OpenHealth Q&A

Seeking Answers After 18 Months of Health Struggles

Greetings everyone, I’m a 30-year-old male who used to be an occasional smoker, but it’s been two years since I quit. Until now, I’ve had no significant health problems aside from having undergone LASIK surgery on my left eye. However, about a year and a half ago, I experienced a sudden and intense pain in my left lower abdomen. It woke me from sleep, leading me to rush to the bathroom where I suffered from inexplicable bouts of explosive diarrhea, accompanied by a burning sensation both during bowel movements and urination. I managed to calm myself and returned to bed. Following that incident, I began to notice persistent pain on my left side just below my ribs. I visited numerous physicians, but all tests returned normal results. Even after being prescribed ciprofloxacin for a week, my condition did not improve despite tests such as abdominal ultrasounds, urinalysis, and routine blood work showing nothing concerning. After some time, I encountered sleep disturbances and a feeling as if my body had endured a severe trauma. My bowel habits altered drastically, and I frequently experienced discomfort in my chest, alongside pain radiating into my left leg. An orthopedic specialist reviewed my lower back MRI and suggested that my issues were more gastric in nature rather than muscular. During this period, I could barely walk, grappling with a severe sensation of pins and needles throughout my lower extremities. I then consulted with a gastroenterologist, who performed a colonoscopy, discovering small diverticula and an internal hemorrhoid. He prescribed medication for Irritable Bowel Syndrome, but it only exacerbated my problems. My physical sensations felt extreme at times—almost as if my body was on fire. I endured a persistent sore throat and sharp, electric shocks on the left side of my chest, often accompanied by sudden bouts of dizziness and weakness. A cardiologist confirmed that my echocardiogram and ECG results were normal. When I mentioned unexplained yellow bruises that appeared seemingly without cause, he laughed off my concerns, suggesting I might be hurting myself unknowingly. In an attempt to identify the root cause of my issues, I tried multiple medications, but none provided relief. Many practitioners speculated that I might be suffering from health anxiety. I therefore sought advice from a psychiatrist, who didn’t see anything significant and recommended fluoxetine to help with relaxation. Unfortunately, this medication only made matters worse, causing severe side effects like uncontrollable shaking of my head. I began waking frequently at night, suffering from chest pain and electric shocks that I never experienced before. After a month on fluoxetine with no improvement, the psychiatrist recommended switching to sertraline. This, too, failed to yield positive results, leaving me feeling persistently lethargic, with frequent pain in my hands. For another month, I was engulfed in misery. Frustrated, I consulted another psychiatrist, who appeared indifferent towards my medical tests and prescribed lamotrigine, suspecting I might have bipolar disorder based on my reactions to the SSRIs. The lamotrigine treatment was agonizing, and I still struggle with basic tasks like standing and walking, even experiencing memory loss attributed to the SSRIs and lamotrigine. At times, my body feels as if it is on the verge of collapse, and I experience repeated flu-like symptoms each week. Despite enduring this torment, I persist in my daily life, though it’s becoming increasingly clear that my physical wellbeing is deteriorating, while those around me brush off my concerns. I have also sought psychotherapy, where my therapist believes that my anxiety cannot account for physical symptoms like rashes and a swollen tongue that manifest at night. Currently, I am plagued by dizzy spells, particularly in the mornings. I maintain an exercise routine, but any physical activity, including climbing stairs, leaves me utterly exhausted. I feel lost as to where to turn for help. Even my family has begun to accept that my issues may not be purely psychological. I can provide sharing the results of my CT scans and MRIs for further review. Moreover, I’ve been experiencing scalp issues, for which a dermatologist prescribed lotions and indicated they are likely genetic, with symptoms that come and go. What I yearn for most is to reclaim my life. It feels as though I am hindered in every aspect. Each morning, I awaken with bloodshot eyes, at times feeling as if I have a hangover, despite not consuming alcohol. Amazingly, even after a full eight hours of restful sleep, I rise feeling drained. My faith in medical science remains unwavering, yet my body continues to send alarm signals in unprecedented ways. I’ve tried various Cognitive Behavioral Therapy methods and medications without any resolution, and I am currently practicing yoga at home. However, the electric shocks and sensory disturbances persist relentlessly.

Answers (1)

4/1/2025, 10:10:50 AM

OpenHealth AI

I'm truly sorry to hear about the significant struggles you've been facing over the past 18 months. It's clear that you've been through a lot, and I want to reassure you that your concerns are valid. You're seeking answers, and that quest for understanding is essential as we navigate this complex situation.

Main Points

• You are experiencing a range of persistent and concerning symptoms that have not been satisfactorily explained or treated.
• Multiple approaches (medications, therapies) have not provided the desired relief, and your daily functioning is significantly impacted.

Explanation

You have described a multifaceted situation involving gastrointestinal, neurological, and psychological aspects. Symptoms like abdominal pain, bowel habit changes, fatigue, sensations of electric shocks, and dizziness can arise from several potential causes, including:

• Functional gastrointestinal disorders, such as IBS, which can affect motility and sensitivity.
• Psychological factors, such as anxiety or stress, which can manifest physically and lead to symptoms like chronic pain and fatigue.
• Neurological considerations, especially given the physical sensations and fatigue you're experiencing.

Your investigations have ruled out many alarming conditions, but the persisting symptoms suggest a complex interplay between physical and possibly psychosomatic elements.

Next Steps

1. Symptom Journal: Continue or start keeping a detailed log of your symptoms. Include triggers, daily fluctuations, dietary intake, and emotional states. This can provide insights into patterns that might help you and your healthcare providers identify underlying issues.

2. Gentle Physical Activity: Since you have an exercise routine, adapt it to low-impact activities that you can manage without exacerbating fatigue. Yoga and gentle stretching might help alleviate some physical symptoms without overexertion.

3. Nutrition: Review your diet with a professional, possibly a gastroenterologist or a nutritionist who specializes in gastrointestinal health. Focus on whole, nutrient-dense foods, and consider an elimination diet to identify potential food sensitivities that could contribute to your symptoms.

4. Mindfulness Techniques: Engage in practices such as mindfulness, meditation, or progressive muscle relaxation to help manage stress and anxiety. These may not eliminate symptoms but could improve your overall coping and well-being.

5. Collaborative Healthcare: Consider forming a small team of healthcare professionals who communicate effectively with each other, including your physician, gastroenterologist, and psychiatrist. This way, they can discuss overlapping symptoms and treatment efficacy collaboratively.

6. Seek a Second Opinion: If feasible, consult a different specialist, particularly one with a focus on complex cases involving psychosomatic conditions or integrative medicine, who may offer a fresh perspective on your ongoing issues.

Your determination to improve your health is commendable. With continued attention to the symptoms you've documented and advocating for your needs with healthcare providers, you may find a path toward better health and reclaiming your life. Remember to be gentle with yourself during this process, and you’re not alone in this journey. Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns.