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Strange Sympoms, Unknown Disorder
My name is Jordan, and I am seeking expert opinions on my condition. I would GREATLY appreciate your advice! I have been looking for treatment for over 5 years now, and I'm only 18...my symptoms are as following:1. The pain starts in my back and radiates to my chest, and it feels as though I have been stabbed through the back with a spear. I find it hard to breathe while sitting straight up, so I lie down until the attack stops.
2. My headaches feel the same as the chest pain- crushing, almost as though my veins are on fire and they occur daily.
3. I twitch uncontrollably at random times, like I’m shivering even when I’m not cold
4. The ‘seizures’ have a certain sequence in which things usually happen. They always start when I lie down and close my eyes. First, things seem either abnormally large or abnormally small; often it feels like my head is filling the room or that it is too small for my body. Next, I often (but not always) hear noises that I know aren’t there. I see images in my head that don’t make sense, and feel like my body is ‘flying’ around without my control. While this is happening, I can feel my eyes roaming. I still remember the first hallucination I had- my vision was filled with squares that were all morphing, or changing into different shapes, yet somehow remained squares. I had an intrinsically contradicting piece of knowledge that they were both squares and not squares at the same time. I knew that what I was seeing should contradict itself, but also knew that it didn’t. Throughout all of these experiences, I cannot move, and I can feel that all of my muscles have tensed. When it is over (often as much as 20 minutes later) I suddenly regain movement; it feels like I’m breaking the surface of a pool of water with no more air in my lungs. Afterwards, I feel extremely fatigued and my muscles ache.
5. From the neck up on one side of my face, I experience the same ‘crushing’ type of pain as headaches and chest pains, and it radiates into each of my teeth individually. It is difficult to swallow, and my neck is stiff
I was tested for epilepsy and narcolepsy and found negative, and even underwent a sleep study. My doctor prescribed depakote and tramadol, and these help, but only if I take tramadol every day, and I'm worried about the risk of addiction. If you have any ideas, PLEASE let me know! Thank you and God bless!
2. My headaches feel the same as the chest pain- crushing, almost as though my veins are on fire and they occur daily.
3. I twitch uncontrollably at random times, like I’m shivering even when I’m not cold
4. The ‘seizures’ have a certain sequence in which things usually happen. They always start when I lie down and close my eyes. First, things seem either abnormally large or abnormally small; often it feels like my head is filling the room or that it is too small for my body. Next, I often (but not always) hear noises that I know aren’t there. I see images in my head that don’t make sense, and feel like my body is ‘flying’ around without my control. While this is happening, I can feel my eyes roaming. I still remember the first hallucination I had- my vision was filled with squares that were all morphing, or changing into different shapes, yet somehow remained squares. I had an intrinsically contradicting piece of knowledge that they were both squares and not squares at the same time. I knew that what I was seeing should contradict itself, but also knew that it didn’t. Throughout all of these experiences, I cannot move, and I can feel that all of my muscles have tensed. When it is over (often as much as 20 minutes later) I suddenly regain movement; it feels like I’m breaking the surface of a pool of water with no more air in my lungs. Afterwards, I feel extremely fatigued and my muscles ache.
5. From the neck up on one side of my face, I experience the same ‘crushing’ type of pain as headaches and chest pains, and it radiates into each of my teeth individually. It is difficult to swallow, and my neck is stiff
I was tested for epilepsy and narcolepsy and found negative, and even underwent a sleep study. My doctor prescribed depakote and tramadol, and these help, but only if I take tramadol every day, and I'm worried about the risk of addiction. If you have any ideas, PLEASE let me know! Thank you and God bless!
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi,
It is good that you are cleared with epilepsy and narcolepsy. Was there a previous injury? Are there other signs or symptoms present?
One differential of your chest pain is pleuritis or inflammation of the lining of the pleural cavity surrounding the lungsmay present as painful respiration, chest pain, cough, shortness of breath, weight loss, inability to take a deep breath, dizziness or tiredness.
How often do you experience the hallucinations? A referral to a psychologist may also help with your hallucination episodes. uncontrolled twitching may be neurologic or muscular in origin.
An imaging study such as x-ray or MRI of your head and chest will rule out musculoskeletal or structural defects. A complete medical as well as neurological and physical examination must be done to reach a diagnosis and rule out other causes.
Take care and keep us posted.
It is good that you are cleared with epilepsy and narcolepsy. Was there a previous injury? Are there other signs or symptoms present?
One differential of your chest pain is pleuritis or inflammation of the lining of the pleural cavity surrounding the lungsmay present as painful respiration, chest pain, cough, shortness of breath, weight loss, inability to take a deep breath, dizziness or tiredness.
How often do you experience the hallucinations? A referral to a psychologist may also help with your hallucination episodes. uncontrolled twitching may be neurologic or muscular in origin.
An imaging study such as x-ray or MRI of your head and chest will rule out musculoskeletal or structural defects. A complete medical as well as neurological and physical examination must be done to reach a diagnosis and rule out other causes.
Take care and keep us posted.
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