Aa
A case for House
Hello, I am a 41 year old male that was in good health prior to March 2008. The only medical issues beforehand was high cholesterol which I was taking 20mg of Lipitor for. To give some structure to this post I have broken it into symptoms, actions taken, medications and other treatments under taken.
Symptoms:
1. Facial numbness – started March 2008 at the top of the head on the right hand side and then spread to the left hand side. Felt like I had shots of Novocain. My skin at that time (and to this day) is sometimes sensitive when hair brushed or moved in certain directions. During March/April the numbness proceeded down the right side of my face to my chin. Then the numbness proceeded down the left side of my face to my chin. In August the numbness proceeded to the lips, gums and throughout the mouth. It is now at the stage where I am frequently unable to feel food on my lips and in my mouth (especially with small pieces). This causes me to bite my lips and cheeks. Additionally, food falls out of mouth when chewing which is rather embarrassing.
2. My scalp itches really bad at times. This started from the beginning (March 2008). Water on my face has the effect of causing itching around my eyebrows.
3. October 2008: Episodes of Raynaud’s Syndrome came on strong with severe discoloration of the hands and feet. The tips of my fingers appeared at times to be completely white as if no blood was flowing through them. At other times, my left thump had a tingle in it that is similar to that felt when the nail is cut too short exposing flesh that would normally be covered by nail.
4. From November 2008 I developed severe fatigue with aches in my right leg in particular.
5. From October 2008 the vision in my left eye became blurry. It proceeded to get much worse and now I can’t read anything using only my left eye.
6. From December 2008, I have had trouble eating with fits of coughing when I first start to eat. This has led to weight loss of around 20 lbs from a healthy 175 pounds to a skinny 155. Additionally I recently developed a runny nose while I am eating and hot flashes after eating. Lastly itching on skin over the left pectoral muscle.
Actions taken:
1. I went to see a Neurologist and Rheumatologist in March 2008 and had a battery of tests done including MRI’s and Cat Scans of the head and trigeminal nerves. Thankfully the MRI’s and cat scans came back normal. Initially the Neurologist said it was a rhuematological issue and the Rheumatologist said it was a neurology issue. The final diagnosis is Mixed Connective Tissue, but that is a broad category and tests have not narrowed it down. The blood work from April/June and November showed up the following similar results across the 3 testing dates:
1. ANACHOICE SCR, W/REFL IPA ANACHOICE SCREEN: POSITIVE
2. SM/RNP AB: >8.0 POSITIVE
3. SJOGRENS’S AB (SS-B): <1.0 NEGATIVE
4. SCL-70 AB, EIA: <1.0 NEGATIVE
5. ANA TITER AND PATTERN – ANTI-NUCLEAR AB TITER ANA PATTERN; 1:1280 SPECKLED
6. RHUEMATOID FACTOR: 248 H
7. CCP IGG: <20 NEGATIVE
8. C-REACTIVE PROTEIN: 0.1
9. WBC: 4.0
10. TSH: 5.57
11. LYME ANTIBODY: <0.9
Medications:
1. Shots of Cortisone in March/April 2008 – no effect or improvement.
2. April - Course of Prednisone - no effect or improvement. After this it was decided to take a wait and see approach to see if it got better or worse.
3. December 2008 – another course of Prednisone (20mg per day in the morning) – this eased the fatigue and had a positive affect for about a month on the Raynaud’s. The pains in my right leg disappeared and a lesser pain surfaced in my lower left leg again about one month. I have been advised that the next course of medication would be methotrexate, an antimetabolite/immune suppressant.
Other treatments undertaken:
1. Energy healer/Acupuncturist April 2008 until June 2008
2. Total body detox including going off Lipitor from April until November.
3. Chiropractor from June 2008 until July 2008 – made some neck adjustments although nothing new to add overall.
4. Neurology Chiropractor September 2008 – nothing new to add.
5. Reflexologist – December 2008.
The question I have is does anyone know what I have and how I can cure it. Thanks for your help.
