Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Almost a year of mysterious symptoms... please help!

I'm about to turn 22, and my problems started right after I turned 21. Started with some spells of fatigue and nausea, then in April I came down with some kind of viral infection... might have been coxsackie because I had a lot of chest/rib inflammation but I never figured out what it was. Recovered and felt pretty good for two weeks, then in the middle of May I started getting the dizzy/fatigued/nauseous spells telling me I was getting sick again, and then I got what I thought was a stomach virus but it never fully went away. For a while I was waking up every morning and vomiting like a pregnant woman, and I could barely eat anything. But I did have good days where I felt pretty good. The symptoms were really off and on. I was also constantly lightheaded/dizzy, and had some weird symptoms like hair loss and slight weakness in the left side of my body. I also had a lot of gas and bloating and would belch all the time. I had heart palpitations and anxiety, and headaches a few times a month. Finally, I started noticing that I had to eat at least every two hours or I would get really lightheaded, and because I was nauseous a lot I had to force myself to eat.
So that's how I felt from May to September with gradual improvement. In October, November, and December I felt better but hit a plateau. The main symptoms that lingered were the off and on lightheadedness, needing to eat frequently, on and off nausea, and gas pains. Then in January I started getting slightly worse... more stomach issues than I'd had in the last couple months, more lightheaded feelings, couldn't go as long without eating, etc. February has been horrible. Fatigue, nausea, feeling like my blood sugar is crashing even though it's normal, headaches, lightheaded, and more.

I have been tested for HIV, hepatitis C, had a CBC with differential, complete chemical profile, lyme disease test, gluten intolerance test, thyroid (was borderline hyperthyroid but had no antibodies), ANA antibodies, and more. Does anyone have any other ideas?
54 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
try ivermectin . i read your all posts.same case similar to me.no joint pain.
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
did you have some sort of worm?
Avatar universal
You don't mention your diet or supplements.  Eating cabbage, parsley and celery can help stomach issues greatly.  Also eating processed foods is not good for you.  We don't know what chemicals are added to our food that comes frozen in little boxes.   Taking a teaspoon of baking soda and a teaspoon of REAL 100% MAPLE SYRUP in an 8 oz. glass of water can also help your stomach and other problems. - I just started taking the maple syrup and didn't have stomach pain last night!!!
Helpful - 0
4851940 tn?1515694593
Hi Lindsay,
Hope you get on alright.
That is a good idea and well done for keeping a diary.  This will give a good picture to your doctor (and to yourself) how you are getting on and will help the doctor to hopefully get to the route of your problems.

Great to hear that you will make an effort to get some walks, but don't just think about it - DO IT.  Get into a routine.  It will also help clear your mind and you will feel better for being out.  Being stuck at the computer for your studies will make you feel sleepy and sluggish if you sit at it for too long, so have a break from it say every hour or so even if it's just for 10 minutes.

You don't need to have equipment to exercise.  Walking is great, you may meet people in the street and be able to have a chat.  Swimming is another good form of exercise (if you can swim).  Any form of exercise is good as long as you enjoy what you do.  Some people join Zumba classes, so whatever your preference - doing something is better than nothing at all.

I don't know what an elliptical machine is, probably have seen one when my daughter had all sorts of equipment.

Best wishes, hope you get on alright.

Let me know how you get on.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks! I think one thing I need to do is exercise. I am going to order an elliptical machine as soon as I get some money, and in the meantime I will try to take walks.
I don't work but it's not because I don't want to! I do go to school, but I only have class once a week and everything else is online.
I am going to the doctor on Wednesday, I tried to write up a little diary of my symptoms for the past week so hopefully that will help!
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
Lindsay, did you ever find a cause of your symptoms?
4851940 tn?1515694593
HAPPY BIRTHDAY for yesterday.  Let's hope this year will get better for you.

Keep the food and drink diary.  As you have noticed you are worse today, but had some wine yesterday, as long as all the other foods you ate were not different from usual, then the wine was one element that may have made you feel ill.  

If you have a drink again and have the same symptoms then you will know that you cannot drink wine.  Same for any other food or drink.

My pattern of sleep is as bad as yours.  And when I get up I feel dreadful and very stiff.

