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No one can find whats wrong with me. Does someone have any ideas?

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Hello!

Since this June I have been to so many places from my physician’s office to the ER and everywhere in-between. Nobody can find whats wrong with me. I’ve had two neurologists give up on me and one who (after running a bunch of tests) say I have anxious tendencies witch is bull s***. I had every test possible ran on me and they all came back normal. Actually on paper I’m as healthy as can be. Thats the problem, all my test results are perfect so people think there’s nothing wrong. It’s hard to explain what I feel like. My thoughts feel foggy and blocked, I’ve become very forgetful and academically I’m struggling. That is only the mental portion unfortunately. Physically I have muscle cramps, fatigue/drowsy-ness, disorientation, trembling, tingling, and clumsy-ness. I’ve had a spinal tap, loads of blood tests, two EEGs, MRIs, and been evaluated by six different doctors. Every blood test you could think of has been ran on me. Including heavy metals, vitamin b-12, Lymes, lupus, hormones, blood sugar… there are loads more but I can’t remember them all. I’m worried most about the cognitive aspect of my problem. Its very debilitating. Some days are better than others, and some are worse. Today was one of the bad days. I can’t  stay focused or have clear thoughts. When I talk I don’t make much sense. I say words that don’t fit into context, have a very hard time finding words, and as a result, can’t keep up a conversation very well. I try my hardest to overcome these problems but I don’t think its a matter of how much effort I put forth. Some days I just can not think straight. I even have problems understanding what people say to me. I understand the words, but the meaning of what’s said just doesn’t get through. Like I said, some days are better than others. The memory isn’t isolated to only short-term or the forming of new memories. I have a hard time remembering things that happened long ago as well as what happened five minutes ago. The things I remember are fragments and very inconsistent. I was stating to think that my problem could be low magnesium or something like that witch was overlooked. From my understanding of a mangesium deficiency. It takes a long time for you to become deficient. This makes sense because this problem didn’t just stat overnight, I’ve actually been having this problem since February. I’ve been blowing off the symptoms as lack of sleep or just being tired but it built up to the point that I realized something was truly wrong. So magnesium might make sense, maybe. I’m just guessing at this point though.

So, what do you think? If you have any ideas what the problem could be please let me know. As I said before, I’ve had my heavy metals, Lymes, hormones, vitamin b-12, lupus, csf (spinal tap), and blood sugar checked. I’ve also had a complete metabolic panel ran, a complete hormonal panel, and complete nutritional panel checked. I think an allergist might be a good idea but I’m not sure. I guess its worth a shot.

 Here’s some info about me. I’m 17 years old, male, 5’9’’ and weigh 128LBs. The problem is constant 24/7, never goes away.

Thanks you’re reply in advance.

3 likes, 65 replies

65 Replies

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  • blessedmum
    blessedmum spacebar

    Posted

    As Dorothy said, yes, vertigo is certainly a symptom of anxiety. It sounds like you actually had a panic attack. This is when your symptoms get insanely overwhelming and so intense that many people feel they must be dying or at least very, very ill. (ALOT of them will head to ER for this reason)  THey usually last for about 20-30 mins, but I've had back to back ones, so at times they can go on for hours (not fun.) The best way to cope with them is to know it's a panic attack and t change you're breathing. When you hyperventilate (and you may not know you are) it often triggers a panic attack. It's important to "belly breathe" (you can look this up online) It will help!  The fact that these symptoms only lasted for a spell is a good sign that it was an attack.  

    Yes a psychiatrist or psychologist would be a good idea, I think. Or you could start by buying books (or going to the library) on self help books for anxiety and depression. There are many of these out there!! Don't be afraid to talk to your friend -- that's what friends are for!

    There is of course medication for anxiety and depression, but explore other routes first. As Dorothy said, are you worried about graduation? College? Relationships? All totally to be expected by the way. PLease google anxiety centre (spelled the UK way) and scroll down to read all of the symptoms -- it will put your mind at ease!

