriously listen to me?

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    Senior Member LunaCera Fenella's Avatar
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    Default Re: *LONG* TMI medical issues - you've been warned

    Quote Originally Posted by Candy Girl View Post
    Maybe lupus? Auto-immune impairment. Pls google for details. Hope you feel better.

    I checked it out... I fit into some of those symptoms too, but more in the thyroid issues.

    The prob is, is that there's so many generic symptoms that it fits a lot of things.

    The two big ones that stand out that aren't generic are the nails and the tan-like rash.

    I will make a note of it though and ask the doc. I'd rather be tested and not have it than the other way around.

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    God/dess Athenathefabulous's Avatar
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    Default Re: *LONG* TMI medical issues - you've been warned

    Quote Originally Posted by LunaCera Fenella View Post
    OMG. thank you so much for going through all that. I was really just guessing on what I should do... but sooo much of that fits. When I started feeling worse than usual, I kept a log of when and what was going on.

    Now... should I take this to a doctor? I always get in front of a doctor and kinda... forget everything I was gonna say. I seriously just draw a blank.

    But I'm also scared that they won't believe me so it's SO MUCH... they're think I just copied it down from a page.

    My last doc YELLED at me. And then brought another doctor in to YELL also. I was in tears. It was because I asked for Lamisil. It's not even a damn narcotic, it's just to help treat nails. wtf?!

    Any tips on getting a doctor to seriously listen to me?
    if you forget everything, why not write down everything you put into this post on a paper? and if the drs wonder why, say you have a phobia of drs or you didnt want to forget the symptoms or what not. sicne you have so many symptoms, i think taking the initiative to write them down so you dont leave any out is a good idea.

    and if the dr yelled at you, that is extremely unprofessional. go to a different dr, and make sure you leave a google review stating what happened for the other dr. they are supposed to be helping you with health problems, not assuming you are a druggy. ive asked drs about medications before, asking about them is not an inappropriate thing at all... thats why so many prescription meds have ads on tv that end with "ask your dr about ____." although, when you do ask, i would ask about it instead of asking for it, you might get better results that way.
    The best thing i have heard in a strip club to date:
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    me: uhh... i think you are misunderstanding what a shotgun marriage means. A shotgun marriage means you knock me up and my daddy shows up at your door with a gun and forces you to marry me and raise the baby. You mean elope.
    customer: hmm... nah actually i will take the shotgun marriage. At least then we would be having sex.


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    Senior Member LunaCera Fenella's Avatar
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    Default Re: *LONG* TMI medical issues - you've been warned

    Thank you Athena. I did write everything down. Seeing it all at once is a bit overwhelming.

    I guess I'm just worried about a doc saying "well, you copied that from the internet."

    I suppose I'll just have to try. It'll be at least 3 months before I can even think about making an appointment, anyways.

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    Default Re: *LONG* TMI medical issues - you've been warned

    Disclaimer: Im not a doctor, this is just my personal opinion, and Im in Australia, so things might be different here.
    You need to see a GP, and get a full set of bloodwork done! Take the list and go through it with them, but insist on a full blood screening for starters.
    Get them to check thyroid, lupus and liver function especially.
    Something might show up there, and they can then refer you to a specialist. Specialists generally need a referral.
    The heart and circulation issues are also worrying, BUT it could just be the stress your body is under (I get a heart murmur when my body is stressed with flu etc)
    Sometimes symptoms are unrelated or secondary/referral symptoms, caused by an existing problem.
    In the meantime Id take a multi vitamin, or at least try some Vitamin D (if you arent getting sunlight, also vitamin D deficiency means that your body has trouble absorbing calcium, which can affect skin and nails, as well as your bones) and Zinc (Skin and nails). Also drink loads of water, it can really help!
    Something as simple as a vitamin deficiency can cause problems.

    Have you considered seeing a homeopath/naturopath? If this is somethings like Chrons they can recommend ways to relieve the symptoms.

