Seeking Help for Mysterious Health Issues: Your Insights Needed
I really appreciate any help you can provide with my situation, so if you're someone who tends to skim through long posts or make snarky comments, it’s best to stop reading now. I want to share my experiences and gather thoughts on what I might convey when I head to the hospital. Here are some vital details about me: - **Gender**: CIS Male - **Pronouns**: He, him, they - **Age**: Mid-thirties - **Marital Status**: Divorced; currently living alone in a secure and clean environment - **Medical Background**: High blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, GERD, IBS, anxiety, depression, and ADHD. - **Family Medical History**: Significant heart ailments on the paternal side, diabetes, and a high incidence of cancer; maternal side includes dementia, Alzheimer’s, and strokes. - **Location**: Ice-cold Midwest; originally from the East Coast - **Education**: Master’s degree from a university near Los Angeles - **Work Status**: Unemployed for three years, with the last two years severely limited in physical capability. If there’s more you’d like to know, feel free to ask in the comments or send a direct message! I find it hard to go out due to my agoraphobia, which partly explains why I’ve let my health decline over the past three years to the extent that I'm now facing severe challenges, including considerable credit card debt (around $60k) and a suspended driver’s license. For context, I've even had to rely fully on home deliveries, and I haven’t been intimate with anyone in three years. Initially, my illness resulted in weight loss, but after being prescribed a combination of dexamethasone and prednisone for persistent joint pain, my weight has escalated from about 180 pounds at my lowest to around 300 pounds due to the steroids. I’ve also sought relief with medications like Lyrica and Celebrex for arthritis and neuropathy, which I believe I can self-diagnose thanks to my educational background in medical fields. Here’s a rundown of my symptoms: - Severe swelling in my left foot, ankle, and calf that persisted for over a week. Visits to the ER resulted in tests but no solutions, and I was advised to elevate my leg while sleeping. Despite this, the swelling recurred. - Initially dismissed by my doctor, I later experienced fainting spells. My blood pressure readings have been dangerously high, with instances of hypertensive crises leading to near-panic. After weeks of debilitating episodes, my doctor insisted on ER treatment due to my syncope, though I had not experienced any recent fainting by that visit. - Extreme joint discomfort resembling cramping has become a common occurrence in my legs. There’s also noticeable skin hardening on my fingers and toes, leading to brittle nails and discomfort. - Continuous tingling and bizarre numbness, compounded by relentless swelling in my limbs. The skin on my lower body frequently sheds despite the application of pure vitamin E oil. - Frequent migraines and unexpected weight gain have further complicated my condition. My legs have become almost non-functional; I struggle to carry even lightweight items now, and I can’t climb stairs due to heaviness and discoloration of my limbs. - Hair loss is rampant, and I'm facing scalp infections that have rendered my hair sparse where it used to require regular cuts. - Irregular blood pressure has now returned to higher readings after swinging low periodically. - Unexplainable wounds have developed, resembling open sores, particularly one on my knee that has persisted for a year with an abnormal discharge. - Recently, painful circular ulcers have appeared across my body that seem superficial but are intensely uncomfortable. Additionally, an antibiotic-treated tooth infection led to severe oral ulcers that have made eating or drinking agonizing. With all of this going on, could these symptoms suggest an autoimmune disorder like lupus, possibly triggered by a cellulitis infection? Am I at risk of developing staph or MRSA due to negligence in my care? I suspect these issues may also involve my bladder or kidneys since I find myself needing to urinate at incredibly frequent intervals. My urine is often sticky and leaves a mess, contributing to the frustration of my already compromised mobility. I’m gearing up to finally head to the ER on Tuesday, and I would appreciate your thoughts on how to effectively communicate my entire condition to ensure they take me seriously enough to admit me. Thank you for bearing with the lengthy post. I’m anxious about leaving my home, but the pain is now unbearable, and I genuinely need advice on how to proceed. 🙏🏼
Answers (1)
3/23/2025, 5:50:41 AM
OpenHealth AI
It’s clear that you're facing a challenging situation with multiple health issues, and your anxiety about communicating these effectively to healthcare providers is completely understandable. Your symptoms are concerning and do warrant attention. Here’s how you can best prepare for your visit to the ER on Tuesday.
