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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