Concerned 18-Year-Old Seeking Help Without Insurance
At 18 years old, I'm feeling increasingly unwell and it's becoming quite alarming. This all began last year when I was 17 and taking Zoloft. After increasing my dosage, I experienced sudden numbness in my limbs whenever I moved, but it would subside after a minute of vigorous shaking. The following morning, I awoke to an unsettling tingling sensation that started in my foot and spread throughout my entire body, lasting exactly thirty minutes. I discontinued Zoloft about a year ago, yet I continue to wake up every day with numbness in my limbs or experiencing nerve disturbances. I can feel it intensely within my nerves, but it dissipates upon movement. This ongoing issue has persisted for over a year, and despite consulting my physician, who informed me that Zoloft isn't responsible for these symptoms, my blood tests have returned normal results. Additionally, I started experiencing muscle twitches about five months ago, which occur daily. While they usually manifest on my face—particularly around my lips, mouth, and eyes—they can happen elsewhere as well, with a frequency of about 90% on my face. Oddly, these episodes tend to intensify in warm conditions. Two months ago, I experienced constant twitching in both wrists, which I later learned was likely just my radial artery pulse being visible. Recently, however, I've had a persistent twitch just above my lip, below my nose, that lasts continuously for three days and synchronizes with my heartbeat. The situation feels quite dire. For instance, just today, I sat without moving my leg for a period, and when I attempted to lift it, I found it difficult to do so initially. It tingled with a pins-and-needles sensation that faded after I shook it out. My limbs seem to fall asleep easily, regardless of how I sit. I can't shake the feeling that my health is deteriorating, and I worry I might be facing something serious. I constantly think about the possibility of multiple sclerosis, a brain tumor, or ALS. I'm of average height and weight, but these symptoms are making me feel increasingly fragile.
Answers (1)
6/19/2025, 8:01:32 PM
OpenHealth AI
I'm glad you reached out, and I want to assure you that it's important to address your concerns. The symptoms you described—numbness, tingling, and muscle twitches—can be distressing, especially when they persist. Several factors could be contributing to your experiences, but let’s take a step back and look at what you’re going through more closely.
Main Points:
- Persistent Numbness and Tingling: These symptoms can arise from a variety of causes, including nerve hyperexcitability or irritation.
- Muscle Twitches: These may also be benign and are not uncommon, especially in stressful situations or fatigue.
- Monitoring Your Symptoms: While you feel anxious about serious conditions, there are practical steps you can take to better understand your health.
Explanation:
Your experiences of numbness that dissipates with movement, along with tingling sensations, can sometimes result from neurological issues or muscle disorders, but they can also be influenced by stress, anxiety, or other non-serious conditions. The fact that you have had normal blood test results is a positive sign, but keep in mind that some conditions might not show up in standard tests right away.
Twitching, often referred to as muscle fasciculations, can certainly be concerning but are frequently benign and related to fatigue, stress, or even caffeine consumption. The presence of these twitches worsened in warmth could imply hyperactivity of nerves or muscles that are prone to fatigue.
Next Steps:
-
Monitor Symptoms:
- Keep a detailed diary of when your symptoms occur, their duration, and any associated triggers (like stress, food, or fatigue). This could provide valuable insight for any future healthcare consultations.
-
Lifestyle Adjustments:
- Ensure you’re maintaining a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.
- Stay hydrated, as dehydration can sometimes exacerbate neurological symptoms.
- Regular physical activity can help improve both physical health and reduce stress levels, which might alleviate some symptoms.
- Pay attention to your posture and ergonomics, especially if you spend long periods sitting. Ensuring good posture can help prevent numbness and tingling.
-
Relaxation Techniques:
- Consider implementing stress-reduction techniques such as mindfulness, meditation, or yoga, which may help minimize muscle twitches and feelings of anxiety.
-
Monitor Triggers:
- If you notice specific conditions (like warmth) that intensify your symptoms, try to monitor and manage them to see if there’s any effectiveness in symptom relief.
-
Consider Seeking Affordable Care Options:
- Since you mentioned not having insurance, look for community health clinics or support groups in your area that can provide low-cost or sliding scale consultations. They might provide further evaluations or referrals if necessary.
