Health problems...

[GT1999]

First, I want to say I've tried everything and I turn to you all because I have nothing else to try. I'm desperate and need those of you who have medical experience to help if you can.

I'm on an internship in and basically I've been sick and the doctors I've been too aren't very good and can't find what's wrong. With this, at first I didn't have health insurance because my plan with my dad lapsed and I wasn't covered by my school, but I finally have health insurance though now, though I hope they cover all of this stuff and don't consider it "pre-existing".

I've always been a person to tolerate pain just fine. Spinal tap, flu, etc? No big, I coped. So when you read below, keep this in mind. These problems just won't go away and have started to get serious, even though they didn't start that way.

I'll give the cliff notes version, which is still long:

- Burning pains in left side under left ribcage started, went on for a few months. Went into an urgent care since I don't have a doc -- chest X-ray was fine, no kidney stones, etc. Doc said to take antiboitics, that I looked pale, and to wait. A month later, the antibiotics were gone and didn't help. I waited it out.
- I started to get an intense migraine that would never go away, felt a lot more fatigued and like something was really wrong. I've never gotten headaches before in my life. Finally got health insurance and a doctor.
- Finally got so bad I went into an ER in my college town with my girlfriend when visiting her. They did basic blood work, CT scan of head and abdomen and they came back fine. So hey, I don't have any tumors or anything seriously wrong. They said it was just a tension headache, though my WBC count was high, and I should get my side checked out if it continues.
- Fatigue/migraine got worse -- turned into liquid areas on head that would move, different parts of my body felt like like a burning sensation. I went to the doc: Ran mono-spot, negative, and another basic blood work -- this time it was all good. He ran an ANA test, was positive, but he ran a "titer" and it came back as 1-30, which means it was a false positive, though this only happens 10% of the time?
- Took a leave from my internship for 1 week to go back home. Didn't feel better but went back to work because I have to.
- Doc doesn't know what's wrong -- and is giving up on me. Says it could possibly be some sort of heavy metal toxin or rare disease but those are rare. I have bugged him a lot about what I should do, and he's about to not help me anymore.

Recently it's gotten a lot worse. I look completely pale according to my girlfriend, migraine is intense (never goes away), and I've had all types of burning/nerve problems. Honestly, I've had a lot of really weird symptoms. Friends and family think it's all in my head or that I'm stressed out, when in reality, I'm very happy with everything and just feel incredibly sick, which makes me desperate to find what's wrong. This all makes me look like a complete wimp, when 6 months ago I loved to weight lift, work out, and took pain perfectly fine.

Looking back at my diet, I had eaten a lot of tuna, and I did go into the dentist a month before all these problems started happening (December) and remember them digging really deep into a filling -- it hurt like hell.

So I guess I'm wondering if I'm crazy to think that the cause might be to some sort of toxin like my doctor said, and what I should do. You'd think if it was it would eventually go away -- but I seem to only be getting worse. My doc says he'll run a heavy metal toxicity test, but from what I've read, if it's long term exposure, a blood test won't pick that up. He also says after this test that he's done and I'll need to find a new doc.

So yeah, here I am. Feeling like I'm about to pass out, pale, a migraine to kill, and taking ibuprofen like candy to take the pain away.

I honestly just don't know what to do anymore and I want to know what the hell is causing me this much pain and weird problems.

 

[Chunkee]

wow.

the heavy metal blood serum levels is a good idea.

check for mecury

have you been exposed to anything you can think of out of the ordinary> checmicals, gases, etc.

in the past have you had exposure to any, such as working in a lab with chemicals and solvents?

i know this sounds strange, but have you had any kind of trauma happen lately near or before the time of occurrence?

how is your mental health and stressor levels?

jC

 

[Chunkee]

i would also have another ANA ran

 

[GT1999]

I did have some anxiety when the symptoms first appeared, however, that has dimished with time. I'm about to go get the heavy metal serum test done, but like I said, I read that the blood test only picks things up from acute exposure (recent exposure), not chronic, long term exposure, which is what I believe I am experiencing.

The main problem is the doctor that ran all of these original tests has pretty much given up, and believes that I'm simply suffering from anxiety. Which is pathetic, because I don't have a rapid heart beat, nor am I sweating or anything of the like.

 

[chowderhead]

first, I don't think you should ask for medical advice on a computer forum but hey the advice if free.
as a doctor which I am not, the tuna fish thing sticks out to me as well -
Mercury in Fish
There are probably a lot of factors that can trigger migraines. One example is eating a lot of processed meats i.e. lunchmeat and fish that can contain nitrates, etc. You should really get diagnosed to see if you are really having migraines (i.e. classic symptoms like sensitivity to light, auras, nausea, etc). You may also be having cluster migraines.
Migraine Headaches: Ways to Deal With the Pain

The mecury poisoning sounds like a possiblity though.

 

[TwoBills]

I got the headaches, that bad, never before, and found I had low potassium levels. They gave me some souped up potassium pills and the headaches went away. I think I wasn't drinking enough water. I take it your blood pressure is ok?

