OpenHealth Q&A

58 Months of Unexplained Illness: Seeking Insight on Symptoms

### Overview I’m a 17-year-old female, standing at 5 feet 2 inches tall and weighing 96 pounds. For the past eight months, an unidentified illness has plagued me, leading to multiple recurring infections. ### Medication History Currently, I am prescribed Vyvanse at a dosage of 40mg for ADHD, which I have been taking since January 2025. ### Previous Health Conditions - **Iron Deficiency Anemia**: Diagnosed for ten months from January 2024 until October 2024. - **Eustachian Tube Dysfunction**: Ongoing since November 2024. - **Chalazions**: An issue that started in February 2025 and persists. - **Pericoronitis**: Recently experienced this condition for five days, ending about a week ago. Additionally, I have a history of two capillary hemangiomas present since birth—one located on my ear and another on my scalp. I also have vitiligo. ### Symptom Timeline - **September**: Began to notice increased fatigue and a general lack of energy. - **October**: After ceasing iron supplements, lab results showed my serum ferritin levels normalized to 67ug/L. - **November**: I experienced severe ear blockage characterized by intense pressure in my head and neck, making the Valsalva maneuver painfully intolerable. This pressure and pain persisted for weeks, leaving my ears feeling perpetually obstructed. - **December**: Returned to my general practitioner (GP) with more alarming symptoms, including a swollen lymph node on the left side of my neck, frequent episodes of fainting when standing, constant fatigue that leaves me feeling unrested, intolerance to heat, persistent dull headaches that sometimes escalate into severe head pressure, and ongoing irregular menstrual cycles. - **January to February**: Continued to suffer from the previously mentioned symptoms, although the frequency of my dull headaches decreased. New symptoms arose including chronic neck tightness radiating pain into my shoulders and lower head, cold extremities, frequent urges to breathe deeply, increased urination with a peculiar cutoff in my stream, random bruises on my legs, and small white spots beneath my skin near my lip and around my eye area. Overall, my body felt notably heavy. - **Late February to March**: Noticed declining eyesight and dry, painful eyes with floaters. An examination revealed chalazions in both upper eyelids. Additionally, I began to experience acid reflux when bending over and a disconcerting sensation that my elbows were misaligned, accompanied by loud cracking sounds when I fully extended my arms. - **April**: Experienced unusual bleeding between menstrual cycles, which lasted for about five days. Additionally, I faced intermittent stomach pain and bloating. I have lost weight since last November, dropping from 7 stone 5 pounds to my current weight of 6 stone 11 pounds. My appetite fluctuated, but I typically maintain regular eating habits. Blood test results indicated low serum transferrin levels and a slightly elevated neutrophil count. - **May**: Noticed an increase in bruises on my arms and legs, mildly itchy skin, and random hives that appeared and disappeared. The itching became localized mostly around my neck, chest, and armpit areas. I developed small, painful red bumps that burned upon contact. Additionally, I discovered a hard lump in my lower right breast. - **June**: My stool has consistently been mushy and I recently passed several dark stools, which appeared almost liquid in consistency. I endured a recent episode of pericoronitis again, where the lump was quite pronounced in my mouth but subsided after five days. ### Summary While I may be missing a few other symptoms, these stand out as my primary concerns. I would greatly appreciate any insights or potential diagnoses that can be gleaned from this collection of symptoms, as well as any advice regarding possible underlying conditions. ### Note on Heart Rate Additionally, I've observed that my heart rate spikes by around 30 beats per minute when I stand up, and occasionally, I can hear my heart pounding distinctly.

Answers (1)

7/3/2025, 8:50:52 PM

OpenHealth AI

I'm really sorry to hear about your ongoing health challenges. Your symptoms are complex and may stem from a variety of causes, but let's break down the most critical aspects and prioritize what you can do next.

Summary of Key Points

You have been dealing with multiple symptoms over several months, affecting various body systems. Your symptoms include significant fatigue, recurrent infections, gastrointestinal issues, and skin changes, along with troubling signs like heart rate changes upon standing, which may indicate an underlying condition needing further evaluation.

Explanation

Your symptoms, such as prolonged fatigue, weight loss, gastrointestinal disturbances, and changes in skin and hair (e.g., vitiligo and chalazions), could suggest several potential underlying conditions. These may include:

• Autoimmune Disorders: Conditions like lupus and others can cause systemic symptoms, changes in skin pigmentation, and even joint pain (which might relate to the cracking sounds you heard).
• Endocrine Disorders: Hormonal imbalances or issues related to nutrient absorption could contribute to fatigue and changes in your weight and menstrual cycle.
• Nutritional Deficiencies: Given your history of iron deficiency anemia, consider whether deficiencies in other nutrients (like B12 or vitamin D) might be affecting you.
• Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS): The increased heart rate upon standing and associated symptoms could align with this condition, which often presents in younger females.

Next Steps

1. Tracking and Symptom Diary: Start a diary to document your symptoms, their severity, what you were doing when they occurred, and any changes in your routines. This information can be invaluable for healthcare professionals in evaluating your condition.

2. Hydration and Nutrition: Ensure you are drinking plenty of fluids and eating a balanced diet rich in iron and vitamins (including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and proteins). Monitoring your diet can help manage symptoms and overall health.

3. Manage Stress: Practicing relaxation techniques such as yoga or deep breathing exercises may help alleviate some symptoms by reducing overall stress on your body.

4. Seek Immediate Care for Severe Symptoms: If you experience severe headaches, significant changes in vision, sharp chest pain, or very dark or liquid stools, seek urgent medical attention.

5. Schedule Regular Follow-ups: Keep in close contact with your healthcare provider to discuss your ongoing symptoms. You may need blood tests to check for autoimmune markers, vitamin levels, and other factors relevant to your symptoms.

6. Consider a Specialist Consultation: Depending on your primary care provider’s assessment, a referral to a specialist (such as a rheumatologist or endocrinologist) might be warranted to explore the potential autoimmune or endocrine possibilities.

These suggested actions will help in monitoring the situation closely, providing your healthcare team with the information they need, and increasing your chances of identifying the underlying issue effectively. Please remember to be kind to yourself during this challenging time. You're taking steps in the right direction by seeking insight into your health! If you have any more specific questions or need clarification about any of these steps, feel free to ask.