    One thing I would do if I were you would be to cut my diet back to 90% fruit and veg, with lean white protein (steamed/grilled fish/chicken, tuna etc), no wheat or cows milk, for a few weeks, and see if that helped.
    Theres no sense crying over every mistake,
    you just keep on trying till you run out of cake

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    Default Re: *LONG* TMI medical issues - you've been warned

    If you can't afford to see a doctor could you go to a hospital and get tests done? I'm not familiar with the American health system so sorry if that's not helpful.

    You have so many varying symptoms it might not just be one thing, it could be many and stress will definately weaken your immune system.

    You really do need to make it a priority to get a full medical examination. Having periods that last that long and with clots will prob lead to anaemia and you also mentioned abdominal pain which needs to be investigated.

    Does boxingdoc still come on SW? she used to be so helpful.

    Please get the mole checked too. Any new mole that appears after the age of 25 should be checked for skin cancer. You are 23 so maybe it's best to check this out.
    Last edited by jaizaine; 02-03-2010 at 07:38 AM.
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    Default Re: *LONG* TMI medical issues - you've been warned

    I'm not a doctor yet, but endocrinology is my focus. This sounds for sure like a thyroid issue, but there is also something else in there I can't put my finger on. Sounds autoimmune to me but as I said I am not finished school yet.

    Write down your symptoms and make a list of questions before you go to the doctor. Does your cell phone have a camera? Take pictures of the rashes and show them when you go in. You need to get this taken care of asap.

    I also have a rare disorder and had to be my own advocate until someone listened to me and helped me. BE FIRM. Get second opinions. DO NOT give up until someone listens to you.

    Please get a referral as soon as you can, ok? This worries me a lot, especially the bleeding moles and new moles. Just because you stay out of the sun doesn't mean things can't be hereditary or flat out luck of the draw (as it was with me). Also- have you been checked for diabetes or Wilson Disease?

    The horizontal ridges on your nails are worrisome to me, as is the bleeding mole, which is classically not a good sign. Hypothyroidism almost fits but there's something else going on too, I'm nearly certain of it.
    Last edited by mediocrity; 02-03-2010 at 11:04 AM. Reason: I keep adding information because I'm a damned mad scientist.

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    Default Re: *LONG* TMI medical issues - you've been warned

    Have you had an hiv test? Other blood work?

    All the symptoms make it sound like your body is genuinely un healthy all around.

    Keep going to docs. Until you get an answer and treatment.

    You shouldn't have to feel so bad.

    Hugs.

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    Senior Member LunaCera Fenella's Avatar
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    Default Re: *LONG* TMI medical issues - you've been warned

    I'm not HIV pos, women's health is the only thing offered around here so at least I can get that at an income based price.

    I would like to go to a GP, but the cheapest one quoted me $250 for new patient fee and a urine test. NO other work included in that.

    My family's medical history is foggy. I don't know much of my family because me and my mother's brother are all that's left. My mother died due to 5 brain tumors, 3 amputations on the same leg, radiation therapy, and ending up with bilateral pneumonia all at once. Her body just couldn't take it. Also, her death certificate says in additional notes "adrenal insufficiency" but when I google it it's always a vague answer and talks about addisons. My uncle has 1 kidney left, some infection in his blood, a couple strokes and heart attacks, high blood pressure, etc. My birth father has severe arthritis, lung problems (i think that's environmental), diabetes, and probably more. We're a sickly bunch.

    ETA: She was 41 when she died, and my uncle just turned 50. Also, he has stage 1 prostate cancer and is being refused medical treatment in Illinois because he has no money. Is that legal?


    Wilson's may be something to look into. I'm going on memory... but it has something to do with copper, right? My mom has some issue with copper... she always said that's why she couldn't wear watches.. it would kill the battery. Too much copper in the blood or something. Then again, it could be bullshit. I never gave it a second thought.

    But honestly, I'm tired of being sick. I never had a childhood, was on my own at 14, worked all through school and afterwards, and now I feel like I'm losing my 20's too. My 24th bday is in about 3 weeks and it's depressing. That's probably why I'm here unloading on your guys. sorry :/ I just feel like my body is shutting down.
    Last edited by LunaCera Fenella; 02-03-2010 at 04:52 PM.