By keeping a close eye on your symptoms and making some adjustments, you may find some relief and clarity over time. If symptoms worsen or new ones develop, seeking professional medical advice is still an essential action. You're taking an important step by being proactive about your health—keep advocating for yourself. If you have any more questions or need more specific information, feel free to ask.
Related Questions
Battling Chronic Nausea and Vomiting for Over Two Years
For the past two years, I (age 26, female) have been enduring an incredibly challenging health situation. I experience intense nausea daily and find myself vomiting numerous times, with almost nothing providing relief. To provide some background, I’m from West Texas and I currently weigh around 190 pounds, standing at 5’7”. Initially, my weight was about 211 pounds when these symptoms began, and it fluctuates frequently between 190 and 225 pounds. I engage in vaping and consume THC. Previously diagnosed with hypothyroidism, my condition seemingly resolved, according to my healthcare providers. Additionally, I have polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). I have consistently faced irregular bowel movements, with stools that are loose and sometimes appear to have mucus. Compounding my struggles, I've also suffered from migraines. I have had an IUD for over five years, experiencing two insertions of the Kyleena device. In December 2022, my battle with health took a severe turn when I was diagnosed with stage 4 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, requiring chemotherapy treatment, specifically AVBD (Apologies for not recalling the exact medication names). By July 2023, I had fortunately achieved remission. However, after reaching remission, my vomiting worsened, transforming from primarily white foam to a mixture of 80% bile, any food I attempt to consume, and still white foam. This intense vomiting, accompanied by significant pain in my upper back, escalated to more than eight episodes daily by November 2023. At that time, THC seemed to be the only avenue for me to retain any food. During this tumultuous period, I consulted various doctors who, after confirming I wasn’t pregnant, attributed my symptoms to Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS). Immediately, I ceased THC consumption for over six months, yet the vomiting continued unabated. Each time, doctors would prescribe ondansetron, regardless of my claims that it provided no relief. I experimented with various diets recommended by medical professionals, but there were no improvements in my condition. Eventually, I obtained a referral to a gastroenterologist who intended to perform an endoscopy. However, the procedure was prohibitively expensive even with insurance, and thus was never conducted. This doctor also ordered blood tests to rule out several gastrointestinal disorders, such as Crohn's disease, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), and gluten sensitivity, but all results came back normal. Afterward, I had another appointment with a different gastroenterologist, but the doctor failed to meet with me. Instead, a nurse informed me that the doctor had merely recommended promethazine without conducting any tests or scheduling further visits. When I mentioned the possibility of gallbladder issues, the doctor laughed dismissively at my suggestion. Discussing my situation with my oncologist, he suggested that my heightened sensitivity to food odors stemmed from my chemotherapy experiences while I was working in fast food. While food smells indeed affect me, I'm primarily triggered by medical scents such as rubbing alcohol and cleaning agents. This ongoing ordeal has been overwhelmingly distressing. I now experience episodes of vomiting accompanied by bright red blood, presumably due to a throat tear. When I first encountered this troubling symptom, I consulted a doctor who appeared unfazed and prescribed a promethazine suppository, which does help but makes me extremely drowsy. My nausea persists nearly around the clock, often feeling as if there’s a heaviness in the upper part of my abdomen. I frequent urgent care facilities when my symptoms intensify, only to be met with minimal assistance since this is a chronic issue. Currently, I lack a primary care physician. Whenever I sought one, I encountered skepticism regarding my condition, with some healthcare professionals implying that I was exaggerating my symptoms. Though many physicians who do take my situation seriously seem baffled, I've lost count of the diverse medical experts I've consulted about these ongoing issues. If anyone has insight or suggestions, I would genuinely appreciate it. I can share my latest bloodwork results if that would be helpful—just let me know!
