Unexplained Health Episodes
Hello everyone, I reached out on TikTok for assistance and was encouraged to share my situation here for additional insights. I'm a 26-year-old female. Earlier this year, in 2023, I experienced a troubling incident resembling a stroke; I was unable to smile, felt extreme weakness, and numbness spread throughout my right side. My speech became slurred and stuttered as if intoxicated, even though that isn’t a normal occurrence for me, and I lost my balance. Despite these alarming symptoms, the emergency room conducted a CT scan and found no irregularities, although my potassium and magnesium levels were low. Following that event, I faced similar episodes—though less intense—for the next six months. A video EEG was performed, but I didn’t have any episodes during the monitoring, resulting in no data capture. Furthermore, my MRI of the brain returned normal results. A two-week cardiac monitor also concluded that everything was fine. These episodes subsided for almost a year but returned with increased severity this past April. During another emergency visit aimed at stroke evaluation, the CT scan and angiogram once again revealed no abnormalities, and a subsequent brain MRI confirmed normalcy. Recently, the frequency of my episodes has risen; however, they are primarily less severe, usually not warranting an ER visit. Occasionally, I experience temporary vision disturbances as well. These episodes have been triggered while I was trying to sleep, shopping, cooking with family, during panic attacks, among other situations, yet I haven't pinpointed a specific pattern. My neurologist has prescribed propranolol, theorizing it might be related to complex migraines, but after two months on this medication, I haven’t observed any significant changes. Additionally, I have a history of type 2 diabetes (which is managed), chronic migraines, hypertension, high cholesterol, elevated liver enzymes, anxiety, depression, and PCOS. My current medications include Mounjaro, Fenofibrate, Rosuvastatin, Omeprazole, Jardiance, Soliqua, HCTZ, Losartan, Prozac, Rexulti, and Spironolactone. I'm seeking insights into what might be causing these troubling issues since I haven't made any notable alterations to my diet, exercise routines, or weight.
Answers (1)
7/1/2025, 10:40:40 PM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you're experiencing distressing and complex health episodes that you are eager to understand better. Your history and symptoms suggest a multifaceted condition that may involve neurological and cardiovascular elements. I will provide some insights into potential causes, but it’s crucial to focus on managing your symptoms and improving your quality of life.
Main Points:
- Possible Causes of Symptoms: Your episodes might be linked to migraine variants, anxiety, or heart-related issues that can sometimes manifest with neurological symptoms.
- Symptom Monitoring: Keeping a detailed diary of your episodes can help identify triggers and patterns.
- Reviewing Medications and Lifestyle: Consider potential side effects of your medications and overall lifestyle choices.
Explanation:
The symptoms you describe, including slurred speech, weakness, and numbness, can align with various medical conditions, especially migraines with aura, anxiety-related episodes, or even transient ischemic attacks (mini-strokes), despite the negative CT and MRI findings. Given your medical history, medications, and symptoms, there is a possibility of complex migraines being a significant factor.
- Complex Migraines: These can cause significant neurological symptoms that mimic strokes. It’s not uncommon for standard migraine treatment to be ineffective for some patients.
- Anxiety and Panic Attacks: These can cause physical symptoms that resemble neurological issues, contributing to weakness or numbness during episodes.
- Cardiac or Vascular Issues: While your tests have come back normal, it’s essential to ensure that your cardiovascular health is monitored, especially given the elevated liver enzymes and other chronic conditions.
Next Steps:
-
Symptom Diary: Begin tracking your episodes meticulously. Note the time, duration, severity, activities you were engaged in, and any stressors or environmental factors preceding the events. This information can help identify patterns or triggers for further evaluation.
-
Medication Review: Discuss with your healthcare provider about the efficacy of propranolol and consider whether adjustments or alternatives might be beneficial. Some medications may have effects that contribute to your symptoms.
-
Lifestyle Considerations:
- Ensure proper hydration and nutrition, particularly focusing on electrolytes (potassium and magnesium) due to your previous low levels. This may require dietary adjustments or supplementation.
- Monitor stress levels and consider incorporating stress-reducing techniques such as mindfulness, meditation, or gentle exercise (like yoga) which may help manage anxiety and, in turn, reduce the frequency of episodes.
-
Follow-Up: Ensure regular follow-ups with your neurologist or a specialist who understands your complete medical history and can provide tailored insights. If you continue experiencing episodes, consider asking for a referral to a headache specialist or a comprehensive migraine clinic.
Please remember your health journey is important, and pursuing the right support and care can lead to better management of your symptoms. If symptoms escalate or change significantly, seek medical assistance.
Related Questions
Navigating MALS Challenges: Seeking Guidance
Hello everyone! I’m a 36-year-old female dealing with multiple health conditions, including EDS (Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome), MALS (Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome), and ulcerative colitis, among several other unrelated issues. I wanted to share my experience with MALS, which has been confirmed for me. Back in May 2024, I underwent revision surgery. Unfortunately, the recovery did not go as hoped. Due to my EDS, the celiac artery lacks the ability to function independently, which my surgeon described as it being "too floppy." At that time, I accepted this outcome because the excruciating pain had subsided, and I was able to eat and gain weight again. However, now I find myself facing a resurgence of pain that is quite intense. A CT scan I had last week revealed severe stenosis in my celiac artery, coupled with a soft tissue prominence at the diaphragmatic crus and the beginning of the celiac axis. Currently, I’m taking Norco 10-325 three times a day and Lyrica 75 mg three times daily. While these medications provide some relief, the pain is overwhelming, and I can’t help but feel as if I’ve returned to my previous struggles from two years ago. Doctors are suggesting that the only option is to go in and "clean out the adhesions". I come to you all for your insights: Do you think pursuing a clean out procedure is advisable, or could it pose too much risk considering my EDS? I appreciate your thoughts and thanks for reading my story.
