life has changed dramatically in last 2 months

[dayhiker]

I am a F in late 40s, living in NW USA, not overweight, don't smoke, minimal alcohol. My symptoms came on 2 months ago, with fatigue, buzzing and lightheadedness, weakness, and a unique heavy legs/feet feeling, like being in an elevator with the ground pushing up on the bottom of my feet.  Mental fog, numbness that comes and goes, tingling in feet and legs, sometimes feet very cold.  Lightheadedness but no spinning.  Weak hands -  right hand was paralyzed for about 20 min a few times.  Some hot and cold flashes.  Some days I feel almost normal, but more often feel marginal and some days downright dreadful.  

Sometimes at night a specific pattern of events occur 1)  an odd smell that is not there, 2) both feet feel very light and empty, 3) body rush and extreme lightheadedness 4)  faintness of breath (like I might stop breathing), and 5) the feeling that I am or have briefly passed out.  Recently, sudden sounds in the morning cause nervy feelings.  I have also noticed this with touch.  Also intermittent blurry vision in one eye.  also have constipation.  Visited ER due to faintness and not enough breath.  

No urinary issues, no nausea, no fever.  No periods since this started.  One ear and sinus is plugged. In addition to random body pains, an intermittent burning pain in one upper inner arm has been coming on in the same location for about 3 years.  Joints excessively achy recently.  Pings/pains in my collar bone area and neck.  

Had a brain/cervical spine MRI (but no lower spine MRI), clear except for the nasal polyp and one small dot that the doc thought was not significant.  She also did electric nerve tests of my hands/arms, and found no issues, although this was in the first week.  Other checks:  CBC (twice), chest xray, B12 and iron, viral checks like Epstein Barr.  Lyme test several years back but not recently. Next step is a visit to the rhuemetologist.

Any suggestions will be very welcome.   Help me become my pre-2014 self again!  

dayhiker

[FloSpace]

Dear dayhiker -  I would agree with Dr. Mathur that it's likely related to hormone changes.  My experience with my period ending and a strange and disturbing set of symptoms ( similar to yours) starting at exactly that time have led me to believe there's a connection.  Sadly, my physician has been of no help - even hormone therapy is not helping.   Major medical issues have been ruled out, and I'm left with "I'm sorry you are having this problem, but it doesn't seem to be anything serious."  Meanwhile I'm jolted awake at night by adrenaline rushes and weird pulses running simultaneous to my regular pulse, and other crazy-making symptoms.  

You may very well get more immediate relief when you check into hormones than I have however.
Several friends have reported that once they got on low doses of hormone replacement they immediately felt "themselves" again.  I wish you that type of luck!

[dayhiker]

Good morning,

I will certainly explore the hormone aspects and I appreciate the feedback.  while I am confident my issues are neither panic attack nor anxiety driven, it is worth looking at hormonal issues combined with some other issue.  do you know of any conditions that are exacerbated by hormone fluctuations?  If you should have more suggestions I would be grateful.  

Up till now I have been suspicious of the following:  

MS (but I give that only 5%-10% chance since initial scans were clear).  will follow up with one more scan in a few months to rule out all but PPMS- apparently that does not show on scans.  

Lyme (tested a few years back after a tick bite),   Will follow up with one more test to rule out recent exposure.

Dermatomyastitis - in family, but no skin rashes so doubtful.  Will investigate polymyostitis.   long shot - LEMS or MG.

any other ideas?  

thanks again,

Dayhiker

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi!

Yes, sudden onset of a group of unrelated symptoms can be a cause of concern.

Starting from a clue you have provided (no periods since the onset of symptoms), and since many other conditions have been looked into, I suggest you visit your gynecologist. In all probability the symptoms are related to perimenopause or onset of the menopause process (especially symptoms like strange smells, lightheadedness, electric current like feeling, hot and cold flash, body rush etc have been linked to perimenopause). Your symptoms are probably due to a drastic change in hormonal levels in the body.

You may need to get complete hormone profile: estrogen, progesterone, FSH, LH and prolactin along with thyroid hormones, adrenal gland hormones, parathyroid gland hormones and pituitary hormones. You may in addition need to consult an endocrine specialist.

Often hormone replacement therapy takes care of the symptoms you are feeling. The other possibility is an anxiety and panic attack, which often hits in the 40s due to changes that the body is undergoing due to transition to menopause.

I sincerely hope you will find this information useful in your discussion with your doctor.

Hope you get well soon! Good Luck and take care!