Strange Stomach Sensation Leading to Waking Up
Greetings. I'm a 36-year-old male, standing at 172 centimeters and weighing 90 kilograms. I don't take any medications, nor do I smoke. I've been living with diastasis recti for several years now, and I may also have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Additionally, I deal with fatty liver and kidney stones, though I assume these last two conditions are not related to my current concern. Occasionally, I experience a peculiar sensation that jolts me awake; it feels like a quick pulsing in my stomach. I’ve noticed it tends to affect the left side when I’m lying on my left side and the right side when on my right. Remarkably, it can occur even when I’m on my back. This strange feeling often escalates into a surge that fully rouses me. Alongside this, I sometimes feel prickling sensations throughout my body and fleeting lightheadedness. When this sensation disturbs my sleep while I’m turned to my side, shifting onto my back or the opposite side might alleviate it, but not always. In instances where I awaken while lying on my back, I discovered that gently pressing my hands on either side of my stomach can help, as can rising to a sitting or standing position. However, during my last two episodes—one a couple of weeks ago and another tonight—those techniques weren’t effective right away, which made me feel a bit anxious, prompting me to seek advice. Does anyone have insight into what might be going on? By the way, I’ve undergone routine ultrasound examinations of my abdomen by two different physicians during check-ups, both of whom assured me that everything appears normal, including my abdominal aorta and internal organs. They didn’t identify any issues at that time.
Understanding Tuberculosis Exposure Risk
A 26-year-old male, who neither drinks alcohol nor smokes, seeks to understand the implications of exposure to tuberculosis (TB). As an anesthesia technician, I became concerned after I encountered a TB-positive patient about a month ago. I had to enter the patient’s room several times to perform blood gas tests. On my first entry, I mistakenly wore my N95 mask incorrectly due to the hectic nature of attending to multiple rooms. From my research, it appears that TB is quite transmissible; direct exposure can pose a serious risk of infection. Transmission usually requires prolonged contact with an infected individual, particularly in a close or face-to-face setting. In this case, the patient was lying face down and appeared to be sleeping when I entered. I have already undergone testing for TB, but I am eager to deepen my understanding of the risks involved in these situations.
24M | Unexplained Fainting Incident
**Note:** I previously shared this story, but it was inexplicably removed. I’m a 24-year-old male without any medical diagnosis or prescription medications. While I do consume alcohol occasionally, I hadn’t been drinking before this happened. Around 3 a.m., I got up from bed to use the restroom. As soon as I began to urinate, I suddenly felt a wave of dizziness. The next moment I was aware of was regaining consciousness in the bathtub, startled awake by the sensation of something dripping on me—only to discover it was my own blood. This was my first experience with fainting. When I came to, confusion set in. I was disoriented and couldn’t comprehend why I was being dripped on while in what I thought was my “bed.” Strangely, I also imagined that I was lying on a collection of marbles (which I actually don’t own)—this turned out to be the shattered glass of my shower door lying around me. I’m uncertain whether I lost consciousness first and then fell, or if the fall caused my brief blackout. It took me a few moments to understand why I was in the bathroom at all. I’m not sure how long I was out; I only remember it was around 3 in the morning when I initially got up, and about the same time when I regained consciousness. I dialed 911, and the ambulance arrived promptly. They checked my vitals, performed an EKG and measured my blood sugar, finding nothing unusual. At the emergency room, they repeated the vital checks, conducted a CT scan, drew blood, and took x-rays—yet still no abnormalities were detected. I had several cuts on my face and left arm (curiously, this is the arm that would have been turned away from the door), along with bruising around my ribs. Since the incident, I’ve been suffering from headaches and pain in my ribs. I received stitches on both my face and arm. The nurse suggested I could have stronger pain relief, but I opted for just Toradol. They eventually discharged me, stating, "We’re unsure what caused this, but return if it happens again." What might have triggered such an incident? How can I safeguard against it reoccurring if they remain uncertain about the cause?
Healing Progress Post-GBS: Toe Concerns
I am a 28-year-old male, measuring 5 feet 10 inches and weighing 131 pounds. My current medications include Fomadatine and Zyrtec, prescribed due to my ongoing battle with Chronic Gastritis and SIBO. I maintain a healthy lifestyle, abstaining from both smoking and alcohol. My health concern revolves around the toe adjacent to my pinky toe on my left foot, as well as my pinky toe on the right foot. Since August of last year, I have been on the mend from Guillain Barre Syndrome. Recently, I've noticed that at night, the skin on my feet tends to turn a reddish pink, although this usually improves after I walk around. However, two of my toes have remained red, with one appearing slightly swollen. Generally, my pinky toes are quite thick, but the condition of my left foot's toe is worrisome for me. It seems that I'm unable to upload an image to illustrate my issue.