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    Senior Member LunaCera Fenella's Avatar
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    Default Re: *LONG* TMI medical issues - you've been warned

    Quote Originally Posted by mediocrity View Post
    I'm not a doctor yet, but endocrinology is my focus. This sounds for sure like a thyroid issue, but there is also something else in there I can't put my finger on. Sounds autoimmune to me but as I said I am not finished school yet.

    Write down your symptoms and make a list of questions before you go to the doctor. Does your cell phone have a camera? Take pictures of the rashes and show them when you go in. You need to get this taken care of asap.

    I also have a rare disorder and had to be my own advocate until someone listened to me and helped me. BE FIRM. Get second opinions. DO NOT give up until someone listens to you.

    Please get a referral as soon as you can, ok? This worries me a lot, especially the bleeding moles and new moles. Just because you stay out of the sun doesn't mean things can't be hereditary or flat out luck of the draw (as it was with me). Also- have you been checked for diabetes or Wilson Disease?

    The horizontal ridges on your nails are worrisome to me, as is the bleeding mole, which is classically not a good sign. Hypothyroidism almost fits but there's something else going on too, I'm nearly certain of it.
    The horizontal ridges and pitting have been brought up with over 30 docs in the past 8 years and has always been blown off. Once, when they were slightly orange (thats the odd color they sometimes tinge) he told me to stop eating cheetos. Seriously. I was humiliated.

    I've been checked for diabetes - I THINK. they pricked my finger and I think checked my blood sugar at the time and said I didn't have it. Is there anything else that can be done?

    Also, I have hypoglycemic type tendencies and was told that you can't have both hypoglycemia and diabetes... ?

    Mediocrity: This is kinda just a shot in the dark, but is there a chance that it's not just thyroid but my whole endocrine system? I dunno if it's basically the same thing but when I google the skin discoloration I only get "precursor to diabetes" or "adrenal problems". Does the thyroid throw the whole system off or could the whole system be off and it's affecting the thyroid? I dunno, I sooo don't know med stuff.

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    Senior Member LunaCera Fenella's Avatar
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    Default Re: *LONG* TMI medical issues - you've been warned

    Also like to add (sorry, I mean to do it all at once and i'm scatterbrained and sleep deprived) I was born 8 weeks premature, with jaundice, and my mother had to have an emergency hysterectomy. Also, she'd had her gallbladder taken out, pneumonia that showed up like clockwork every other xmas, and depression/chronic pain that kept her in bed for weeks to months at a time.

    ETA: The calcium may be something to look into. I spent the first 21 years of my life in an area where the water was FULL of calcium. So much so that it was common for people to have it build up on their teeth. I had it too, and got my very first dental cleaning at the age of 21. Never had another problem and my teeth are strong and I never have any pain in the actual tooth. I do have a little sensitivity, but I just just crest pro health and it makes it go away. My teeth are straight and white.

    On the other hand, I'm not consuming that same water anymore, and I'm avoiding going outside. I take a calcium supplement if I haven't had any dairy or fake dairy, but never vitamin D. Gonna have to do that.

    Another diet note is that I have not touched fish in 18 years. In one summer I had two horrific things happen dealing with fish and I can't stand to be in the same room as cooked fish. I puke at the site or smell.

    Also, I have drastically cut down on cow meat, trying turkey and chicken instead. This has been in the past 2-3 weeks. I eat salad all the time, probably a head of lettuce per day with a few medium tomatoes and nearly a full bottle of dressing. (the DIY Italian) I also have veggie soup made up and I eat about 1/2 gallon each day of it and pretty much only drink water. I eat my regular meals ON TOP OF all this.
    Last edited by LunaCera Fenella; 02-03-2010 at 05:08 PM.