We must try and get into a good routine.
But no matter how you feel try and get out for a short walk every day and gradually build it up.  Or join a group or club that share your interests, e.g. camera club.  

With you staying in bed until 3pm, I presume you do not work.
If that is the case, you have no purpose to have a good routine for and it appears that you are now suffering with depression.  
Depression exacerbates (makes worse) any physical problems you have, as well as manifesting new symptoms.

Having any type of medical condition that is chronic (long lasting), can  lead to depression.

It would be a good idea to go back to your doctor.  So as you do not forget anything to tell him, write it down on a piece of paper, which you can hand to the doctor.  I did that last week because I have a habbit of forgetting things, he just told me to read from the list.  Also take your food diary as that will help your doctor find a pattern in relation to your gastric problems.

Best wishes

Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I sleep well, just not normal hours! It's usually about 5AM to 2 or 3PM these days...
I've been feeling pretty bad today. Yesterday was better, which I'm thankful for because it was my birthday. I'm not sure if it's because I drank a couple glasses of wine last night or what, I drank them with food and water so I wouldn't think they would affect me that bad.
Helpful - 0
4851940 tn?1515694593
Thanks for letting me know what GI means.

As you have established that when you stopped digesting gluten foods that you felt better, it seems that your are gluten intolerant.

The other reason for the symptoms you describe can also be due to having lack of sleep.    

If I remember rightly without having to read all the thread, your blood pressure was ruled out for feelings of lightheadedness, and your diabetic blood glucose test was negative so that will rule out diabetes.

You did mention earlier that you (like myself) go to bed late and do not sleep well.  Lack of sleep as well as dehydration, UTI, hypoglocemia  can cause lack of concentration, lighheadedness, jittery and having trouble focusing your eyes (I am having that problem now due to lack of sleep, I think I had only 2 hours sleep so far).

Take care,  best wishes
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Today I feel faint, lightheaded, jittery, even having trouble focusing my eyes. I wonder if it has anything to do with eating gluten again... I stopped for a while and seemed to feel a little better.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
GI = gastrointestinal
Helpful - 0
4851940 tn?1515694593
Thank you lindsay.

What is GI?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I'm not really sure. It doesn't feel like any kind of viral/bacterial illness, I just feel bad all over. It's mostly been the GI symptoms, but even now that they're calming down I feel a little weak and lightheaded. I'm not sure if my GI symptoms are just affecting other parts of my body or what.
I'm not sure how many antibiotics I have left... only a few days, I think.
I hope you feel better too!
Helpful - 0
4851940 tn?1515694593
Sorry to hear that.
Do you think it is connected to your digestive tract, or have you picked up a virus or bacterial infection elsewhere (throat)?

Are you resting and eating properly and keeping a diary of what you consume and how you feel?  So that you can build a picture of why you feel so horrible.

I feel horrible too, I just can't sleep even though I feel absolutely exhausted.  I have a viral cold and my nose is so congested with a nasty cough.  I shall go back to bed in a mo to see if I can drop off.

How many more antibiotics have you left to take?

Hope you are better soon

Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I was tested for H pylori in July, it was negative.
The finger is doing better. Other than that I feel absolutely horrible right now.
Helpful - 0
4851940 tn?1515694593
Sorry to hear you have had a bad day.
Have you been tested for Helibactor Pilori?

As you are on antibiotics, the flora in your body will not be right and the thrush bugs (Candida Albicans) that live on our body multiply when the immune system is low or when you take antibiotics.

It is a good idea to consume the live yogurt (I read that you need to consume 8oz a day for any benefit).  The other option is to buy the L.Casei capsules to ensure that the Candida Albicans is kept under control.
I am considering buying some of the capsules because I have skin problems and now thrush in my mouth.  I finished a course of antibiotics for a UTI a few days ago.   I have read that Candida overgrowth can cause havoc with our bodies, not just in our mouth or down below areas.

How the infection on your finger getting on, is it healing?

Bes wishes
Helpful - 0
4851940 tn?1515694593
Sorry to hear all about your illnesses.
As all the problems seem to have started from the time when you went swimming in the stagnant water, has anyone checked you out for protazoa or omeba bugs?

Also have you had an biopsy of your stomach for Helibactor Pilori?



Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
aktran09, sorry, I have no idea, it might help to start a different thread.

Today has been pretty bad. Woke up feeling sluggish and kinda lightheaded, ate and didn't feel much better, took my antibiotic and  my stomach started hurting (not sure if due to antibiotic or not). I didn't eat for about an hour after that and felt like I was going to faint. I forced myself to eat a little and felt slightly better but my stomach was upset and I still felt a little lightheaded. A little later I couldn't tell if I was hungry or if my stomach was still hurting. I ate some yogurt and am now feeling a bit better but the hunger feeling is starting to come back. It definitely seems like gastritis but antacids aren't helping.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi Lindsay

I hope you are feeling better.  I'm in the same shoe.  I didnt want to start a new thread since I'm having mysterious symptoms also.  I also posted in the Hep B forum.

My symptoms started way back in December 2011.  I was working nights and for that stretch of 7 nights, I started having bad heart burn.  I thought it was due to me eating out and the nights causing the gastritis.  I took nexium for several days and eventually it went away.  Well, I felt like I swallowed something and it just pushed on my esophagus and then it went away.

Early June 2012, I traveled to Atlanta to visit my uncle.  He lives on a farm and I was there for several hours with my family.  we came back to california and I remember swimming in a public pool for about 2 weeks.  The pool was stagnant and dirty with fallen leaves.  Several days after, my right ear started to itch.  Then on June 15, I woke up with a right sided throat lump sensation.  The nextday I went to work, I felt nauseous, dizzy and had a fever.  I thought i came down with the stomach flu.  The following week, I went to the doctor and was told I had pharyngitis and was given levaquin.  It didn't help.  I had persistent lumpy throat sensation.  I went to ENT and was told the same thing.  Was then started on augmentin.  No help.  For the next 2 weeks, I was constantly producing mucus but it was clear white and had no odor.  No cough.  By July, while I was in the Bay Area, I had an attack where I suddenly felt dizzy.  Severe short of breath and tingling/numbness to both of my hands.  I was brought into ER for evaluation.  (Now I'm 32 y.o and has been relatively healthy.  I do have chronic hep B not yet treated)  In the ER, blood work, CXR and EKG are negative.  I was referred back to ENT and GI.  ENT again said I had inflamed throat.  GI decided to perform endoscopy which showed mild gastritis but nothing abnormal.  I came back to GI after the endoscopy because by this time, my symptoms have migrated to the chest.  

September: I got the flu shot on the left deltoid and 1 week later, developed lymph node swelling on my neck.  I was working and then developed palpitations, shortness of breath, and dizziness.  I felt like there was a poking sensation inside my left chest and neck.  I was an augmentin thinking I had an infection from the flu shot.  CT scan of the neck and chest were both negative.  My white blood cell was a little low but blood culture was negative.  

By October, I didn't feel better.  I came back to GI and wanted to ask about my symptoms now going down to the esophagus and I was having pain near the junction of the stomach and lung.  an ultrasound was normal for any diseases.  I also asked about workup for hepatitis B.  My liver enzymes were ALT 80s and AST 50s.  Liver biopsy showed stage 1 fibrosis and viral load 900k.  I also went back to ENT who then decided to look at my right ear and diagnosed me with cholesteatoma after a CT scan.  

Early October, I had the surgery for the cholesteatoma.  After surgery, I felt somewhat better.  1 week after, I felt worse.  All of a sudden, I felt dizzy, facial flushing, chills and GI issues.  Throughout the whole time since June, my bowel has changed.  It's not diarrhea.  But when the stool comes out, it has lots of bubbles and would just disintegrate.

By November, I was referred to a GI in sacramento for hep B treatement and told him of my symptoms.  He went ahead and ordered Celiac disease, thyroid, h pylori and C diff.  All negative.  

By December, I started having right sided abdominal pain to the right of the belly button.  Itfelt like a sausage mass but very mobile.  My urine also started to become bubbly.

