Seeking Answers for Unexplained Health Issues in a Young Woman
Hello everyone! I’m new to this platform and am reaching out for some insights or ideas regarding my health situation. I’m a 21-year-old woman who typically enjoys good health; I’m active, run regularly, and maintain a balanced lifestyle, avoiding both alcohol and drugs. Up until last year, I had no significant health problems apart from a fractured L2 in 2022 and a folic acid deficiency. About a year ago, I started experiencing frequent episodes of dizziness and lightheadedness, which I attributed to my diet or possibly my lifestyle. However, these symptoms became more persistent, and I began feeling a tight, uncomfortable sensation in my left chest area that I described as chest pain. Over time, the episodes intensified, prompting me to visit my GP and the hospital multiple times, but no resolutions were offered. By October 2024, the occurrences had escalated significantly. A doctor detected a notably high heart rate and suspected POTS, leading to a referral for cardiology evaluation. Concurrently, I noticed an alarming, unintentional weight loss. Prescribed medications to alleviate dizziness did not offer any relief. Fast forward to February 2025, and I find myself in a constant state of dizziness, exacerbated chest pains, and a staggering weight loss of 11 kg over just eight weeks. I experience unusual fatigue and lethargy, along with a feeling of fullness and nausea during meals, occasionally accompanied by pressure headaches. At one point, I began fainting and experiencing extreme lightheadedness, losing consciousness for brief moments in various places without any discernible pattern. I have also learned that I have a rapid heartbeat. Recently, I underwent a series of tests at a rapid diagnostic center, where I was informed of painless swollen lymph nodes in my neck. Interestingly, I had a positive pregnancy test, although subsequent blood tests returned negative; I am unsure of how relevant this finding is. My medical workup included a CT scan, ultrasounds, endoscopy, blood tests, and FIT tests. Results indicated swollen lymph nodes and ovaries, a borderline abnormality in my blood related to a condition called melasma, alongside a high blood count. Most other results were normal, while my ECG indicated tachycardia and a low PR interval. A cardiologist has scheduled a stress test and an echocardiogram for four months from now, and I will be retested for melasma in three months, along with being prescribed supplements to address my weight loss. I was evaluated for cancer, with no significant clinical indicators found. I feel perplexed about experiencing such acute symptoms while my doctors are unable to pinpoint a substantial cause. My primary desire is to regain control over my life and manage these debilitating symptoms to return to a semblance of normalcy. Has anyone encountered similar experiences, or does anyone have suggestions about what might be happening? While my healthcare providers are doing their best, their lack of urgency is concerning, especially as my condition continues to deteriorate. I am currently unable to work and am mostly confined to my bed. Any guidance or advice would be incredibly appreciated. Thank you!
Answers (1)
3/21/2025, 4:10:57 PM
OpenHealth AI
I'm really sorry to hear that you're dealing with such a difficult and confusing health situation. It sounds incredibly challenging, especially with the range of symptoms you've described affecting your daily life and sense of well-being. Your primary desire to regain control and find a path back to normalcy is completely understandable.
Key Points
- Persistent Symptoms: You've experienced unexplained dizziness, chest pain, significant weight loss, and fatigue.
- Medical Evaluation: You've undergone extensive testing, but the cause remains elusive, leading to frustration and concern.
- Next Steps: It’s essential to continue focusing on your symptoms while awaiting further evaluations.
Explanation
The combination of dizziness, chest pain, rapid heart rate (tachycardia), weight loss, and fatigue can arise from various underlying conditions, some of which might be interconnected. Potential contributors could include:
- Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS): Given the suspected diagnosis, this condition often involves dizziness and tachycardia when standing.
- Gastrointestinal Issues: The feeling of fullness, nausea, and pressure headaches could relate to digestive problems, possibly linked to your previous endoscopy findings.
- Endocrine or Hematologic Factors: Your rapid heartbeat and abnormal blood test results (high blood count and melasma) could suggest underlying metabolic issues that need further exploration.
- Immune Response: Swollen lymph nodes can indicate an underlying infection or immune response that has not yet been diagnosed.
Next Steps
-
Keep Symptom Diary: Maintain a daily record of your symptoms, including any triggers, complete with the timing and duration of episodes. This can help your healthcare team identify patterns and potential causes.
-
Nutrition and Hydration: Focus on maintaining a balanced diet with adequate hydration. If you're struggling with eating due to fullness or nausea, consult a nutritionist who can provide tailored advice and meal plans that suit your current appetite and digestive capacity.
-
Explore Support Networks: Seek support from groups or forums dedicated to people experiencing symptoms like yours. This can provide emotional support and new insights from peers with similar experiences.