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    Default Re: *LONG* TMI medical issues - you've been warned

    i thought i possibly had a thyroid issue but i dont and i know this may sound weird, but i had a lot of similar symptoms (but not all) due to eating gluten. when you're wheat/gluten intolerant it can cause a lot of problems that go undiagnosed especially since it's hard to diagnose and many of the symptoms are quite varied and similar to other disorders. it can also cause mental problems...anxiety, insomnia, etc. (all these symptoms basically went away once i stopped eating gluten) the best suggestion to figuring out if you have this is to cut gluten out of your diet completely for about a month and keep a journal of what you're eating and how you're feeling and then eat gluten-rich food again and see how you feel. maybe you have other issues, but gluten may be contributing to it. i've read statistics that say about 40% of the population is gluten intolerant and doesn't know it. even if you have the blood work done it can come back false negative so it's important to be strict about testing yourself by not eating gluten and journaling how you feel. i was feeling sick constantly, migraines, rashes, irritable, not being able to fall asleep but once asleep i could sleep for hours upon hours. i'm not entirely knowledgeable about other possible disorders but i do know that my health greatly improved once i did cut gluten out of my diet and it solved my health issues (many which are similar to yours--i even had a lot of abdomen pain and no long have that either). it's difficult to cut the gluten out, but it's worth a try right? i hope this helps and you find the solution. and if this is possibly a cause, you don't need to necessarily see a doctor.

    ETA: when you continue to eat a lot of gluten (which is in a lot of foods that you don't expect it to be) your symptoms become worse, or at least mine did...i was having horrible migraines about 4 times a week, terrible stomach pain, weird skin issues, joint pain, and more that i can't even remember...i just know i felt sick A LOT)

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    Senior Member LunaCera Fenella's Avatar
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    Default Re: *LONG* TMI medical issues - you've been warned

    Quote Originally Posted by rubyredlipsss View Post
    i thought i possibly had a thyroid issue but i dont and i know this may sound weird, but i had a lot of similar symptoms (but not all) due to eating gluten. when you're wheat/gluten intolerant it can cause a lot of problems that go undiagnosed especially since it's hard to diagnose and many of the symptoms are quite varied and similar to other disorders. it can also cause mental problems...anxiety, insomnia, etc. (all these symptoms basically went away once i stopped eating gluten) the best suggestion to figuring out if you have this is to cut gluten out of your diet completely for about a month and keep a journal of what you're eating and how you're feeling and then eat gluten-rich food again and see how you feel. maybe you have other issues, but gluten may be contributing to it. i've read statistics that say about 40% of the population is gluten intolerant and doesn't know it. even if you have the blood work done it can come back false negative so it's important to be strict about testing yourself by not eating gluten and journaling how you feel. i was feeling sick constantly, migraines, rashes, irritable, not being able to fall asleep but once asleep i could sleep for hours upon hours. i'm not entirely knowledgeable about other possible disorders but i do know that my health greatly improved once i did cut gluten out of my diet and it solved my health issues (many which are similar to yours--i even had a lot of abdomen pain and no long have that either). it's difficult to cut the gluten out, but it's worth a try right? i hope this helps and you find the solution. and if this is possibly a cause, you don't need to necessarily see a doctor.
    Did some of this stuff just start happening? I mean, some of my symptoms have been going on for years but a lot are more recent. I think it's work a try and even if it's not it, being more diligent and aware of my diet will certainly not hurt. And is it possible to suddenly develop an intolerance? I've always been lactose intolerant but I've noticed that different food sensitivities have popped up here and there.

    So did you have this intolerance from the start or did your health start declining one day and so you changed your diet? (hope that makes sense..)


    ETA: okay we kinda posted at the same time and I think you answered my question lol

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    Default Re: *LONG* TMI medical issues - you've been warned

    well i've read it can develop for different reasons...it's typically genetic but also an overload of eating gluten can cause it as well as stress. i struggled with migraines and joint pain for at least 3 years (joint pain for around 5 yrs) and never made the connection. my symptoms just got worse and it wasn't until someone in my family found out she was gluten intolerant and told me to try cutting it out and see how i felt and once i did i felt so much better. i haven't had a migraine since and its been about 6 months since i've been GF and no migraines or joint pain or weird rashes! when i accidentally do eat gluten though i definitely feel and it lasts for a good couple of days. even with blood tests they told me i dont have celiac disease, but i know i can't eat gluten just by keeping my own journal and whatnot. i think it got worse when i went through some stressful times, but i've had these kind of health issues, like i said before, for quite some time and it just got worse.