Symptoms:
1. Facial numbness – started March 2008 at the top of the head on the right hand side and then spread to the left hand side. Felt like I had shots of Novocain. My skin at that time (and to this day) is sometimes sensitive when hair brushed or moved in certain directions. During March/April the numbness proceeded down the right side of my face to my chin. Then the numbness proceeded down the left side of my face to my chin. In August the numbness proceeded to the lips, gums and throughout the mouth. It is now at the stage where I am frequently unable to feel food on my lips and in my mouth (especially with small pieces). This causes me to bite my lips and cheeks. Additionally, food falls out of mouth when chewing which is rather embarrassing.
2. My scalp itches really bad at times. This started from the beginning (March 2008). Water on my face has the effect of causing itching around my eyebrows.
3. October 2008: Episodes of Raynaud’s Syndrome came on strong with severe discoloration of the hands and feet. The tips of my fingers appeared at times to be completely white as if no blood was flowing through them. At other times, my left thump had a tingle in it that is similar to that felt when the nail is cut too short exposing flesh that would normally be covered by nail.
4. From November 2008 I developed severe fatigue with aches in my right leg in particular.
5. From October 2008 the vision in my left eye became blurry. It proceeded to get much worse and now I can’t read anything using only my left eye.
6. From December 2008, I have had trouble eating with fits of coughing when I first start to eat. This has led to weight loss of around 20 lbs from a healthy 175 pounds to a skinny 155. Additionally I recently developed a runny nose while I am eating and hot flashes after eating. Lastly itching on skin over the left pectoral muscle.
Actions taken:
1. I went to see a Neurologist and Rheumatologist in March 2008 and had a battery of tests done including MRI’s and Cat Scans of the head and trigeminal nerves. Thankfully the MRI’s and cat scans came back normal. Initially the Neurologist said it was a rhuematological issue and the Rheumatologist said it was a neurology issue. The final diagnosis is Mixed Connective Tissue, but that is a broad category and tests have not narrowed it down. The blood work from April/June and November showed up the following similar results across the 3 testing dates:
1. ANACHOICE SCR, W/REFL IPA ANACHOICE SCREEN: POSITIVE
2. SM/RNP AB: >8.0 POSITIVE
3. SJOGRENS’S AB (SS-B): <1.0 NEGATIVE
4. SCL-70 AB, EIA: <1.0 NEGATIVE
5. ANA TITER AND PATTERN – ANTI-NUCLEAR AB TITER ANA PATTERN; 1:1280 SPECKLED
6. RHUEMATOID FACTOR: 248 H
7. CCP IGG: <20 NEGATIVE
8. C-REACTIVE PROTEIN: 0.1
9. WBC: 4.0
10. TSH: 5.57
11. LYME ANTIBODY: <0.9
Medications:
1. Shots of Cortisone in March/April 2008 – no effect or improvement.
2. April - Course of Prednisone - no effect or improvement. After this it was decided to take a wait and see approach to see if it got better or worse.
3. December 2008 – another course of Prednisone (20mg per day in the morning) – this eased the fatigue and had a positive affect for about a month on the Raynaud’s. The pains in my right leg disappeared and a lesser pain surfaced in my lower left leg again about one month. I have been advised that the next course of medication would be methotrexate, an antimetabolite/immune suppressant.
Other treatments undertaken:
1. Energy healer/Acupuncturist April 2008 until June 2008
2. Total body detox including going off Lipitor from April until November.
3. Chiropractor from June 2008 until July 2008 – made some neck adjustments although nothing new to add overall.
4. Neurology Chiropractor September 2008 – nothing new to add.
5. Reflexologist – December 2008.
The question I have is does anyone know what I have and how I can cure it. Thanks for your help.
I am so sorry for all of your symptoms. I too suffer right now from mysterious itching. I also have Raynauds syndrome, and Thyroid disease. I also may have sclerederma. Anyway - its awful to have these feelings day in and day out. Right now my itching is so bad I think I need to try a body detox. Did that do anything for you?
