OpenHealth Q&A

Get answered by medical professionals

Seeking Insights on a Distinctive Area Noted in CT Scan

3/25/2025, 9:40:20 PMMale25-34

Approximately six weeks ago, I took a substantial dose of 50,000 IU of vitamin D2 to address my deficiency. Shortly after, I began experiencing severe and unexpected symptoms that have altered my life. These include significant brain fog, memory lapses, a sense of dissociation, involuntary muscle movements, issues with motor coordination, anhedonia, extreme fatigue, and a diminished ability to smell and taste. Recently, I've also noticed weakness and numbness on the right side of my body. Over the past month and a half, I've visited the emergency room three times and undergone eight blood tests, all of which have returned normal results indicating no signs of vitamin D toxicity. Additionally, I've had four scans performed—two MRIs and two CT scans—which were also said to be clear. Despite these reassurances from medical professionals, my symptoms persist, and I feel dismissed and unheard. Today, I decided to take matters into my own hands and obtained my imaging results from the hospital for personal review. Upon examining them, I was struck by a notably bright spot located in the middle of my brain, which appears as luminous as my skull in one of the scans. I’m reaching out to inquire if anyone has knowledge about this area and whether such intensity is typical. I am feeling desperate for clarification and assistance as my suffering continues without respite.

Multiple SclerosisThyroid DisordersRheumatology

Answers (1)

Cony

3/25/2025, 9:40:36 PM

OpenHealth AI

I'm sorry to hear about your distressing symptoms and the challenges you've faced in seeking answers. It's important to acknowledge your experience, especially with the persistent and complex symptoms you're describing.

Main Points

You have significant symptoms following a high dose of vitamin D, but tests and imaging have not indicated toxicity or clear issues. A bright spot in your brain scan may raise questions, and understanding its significance is crucial.

Explanation

Vitamin D can play a role in various bodily functions, but it is unusual for high doses, like the one you took, to lead to the symptoms you describe, especially with normal test results indicating no toxicity. The bright spot you noted on your scan could potentially represent a few different things, including benign changes, but this should ideally be interpreted by a specialist.

Symptoms like brain fog, memory issues, dissociation, fatigue, and motor coordination problems warrant thorough evaluation. The addition of numbness and weakness could indicate neurological concerns that may require further investigation.

Next Steps

  1. Follow Up on Imaging Findings: Request a detailed explanation of the bright spot from the radiologist or your doctor. Ask specifically about what it could indicate. They may recommend additional imaging or evaluations based on their insights.

  2. Neurological Consultation: Consider seeking a referral to a neurologist (if you haven’t done so). They can assess your symptoms comprehensively and might consider further diagnostic options, such as a lumbar puncture (spinal tap) or additional brain imaging.

  3. Symptom Diary: Start a symptom diary to track your experiences, noting when symptoms occur, their severity, and any potential triggers. This can help healthcare providers see patterns that may inform diagnosis and treatment.

  4. Consider Other Causes: Explore the possibility of other underlying conditions. You might want to test for autoimmune disorders or conditions that could mimic neurological symptoms, such as vitamin deficiencies (e.g., B12) or thyroid problems.

  5. Supportive Care: Engage in supportive practices, such as stress management techniques (mindfulness, yoga) to help cope with your symptoms. Connecting with mental health resources or support groups can provide additional emotional support during this challenging time.

Your feelings of being unheard are valid and it's essential to have a healthcare team that listens to you and addresses your concerns. Please continue pursuing the clarity and support you need. Let me know if you need more specific guidance on any of these steps.

Related Questions

Experiencing Clear Fluid from Ear with No Discomfort: Should I Wait for My Appointment?

I am a healthy 57-year-old female, weighing 120 pounds and standing 5 feet 5 inches tall. My daily medications include 100 mg of Losartan for effectively managed high blood pressure, 200 mg of Lyrica taken twice daily for post-herpetic neuralgia, 100 mg of Synthroid following treatment for thyroid cancer, and a combination hormone replacement therapy patch. Additionally, I take Zyrtec and Flonase every day to combat allergies. Since October, I have been dealing with persistent tinnitus in my right ear, accompanied by some pressure and a muffled sensation. Recently, I've noticed that when I speak, it feels akin to the sensation I experience when my ears clear during a flight after chewing gum—my voice sounds amplified in my head. I've scheduled an appointment with a physician's assistant in an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) office for the end of March due to my worries about the tinnitus and any potential hearing impairment. Yesterday, I noticed that my ear emitted a clear fluid. Thankfully, there was no associated pain. The fluid was somewhat thicker than water, completely odorless—unlike the unpleasant discharge I recall from my daughter's ear infections—and there was no sign of blood. Could this indicate a perforated eardrum? I suspect this might be the case, but can this occur without an underlying infection? Should I seek attention sooner than my appointment in March? I would prefer to avoid urgent care during flu season; however, if this situation is serious, I am prepared to take precautions and visit.

Thyroid DisordersInternal MedicineEndocrinology
Male25-34
3 minutes ago

Understanding the Increased Pain in My Foot While Reclining

At 30 years old, I am nearing the five-week mark since undergoing surgery on my metatarsals. I've encountered a troubling issue: I can’t seem to find comfort when lying down, whether it’s with my foot raised or lying flat. My pain level escalates to a severe 10 out of 10, unless my foot is making contact with the floor or I dangle my leg off the side of the bed so that my toes touch the ground. Is this situation typical for someone in my circumstances? Are there any suggestions that might assist me in getting a better night's sleep?