 

[GT1999]

I've been drinking a lot of water, and I have been eating a lot of bananas, so I'm assuming it isn't potassium.

The migraine is intense and always there, but I can try to manage it. It's the feeling of complete illness that makes it so difficult. When I had anxiety, my dad made me go into a psychiatrist, and he prescribed a mild sedative. That calmed me down, but didn't take the pain away -- not to mention it completely changed my personality. My girlfriend doesn't want me to take it anymore, because it's supposedly dangerous. I haven't taken that for a while now and have been just taking pain killers, which seem to work a lot better for the pain. I kind of wish I could just take both.

I just drove all the way to the blood test place and found out how much the blood serum tests cost (about $500 for all of them total), and I'm afraid my insurance isn't going to cover it, so I didn't get them done because my girlfriend told me to just go back to work and take more ibuprofen. She's here with me before her summer classes start. It helps a little to have her around, but the pain is always there. The thing is, once her classes start, she won't be here, and I won't have that extra comfort of having someone around.. which makes me feel a whole 10% better.

The thing is, I'm so sick right now I don't really care about money -- at all. I just want to get better. That's one of the reasons I went into the ER when I did. Honestly, because of how much pain I'm in, I'm just glad I still have the ability to do a lot of things. When at work, I have a hard time doing anything because of the pain I'm in.

On a good note (I guess) my hometown doctor might be calling me today, and the doctor that's given up hope in me (almost completely) may be calling back. He's the one who ordered the heavy metal toxicity tests.

 

[GT1999]

Here's something scary..

I'm starting to see white spots/stars once and a while when looking around with my eyes

Whatever is wrong with me, it's starting to affect my vision... great!

 

[Bryophyte]

For right now, try excedrin instead of ibuprofen. Honestly, your girlfriend did you no favors by talking you out of the blood tests. Phone your insurance carrier and ask them who you can see. Look for an immediate care clinic that's covered. Blood tests ordered by a covered doctor should be covered in most circumstances. They can phone your insurance for you to ensure you're covered before they run any particular test. See a doctor TODAY. Please. You sound like you probably have, at the very least, migraines, and there are many drugs that can help with them.

 

[kinev]

First, pre-med students won't help. Organic and physics won't give you a diagnosis. Doesn't sound like SLE from what you're describing.

I would say it sounds like a septic infection, but you said your blood tests were normal. Whatever it is, it sounds like it's systemic. Heavy metals sounds pretty feasible.

Any change in your diet/activities since you started having symptoms?

Have you changed your diet or used any new cleaning products or chemicals at home?

What is your internship? Is it in a factory or some type of manufacturing?

Any rashes or skin irritation?

Also, there has to be more to this story with your doc in St. Louis. If he's about to fire you, he's either a real prick, or you did something.

 

[kinev]

Have you had a UA done yet? I think they're relatively cheap. Definately cheaper than an MRI.

 

[Gulzakar]

Heavy Metals is possible...but you'd have to be seriosuly exposed...and it all depends on how much Tuna you ate...in addition, you have to recall if the Tuna you bought was all at once? or was it from different places?


Have you considered Lead poisoning? do you live in an older house with older pipes?

what is your diet like? give us an average day...how the food is prepared, where it is bought from.

if your blood tests come back nominal, even the HM test, you might actually BE having a mental issue. You really can't rule it out...seriosuly...you'd be surprised what an ill mind can do to the body.

 

[kinev]

Originally posted by: Gulzakar
Heavy Metals is possible...but you'd have to be seriosuly exposed...and it all depends on how much Tuna you ate...in addition, you have to recall if the Tuna you bought was all at once? or was it from different places?


Have you considered Lead poisoning? do you live in an older house with older pipes?

what is your diet like? give us an average day...how the food is prepared, where it is bought from.

if your blood tests come back nominal, even the HM test, you might actually BE having a mental issue. You really can't rule it out...seriosuly...you'd be surprised what an ill mind can do to the body.

You have to eat a crap-load of canned tuna to accumulate enough mercury in your system. It's usually children and pregnant women as well.

Didn't he say his CBC was normal? Kinda ruled out lead poisoning to me. Plus, you have the lead lines which are pretty easy to see.

It may be a mental issue, but his symptoms don't make it sound like it.

Reading back, he did say that he had elevated WBCs. Any fever still? I'm sticking with sepsis secondary to possible pyelonephritis.

Are your WBCs still elevated?

editied to add stuff.

 

[psteng19]

1. How old are you?
2. Do you smoke? If yes, how long and how many per day?
3. Along with the spots/stars, do you also have floaters? Are the stars more noticeable in the dark or in a bright background?

 

[GT1999]

I bought all of the tuna from Walmart at the same time -- and I probably ate a total of 30-50 or so cans over the span of maybe 7 months. I bought it in bulk because it was on sale.