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    Default Re: *LONG* TMI medical issues - you've been warned

    I'm not sure about the cause of it but I just wanted to post and say that I'm really sorry you're having to go through all that, especially at only 23 and ESPECIALLY when you can't afford it. There's nothing more frustrating and upsetting than knowing you need medical help and not being able to walk in and get it. I'm the same age as you and I have quite a few medical probs, and I sympathize with you because I know how much I hate it. Luckily I had really good cheap healthcare through my college but even with that, I still wound up paying a lot after maxing out my allowances.

    I definitely think full bloodwork would be the way to go at first, especially if you can only afford a couple of visits. They can pick up a lot from bloodwork and at least they can definitely point you in the right direction rather than carting you off to a variety of different specialists individually.

    Also, I feel ya on not wanting to the doc to think you got it off the internet!! I'm obsessive about trying to self-diagnose and sooo many times, I would walk into the doctor being pretty sure I already knew what was wrong. Usually, I was right! At first I think my doctor though something sketchy was going on, but once she got to know me more (God knows I was in there plenty!) she realized that I genuinely just did my research first. I would recommend keeping a general 'health diary', especially if you can't go to the doc for the next few months anyway. That way when you do go, you'll be able to show you've worked on recording the symptoms for a few months, rather than just copied bullet-points of the net. Also, its a lot more convincing - more people craving a fix of something aren't going to spend months building up their case! It also shows the doc you're not exaggerating when you say it's been going on a while, and a lot of the time either you or the doc will be able to see patterns in when the symptoms come and go etc. It could really help with a diagnosis as well as getting the doc on your side.

    Hope that helps even a little hun!


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    Default Re: *LONG* TMI medical issues - you've been warned

    Quote Originally Posted by rubyredlipsss View Post
    i thought i possibly had a thyroid issue but i dont and i know this may sound weird, but i had a lot of similar symptoms (but not all) due to eating gluten. when you're wheat/gluten intolerant it can cause a lot of problems that go undiagnosed especially since it's hard to diagnose and many of the symptoms are quite varied and similar to other disorders. it can also cause mental problems...anxiety, insomnia, etc. (all these symptoms basically went away once i stopped eating gluten) the best suggestion to figuring out if you have this is to cut gluten out of your diet completely for about a month and keep a journal of what you're eating and how you're feeling and then eat gluten-rich food again and see how you feel. maybe you have other issues, but gluten may be contributing to it. i've read statistics that say about 40% of the population is gluten intolerant and doesn't know it. even if you have the blood work done it can come back false negative so it's important to be strict about testing yourself by not eating gluten and journaling how you feel. i was feeling sick constantly, migraines, rashes, irritable, not being able to fall asleep but once asleep i could sleep for hours upon hours. i'm not entirely knowledgeable about other possible disorders but i do know that my health greatly improved once i did cut gluten out of my diet and it solved my health issues (many which are similar to yours--i even had a lot of abdomen pain and no long have that either). it's difficult to cut the gluten out, but it's worth a try right? i hope this helps and you find the solution. and if this is possibly a cause, you don't need to necessarily see a doctor.

    ETA: when you continue to eat a lot of gluten (which is in a lot of foods that you don't expect it to be) your symptoms become worse, or at least mine did...i was having horrible migraines about 4 times a week, terrible stomach pain, weird skin issues, joint pain, and more that i can't even remember...i just know i felt sick A LOT)
    This is EXACTLY what I was going to suggest. I had many of the exact symptoms as stated in the OP before I was diagnosed with Celiac disease (gluten intolerance) about 7 years ago. Weak/brittle nails, my hair fell out, joint pain, dry skin and rashes, depression, abnormal menstrual cycles, regular migraines, severe abdominal pain and bloating. I lost tons of weight when I was sick, but it is also common to experience weight gain.