Hernia Diagnosis Without Follow-Up: A Conflicting Situation
A 22-year-old male recently visited the emergency room due to discomfort in his lower abdomen. Upon examination, the medical team was indecisive about whether he was experiencing an oblique muscle problem or a hernia. Surprisingly, they opted against performing a CT scan or ultrasound and did not schedule any follow-up appointments. To the best of my knowledge, hernias typically do not resolve themselves with merely the use of ace bandages or over-the-counter pain medication; surgical intervention is usually necessary for proper treatment. Is there a specific rationale behind their reluctance to pursue further diagnostic testing or surgery?
Unexplained Episodes of Abdominal Discomfort
Age: 28 Gender: Female Weight: 194 lbs Height: 5’7" Current Medications: Vitamin D, Fish Oil, B Complex Vitamins, Birth Control Pills, Vyvanse 30 mg Health Background: Asthma, Eczema, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) Since August 2025, I've experienced three occurrences of intense abdominal discomfort that necessitated visits to the emergency room for pain management. These episodes usually strike at night, escalating to unbearable levels within around 30 minutes. None of the sitting positions seem to provide relief, and gastrointestinal medications have proven largely ineffective. Only strong pain relievers seem to alleviate the suffering. After the peak of the pain subsides, my abdomen remains sensitive for more than three days. I can accurately identify the location of the discomfort, which appears to be between the midepigastric area and near the gallbladder. The pain is difficult to articulate, yet it presents as a severe burning and aching sensation. Interestingly, there does not seem to be any specific food intake related to these pain episodes. I underwent an H. Pylori breath test that returned negative results. Additionally, I had an esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). Although the biopsies were also negative for H. Pylori, they did reveal residual liquid in my stomach and a small section of intestinal metaplasia. My complete blood count (CBC) and comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP) results were normal, except for elevated LDL levels, which I’m already aware of. My gastroenterologist has recommended a gastric emptying study (GES) to evaluate the functionality of my stomach. If results indicate no issues, we will then investigate the gallbladder. Are there alternative explanations for my symptoms? Should I be worried about autoimmune metaplastic atrophic gastritis (AMAG)? While I have been diagnosed with GERD, this pain feels distinctly different from the GERD-related discomfort. I am not entirely sure it is gastroparesis, even though I occasionally regurgitate if I eat too quickly; I do not experience nausea or malnutrition. I have researched extensively, and my symptoms align with biliary colic. However, I am anxious about the possibility of gallstones not appearing in the ultrasound. My gastroenterologist is not particularly concerned about the intestinal metaplasia, but being only 28 years old, I find this worrying. As a medical student, these painful episodes significantly hinder my studies and academic progress.
Understanding My Symptoms: A Personal Account
I’m sharing my experiences here, as I haven’t received much feedback elsewhere. I am a 15-year-old female, measuring about 5 feet tall (152 cm) and weighing between 105 and 110 pounds (47-50 kg). I identify as Hispanic and Cuban, and legally fall under the white classification. I reside in Palm Beach County, Florida, and I am a U.S. citizen. I have a diagnosis of Autism and previously had ADD, although that diagnosis has been dropped, which leaves me unsure about my current condition—whether ADHD applies or not. Additionally, I have a past history of anemia, although it is currently not diagnosed. For the past year, I've experienced a range of symptoms that appear intermittently and are often present almost daily. While these symptoms vary, they haven’t subsided. I’ve noticed that both physical activity and caffeine can either trigger or exacerbate these issues. Now, I’d like to detail the symptoms I've been facing. One of my major concerns is my balance; when I stand, I often feel unsteady, and sometimes I even limp. This particular symptom is quite troubling as it occurs frequently. I also experience occasional dizziness and fatigue, which leaves me feeling too weak to move, causing me to remain still for prolonged periods. During episodes of significant fatigue or balance issues, I find myself starting to stutter and I suspect my speech may slur at times. Additionally, my hands sometimes shake, especially when I struggle to walk. There could be other symptoms I haven’t recalled yet, but this is what I remember for now. I will provide updates if I think of anything else, and I welcome any engagement. Furthermore, I’ve noticed irregularities with my heart rate. Initially, when these symptoms began, my resting heart rate dropped from the 80s and 90s to the 50s and 60s; this lower rate has persisted. Lately, however, even simple tasks such as standing, walking short distances, or rocking back and forth (which I do as a self-soothing mechanism) have caused my heart rate to spike to the 100s. These changes are new, while the other symptoms have been consistent for about a year. I genuinely seek guidance or support, as I feel uneasy relying on AI for self-assessment. Unfortunately, I can't afford doctor visits at this time, and my caretaker has shown little concern for my well-being. Therefore, please refrain from suggesting medical consultations. Thank you for taking the time to read my story. I’m open to any questions.
Understanding Lymph Node Sensitivity
A 32-year-old female with a BMI of 28 poses a concern about potential lymph node activity. Over the past three months, she has noticed tender areas coinciding with her menstrual cycle. She has detected slight lumps, but is careful not to press deeply into the tissue to avoid further discomfort. Initially, in December, the sensitivity was localized to the left side of her breast. In January, she observed similar tenderness in her inner left thigh, and by February, both areas and the region above her armpit were affected. Additionally, she has been experiencing fluctuations in her hormonal balance lately. The discomfort in her left breast has persisted for most of this time since December. She wonders whether this is a typical response from lymph nodes due to hormonal changes or if it would be advisable to consult her general practitioner for further evaluation.