In regards to my diet, I was on a protein shake style diet, I drank a lot of diet soda/sugar free gum, and ate a lot of turkey -- and yes, lunch meat. I've read all kinds of crazy things about problems with artificial sweetners online, but it all seems to be uncredited, and it would sound insane if I said that was the cause of the problems.

I'd agree with you on the mental issue, however, the problem is the pain I'm experiencing, and I just took 2 ibuprofen, and I feel a lot better -- that should account for something. Also, the pains started as purely physical, and just recently have manifested themselves into other weird problems.

I went into a dentist's office locally and he said he seriously doubts that the fact I had a dental filling drilled into and swallowed some that it would cause any serious health problems. For some reason, I don't know if I completely believe that -- but he is the professional.

 

[GT1999]

Originally posted by: psteng19
1. How old are you?
2. Do you smoke? If yes, how long and how many per day?
3. Along with the spots/stars, do you also have floaters? Are the stars more noticeable in the dark or in a bright background?

1. 23
2. Non-smoker completely, I have a few friends who did and I was around them a bit but it wasn't long term
3. What do you mean by floaters? In regards to when they're noticable, it's very random.

 

[radioouman]

Do you have wisdom teeth? Any chance they are pushing on your jaw and causing headaches?

 

[DeadByDawn]

http://my.webmd.com/hw/health_guide_atoz/aa34586.asp

????

 

[GT1999]

Originally posted by: radioouman
Do you have wisdom teeth? Any chance they are pushing on your jaw and causing headaches?

I had my wisdom teeth removed about 2 years ago and had braces before that. I currently do not have dental insurance, however, and I won't for about another 2 months (when school starts). When I do get it, I'm going in to see if I have any silver/mercury fillings and possible get them removed -- we'll see what the dentist recommends considering what's going on, I guess.

In regards to insurance, and if any of you know a lot about it, here's a small situation: my current insurance provider covered my ER visit, which is a good sign, however one I plan on switching to has my medical records, and I'm thinking if I file a claim with them, they'll pull them up and just call it a pre-existing condition. Heh.

It's really fun trying to have all these tests done, and possibly not having insurance -- and no money.. :-/

 

[GT1999]

Originally posted by: DeadByDawn
http://my.webmd.com/hw/health_guide_atoz/aa34586.asp

????

No fever and I don't have half of those symptoms. I really doubt I have that. It's kind of close, though.

 

[GT1999]

Interesting read:

http://www.eatingalive.com/windham/windhamA.htm

 

[psteng19]

Originally posted by: Geekish Thoughts

Originally posted by: DeadByDawn
http://my.webmd.com/hw/health_guide_atoz/aa34586.asp

????

No fever and I don't have half of those symptoms. I really doubt I have that. It's kind of close, though.

He'd be dead by now if he had bacterial meningitis.

Floaters are specks in your vision, mostly apparently in a bright background (bright, white screen, blue sky, etc.).
They move around your vision as you move your eyeball.
If you have floaters AND flashes (in the dark), you could have retinal detachment, but from your description, that does not sound likely.
And regardless, it's not related to your main ailment.

 

[GT1999]

Originally posted by: psteng19

Originally posted by: Geekish Thoughts

Originally posted by: DeadByDawn
http://my.webmd.com/hw/health_guide_atoz/aa34586.asp

????

No fever and I don't have half of those symptoms. I really doubt I have that. It's kind of close, though.

He'd be dead by now if he had bacterial meningitis.

Floaters are specks in your vision, mostly apparently in a bright background (bright, white screen, blue sky, etc.).
They move around your vision as you move your eyeball.
If you have floaters AND flashes (in the dark), you could have retinal detachment, but from your description, that does not sound likely.
And regardless, it's not related to your main ailment.

I'd say they do that 1/4 of the time, and the other 3/4 they're white dots that flash. It just started doing it a few days ago, and it seems to be getting worse -- so it's scaring me. I called up a doc at my college and he says it may be because of the migraine.

Honestly, in all truthfullness, I just want to feel better again. Someone mentioned wisdom teeth. When I got my wisdom teeth taken out, the headache from that was a walk in the ballpark compared to what I'm feeling right now. It's terrible. As you can tell I've resorted to desperate measures.

Hopefully I can fight this off, but seeing the history of events, it doesn't look good. If for some reason whatever I have continues to get worse, I don't think I'm going to be dead tomorrow, but AT has been a great community. Tell your parents and loved ones how much you love them -- and by all means, get health insurance if you don't have any. Take a diet of moderation, whether my diet caused this to me or not, it's only healthy and that's my advice to everyone.

 

[dmcowen674]

Do you smoke?

Check for Lung Cancer.

 

[Gulzakar]

The only indicator was a high WBC count. This can be for many reasons... Infections, cancer, HM's...

Sounds like your diet, well, sucks...have you considered that you do not eat properly?

High WBC count might be caused me stress...especially given that nothing else has been detected.

actually...have you had an HIV test?