Feeling Lost and Overwhelmed - Seeking Guidance
Hey everyone, I hope you can bear with me as I share my situation. It’s been a challenging few months, and I’m open to any insights you may have. Here’s a bit about me: I'm a 19-year-old female, 5'6" tall, weighing 150 lbs, with a mixed background of white and Mexican ancestry, residing in the Midwest US. I have no major medical issues, occasionally use cannabis for sleep, and otherwise do not consume drugs or alcohol. To provide some context, my troubles began approximately a year ago. I started experiencing intense headaches and an overwhelming sense of fatigue that left me needing 3 to 4 naps daily despite a full night's sleep. After consulting with my primary care doctor, I was referred to a neurologist who diagnosed me with migraines and sent me away. Unfortunately, my fatigue persisted and worsened; I found myself unable to walk far or run even briefly. My girlfriend, who is a nursing student, observed swollen lymph nodes in my neck and groin, alarming since they were so prominent. Upon relocating, I consulted a new primary care physician who took my symptoms seriously, ordering an ultrasound and a referral to an ENT specialist. After the ultrasound, the ENT examined me briefly and attributed my issues to allergies, scheduling a follow-up for three months later. He recommended a CT scan to check the lymph nodes, which I underwent a month later due to personal circumstances. The results, however, were perplexing. Despite having had allergy tests a couple of years back that showed no sensitivities, I was prescribed Flonase and sent away with little explanation. My visit to the ENT last week left me even more frustrated. I’m now unable to focus on school and feel like my life is unraveling; I’ve lost 15 pounds, struggle with continuous nausea, and am constantly itchy. My discussions with my new doctor have led her to express her confusion about how to proceed. I feel like I’m spiraling — suffering from persistent pain and a lack of clarity about my health. The ENT insisted on continuing my allergy medication and added another, despite no testing for allergies being undertaken. He commented that my CT results were satisfactory, which contrasted with my primary's perspective that there were concerning details worth discussing. The ENT dismissed my worries, attributing the swollen lymph nodes to a past infection, yet I haven't experienced typical illness, only a few fleeting fevers recently. It’s disheartening to feel dismissed and think I might be overreacting. Today I hit a breaking point. I felt exceedingly unwell all day and had to sit down after a short walk with my dog. After sleeping for 12 hours and taking another nap, daily tasks feel daunting. While I’ve been attributing my stress to numerous losses this past year—my grandmother and brother—along with demands from fire academy and relocation, the lack of effective medical support is exhausting. Earlier, I considered an ER visit due to how poorly I was feeling but feared they’d respond dismissively like the last time. What should my next steps be? Each day seems more challenging, and I feel utterly unsupported by healthcare professionals. It’s frustrating to think I’m not handling things right, though I’m unsure how I could do more. My mental health is deteriorating—not due to depression, as I’ve been regularly seeing my psychiatrist, who has also encouraged me to seek additional help from my primary care provider. I’m feeling lost and scared, desperate for any advice or direction on specialists to consult or actions to take. Your support would mean the world to me. **Imaging Findings: Ultrasound (January): - Right neck lymph nodes: - Zone 2: 1.43 x 0.90 x 0.56 cm (previously 1.16 x 0.3 x 0.63 cm); minimally larger overall, cortex size decreased, fatty hilum preserved. - Zone 5: 0.88 x 0.83 x 0.36 cm (previously 2.0 x 0.4 x 1.6 cm); decrease noted. - Another Zone 5: 0.96 x 0.86 x 0.24 cm; decreased in size from 1.3 x 0.5 x 1.2 cm. - Left neck lymph nodes: - Zone 2: 1.32 x 0.80 x 0.85 cm; preserved fatty hilum. - Zone 3: 1.88 x 1.32 x 0.75 cm; small fatty hilum present. - Additional notable dimensions reported as well. CT Scan (January): - Findings indicate clear sinuses and normal intraorbital soft tissues. Some findings suggest the presence of a hemangioma or an osteoma. Multiple lymph nodes at various levels are present, with certain enlarged nodes noted. - No significant abnormalities in major vessels or structures observed. **Recent Bloodwork Observations: - Elevated Anion Gap: 13.7 (normal range 4.0-12.0) - ALT Level: 27 (normal range 8-22) - Other slight inconsistencies in leukocyte counts and overall composition. Much of this data hasn't been reviewed with me by any healthcare professional, and I’m concerned about my lymph nodes, particularly one in my groin that feels notably enlarged. Many are visible, which feels unusual for my body type. Thank you for taking the time to read through my situation, any advice would be incredibly helpful. Thank you!
Answers (1)
4/1/2025, 12:40:47 AM
OpenHealth AI
I'm sorry to hear that you're feeling lost and overwhelmed — it sounds like you've been through a lot in the past year. Your persistent symptoms and frustrations with the healthcare system can be incredibly draining, and it’s understandable to seek clarity and support.
Main Points:
- You have persistent symptoms including fatigue, nausea, and swollen lymph nodes, which are concerning.
- Clear communication and a comprehensive follow-up plan with healthcare providers are essential.
- Consider avenues for second opinions and suitable specialists to address your complex symptoms.
Explanation:
The symptoms you’re experiencing, including fatigue, headaches, swollen lymph nodes, and nausea, suggest that there is an underlying issue that still needs to be fully investigated. While some of these symptoms can be associated with stress or allergies, the persistence and severity indicate that further medical evaluation is warranted.
Your imaging results have shown changes in your lymph nodes, which could be linked to various conditions but might also be benign. It’s essential to explore this with a healthcare provider who can interpret these results in context. The elevated anion gap in your bloodwork, though slightly above normal, may warrant further investigation by a medical professional to rule out underlying conditions.
Next Steps:
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Seek a Second Opinion: Given your dissatisfaction with previous consultations, consider finding another primary care physician or a specialist, such as a hematologist or an immunologist, who specializes in lymphatic concerns and can better address your specific symptoms.
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Document Your Symptoms: Keep a daily log of your symptoms, including when they occur, their severity, and any associated factors (like meals, stress levels, etc.). This information will be invaluable when discussing your case with new healthcare providers.
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Follow-Up on Physical Symptoms: If your swollen lymph nodes persist or worsen, particularly the one in your groin, seek immediate evaluation. A healthcare professional may decide that further imaging or a biopsy is necessary.
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Review Blood Work: Ask for a detailed explanation of your recent blood work with any new doctor you consult. Ensure they review the elevated anion gap and any other anomalies to determine the next steps.
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Support For Mental Health: While you’re already seeing a psychiatrist, consider discussing your recent health-related stress openly with them. They may help you explore coping strategies or additional resources during this tough time.
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Prioritize Self-Care: While focusing on your health, ensure you are tending to your mental and emotional well-being. Engage in gentle activities that bring you joy and seek support from friends or support groups.
Your persistence and proactive approach in advocating for yourself can lead to the care you deserve. You're not alone in this, and it’s completely valid to seek more thorough explanations for how you’re feeling. Take care and let me know if you need more specific advice or support!
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