Thanks for your comments/questions. I live in Bermuda - one of if not the cleanest/healthiest islands. The old people here appear to be real healthy - they zi round in thir 80's and 90's and appear to be as sharp as a tack.
I drink bottled and/or filtered water. The majority of the water here is fresh rain water. Friends of mine here hve drunk it for years without any apparent side effects.
I don't garden or spend much time laying on the ground. I have not been bitten by any insect (at least that I am aware of). I have not had any reactions (swelling etc) from any bites anyway. Given the small size of the island (22 sq miles) there is usually always some wind so there are relatively few insects - not many mosquitos.
I have had a spinal tab and a series of tests done on the spinal fluids and they are all negative. As such, I think the neurological avenue is now exhausted.
I am really confused at this stage. I have never been sick before. Any additional help/comments would be appreciated. Thanks.
I drink bottled and/or filtered water. The majority of the water here is fresh rain water. Friends of mine here hve drunk it for years without any apparent side effects.
I don't garden or spend much time laying on the ground. I have not been bitten by any insect (at least that I am aware of). I have not had any reactions (swelling etc) from any bites anyway. Given the small size of the island (22 sq miles) there is usually always some wind so there are relatively few insects - not many mosquitos.
I have had a spinal tab and a series of tests done on the spinal fluids and they are all negative. As such, I think the neurological avenue is now exhausted.
I am really confused at this stage. I have never been sick before. Any additional help/comments would be appreciated. Thanks.
Move.
Your Environment is complicating a diagnosis.
Do you know whats in the water?
Have you been bitten while gardening?
Plus Dentist did damage. He cut a nerve. Ergo the eating difficulties.
If Prednisone didn't work, then you don't have RA.
I am trying to find a cure for Raynauds. As I have it realllllll bad also. I have narrowed the cause down to something blocking our circulation or Hormone Inbalance.
Your Environment is complicating a diagnosis.
Do you know whats in the water?
Have you been bitten while gardening?
Plus Dentist did damage. He cut a nerve. Ergo the eating difficulties.
If Prednisone didn't work, then you don't have RA.
I am trying to find a cure for Raynauds. As I have it realllllll bad also. I have narrowed the cause down to something blocking our circulation or Hormone Inbalance.
Hi all, thanks for your feedback/posts to date. I will answer the questions raised:
I moved to a small island in the North Caibbean about 2 years ago where the air is frest and air pollution is almost non existant. I live in a new construction building with tile floors. I have a few rugs that brought from NY. I brought all my bedding from NY too.
I did have some dental work done arund the time the numbness started. The dentist fitted me for a mouth guard because he suspected I grind my teeth at night. I suspect that may have TMJ too. Could that be a suspect? I have sensitive teeth eventough the gums feel numb - another contradiction which puzzles me.
Soldy, is there a specific test for GMO related allergies?
Cherie & Diane, I noted your comments on the autoimmune specialist? I see a Rhuematologist and Neurologist right now. I googled autoimmune specialist and there does not appear to be "autoimmune specialist". Did I miss something?
I moved to a small island in the North Caibbean about 2 years ago where the air is frest and air pollution is almost non existant. I live in a new construction building with tile floors. I have a few rugs that brought from NY. I brought all my bedding from NY too.
I did have some dental work done arund the time the numbness started. The dentist fitted me for a mouth guard because he suspected I grind my teeth at night. I suspect that may have TMJ too. Could that be a suspect? I have sensitive teeth eventough the gums feel numb - another contradiction which puzzles me.
Soldy, is there a specific test for GMO related allergies?
Cherie & Diane, I noted your comments on the autoimmune specialist? I see a Rhuematologist and Neurologist right now. I googled autoimmune specialist and there does not appear to be "autoimmune specialist". Did I miss something?