    Another red flag is lactose intolerance. When people who are gluten intolerant consume lactose, the villi in the intestines are gradually broken down. This makes it much more difficult to digest lactose, resulting in the common symptoms of lactose intolerance. When I stopped consuming gluten I was no longer lactose intolerant. Another consequence of the damaged villi is that the body cannot absorb the nutrients from the foods that a person eats. This can result in severe vitamin deficiencies, a constant need to eat, poor muscle tone, and a sickly appearance. I had all of the above.

    Simple blood tests can determine whether or not you have a predisposition to Celiac disease. Demand them. As I recall, 2 tests are usually administered. The first can be inconclusive (as mine was), so sometimes they'll have you take a second one. Cutting out gluten made me feel normal again, so I never bothered to take the second test.

    In my very humble opinion as someone who is not a doctor, I would suggest that you cut all gluten out of your diet. Gluten is found in so many foods and food additives, so adjusting to a new diet without it can be hard. The following link lists foods that contain gluten:

    http://www.celiac.com/articles/182/1...nts/Page1.html

    Try eating this way for a month or two. Even if you end up not being gluten intolerant, you'll probably feel much better when you eliminate those foods from your diet. Many people are allergic to gluten in odd ways of which they're not even aware.

    All this being said, I agree that there's something else going on here. Perhaps an endocrine condition like some other people suggested. I did not experience many of your symptoms, such as the bleeding moles, swelling eyes or tingling limbs (which are all extremely serious), so I cannot comment on those. It sounds like going to an endocrinologist and getting blood work is a good place to start. He or she may also suggest that you see a gastroenterologist.

    I'm so sorry you're going through this. I understand how maddening and incredibly sad it is when something so painful and mysterious is happening to your body. Please keep us updated on how you are, and whether those dietary changes help. I'll be thinking of you.

  20. #20
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    Default Re: *LONG* TMI medical issues - you've been warned

    i definitely agree that you need to see a doctor ASAP. some of your symptoms may not be related to one another but the cluster of them fit with a thyroid problem. also, your symptoms kind of fit with an autoimmune disease which is linked to OVER production of a thyroid hormone. it is called grave's disease. you also have a lot of symptoms except weight gain as opposed to weight loss; however, it is actually a rather large misconception that hypo=weight gain and hyper=weight loss 100% of the time. this autoimmune disease can cause your muscles behind your eyes to swell causing them to push forward. it can also cause tearing of the eyes, irritation of the eye, etc. it is very possible to have atypical symptoms (like your weight gain as opposed to loss) and still have grave's disease. hypothyrodism can also cause minor swelling around the eyes.

    like mediocrity stated you also should check into Wilson's disease especially since you said your mother had it? or probably had it but was never diagnosed?

    when you get your finger pricked all they are checking for is your blood sugar level which is not sufficient enough to rule out diabetes or insulin resistance. You said your dad has diabetes? is the discoloration on your inner thighs anywhere else like under your arms, neck, fingers, toes? does the discoloration almost appear "dirty" but is thickened, darker skin?

    if so (again, I am not a doctor) it could be acanthosis nigricans (maybe very mild). acanthosis nigricans is mainly seen in people of ethnic decent but is also seen in caucasians. acanthosis in itself is not a dangerous condition to worry about but can indicate insulin problems (diabetes, insulin resistance). you said you gained 30lbs in a relatively short amount of time and acanthosis usually appears in overweight (don't take that as me saying you're fat - you sound quite thin but a sharp increase in weight like that could be the reason) people. it can indicate a more serious problem such as cancer but that is very rare. it can also be completely unrelated to anything and simply be there because you have gained weight. usually it will go away when u lose weight. i would def get checked for diabetes or IR if u can at some point though since it runs in your family.

    u also said you have a new flat mole, but what do the other moles look like? are they flat or do they hang? they could be skin tags which usually just pop up randomly and are usually nothing to be concerned about but again, could be an indicator of an endocrine issue. the bleeding moles definitely need to be checked out. they could be completely unrelated to anything but if you've been sunburned badly once in your life you up your chances for skin cancer significantly (not trying to scare you, but its definitely something you should get checked out especially if they are doing weird things like bleeding). moles can also become irritated and bleed, but better safe than sorry.

    u said you got sores in your mouth? do they look like ulcers? red around the edges but whiteish on the inside and burn like whoa if u eat something spicy or tangy? if this is the case they could be a harmless canker sores. they still do not know what causes them but think it may be some sort of very minor autoimmune issue.

    i kno i kind of threw all this out there but these are just some of the things i could think of.

