Tired of wondering what is wrong... can anyone help?

[robki]

Until recently I would have described myself as a fit 35 year old female.  For the past four months I have had very strange symptoms which at times can be debilitating.  I currently have no diagnosis and will have my first appointment with a Rheumatologist in two weeks time.  My ANA test was positive, however, it was not extremely high.  The most frustrating symptom at the moment is a ringing in my head that appears to follow a period of arrhythmia.   I often have a mild malar rash at the same time.  Does anyone have any idea what could be causing the ringing in my head?  I have taken my blood pressure and this does not appear to be high.
My other symptoms seem to change on a daily basis.  I have a goitre that becomes obviously swollen when I am feeling unwell; however, my thyroid function tests (TSH, t3 & t4) were normal. I also often feel dizzy.  At times I also experience fatigue, aches in left arm and fingers, tremors, tension, noisy and irritable bowel, and often have sore swollen glands under my armpits.  Any suggestions for answers to what could be causing my symptoms would be most helpful, especially to explain the ringing in my head.
Thanks for reading my post.

[nutrinut_bob]

The ringing in my ears started shortly after I was given a typhoid vaccination in 1968.  That and a lot of other health problems.  In researching things, it is my belief that I contracted a mycoplasma infection from that vaccination, and I've been carrying it for 43 years.  Any vaccine where the bacteria are grown on fertilized eggs could carry avian mycoplasmas because the method of killing the bacteria used to make the vaccine was changed in the 1940s, least here in the US.

There is also a rash which sometimes comes along with mycoplasma infection.  Mycoplasmas travel mainly through the lymphatic system, which could explain your swollen glands, went through all that long ago.  While you're there at your keyboard, do some of your own searching on the subject.  Contrary to what some might think, Ewford doesn't live in a delusional world where everything is mycoplasma related, in a lot of cases, he's right.  Pasteur had a contemporary who postulated that they were the real cause of many diseases, and ultimately of death.  On his deathbed, Pasteur admitted the contemporary was right.

[robki]

Hi,

Thanks for your feedback and suggestions. Apparently Lymes disease is very rare in New Zealand and therefore I have not as yet been tested for it.  I will definitely ask to have my thyroid antibodies tested. I will post again when I have more answers.

Thanks.

[ewford]

That test you took that came back negative misses 90% of actual pos cultures.  Good chance you actually HAVE Lymes and all your issues are related to it not being treated properly.

[KellyMGo]

I'm glad you posted your question in this (autoimmune) forum.  While I'm certainly not an expert regarding AI disorders, I've had my fair share of them myself, including thyroid problems (hyper, with Grave's Disease), as well as Vitiligo,and Rheumatic Fever.  While my hyperthyroidism is currently resolved, for years I had problems with it, namely the fatigue.  What I did realize was that my tested levels for TSH, etc., could be up one week down the next, etc.  I would recommend having them regularly tested through an endocrinologist, with follow up blood work through your PCP. If you've had a baby within the last 5 years or so, that could also explain it.  

Blood pressure does not affect most AI diseases, or any that I can think of at the moment.

It sounds like you have Tinnitus, the feeling of ringing in your head that you describe, which is often caused by ringing in your ear.  Here's more info: http://www.medicinenet.com/tinnitus/article.htm#2whatcauses

Can't say much about the Lyme Disease.  I also thought I had it once, as I had the bull's eye rash where I thought a spider bit me.  My Lyme Titre (that's the test's name), came back negative. If you want that test, ask for it by name.

The Malar rash could be nothing, or it could be a sign of Lupus, which would raise your ANA levels.  It might also mean Pellagra, Dermatomyositis and Bloom Syndrome...Or again, nothing at all.  I don't know anything about the last three diseases, but here's a Wiki link that you can use to research them:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malar_rash

You also wrote, " At times I also experience fatigue, aches in left arm and fingers, tremors, tension, noisy and irritable bowel, and often have sore swollen glands under my armpits."

Most AI disorders affect both sides of the body symmetrically.  The aches in left arm and fingers need to be looked into.  I'd use your Rheumatologist for that.  The tremors, tension and bowel problems could be a result of a thryoid disorder, if you end up being hyperthyroid. I can't explain the swollen glands under your armpits.  I think a basic CBC through your PCP could rule that out, and he or she could order an ultrasound for that.

I hope I've helped.  You did come to the right place.  AI disorders affect mostly women, and they tend to arrive between 20-40 years old.  Good luck.  If you need any more help, feel free to comment back or send me a message.  

[ewford]

A number of people with Lymes (positive cultures) have had to have thyroid removed or thyroid cancer.  You need to get checked for Lymes because it causes inflamation as well.  As stated, what are any other symptoms?

[thyroidian]

Hi
Please will you get FreeT3, and FreeT4, along with getting thyroid antibodies checked, as this could be thyroid auto-immune. You may have thyroid antibodies. Which cause inflammation and the thyroid gland swells and causes the goitre.

But with auto-immune thyroid like hashimotos, it can also cause other problems like you are experiencing.

Good Luck
Nicola

[ewford]

  Lyme disease and co-infections.  Possibly an Infectious mycoplasma as well.  The testing that shows normal range verifies that it ismore than likely is Lyme though.  Post this on the Lyme page.  Research www.immed.org for Autoimmune illnesses.  Also research www.ILADS.org for a Lyme doctor near you.  It is IMPERATIVE you seek help immediately.  No standard doctor is going to figure this out and you will get missdiagnosed. EVERY symptom you have alltogether is Lymes.  This bacteria dissables your immune system and leads to very serious complications if not treated properly.  Coinfections can be Bartonella, Babesia, Ehrlichia, Mycoplasma Fermentans-Incognitus, Mycoplasma genitaliam.