Seeking Guidance for My Health Struggles
Hello everyone, I find myself in a tough spot and am reaching out for advice on what type of medical professional I should consult. I'm a 33-year-old woman, standing at 5'5" and weighing 130 lbs. I have never smoked or consumed alcohol, and I generally maintain a healthy diet, often tracking my meals to ensure balance. At the moment, I'm using Depo-Provera and taking 100mg of Trazodone. I'm hesitant to share my story on Reddit, but I feel overwhelmed and am struggling to address my multitude of health challenges. Instead of getting confused by focusing on individual symptoms, I’d like to provide a comprehensive overview of my ongoing issues, hoping someone might point me in the right direction. I don’t feel I’m on the brink of death or facing a dire illness like cancer, yet I’m constantly drained and frustrated, unable to engage fully in my life. Am I simply cursed with bad luck? Is it unreasonable to wonder whether these health matters might be interconnected? Am I alone in this? Here are the known issues that may shed light on my situation: - I was born with scoliosis and hip dysplasia, which were monitored through my teenage years, hovering right on the edge of needing a brace. During this period, I was also diagnosed with hypermobility causing joint discomfort and sciatica. Recently, physical therapy for my neck reaffirmed this hypermobility. - As a child, I suffered frequent severe sinus and ear infections, leading to the removal of my tonsils and adenoids, along with an ethmoidectomy. It was discovered that I had a severe mold allergy. As an adult, I recently identified over 16 additional allergies and am currently undergoing treatment with allergy shots. - I experienced sudden periorbital cellulitis as a child, requiring hospitalization, though the cause remains unknown. - I developed debilitating IBS during my youth, marked by intense pain and alternating diarrhea and constipation, which drastically affected my education. - Endometriosis diagnosed via laparoscopy after enduring seven years of severe menstrual pain, excessive bleeding, and gastrointestinal issues, with the endometrial tissue twisting my colon and causing a partial blockage. - I also dealt with a severe case of pelvic inflammatory disease that required hospitalization, despite testing negative for any STDs. Symptoms that have persisted since childhood and flare up intermittently include (currently experiencing all): - Frequent dizziness when standing—around 75% of the time—without any accompanying rapid heartbeat; often, my vision fades, and I must brace myself against a wall or sit down. - Hot flashes, both day and night. - Lifelong insomnia, despite good sleep hygiene and Trazodone, I manage about six hours of sleep on average. - I struggle to go without eating for more than four hours without experiencing shaking, cold sweats, and facial tingling, which makes it difficult to speak. Monitoring my blood sugar—often in the low 70s, rising to 94 in the morning or after meals—appears normal. - Unprecedented fatigue; I am usually very active but now find myself stuck in bed. - Passing thin stools alongside occasional significant red blood, although my recent colonoscopy returned normal results. - Persistent nasal congestion (I hope the allergy shots will help). - Difficulty swallowing liquids, at times feeling as if I've forgotten how to swallow when liquid is in my mouth, leading to choking episodes. - Salivary stones, with one currently large and impacted, possibly requiring surgery. - Dry eyes and uncomfortable clear cysts appearing on my corneas when exposed to sunlight. Newly emerging symptoms include: - My legs and feet turning purple while sitting or standing, along with night-time aching. I experience nerve-like pain in my right foot, sometimes feeling as though cold water is pouring over my feet. I consulted a vascular specialist who suspects a neurological issue. My feet have always felt cold, but the discoloration occurs even when warm. - Flushing rashes on my face and chest in response to heat exposure. Blood tests consistently show normal results. My white blood cell counts occasionally dip slightly below normal (e.g., 3.8 when the cutoff is 4), my platelet size slightly exceeds the norm, and I have never been anemic. A decade ago, I had critically low vitamin D levels, but since then, my levels have stabilized. My ANA tests are at the higher end of the normal range. I’m open to any suggestions, humorous remarks, advice, or encouraging thoughts you may have!
Answers (1)
6/19/2025, 12:11:34 AM
OpenHealth AI
It's clear that you're navigating a complex combination of health issues that can be overwhelming. You're not alone in feeling frustrated, and it's completely reasonable to seek clarity on how these challenges may be interconnected and what the best next steps are for you.
Key Points:
-
Consult a Specialist: Given the range of symptoms you've described, a multi-disciplinary approach may be most beneficial. Start by finding a primary care physician who can coordinate with specialists in rheumatology, neurology, and possibly an endocrinologist.
-
Understand Potential Connections: Many of your symptoms could indicate underlying issues like dysautonomia, connective tissue disorders, or chronic fatigue syndrome, which might explain the combination of chronic pain, fatigue, and autonomic symptoms.
-
Prioritize Self-Care and Monitoring: While awaiting consultations, keep a detailed symptom diary. Tracking when symptoms occur and any possible triggers can help you communicate more effectively with healthcare providers.
Explanation:
The symptoms you're experiencing, such as dizziness, fatigue, and gastrointestinal issues, may seem like isolated problems but can indeed be interconnected. For example, hypermobility and dysautonomia can sometimes explain issues like dizziness and fatigue, as they can affect blood flow and overall energy levels. Your history of allergies and surgeries could complicate your overall health profile, possibly leading to heightened sensitivities or reactions that could impact both physical and mental health.