    Hmm, celiacs disease is definitely up there too after re-reading people's posts.
    Last edited by MixedBabe88; 02-04-2010 at 02:17 PM.

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    Default Re: *LONG* TMI medical issues - you've been warned

    your diet appears to not have much fat in it. low-fat diet plus insomnia plus stress= all kinds of health problems.

    you should try eating healthy fats like walnut oil, coconut oil, palm oil (if you can find it), and animal fats from pastured animals (pastured butter, pastured tallow, stuff like that) if you can find those.

    you can also benefit from eating walnuts and macadamia nuts specifically (they have good omega-3/omega-6 ratios, compared to other nuts which have a little too much omega-6 skew for primary consumption).

    try ramping up your intake of healthy fats (walnut oil for your dressings, cooking with coconut oil or bacon grease from pastured bacon) for a couple of weeks and see how your satiety is affected.

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    Default Re: *LONG* TMI medical issues - you've been warned

    Quote Originally Posted by LunaCera Fenella View Post
    The horizontal ridges and pitting have been brought up with over 30 docs in the past 8 years and has always been blown off. Once, when they were slightly orange (thats the odd color they sometimes tinge) he told me to stop eating cheetos. Seriously. I was humiliated.

    I've been checked for diabetes - I THINK. they pricked my finger and I think checked my blood sugar at the time and said I didn't have it. Is there anything else that can be done?

    Also, I have hypoglycemic type tendencies and was told that you can't have both hypoglycemia and diabetes... ?

    Mediocrity: This is kinda just a shot in the dark, but is there a chance that it's not just thyroid but my whole endocrine system? I dunno if it's basically the same thing but when I google the skin discoloration I only get "precursor to diabetes" or "adrenal problems". Does the thyroid throw the whole system off or could the whole system be off and it's affecting the thyroid? I dunno, I sooo don't know med stuff.
    Unlikely. I wouldn't say impossible, but unlikely. Also- have you checked into Addison's Disease? Doesn't fit quite as well as Wilson's but could be a possibility as Addison's primarily manifests in skin hyperpigmentation. The weight gain could be due to sodium insufficiency which is turn causes you to eat a lot due to urinary output of sodium... would explain the weakness and shakiness.

    Oh and a diabetes test would consist of a glucose tolerance test.
    I'm sorry you feel like shit but man has this got my brain ticking.

  23. #23
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    Default Re: *LONG* TMI medical issues - you've been warned

    Doesn't addison's generally end in death?

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    Default Re: *LONG* TMI medical issues - you've been warned

    ^^ No, it's manageable with medication, usually steroids and Florinef. An Addisonian CRISIS however, is a medical emergency. I also leaned towards this theory because of the abdominal pain.

    I am of the persuasion you should get this whole thing checked out asap. It worries me. FWIW, I sent your post to my mother who has been an RN for over 30 years, and she said these symptoms need to be dealt with immediately.

    Diabetics can be hypoglycemic and hyperglycemic. It's about imbalance.

    Also I say again- my schooling is not complete.

    Addendum: HOLY HELL I JUST READ YOUR HISTORY. GO GET LOOKED AT.
    Last edited by mediocrity; 02-05-2010 at 04:23 AM. Reason: mad scientist syndrome.

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    Default Re: *LONG* TMI medical issues - you've been warned

    I have celiac disease and had a lot of those symptoms until I was diagnosed.

    I think you are definitely suffering from candida too. Candida is very hard to diagnose and the traditional doctors are pretty useless in dealing with it. You need to go on a food elimination diet.

    Cut down on the carbs, eat MORE fats as has already been said. Candida symptoms vary from person to person. Some just get yeast infections, others get myriad strange symptoms like yours. Get some super strength probiotics such as Threelac. If you need any help feel free to PM me. I have cured myself of candida and others.

    V

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