    Just know that you are not alone in this and that it will get better! And keep us posted! M-

  • blessedmum
    blessedmum spacebar

    Posted

    PS. I was giving your situation some thought and you may just want to start with a therapist? Might be a lot cheaper? Many of them are well versed in treating anxiety and/or depression.  Medication is certainly there if you need it, but I think it best to consider it a last resort. Good luck!
    • spacebar
      spacebar blessedmum

      Posted

      One more thing (sorry I keep asking questions) xD. Could anxiety trigger depression? I looked through the syptoms on anxiety centre. I have like 5/18 of the symptoms for a panic attack. You also said that a panic attack only lasts for 20-30 minutes or maybe up to hours. It's been days since my problem picked up again. I kinda can retate to more of the symptoms of depression like:

      •Losing interest in activities/friends that you usually enjoy

      •Decresed energy, fatigue, feeling "slowed down"

      •Insomnia or oversleeping

      •Low appetite and weight loss

      •Restlessness  and irritabilty

      •"foggy" thinking, clouded brain, forgetfulness, inability to concentrate

      If I had an anxiety attack could that have triggered another wave of depression?

  • blessedmum
    blessedmum spacebar

    Posted

    No problem about the questions...happy to help! Anxiety and depression are so closely related that they really do overlap in many cases.  You can be in a constant state of anxiety 24hrs a day for weeks/months/ even years in some cases (and there are many ways to make sure this doesn't happen so not to worry!) That said though, anxiety can wax and wane throughout a day...or ease for weeks/ months and then return.  Panic attacks are triggered by those anxious states and can occur out of the blue at any time (they can even wake you up!) Not everyone has panic attacks, but I think most people with anxiety do. Depression is a more constant state. The brain and body literally become "depressed". You may not feel it acutely all the time, but clinical depression is considered if you've felt that way more or less for more than 2 months.  So does one cause the other? It certainly can. As I said, it's common to experience both together.  Just think about it, you're anxious something is terribly wrong with you...are you very sick? Dying? Losing your mind? This in turn causes depression and you slowly begin to lose yourself in it and stop enjoying things that you usually would. Along with depression are physical symptoms, which in turn make the anxiety worse, which worsens the depression. It's a viscious cycle, but it can be broken!!  

    The symptoms you saw at the anxiety centre are only a few...scroll to the bottom of that page and you will find about 100 more.  Hopefully if you see your symptoms there, you will relax a bit more! Tough, I know.

    This will get better and there is help for you! Do some soul searching and try to figure out your biggest stressors right now. If you can help to deal with that the anxiety should wane.  If it's Generalized Anxiety Disorder (which I have) you probably worry about everything and this is where therapy and maybe meds can help.  And don't worry about the questions!

    Happy to help! M-

    • spacebar
      spacebar blessedmum

      Posted

      I'm back. Lately I've been feeling better mentally to an extent. I can sorta think straight and my memory is getting somewhat better but Its still not working anywhere near correctly. My physical symptoms however seem to be getting worse. I just feel awful all the time. The muscle spasms, aches, and cramping have gotten worse and I have some scary new symptoms as well like numb and spastic tongue, flashes of light in my vision(Sometimes streaks), jerky eye movements(I have a hard time focusing on objects sometimes), and extreme fatigue (doesn't get better with sleep). I also looked around and talked to people on anxiety forums and I'm not sure if I have anxiety actually. From what I understand about anxiety, It causes dizziness and de-realization because of hyper ventilation. I can tell you with 100% certainty that I don't hyperventilate and the spikes in my symptoms aren't related to my breathing. I also saw that the memory problems are caused by constant worry becoming a distraction from things going on around you. I also don't really relate to this one well either. My mindset and mood haven't changed and yet my memory seemed to improve. I also don't constantly think about my problem. I know its there but I try not to think about it and I do my best to overcome it. I also was thinking about what a psychiatrist would actually do for me. I read around online and people said they would ask about you're childhood and traumatic events in my life. I did have a rough childhood but it's completely unrelated to my symptoms now. Bringing up the passed will probably only make me feel worse (emotionally) and would be wasting my time as well as hers/his. I also don't feel comfortable taking medication. I have had anxiety before and I dealt with it rather well. I had trouble with breathing, panic attacks, and worry that lasted weeks at a time. it's not at all the same now. If I told a psychiatrist passed events, it would be a definite diagnosis for anxiety when really (I feel) thats not the problem.