Main Points:
- Health Concerns: You have several severe symptoms that could indicate an underlying systemic issue, possibly autoimmune.
- Effective Communication: Clearly summarize your symptoms and their impacts to ensure the medical team understands your situation.
Explanation of Your Symptoms:
Given your symptoms—severe swelling, fainting spells, joint discomfort, skin issues, weight changes, and irregular blood pressure—there’s a possibility of an autoimmune disorder like lupus. These symptoms could indicate that your body is not functioning properly in several ways. Additionally, with a significant family history of heart disease and diabetes, these factors could complicate your health situation.
Your concerns about potential risks for infections (like MRSA) from skin sores, your ongoing weight issues linked to steroid use, and urine abnormalities all highlight the need for immediate, comprehensive medical evaluation.
Next Steps to Take:
-
Prepare a Symptom Checklist: Write down all your symptoms in a clear, organized manner. Include when they started, their frequency, severity, and any triggers. This helps the medical team quickly understand your situation.
-
Chronological Summary: Share how your health has changed over time, particularly in the last few months, with an emphasis on new or worsening symptoms. Mention:
- Duration of swelling and any treatments tried
- Frequency and context of fainting spells
- Changes in weight and diet
- Skin issues, particularly the wounds and changes on your fingers
-
Family History: Briefly summarize your family medical background related to major ailments; this can help healthcare providers assess your risk for similar conditions.
-
Express Your Concerns: Don’t hesitate to explicitly share your fears about possible issues like an autoimmune disorder or infection risk. Communicate your anxiety about the pain and functional limitations you're experiencing.
-
Ask Questions: Be prepared to ask specific questions regarding what tests or evaluations might be necessary to address your concerns. This shows you are engaged in your care.
-
Support Person: If possible, consider bringing a supportive friend or family member who can help articulate your symptoms and provide moral support during the visit.
-
Document Important Information: If you take medications or have prior lab results that might help your diagnosis, bring this information with you.
Reassurance:
It’s completely valid to feel anxious about visiting the ER, especially after so long. The goal is to ensure your health gets the attention it needs, and advocating for yourself is a significant first step. Focus on clearly communicating what’s troubling you; healthcare professionals are there to help address your concerns.
Your health and well-being are important, and seeking help is courageous. I’m wishing you strength for your upcoming visit.
Related Questions
Assessing Heavy Menstrual Bleeding: Should I Seek Emergency Care?
To condense my situation, I am now on the 21st day of my menstrual cycle with no sign of it concluding. The flow has been unusually heavy throughout, to the extent that I’ve had to change my menstrual discs within just a couple of hours due to overflow, accompanied by significant clotting. I visited a new gynecological office yesterday to establish care since my regular GYN won’t be available until June. However, this appointment allows me to see another clinician at the end of April. During my visit, we talked about scheduling a transvaginal ultrasound, and I began a course of medroxyprogesterone at a daily dosage of 10 mg, which I will take for the next ten days. Unfortunately, my night was quite troublesome, marked by excessive bleeding even with an ultra tampon in use. My primary concern right now is the risk of anemia. I ordered a CBC test through Labcorp on Monday out of sheer curiosity, which revealed my red blood cell count was at 3.64 and my hemoglobin level was at 10.9. The provider repeated the CBC along with an iron panel, and as of early yesterday afternoon, my results were: - Red Blood Cells: 3.3 - Hemoglobin: 9.9 - Hematocrit: 31 - Iron: 24 - Iron saturation percentage: 6 - Ferritin: 12 I am trying to remain calm and patient with the progression of events, but I recognize that I have been losing a considerable amount of blood since these tests. With the weekend here, I’m increasingly anxious as I likely won’t receive any updates until Monday. Do my lab results indicate the need for immediate medical attention? I intend to commence taking 325 mg of oral ferrous sulfate today to address my iron levels.
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!