Possible underlying condition. Nobody can figure it out! Possible reward. Help.
Posted , 6 users are following.
Hi! I have been chronically ill for about 5 years now. I have seen over a hundred doctors GPs, specialists in my lifetime and nobody can help me.
A bit about me: I'm 21 years old, female, caucasian living in Australia (never been overseas), normal balanced diet, regular exercise, medium amount of stress. No known allergies. Suspected lactose intollerance.
I have been diagnosed with:
- Low vitamin b12 - I get three monthly b12 injections every 6 months.
- Ovarian cysts (haemorragic) - I'm taking LevlenED for this (for 3 years)
- GAD, anxiety & depression - I'm on 15mg Lexapro for this (for 1 year)
- Blastocystis intestinal parasite (successfully treated last year)
- GERD - previously on PPI's and antacids. Stopped treatment a year ago due to b12 deficiency and worries about malabsorption. Symptoms come and go.
So, I'm supposedly being treated for a few things which used to cause me trouble. But I still have a HEAP of symptoms and am chronically ill. I'm curious about underlying conditions that might be causing these: (in order of most troublesome to least)
Fatigue
Anxiety & depression
Frequently ill with infections/cold/virus (one every month or two)
Insomnia, sleep problems & deprivation
Chronic ear crackling noises
Chronic burping (exacerbated by certain foods)
Excessive gas (same as above)
Frequent constipation (even when well hydrated)
Lack of motivation
Difficulty concentrating
Acid reflux (not often)
Gradual weight gain & trouble losing weight
Tingling and burning sensation in finger tips (not often)
Dry, flaky skin
Headaches
The BIGGEST problems for me are chronic fatigue, sleep problems, moderate general anxiety, gaining weight (not caused by medication), chronic infections particularly colds/sinuses, stomach problems and digestion is very poor. I struggle to get up daily, I get sick every few weeks and it takes me ages to recover from it. I can barely exercise anymore. Everything wears me out. I get stressed very easily. I often have digestive problems and find it hard to go to the toilet a lot but I drink 2 L of water a day and eat well with lots of fibre.
I am curious about my current thyroid condition. Is hypothyroidism a potential cause? Also curious about my gallbladder health and digestive system because I worry about not properly absorbing nutrients and the tummy troubles.
Other facts: I am negative for H pylori. 2 years ago upper abdo endoscopy seemed normal and inconclusive. Iron levels and general bloods are all normal. Upper & lower abdo ultrasound all appeared normal for internal organ function. I occasionally take 5mg of amatriptaline for sleep. I have family history of pancreatic cancer, bowel cancer and breast cancer running in the family as well as hemochromotisis and mental illness including depression and scitzophrenia.
As a child I was very healthy and active. Always had a well balanced diet and used to be an elite gymnast. In the past 5 years I have deteriated and I have seen over 40 doctors in the past 3 years and nobody can help me. Not even specialists. Please help.
3 likes, 7 replies
Jaybelle helpevie
Posted
You say you have seen a number of doctors, but that you are in the dark about your thyroid function - hasn't that been looked at? I'd suggest the first two things to look at would be blood levels of vitamin D and your thyroid function, as both of which can cause the symptoms you list. Best of luck.
helpevie Jaybelle
Posted
Yes both were tested. Low vitamin d but only really in winter.
Thyroid was tested and results were normal. But that was over a year ago so I'm wondering if it's worth rechecking.
It's impossible to remember absolutely everything I've been tested for.
ptolemy helpevie
Posted
helpevie ptolemy
Posted
Yes I forgot to include that thyroid and vit D were tested. I'm low in vitamin D but not severely. All thyroid tests were previously normal. The reason I was curious was that they were done over a year ago and I'm wondering if it's worth re-checking.
helpevie
Posted
helpevie
Posted
Vitamin D also tested and was in normal range.
Luk4lotsmore helpevie
Posted
I believe our NHS is going down the sewer now, it left going down the drain years ago