Next Steps:
-
Schedule an Appointment with a Primary Care Physician (PCP): Explain the full pressure of your symptoms at a comprehensive appointment. A PCP can help streamline your care by referring you to appropriate specialists.
-
Document Your Symptoms: Start a journal to describe your daily experiences: note when symptoms occur, their intensity, any related activities, and how long they last. This will provide helpful insights for your healthcare team.
-
Consider a Nutrition and Sleep Evaluation: Since you're managing your diet and using Trazodone, exploring a nutritionist's insights and possibly adjusting your sleep regimen with a sleep specialist could lead to improvements.
-
Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques: To cope with the stress of multiple health issues, consider incorporating mindfulness practices, yoga, or relaxation exercises, which could help mitigate anxiety and improve your overall well-being.
-
Stay Open and Reach Out: Don't hesitate to express your feelings of being overwhelmed to your healthcare provider—they can offer reassurance and may suggest support groups or counseling.
Remember, your wellbeing is the priority, and seeking help is a vital step toward managing your health effectively. You’ve shown a great deal of resilience in addressing your health challenges.
Related Questions
Struggling with Hyperthyroidism: My Ongoing Challenge
About a month ago, I started facing severe restlessness and overwhelming anxiety, accompanied by difficulty sleeping, irregular heartbeats, mood swings, and elevated blood pressure. Normally, I lead an active lifestyle and maintain good health, meaning my vital signs were within acceptable limits, albeit on the higher end for me. Initially, we suspected that these issues could be linked to my recent return to Prozac, which I promptly stopped taking. It took me a few weeks to finally schedule an appointment with my primary care physician (PCP) to conduct laboratory tests, specifically to examine my thyroid function. The results indicated an abnormally low TSH level at .246, with a T4 level that was on the higher end of normal at 1.77. A week later, I inadvertently had another set of tests done, revealing an increase in my TSH to .346 and a T4 level of 1.84. An endocrinologist advised that I undergo yet another series of tests, which resulted in a TSH level of .39 and a T4 of 1.7. Despite trying medications like hydroxyzine for my anxiety, they haven’t proven effective, and I find that trazodone does little to assist with my sleep issues. Ativan has been effective occasionally for sleep and alleviating panic attacks, but I take it under strict medical supervision. My psychiatrist is cautious about resuming SSRIs until we get my thyroid situation sorted out, and I'm uncertain how long that will take. Though my lab results are classified as "subacute," my PCP consulted with an endocrinologist who suggested that my initial feelings of panic and anxiety might stem from hyperthyroidism. They want to ensure that it isn’t a temporary condition like thyroiditis, but my current lab results resemble those from the time when my symptoms first began. How do medical professionals usually interpret such lab outcomes? Is there a treatment plan for subacute hyperthyroidism? Additionally, getting an appointment with an endocrinologist is quite a challenge. I’m currently awaiting feedback from one regarding my latest tests and whether treatment should commence. If it is determined that I have hyperthyroidism, would my PCP be able to initiate treatment? I am desperate to find relief from the persistent anxiety, panic, heart palpitations, and other physical ailments that have plagued me for far too long. I do have access to a beta blocker to manage some of the physical symptoms, which I understand is often the first line of treatment for hyperthyroidism. I would greatly appreciate insights or advice from healthcare professionals or anyone who has faced similar challenges.
Neck Discomfort, Migraines, and Rising Anxiety Levels
As a 28-year-old female, I have endured persistent neck discomfort for six years. However, in the past three weeks, the intensity of my pain has escalated significantly. The agony is predominantly located in the left occipital and suboccipital regions, radiating towards my left temple, the area behind my eye, and extending into my ear and jaw. Additionally, my left trapezius and sternocleidomastoid muscles are experiencing strain. Medical assessments have revealed a few bulging discs at the C5-6 and C6-7 levels, leading to nerve pain that travels down my left arm into my shoulder, bicep, hand, and fingers. Recently, I've become increasingly concerned about the severe occipital and cervical pain, fearing it may suggest a vertebral or carotid artery dissection or compression, particularly since I’ve been experiencing blurred vision, intermittent dizziness, and a sense of weakness in my limbs. Moreover, I suspect I might have hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS), as I tend to be hypermobile and experience widespread joint pain. The anxiety over my health issues has reached new heights; as a single mother of two, the thought of my own mortality is overwhelming. I am scheduled for a consultation with a sports medicine specialist in a couple of weeks. For the past six months, I have been undergoing physical therapy without significant improvement. I have experimented with various types of pillows, trained myself to sleep on my back, and have resorted to using a heating pad at home, yet my condition seems to have worsened more than ever before.