By January 2013, I went to my primary doctor and told him of the mass.  He felt it and ordered a CT abd/pelvis with contrast - no abnormalities.  This was also the time I started tenofovir for my hep B.  3 weeks into treatment, I started having right armpit lymph node swelling.  By late january, I started having crawling sensation down my urethra and burning urination.  STD panel negative except for Herpes 1.  I had no oral ulcers.  I came back to my doctor and he gave me zithromax 1gm, tinidazole 2gm, fluconazole 150mg, acyclovir 400mg X5 days, and doxycycline.  My symptoms did not improve.

Early Feb: I went for colonoscopy.  By this time, I had lost weight.  From 140 to 129.  Colonoscopy with biopsy came back normal.  I am still having persistent symptoms.  

Now: single urethral ulcer with no discharge, no skin rashes, no other genital ulcers.  Pelvic pain with radiation to medial aspect of right thigh.  Right abdominal pain.  Intermittent shortness of breath.  Feeling dizzy after eating.  Sour tastes from stomach.  Tongue is white coated but no thrush.  Urine is dark yellow with sediments but urine dipstick is negative for proteins, infections.  I reviewed CT scan of abd/pelvis in january with radiologist - no fistula suggsted.  normal CT scan.  I'm struggling daily trying to figure this thing out.  

I struggle to eat because i get nauseous no matter what.  Constant sour taste in mouth with clear mucus from stomach.  It feels like there's pressure on the right side of the esophagus at the junction of the stomach.  When it swells up, it causes worsening reflux, shortness of breath, headache, and right armpit lymph node to swell.  But then it would subside within hours.  Right abdominal pain that shoots down to groin.  urine that foams.  Weight loss.

I've tested for autoimmune disease with ANA, ESR and CRP - all negative.  I'm still waiting for cocci titers since I live in san joaquin valley.

I know this is long.  Any thoughts as to how I should proceed?
Helpful - 0
4851940 tn?1515694593
It had crossed my mind whether it was one of those boil things that may need lancing.  

Now that you have had it lanced and the pus drained, the finger should start to heal quicker.

It if starts to fill up again, you will have to have it drained again.

It will not heal until all the rubbish has drained out.

Did you pull a back friend (a piece of skin near the nail), as sometimes that can get infected.  Or do you remember getting a splinter in your finger?

This is the body's way to get rid of the rubbish.

Years ago I had a cactus needle go into one of my fingers.  The doc could not get it out.  It didn't pus for it to get it squeezed out and instead my skin grew over it.  I have a small lump on the top of my second finger which hurts from time to time.  The cactus needle is too imbedded and has been in there for years.  It will be with me until for ever.

Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
They drained my finger a little yesterday and it's looking better. I've been feeling a lot better today. Not sure if that's got anything to do with it or not...
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks for the info! I didn't think I had lyme because I was feeling gradually better for a while, and my symptoms aren't the common lyme symptoms (like I don't think the stomach issues and need to eat frequently could be lyme related). I don't remember any tick bites but I did live in an apartment where a lot of bugs got inside and there were deer right outside the door sometimes.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I normally don't post in general health, I came here by accident when I saw your threads.

I see that you are from West Virginia. Have you ever came in contact with tick directly or indirectly? I see you have been tested for lyme diseasae, and I'll assume it was considered negative. You need to keep in mind it may be  false negative.

There is controversial issues involving the Lyme disease diagnosis and testing protocols. Why don't you drop by Lyme disease community, and sharing your story, and see what others think.

By the way I have been diagnosed with Lyme disease by neurologist after a long battery of tests and visits to varioius specialists (rheumatologist, hematologist, endocrinologist, etc..), including negative lyme tests for a long time before antibodies started to lit up on it.

Likewise, many Lyme disease community members had to see so many specialists pursuing various possibilities to find the answers.

I had many same symptoms as you describes here for a long time with no significant relief. I even tried diet route, and so on. I have been diagnosed with hypothyroidism, rheumatoid arthritis, and the list goes on before lyme antibodies starts to show up.  Many of those conditions actually improves when I underwent Lyme disease treatment.

In only few illness you would feel worse with antibiotics, one of such illness is Lyme disease and it is perfectly normal. It happens to me, and over the time, I would start to improves as these"side effect" lessen.  

Your reaction to antibiotics tells me you are dealing with some kind of spirochete or bacteria infection whose die off results in such symptoms including fever if not allergic reaction. Look up Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction.  I am too ill to explain it in depth, but there are members of lyme disease community who can elaborate on it.  

