A condition that has left 5 hospitals and 2 PCP's stumped

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I have been trying now for 3-4 years to get a diagnosis.  I'll start from the beginning so everything can have context, and this might wind up going outside of the scope of this forum in the end and I apologize if it does.

I've had IBS like symptoms for years.  I've always been a heavy consumer of milk and dairy related products and my diet has not been the greatest.  The dairy is by choice and love for it, but the less than optimal food choices has fallen on financial limitations.  I have had bad upper and lower stomach cramping before and when seen throughout the hospitals, they gave me Bentyl (dicyclomine) for an antispasmodic. 

I was taking Tums and Ranitidine over the years since childhood for "heartburn", and after seeing a GI doctor, they performed an upper and lower endoscopy/colonoscopy.  Results found no issues within the lower GI but many ulcers all over the upper.  I was then prescribed Omeprazole, 40mg/1x daily.  My insurance no longer covers Omeprazole so my PCP switched me to Pantoprazole, 40mg/1x daily.  They do cover this. 

I no longer have the "heartburn" feeling, which, when not on the meds, I need to take a swig of milk or a cold beverage every so often to prevent the severe nausea that can lead to vomiting if left doing nothing about the building feeling.  I have not taken the Bentyl in quite some time since moving states and changing PCP's, and just haven't asked for the script from my new doctor.

My other issues lie with various peripheral nervous issues.  It became very difficult for me to use my left leg to full capacity, as well as my left arm and hands/fingers.  I have far less gripping capability and ability to hold weight on that leg.  I wound up in a wheelchair randomly when walking back from the store and couldn't use my left leg at all.  I also have prior back injury with weight lifting (L4, L5) herniation.

While in the hospital for the time I lost use of the left leg, they ran MRI's, CT's, X-Ray's, Blood work, Urinalysis, EKG, EEG and all came back fine.  After requesting the Neurologist order a lumbar puncture, we found results.  My cerebral spinal fluid protein levels were around 15x the maximum they should be.  They were only able to obtain 2 out of the 4 vials they were looking for.  Pressure and clarity was fine, but it was viscous due to the protein and was discolored (pink/red and cloudy) which they concluded that blood had gotten into the sample.

My family has a history of RA (both Mom and Dad) and Epilepsy (Mom and Uncle), very little heart related other than my Grandfather on my Mom's side.  We've had cancer in our family (esophageal, lung) and had recurring issues across generations with bone strength and joint and back injuries (Me, Aunt, Mom, Dad, Sister, Grandma, the list goes on).

Lately I have been feeling more lethargic, and had a pain in the core of my body where my belt line is.  It's hard to explain, but beneath the belly button, right above the groin, it is a pressure/pain in the very core of that area inside my body.  My PCP assessed me and gave me antibiotics to see if it was prostatitis, with the potential of seeing a urologist if that doesn't help.

I've also been having random muscle spasms (my mobility is limited so it's not overstressing, I do flexing exercises to prevent atrophy, and I stay regularly hydrated with water, milk and low sugar drinks).  I am not diabetic, and have pains similar to pins and needles that shoot down to my fingertips and feet.  I have a hard time breathing occasionally but always manage to catch my breath.  I do have asthma.

This is the best compilation of where I'm at that I can think of at the moment.  I tried to answer any and all questions that might be asked, but you are more than welcome to ask more if need be.  I know that these symptoms aren't necessarily tied all together, and that they could be various issues, but this is where I'm at as a whole and am lost.

Should I presume the lifelong Pantoprazole should continue taking care of the GI issues?  Why have the muscles in my upper abdomen, thighs and arms been randomly twitching?  My left eye lids occasionally go into twitching fits too.  Is the neurological conditions such as pins/needles and weakness something I'll ever figure out?  We ruled out diabetic nerve pain and blood pressure, MRI shows no plaques helping point away from MS.  Maybe someones response can help this conversation catch more of a track, but any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you so much for your time and have a wonderful day!

Sincerely,

Harvey

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  • Posted

    Just another thing I forgot, I received a treatment of Intravenous Immunoglobulin and Prednisone post-hospital to try and treat for CIDP (Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy).  Nothing I have received has really helped me, and I am just in constant pain all over.  My joints are constantly soar and it makes it difficult to move around, and in the morning it's the worst.  I find it impossible to get out of bed without assistance a lot.  Sorry, just wanted to add anything I think of to help toward some sort of ideas.  Thanks again!

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