      I'm sorry if I'm frustrating and seem scattered for changing my mind so rapidly. It's just that the thought of this being permanent and never getting better horrifies me so much. I'm desperate, if I find something that matches my symptoms I jump on it. I'm going to try magnesium supplements which probably won't work but it's worth a shot right?

      There is good news though. I finally got into my medical records. I seem to have tad high level of CO2, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and I had red blood cells in my csf. I'll post the results below.

      Is there anything that you know of that could cause this? Also I'm sorry for asking for help, taking you're advice then changing my mind so quickly :\

      Thanks again

       

    • spacebar
      spacebar

      Posted

      CELL COUNT, CSF - Details

      Component Results

      Component            Standard Range             Your Value

      Color                           Colorless                    Colorless

      Clarity                           Clear                            Clear

      CSF Tube                                                             2

      WBC                              0 - 5 /mcL                       0

      RBC                             Absent /mcL                    11*

      Cells Seen on CSF Scan Differential                 100

      PMNs                                                                    0

      Mononuclear Cells                                                0

      RBC                                                                    100

      COMPLETE BLOOD COUNT W DIFF - Details

      Component Results

      Component                 Standard Range               Your Value

      WBC                              4.5 - 13.0 bil/L                      5.1

      RBC                              3.83 - 5.30 tril/L                   5.10

      Hemoglobin                   11.7 - 15.6 g/dL                  16.0*

      Hematocrit                       34.6 - 45.5 %                   49.6*

      MCV                                 80 - 96 fL                           97*

      MCH                                 27 - 33 pg                          31

      MCHC                              33 - 35 g/dL                       32

      RDW SD                            37 - 47 fL                         48*

      RDW CV                             11 - 14 %                        13

      Platelets                          150 - 450 bil/L                   172

      Neutrophils                       1.8 - 8.0 bil/L                    2.8

      Lymphocytes                    1.2 - 5.2 bil/L                    1.6

      Monocytes                        0.2 - 0.7 bil/L                    0.5

      Eosinophils                       0.1 - 0.4 bil/L                    0.2

      Immature Granulocytes 0.00 - 0.04 bil/L                  0.00

      COMPREHENSIVE METABOLIC PANEL - Details

      Component          Standard Range         Your Value

      Carbon Dioxide (CO2) 21 - 31                        32*

    • blessedmum
      blessedmum spacebar

      Posted

      Hi spacebar!

      I am so very sorry to hear that you are still battling symptoms -- and so new ones,too by the sounds of it.  I'm not a doctor, so looking over your test results was of course most likely of little use. That said, I did notice some red blood cells in your spinal fluid, although I understand that that is usually the result of trauma from the tap itself. Either that, or there is direct bleeding into the spine from another trauma, but I'm sure an MRI would have caught that for certain.  I'm sure that your doctor(s) all went over your test results and if they are not concerned, then please try to put your mind at ease. At least in this area, anyway.  Doctors these days are so paraniod of missing something and being sued that they go overboard to find things wrong and point them out.  If they said there is nothing to worry about with these results, then give yourself permission to believe them.

      As for the other symptoms that you are experiencing...well, as I said, I'm not a doctor and I suppose I'll keep bringing up anxiety simply because that is something with which I am very familiar.  There is no question that ALL of your symptoms -- including the new ones -- are all well known anxiety symptoms and you must also except that anxiety often strikes your body when you are quite sure that you are not even feeling anxious. (Strange, I know.)  You mentioned derealization and dizziness as symptoms? I have suffered with anxiety for years and I've never felt dizzy. I had a sense of derealization only once in all of that, so it really shows up differently for different people. That's the thing -- it's different for everyone.  Now with all of that said, of course I can't know that it's anxiety for sure. But  for what it is worth, that would be my two cents.  

      You're right that a psychiatrist may not work for you, but a therapist may be a good first step.  Simply tell them that you may be dealing with anxiety issues and that you  have health concerns and they'll go from there. You don't need to talk about your past if you don't want to.  

      Well, I'm sorry that this was probably unhelpful and I wish you all the best in getting some answers that make sense. Hang in there! You will get  through this one step at a time!

      M-

    • spacebar
      spacebar blessedmum

      Posted

      There are more results here to: http://i.imgur.com/GuUFH7G.png

      /\ There worth looking at since these are the worst ones.