ArthritisMultiple SclerosisInternal Medicine
Male25-34
3 minutes ago

Assessing My Health Concerns: How Anxious Should I Be?

I’m a 32-year-old woman, weighing 124 pounds and standing at 5 feet 6 inches tall. For over a year, I have been experiencing bright red rectal bleeding. Initially, I attributed this issue to hemorrhoids that developed during my pregnancy two years ago. The bleeding occurs with most of my bowel movements, sometimes happens without one, and on a few occasions, has been enough to stain the toilet bowl significantly. The color of the blood is typically darker than what I observe during a hemorrhoid flare-up. There is a notable family history of bowel cancer on both sides; one family member was diagnosed at age 45, and another at 60. In the past six months, I have encountered several episodes of severe abdominal pain—3 to 4 instances—intense enough to consider a trip to the emergency room. However, the pain usually subsides within about an hour. It’s unusual for me to experience such acute pain, given my high tolerance for discomfort; for example, I once played rugby shortly after dislocating and fracturing my finger. Recently, I mustered the courage to consult with my doctor, who recommended a FIT test, which returned a positive result (30.1). Additionally, I underwent a complete blood test, and aside from having low ferritin levels (7 µg/L), all other results were normal. I have since been referred for a colonoscopy on a two-week waiting list to rule out any possible bowel cancer. Given these circumstances, how concerned should I be? Thank you for your input.

Crohn's DiseaseThyroid DisordersInternal Medicine
Male25-34
1 hour ago

Understanding Possible Seizure Triggers and Recurrence Risks

Health Background: I am a 21-year-old female, standing at 169 cm and weighing 65 kg. Over the past three years, I have been using oral contraceptives. As of this morning, I started taking 25 mcg of levothyroxine along with a weekly vitamin D supplement of 0.266 mg. Recently, I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism and found to have a vitamin D deficiency that I suspect has existed for the last three years. I do not consume alcohol or smoke, and I can confirm I am not pregnant. Two years ago, I experienced a mild concussion. I currently reside in Spain. A couple of months back, in mid-December, I blacked out twice. The second occurrence took place while I was at the doctor’s office after seeking urgent medical care for the initial incident. Following the second episode, I underwent a CT scan and an EKG, both of which returned normal results. Further tests, as directed by my physician, revealed a critical vitamin D deficiency and hypothyroidism; however, he expressed doubt that either of these conditions led to my loss of consciousness. I was then referred to a neurologist, and I am presently awaiting an appointment. Although the waiting period is lengthy, my doctor indicated that I should receive priority for scheduling, although the exact timeframe remains uncertain. The referral document summarized my events, labeling the second episode (which the physician witnessed) as a potential seizure devoid of tonic-clonic movements—a revelation that took me by surprise. After regaining consciousness, I felt extremely disoriented and terrified, struggling to process what was happening. I have no prior history of seizures, epilepsy, or any related conditions, and there is no known family history of these issues. If this indeed was a seizure, what might have triggered it? Additionally, what is the likelihood of experiencing another one? Since that time, I have not had any further incidents, but I have experienced moments where I felt a sense of impending doom, which I managed to overcome. I intend to wait for the neurologist's evaluation, but the uncertainty surrounding a possible neurological condition is quite distressing. Thank you for any insight you can provide!

LupusThyroid DisordersEndocrinology
Male25-34
1 hour ago

Understanding EEG Results for My 22-Month-Old Son: Insights Needed

Could someone help clarify this for me? My son, who is just 22 months old, hasn’t started walking yet, becomes tired easily, and has been experiencing behavioral outbursts. He had a febrile seizure in February 2025, followed by another unexplained seizure in April 2025, which led us to consult a neurologist. Since he was 3 months old, he has been receiving therapy from a physical therapist for torticollis. At birth, he spent five days in the NICU due to issues with meconium aspiration. A recent MRI showed normal results, and he also had a follow-up EEG after one conducted in July 2025. The results from this recent EEG were abnormal for a pediatric patient in awake, drowsy, and sleeping states. Notably, there were brief episodes of left frontotemporal delta slowing, which occurred mainly when he was awake and drowsy. There were no signs of epileptiform activity detected. In contrast, the EEG performed back on July 3, 2025, was deemed normal for both awake and drowsy states, again with no evidence of epileptiform irregularities, although it did not capture any sleep data. This examination was prompted by the child's existing history of febrile seizures. Importantly, he is not currently on any anti-seizure medications. The EEG procedure used standard electrode placements per the 10-20 system, conducted a single-lead EKG, and included continuous video monitoring. During the analysis, the background activity was symmetric, indicating some anterior-posterior (AP) organization, with a dominant rhythm of 50-80 microvolts at 7 Hz. His drowsy state was marked by a reduced amount of eye blink activity, less breathing motion interference, and a generalized slowing in theta/delta frequencies. Stage II sleep exhibited spindles and vertex waves patterns. Additionally, there were intermittent bursts of 250-300 microvolts in the left frontotemporal region with semi-rhythmic activity of 2-4 Hz, mostly observed during wakefulness and drowsiness. No definitive epileptiform discharge was noted. Photic stimulation during the test did not elicit a strong response, and hyperventilation was not conducted during this session.

Multiple SclerosisCrohn's DiseaseEndocrinology
Male25-34
2 hours ago