Persistent Low-Grade Fever Accompanied by Chills and Fatigue for Nearly a Month
As a 32-year-old male weighing 160 pounds at a height of 6'1", I’ve been experiencing intermittent low-grade fevers since the second week of January. Over the past few weeks, the chills have become more distressing than the actual fever; I feel intensely cold. The only relief I find is from taking either ibuprofen or Tylenol, which allows me to resume normal activities. Unfortunately, my doctor is puzzled since I don’t show any other symptoms. I’m not experiencing any pain, discomfort, digestive issues, or loss of appetite, and there are no rashes to highlight. My lymph nodes remain soft and not swollen, and I haven’t had headaches or weight loss. I’m at a loss regarding the cause of these symptoms. This situation is reminiscent of an incident last August following a stomach virus, where prolonged lack of food led to anemia, explaining the cold sensations and fatigue then. While I usually hover around borderline anemia, my doctor suspects there might be a viral or post-viral factor at play this time. Moreover, I’ve been under significant stress, and my apartment is quite warm, averaging 78°F and extremely dry, contributing to nightly bouts of overheating. Oddly enough, I now find a peculiar appreciation for the chills when they come. I’m perplexed and truly hope this isn’t anything serious. Just two months ago, I had my thyroid levels checked, so that seems unlikely to be the issue. My doctor has ordered blood tests but seems skeptical about discovering any actionable results, as she believes it is likely just lingering aftereffects of a virus or potentially consecutive viral infections. It’s becoming quite bothersome and frustrating to rely on ibuprofen merely to function. Typically, I take two regular strength pills at noon and another two around 9 PM, effectively keeping the symptoms at bay. I manage to feel well throughout the night and into the mornings. Interestingly, the cold sensations always strike at noon, precisely. Please be kind, as I tend to have health anxiety!
Assistance for My Mother with Dementia
My mother, age 68, stands at approximately 5'2" and weighs around 130 pounds. She is not a smoker but occasionally consumes THC products. Her medical history includes dementia, depression, and hypothyroidism. Her medications consist of: risperidone at 1 mg, naproxen as needed, escitalopram at 10 mg, pilocarpine at 5 mg, rosuvastatin at 10 mg, rivastigmine at 1.5 mg, levothyroxine, and trazodone, which was recently discontinued due to excessive drowsiness. My mom was diagnosed with dementia several years ago and currently resides with my father, who is her primary caregiver. Although we haven't pinpointed the exact type of dementia she has, we suspect it could be related to her father's history with Alzheimer's. I want to address a troubling issue that seems connected to her dementia, which has been ongoing for about 15 years. She frequently experiences intense pain in her mouth, describing it as if sharp pieces of plastic are stabbing her palate. Despite visits to various specialists—including general practitioners, dentists, dermatologists, and ENT doctors—the source of her pain remains undetectable. Tests and imaging have yielded no results. While she does not have Sjögren’s syndrome, she is prescribed pilocarpine to alleviate her constant dry mouth complaints. Due to her advanced dementia, healthcare professionals are becoming increasingly frustrated with her situation. She often forgets her past medical appointments, leading her to try and schedule weekly visits. Each time, she hears the same message: there’s nothing physically wrong and no further assistance can be provided. This dismissal leaves her feeling distressed and leads to her expressing suicidal thoughts, which worries my father and me immensely. We recently connected her with a behavioral health specialist, who recommended risperidone at a dosage of 1 mg per day for her hallucinations. It is still too soon to determine if this will yield any positive effects. We find ourselves at a standstill. I have dedicated countless hours researching potential diagnoses or symptoms that match what she’s undergoing, yet I am unable to find an answer. We strongly believe her current difficulties stem from her dementia, with no identifiable cause behind them. Is there any possibility for her to find relief? The situation is severely diminishing her quality of life and distressing my father. She often sleeps around 20 hours a day, and my father notes that she appears troubled by her mouth even in her slumber. Her food intake has significantly declined; she only seems to tolerate ice cream, as any solid food seems to exacerbate her discomfort. My father is hesitant to leave her alone for extended periods due to the circumstances. I am reaching out in hopes of receiving guidance on potential avenues we could explore. All I desire is for her to find joy in life once more. Thank you for considering our situation.
Am I Anemic After All These Years?
As I lay on my couch catching up on an episode of The Strain—a show I genuinely enjoy—I find myself indulging in a peculiar habit of chewing ice. It's something I've found oddly satisfying for as long as I can remember. Suddenly, a thought strikes me: "Is this a common habit? I should probably check with the experts online." Without delay, I turn to Google, typing in: "I love chewing ice. Is anyone else like this?" What I find is intriguing. Ignoring the oddities of certain forums, many reputable sources agree that the act of chewing ice may indicate anemia. This discovery prompts some serious self-reflection. Could it be that I am anemic? I begin to consider the clues—years of consistent fatigue, which seems to worsen with age. There are mornings when I feel so drained that leaving my bed feels impossible. Not to mention the persistent brain fog. In my middle school days, I even had this strange urge to chew on pencil lead, and I recall once sampling clay from the walls of our old gymnasium. I’ve decided to get a blood test done with my doctor at work. In the meantime, I’m reaching out to you all—am I just an eccentric person with quirky cravings, or could I have been grappling with anemia, or at least iron deficiency, since my childhood? Best wishes.