      You're probably right about the doctors looking over the results. I just figured it might be worth looking over or getting a second opinion. I did notice that my EBV antibody count is very high. Could that mean I'm recovering from a mono infection? I also tested positive for a lymes antibodies. As always, thanks for the reply. It's always appreciated.

       

  • blessedmum
    blessedmum spacebar

    Posted

    You testest postive for Lyme? Oh, well that probably explains everything! Lyme can wreak havoc in all systems of your body (I've had it, one of my children had it, my Dad has had it....etc)  I assume they gave you antibiotics for that?  Make sure you get them if you haven't already.  It's not life-threatening or anything, so don't worry about that, it just messes with you. And if you've had mono, that can do a lot of things, too. It will make you so tired that simply functioning can be tough. Please try not to worry!  wink
    • spacebar
      spacebar blessedmum

      Posted

      They never gave me antibiotics... They actualy told me that I didn't have it. What do I do? Should I look into another doctor?
    • blessedmum
      blessedmum spacebar

      Posted

      I think I'm a bit confused....if you tested positive for lyme antibodies, the you have lyme disease (not as scary as it sounds!)  Your body makes antibodies about 3-6 weeks after the intial infection and even after treatment, these antibodies will still be there (but it doesn't mean that the lyme is still there.)  If however, you tested positive for lyme and still have not received treatment, then you need to get it.  Generally, they will prescribe either doxycycline or amoxicillan for for 14-21 days (I'd push for 21 days.)  In some cases, if they feel it's in your neurological system (and this would show up in CSF by the way) they will administer IV antibiotics, but I don't think you need that. Your PCP should be fine to talk to about this as most docs know the protocol for treating lyme.  Do you remember ever having a circular rash on your body? One that expanded and perhaps looked like a bullseye? Not everyone gets it, but it happens soon after infection.

      Now all of that said, if they said you didn't have it, then your lyme test must have been negative? In which case, don't worry about it! wink  I don't see how they could have missed that...

      Anyway, keep me posted! 

    • blessedmum
      blessedmum spacebar

      Posted

      PS. I just looked at your results and it does look like you tested positive to me.  The docs should have no problem treating you as all you need is antibiotics.  This could truly explain ALL of your symptoms.  My Dad had it for years before they figured it out and he had all sorts of weird things happening!  Are you in a high lyme area?  
    • spacebar
      spacebar blessedmum

      Posted

      I live in Michigan in the UnitedStates. To me lymes would make sense. Last year when I went on vacation in the woods and became ill. Ever since then it seems like I just gradually got worse. I didn't see a bullseye rash anywhere but I could have missed it. The problem started really becoming present at the beginning of this summer. The symptoms also defiantly match (no question about that) so it also confused me when I saw the results for myself. Two tests where positive for the antibodies but the immunoblot test wasn't. 2/3 seems like it could still be likely right?

      I'm in the process of finding a lymes specialist now. Hopefully I can get a second opinion since my PCP is of no use. Does it really seem like I have

      lymes disease? I'm kinda happy now that I have a lead cheesygrin

      Thanks

    • blessedmum
      blessedmum spacebar

      Posted

      Given your test results, I'd say you DEFINITELY have lyme.  How they think you couldn't is beyond me!  (I'm not a doctor, but how else could you positive readings??)  Michigan is a high lyme state, so very likely.  If you do go to your PCP, bring your results and simply say "Look, even if you don't think so, could you please prescribe Doxycycline for 3 weeks?"  It's not like your asking for narcotics, so he/she should agree. Heck, go to a walk in clinic and bring your results!  The sooner you start treatment the better! If you want to go to a specialist, try an Infectious Disease doctor.  If the wait time is very long though, get started on meds first and then check in with them.  I actually developed lyme on vacation and went to a walk in clinic. I had the bullseye rash and they didn't hesitate to give me antibiotics. Some people recommend what you call an LLMD (lyme literate medical doctor) but be cautious with these. These tend to go against CDC recommendations and will put people on meds for many months at a time. 30 days should be the max no matter what! (trust me, I've done a lot of reading on this as I and my daughter had it at the same time.)  Lyme would certainly explain all of your symptoms, no question!  Good luck!
    • spacebar
      spacebar blessedmum

      Posted

      The thing is, the tests that were positive are called ELISA tests. They are know for having false positives. The one that tested negative, the (immunoblot) are used to verify the results of the ELISA tests. I had two ELISA tests come back positive but the immunoblot test came back negative. This is why the doctors told me I didn't have it. There just going by protocol I guess :3. I still defiantly have the symptoms. Thats why I was wondering if I should have another test done or see another doctor. You're probably right about a lymes specialist though. I saw one guy online say he would treat patients with antibiotics for 4 years time and if you had only p41 bands xD. This insanity doesn't make it any easer for me though :\ You said you're dad had the same problem? Do you know how he was tested? Was it hard for his doctors to diagnose him? Thanks again :D

      Oh and one more thing. If I was to be tested with the immunoblot test repeatedly theres a chance for a false positive  aswell. So the test isn't 100% accurate and could be wrong.

    • blessedmum
      blessedmum spacebar

      Posted

      Goodness, they don't make this easy do they? Hmmm....well, I'm not too sure about a negative Western Blot test. I do know it can come back negative if you test to early, but I don't think that fits your case.  Before you test again (that could get expensive?) seriously consider just going to a clinic. Tell them what you told me. That you were out in the woods last summer and got sick (fever, flu like symptoms? Typical for lyme) and that you've been experiencing symptoms ever since.  Explain the test results but tell them that you truly feel it's lyme and that you are getting desperate for treatment. I honestly don't think most doctors would have trouble giving you 21 days of doxy or amoxicillan.  Antibiotics are not to be taken lightly, but in this case, I think they are warranted.  As for my Dad, he had it back in the late 80's/early 90's which is probably why they missed it for so long.  He had a blood test which showed lyme, but I'm not too sure what they used back then.  He was put on doxy for 28days (the protocol back then) and then several months later, had one more course.  He had some lingering post-lyme issues for a while, but they eventually went away. Keep me posted!
    • spacebar
      spacebar blessedmum

      Posted

      Hello! Its me again smile

      I figured that I'd update you on what has happened so far. Since the middle of summer I have had this lump on my neck. It's under my chin and isn't much bigger than a pea. I didn't pay attention to it really since it didn't cause me any pain. None of my doctors saw it eather. I now know that its a lymph node. More have become swollen since I last posted. Now there are two on my neck under my chin and one behind my ear. My other mental/physical symptoms haven't gotten any better either although, last week for about three days I started to feel as if I was recovering. Then it all went down hill and I'm worse then before. Those three days did help me emotionally since now I know its possible for me to recover and feel better. I convinced my mom to take me to another doctor so on January 2nd I'm going to see my old doctor who has known me since birth. I have high hopes that if anyone can find out what is wong with me, it would be him. 

      So yeah, all I know about my condition so far is that I'm not improving. I'm only worsoning. It's also very frustrating to me that people can't see that I'm really sick. My parents are pushing for me to go get a job cause they think it would help me. I don't think they rellize that I'm actualy sick. I don't completely blame them though since I asked a close friend if he noticed me acting deferently and he said "not really". Never the less it's still frustrating. 

      So thats what has been going on smile 

      Hope your doing okay and I'll keep you posted!

    • blessedmum
      blessedmum spacebar

      Posted

      Hi Spacebar! And thanks for the update. First of all, swollen lymph nodes are a classic sign of lyme disease.  Did you have any luck following up on that? It really does account for everything that you are going through -- and clearly they are not "in your head."  Lyme can make you very sick indeed, although it's not generally dangerous.  So sorry you are still struggling...I hope your old doc has some answers! 

      M- wink

    • spacebar
      spacebar blessedmum

      Posted

      I haven't done anything for the lymes disease yet. I'm hoping my doctor will be able to solve this. I just learned that there are lymph nodes down where your legs are. I checked to see if mine are swollen and they are. Alot of them are swollen and I feel silly that I didn't realize it before. It also makes me sorta mad that none on the doctors I went to so far checked any of this. My old doctor used to check for swollen lymph nodes in my neck every time I had a checkup. The only reason we stopped going to him is because our insurance company dropped us and he didn't take our new insurance. My vertigo is back also and so is the headache. :3 I'm loving it! But in all seriousness if my old doctor can't find the problem I'm really skrewed. 

      Thanks for replying cheesygrin

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