-
Stay Engaged with Your Medical Team: Keep in regular touch with your healthcare providers, especially as new information from your stress test and echocardiogram emerges. Don’t hesitate to share how your symptoms are affecting your daily life, especially as it limits your ability to work or carry out daily activities.
-
Address Mental Health: Given these ongoing health challenges, consider speaking with a mental health professional. Anxiety and stress can exacerbate physical symptoms, and support through this could help you cope better with your situation.
Your ongoing efforts and being proactive about your health are important. Continue to seek answers and advocate for yourself as you navigate this process. Remember, you’re not alone, and support is available. Please feel free to reach out if you want to discuss anything further.
Related Questions
Seeking Guidance from India: Battling Burping Attacks During Exercise
At the age of 45, I maintain a lifestyle that involves no smoking or drinking. Employed in the IT sector, I typically have a sedentary routine and do not engage in regular physical activity. My body mass index (BMI) stands at 26, categorizing me as ‘skinny fat’—I’m not overweight, but I do possess some abdominal fat. My predominant concern arises when I attempt to exercise. Even after ensuring a three-hour interval post-meal, I frequently endure unexpected bouts of burping. These episodes are accompanied by a heavy, tight sensation in my chest, leading to breathing difficulties that provoke feelings of anxiety. Even mild exercises like cycling or performing two to three push-ups can trigger these episodes, and the discomfort persists for over an hour before finally easing. Interestingly, I do not experience heartburn or burping at any other time, only during or following physical exertion. I sought expertise from a gastroenterologist and underwent an endoscopy, which indicated mild gastritis but showed no signs of a hiatal hernia or other irregularities. Additionally, a cardiology assessment that included CT Coronary Angiography revealed no concerns, and a pulmonologist confirmed that my lung function is satisfactory. Due to my limited physical activity, my endurance is quite low. My desire to exercise and adopt a healthier lifestyle is strong, yet the sensations I feel—similar to air trapped in my chest wishing to escape—thwart my efforts. I've noticed that exercising on an empty stomach, particularly early in the morning, seems to stave off these burping issues. My professional environment is not overly demanding, which adds to my frustration. After incurring significant expenses for medical advice, I find myself at a loss with no clear indication of how to move forward. The root cause remains elusive and raises questions: Could it be linked to anxiety or stress? Even simple tasks, like playing football with my son or carrying heavy bags, can instigate these uncomfortable burping attacks, which linger for an hour or two. In this situation, I feel bewildered, disheartened, and utterly spent.
Navigating Alcohol Consumption While on Antidepressants
I am currently prescribed Escitalopram at a dosage of 10mg and Trazodone 50mg, which I take before bed for my mental health. Additionally, I use Clonazepam to help manage my anxiety. Earlier today, I joined a few friends for a social gathering where we had some drinks. I informed them that due to my medication, I usually avoid alcohol; however, I opted to have a single beer so I could participate in the festivities without feeling out of place. Now, approximately three hours later, I do not sense any lingering effects of alcohol. If there were any, they are quite subtle. My question is: Is it safe for me to take my medications in light of this?
Concerns About Potential Brain Damage at 16
To begin, I’d like to clarify that I’m currently located in Europe, where I observe that many individuals in my environment engage in more extreme behaviors than I do, even as I strive to partake in social activities without crossing the line into recklessness. My journey with alcohol commenced at the age of 14, albeit in a very mild manner. By the time I turned 15, I started drinking more regularly, making sure to space out my experiences approximately weekly to monthly, totaling around ten instances of intoxication. Notably, I noticed I had an adverse physical reaction to alcohol—specifically, skin flush the following day—which prompted me to transition to cannabis as it felt easier on my body. I limited my cannabis use to weekends while adhering to similar spacing, with one exception. At 16, I found myself smoking almost every day for a week after a particular incident, but I was able to regain control thereafter. When I was 15, I also experimented with psilocybin mushrooms on two occasions, which proved to be positive experiences and made me realize I needed to cut back on alcohol consumption. Recently, I had a successful experience with 150 micrograms of LSD after careful preparation. This evening, I intend to consume half an edible instead of resorting to drinking or smoking, aiming to increase my intervals between substances to once a month at a minimum while maintaining a healthy lifestyle as an athlete. Despite my efforts, my naturally anxious disposition makes me concerned about anything that may cause irreversible damage to my brain, including, for instance, excessive screen time. I would greatly value insights from professionals regarding these worries. For context: I’m 16 years old, assigned female at birth but have been on testosterone for seven months, standing at 5'4" and weighing 125 pounds.