Once again, based on your onset of illness, symptoms and reaction to antibiotics, to me it sound too lyme-like (although I could be wrong), so I am strongly encourage you to drop by Lyme disease community for insight--you have nothing to lose but potential lot to gain.

P.S. FYI -The kind of infection like your fingertip infection can occurs with Lyme disease because immune system is in tiolet, making a person vunerable to anything she/he come in contact with. I had skin staph infection from time to time.
Helpful - 0
4851940 tn?1515694593
You sound just like me regarding the sleeping.  I usually feel better in the evenings too.  It's like a viscious cycle, I'm trying to get a routine of early to bed, early to rise, but I struggling with that.  I was up most of the night with sore sinus and drank Lemsip for relief, ended up geting up out of bed at 3 this afternoon.

Keep the finger dry and clean (easier said than done when it's on our hands).  

Any chance of you seeing the medics regarding the antibiotic making you feeling sick?  Some people have allergic reactions to some antibiotics.  The feeling of sickness may not be related to the antibiotic, but if you started to feel more sick after taking the antibiotic, then it sounds that this particular antibiotic does not suit you.  It is difficult if you have to pay for medical attention and for prescriptions.  You could ride it out so to speak, but it is early days since you started the antibiotic to have killed off the infection yet.

I know I said ealier to keep your finger dry and clean, but a good home remedy is to bathe it in cooled boiled water with salt added.  Brine does have healing properties.  You could try to soak your finger in a solution of this and then tap it genty dry.  Is there any puss oozing out of the infection or is it very red and swollen with no open wounds?

If there are no open wounds, a drawing ointment that can be purshased from the chemist can be applied with care following the directions on the container.  Just been looking for my drawing ointment to let you know what it's called, but can't find or remember the name of it at the mo.  (I think it's called magnesium sulphate, but not 100% sure as I am suffering from mental blocks).  The pharmasist will know though.  You will have to ask for it, as it probably will not be displayed on the shelves (not in the UK anyway).

Best of luck, wishing you a speedy recovery.



Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks, I really do need to try to go to bed earlier and get up earlier... the bad thing is I usually feel better at night so I stay up late! My sleep pattern is pretty regular, it's just not at the right hours.
I think thyroid problems have been pretty much ruled out so I'm not sure why I was borderline hyperthyroid for a while. The levels are more normal now though. My finger isn't looking much better today and the antibiotics seem to be making me sick but I guess I have to finish them.
Helpful - 0
4851940 tn?1515694593
LOL about you sleeping into the afternoon.
If you go to seelp in the early hours of the morning then yes you will be sleeping into the afternoon.

Trouble is, if you need to be somewhere for an appointment mid morning say, you haven't had the sleep your body needs, so you will be falling asleep later in the afternoon, then you won't feel ready to sleep until the early hours of the morning.  You need to have a regular pattern of sleep and not sleep during the day.  I do not have good sleep hygiene, but am endeavouring to get into a routine of going to bed ealier and not sleeping in the day.

I have read the responses with suggestions regarding thyroid problems.
I do know that if the thyroid is underactive, this will slow down the metabolism.  People with an underactive thyroid will feel the cold (even when it is hot) and will gain weight or have difficulty losing weight even when being on a strict calorie controlled diet.  

With an overactive thyroid, the metabolism is going at a fast pace and people are using running around and are active and losing weight and will fell tired.

Let me know how you get on with your infected finger and with your food diary.

Bes wishes
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the General Health Community

Top General Health Answerers
363281 tn?1643235611
Nelson, New Zealand
1756321 tn?1547095325
Queensland, Australia
19694731 tn?1482849837
AL
80052 tn?1550343332
way off the beaten track!, BC
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Discharge often isn't normal, and could mean an infection or an STD.
In this unique and fascinating report from Missouri Medicine, world-renowned expert Dr. Raymond Moody examines what really happens when we almost die.
Think a loved one may be experiencing hearing loss? Here are five warning signs to watch for.
When it comes to your health, timing is everything
We’ve got a crash course on metabolism basics.
Learn what you can do to avoid ski injury and other common winter sports injury.