so many symptons

[thedon60]

My son suffers from dizziness, hive like blotches, blurred or lessened vision in one eye, headaches and a general inability to function.  He believes he has a medical condition that the doctors have not been able to diagnose.  They keep saying it is simply "anxiety".  Any ideas on what other diagnosis might exist,
thanks

[thedon60]

Thanks for your concern and assistance. He has a doctors appointment tomorrow  
Don

[Daniel M Prevedello, MD]

Dear Thedon60,

It is very important that you discuss that with his doctors.
This forum is design to answer and discuss specific questions and not to reach diagnosis.
In general it is important to rule out any organic condition before psychiatric condition is diagnosed.
thank you

[Pantx]

I'll paste what I put in the other forum below but also wanted to add. The only physician that needs to be diagnosing your son with anxiety is a psychiatrist or a psychologist.  I almost died because I was written off and a psych patient when I was having strokes and needed a bypass so the anxiety write off is a little personal for me and it ticks me off.  Men in general are not prone to high anxiety levels that result in somataphorm disorders likes women.  Also, it is very common for anyone who is experiencing chronic physical symptoms to have anxiety. The brain has built in mechanisms to keep us alive and well. Sometimes that survival mechanism (fight or flight) button gets stuck but again women are more prone to this than men. Your observation of his continuing decline despite the SSRI/anxiolytic treatments rightly deserves further investigation of physical root causes of issues.  

CBC w/ Differental
ESR (Sed Rate)
ANA w/ Titre and patter(if positive) just to screen for basic rheumatological issues.
hsCRP (measures inflammation in the blood vessels
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel
Thyroid Panel

Additional considerations- see a neurologist
MRI brain w and wo contrast - just a consideration due to many of his symptoms possibly linked to neuro just helps to rule out lesions or problems in the brain

Opthomology - Have an opthomology work up to figure out whats going on with his eyes. Don't play with the eyes or delay care. My spouse is blind from a silent but rapid degenerative condition and living blind is very difficult and avoidable in most cases as long as treatment is acquired.
was following you until your said that the doctors were refusing to order any tests.. what kind of health plan does he have? (HMO or PPO) Is he required to only see his current PCP to have tests ordered or can he go to a different PCP.  Your first problem is that his PCP needs to be fired.  I can tell already that relationship between your son and his physician is not working out.

What kind of testing has been done? Do you have copies of the results? He is allowed to see all results and physician notes. What testing do you feel he needs. What were results of labs?  What is the specific problem with his vision and has he seen opthomology?  If you are not familiar with how to gather this info and the process I don't mind going over it with you.  Reminder - I'm not a licensed health care professional and definately not a replacement for one. I do think you are on the right track. He is lucky to have someone to help him and advocate for him. It takes a burden off of him