Undiagnosed condition

[Tamers]

For the past 7 weeks, I have been having a burning sensation from my nose to my stomach.  Started out with a swelling and tightness in my neck and throat.  My saliva glands are still swollen and the carotid artery down the neck is very tender.  I have a constant bad taste in my mouth and the burning sensation when I swallow and breathe.  I am extremely tired and fatigued, getting vertigo attacks, chest aches when I breath, getting some sharp pain just below rib cage and to the left.

I have seen an ENT and we did a nasal scope to check out sinus' and throat all looked fine.  No sinus infection and minimal drainage.  He sent me to a GI doctor to check out the esophagus and stomach via an Upper endoscopy.  Everything looked fine, no inflamation or anything unusual. Still waiting on biopsies.  My regular MD has have done several blood tests and all have come back normal. (CBC, B12, thyroid, liver enzymes, complete panels).  Yesterday we also did a chest x-ray which came back fine.  

Some medical background as well:  I have had 2 sinus surgeries (1995 & 1996); I have had 2 c-sections (pre-term babies) and 2 miscarriages; 8+ laser laperoscopy surgeries for endometriosis; I have had a complete hysterectomy (ovaries and uterus) Jan 04; a complete colectomy Dec 04 (I have an internal J-pouch).  Lost my colon due to a CMV Virus killing the colon.  Also was a debate on whether I had ulcerative colitis or crohn's disease.  Doctors lean toward the UC.

[Kevin Pho, MD]

Your workup has been comprehensive, with thorough tests done by an ENT and GI physician.

At this time, I can't think of any other tests to do.  Normally the upper endoscopy combined with the laryngoscope would exclude most the problems that can lead to your symptoms.

You can consider seeing a neurologist.  Irritation of the nerve during sinus surgery can lead to the discomfort.  Obtaining head imaging can evaluate any brain lesions that can lead to the burning, as well as the vertigo and changes in taste.

This option can be discussed with your personal physician.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
www.kevinmd.com

[Tamers]

I forgot to also add to my post on undiagnosed symptoms that I was seen by a cardiologist several months back for pulminary hypertension.  Have had 2 stress tests in the past 12 months and they heart looks great.  The pulminary hypertension has cleared up and was attributed to anemia that I was dealing with that has also been resolved.