PS with my research to help myself I have found I have Adrenal Fatigue and I take supplements they have helped me a lot, I still have the allergies but not so badly.
I had major dental work done in May, I have had many of the symptoms you describe and I am going to go back to your thought on Nova caine,I believe I have been and am allergic to the numbing agent , nova caine or the peicillin, I am still researching in to it, I also get Chronic Hives and dermographism.
As Cherie said it's indeed a House case. And if almost all results of your tests were negative, and suspected illnesses were ruled out, I would definitely take an appointment with an auto-immune specialist. It is possible, I don't know, that you that you suffered an important deficiency of your immune system. Please, try the auto-immune specialist !
Diana
Diana
keep us informed..I wish you the best..you sound like you advocate well for yourself..If Soldys on to something itd be an easy appointment to see an allergist...Any enviormental changes since this started have yyou moved gotten a new job..had new flooring. etc?
also if you dont get any satisfactory anwsers soon I think an auto immune specialist may be helpful..just an educated huntch.
also if you dont get any satisfactory anwsers soon I think an auto immune specialist may be helpful..just an educated huntch.
Thanks for your comments so far.
Cherie - I was tested for MS and that was ruled out. Sjogrens also ruled out. There are some symptoms of Lupus but no inflamation. I will ask my Rhuematologist to check into the thyroid again. Still waiting for House's comments.
Soldy, are there any specific tsts for GMO related food allergies? I live on an island with few farms and eat orgaic where possible.
Arach - My CRP tests (Reactive Protein) taken over 6 months have shown no inflamation and inflamation apparrently is associated with Lupus. It looks half like that duck but not fully like it. That's the confusing thing here - some of the symptoms of Lupus but not all of them. I had a negative test for Sjogrens.
Cherie - I was tested for MS and that was ruled out. Sjogrens also ruled out. There are some symptoms of Lupus but no inflamation. I will ask my Rhuematologist to check into the thyroid again. Still waiting for House's comments.
Soldy, are there any specific tsts for GMO related food allergies? I live on an island with few farms and eat orgaic where possible.
Arach - My CRP tests (Reactive Protein) taken over 6 months have shown no inflamation and inflamation apparrently is associated with Lupus. It looks half like that duck but not fully like it. That's the confusing thing here - some of the symptoms of Lupus but not all of them. I had a negative test for Sjogrens.
I could be wrong, but
if it looks like duck, sounds like a duck and walks like a duck......it's probably lupus.
the ana titre of 1:1280 speckled is the test that I'd ask the doctor about. I'm not sure, but I think I read somewhere that the speckled pattern can indicate either lupus or sjogrens.
Best of luck
Arach
if it looks like duck, sounds like a duck and walks like a duck......it's probably lupus.
the ana titre of 1:1280 speckled is the test that I'd ask the doctor about. I'm not sure, but I think I read somewhere that the speckled pattern can indicate either lupus or sjogrens.
Best of luck
Arach
Hi,
Please check your neighbourhood for damage to evergreens such as white pine,white cedar,boxwood ... for browning of needles and leaves on DOWNWIND side.
Please check your neighbourhood for damage to evergreens such as white pine,white cedar,boxwood ... for browning of needles and leaves on DOWNWIND side.
,Hi
Symptoms you are describing are close to GMO food allergy
.Watch and read works by Dr.Jeffery Smith,www.geneticroultte.com and www,II-SIS.org.uk
this is one for house indeed Im almost certain you have more than one thing going on,,one sugesttion that you have not done is get you thyroid tested hypothyroid cause itchy dry skin and fatigue.
I think you should see an auto immune and rheumatologist...you may have ms or some other similar illness,,,the leg pains suggest the need for a rheumatologist...rheumatoid arthritis can cause some variety of symptoms.
I think you should see an auto immune and rheumatologist...you may have ms or some other similar illness,,,the leg pains suggest the need for a rheumatologist...rheumatoid arthritis can cause some variety of symptoms.
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