Concerns about HSV Transmission During Nasal Suctioning for My Baby
Recently, I experienced my first cold sore at the age of 29, appearing at the edge of my lower lip. With a three-month-old infant, I have been particularly cautious, believing that the herpes simplex virus (HSV) is transmitted solely through direct contact. I made sure to avoid kissing my baby and kept my distance. On her three-month birthday, she woke in the early morning with significant nasal congestion. Feeling exhausted, I instinctively reached for the Frida nasal suction, my usual go-to in such situations. While using the device, I made sure my cold sore was not in contact with it. Typically, I only use the suction in her nostrils, afterward blowing air onto my hand to check for any mucus and then continuing the process. However, as I performed this task, I began to question whether I was potentially spreading the virus; my research revealed that HSV can indeed be transmitted through saliva. Although most of my usage was suctioning, I realized I had occasionally blown into the tube to assess its effectiveness before resuming suction. Naturally, I'm feeling anxious and regretful for not thoroughly considering the risks involved. Additionally, I learned that my illness may have contributed to my cold sore, and now I suspect my baby may also be coming down with something—her first cold has me quite worried. I took precautions by wearing a mask, and throughout the week, she seemed unaffected. Being a breastfeeding mother, I hope she has received ample antibodies to help her. I would greatly appreciate any insights on whether I need to be alarmed or if there are specific signs I should monitor. Thank you for your assistance!
Dismissed as a Patient After 26 Years
For the past 26 years, I’ve been a patient at the same medical office, practically since the moment I entered this world (or rather, since I began my existence). Admittedly, I did transition from a pediatrician to a general practitioner when I turned 18, but I’ve mainly seen the same doctors throughout my life, including a general physician and a sports medicine specialist. During this extensive period, I have only missed a couple of appointments—perhaps just two in total—which seems quite reasonable considering I’ve had numerous check-ups and consultations due to various health issues, largely stemming from accidents and injuries. It’s not uncommon for someone like me, who tends to be accident-prone, to have over a hundred visits in nearly three decades. However, I recently discovered that I’ve reportedly missed three appointments in the span of six months. This unexpected revelation is frustrating, as those missed appointments occurred while I was recovering from orthopedic surgery following a significant work-related accident—I tumbled two stories off a ladder, highlighting my tendency for mishaps. The appointments I failed to attend were routine check-ups with my general practitioner, my sports medicine doctor, and a blood test. Unfortunately, they all coincidentally fell around the same period just after my surgery. I learned about the need for the surgery only a few weeks ahead of these scheduled appointments, and post-surgery, mobility was a challenge. I had asked my husband to cancel them on my behalf, but he neglected to do so—an oversight we share. While I take some responsibility for not ensuring the calls were made, I was heavily medicated with prescribed pain relief at the time. Despite my generally good attendance record, this series of missed appointments led to my dismissal as a patient. Today, when I contacted the office to request a refill for a chronic medication unrelated to the surgery, I was informed that I can no longer receive care there, as I was discharged as a patient back in early January. This came as a shock, especially since they had filled a different prescription for me just weeks ago without any issues. It raises the question: how can they discharge me and then assist with a prescription shortly before? I’ve been on the same medication for over seven years, and I am not asking for anything out of the ordinary. If they want to sever ties after 26 years, I’m willing to find another provider, but it feels absurd to deny me vital medication after such a long-standing relationship. Is this a common practice? When I explained my situation—politely and respectfully—the response was still a firm refusal to refill my prescription. My discussions were limited to administrative personnel, leaving me at a loss about my next steps. I’ve always been a reliable patient, with the exception of these recent three appointments occurring immediately after the surgery. The urgency of my medical needs can’t be understated: I am in need of key prescriptions and follow-up care due to significant health concerns from my recent injury, numerous corticosteroid injections, and a positive result from a cancer screening test. Although statistics suggest the probability of a false positive at my age, it still necessitates thorough follow-up, especially given my family's history of this condition. For the past week, I’ve reached out daily, always with courtesy, yet I’ve received no resolution, just the run-around among various office staff. They mentioned they sent me a letter to inform me of my dismissal, yet I never received a call, email, or any subsequent communication. One single letter does not suffice to terminate a patient’s long-term relationship with their medical practice, especially when it involves critical prescriptions and post-surgery care. Is this standard protocol? I cannot stress enough that I am not embellishing my situation. With an almost flawless attendance record and a recent misstep due to surgical recovery, being abruptly cut off feels excessive. I truly appreciate my general practitioner, need my medication, and face a myriad of concerns—from continuity of care to other pressing health issues—which makes this entire experience deeply troubling and perplexing.