Feeling Lost and Struggling with Health Issues
Age 24, female, nonsmoker, currently taking oral contraceptives, rizatriptan, and diclofenac. My height is 172 cm and my weight is 112 kg. Over the past year, I've experienced a sudden and alarming increase in weight, particularly in the last 5 to 6 months. I've gained around 27 kg since this time last year, despite being more physically active and consuming fewer calories than previously. My abdomen protrudes significantly more than it did last year, and it's even larger than it was in January; it feels quite distended and uncomfortable to the touch. Additionally, I find myself perpetually fatigued. A recent sleep study revealed that I scored 19 on the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, yet my apnea index fell within the normal range. Staying awake has become a challenge; I’ve had to pull over several times while driving due to drowsiness. Lately, I have stumbled to my car after work because I feel like I could fall asleep while walking. If I sit down, I find myself dozing off within just 10 minutes. Comprehensive blood tests and urine analyses for TSH, A1C, and pregnancy have all returned normal results. I often feel unwell and have an unsettling sensation in my stomach. My motivation is low, and eating has become difficult; I feel uncomfortably full and sick after just a few bites of food. There’s pain between my ribs and chest, reminiscent of something stretching my stomach. My bowel movements have been soft and loose in consistency for about three months now, without any solid stools. While I am aware of my family history regarding cancer, I was hoping my tests would show some signs if that were the case. Despite numerous visits to my doctor and being on waiting lists for three different specialists, we have yet to identify any underlying problems. I find myself feeling desperate, unsure of what path to take next. Is there something overlooked in my evaluations? What could be causing these issues?
Answers (1)
7/12/2025, 7:30:45 PM
OpenHealth AI
I'm truly sorry to hear about the challenges you're facing with your health. It's completely understandable to feel overwhelmed and desperate for answers when you're experiencing such difficult symptoms. Based on what you've shared, a significant weight gain, abdominal distention, fatigue, and gastrointestinal issues may all be interconnected, and it's crucial to approach this holistically.
Main Points
- You’re experiencing significant weight gain with abdominal discomfort, persistent fatigue, and changes in bowel habits.
- Blood tests for TSH, A1C, and pregnancy returned normal.
- You have low motivation and a sensation of fullness after minimal food intake.
Explanation
The sudden weight gain and abdominal issues, along with fatigue and changes in bowel habits, may suggest several possible underlying causes. Some considerations include hormonal imbalances (perhaps related to your contraceptive), gastrointestinal conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or perhaps Crohn's disease given your symptoms, or metabolic disorders. The difficulties you’re having with eating could be indicative of an underlying digestive issue.
The discomfort in your abdomen and the feeling of excessive fullness could be related to gastrointestinal motility issues, which can accompany various conditions. Your reported sleepiness and challenges with staying awake seem concerning and may indicate an obstructive issue, even if the sleep study was normal.
Next Steps
-
Maintain a Symptom Diary: Start documenting your symptoms daily. Note when they occur, how severe they are, your food intake, and any associated activities or stressors. This can help identify patterns and triggers over time.
-
Adjust Diet: Focus on a diet that’s gentle on your stomach. Foods like bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast (the BRAT diet) can be soothing when dealing with loose stools. Staying hydrated is essential too; aim for plenty of fluids but talk to a doctor about any electrolyte imbalances.
-
Consult Your Doctor Again: When you see your healthcare provider, share your symptom diary to guide discussions. Request a referral to a gastroenterologist if you haven't already, as this specialist can explore conditions like IBS or Crohn's more thoroughly.
-
Monitor Energy Levels: Try to note when your fatigue occurs most—after food intake, physical activity, or stress. This can help identify if there are specific triggers for your tiredness.
-
Consider Lifestyle Modifications: While waiting for specialist consultations, incorporate more light movement into your day, if possible. Gentle activities like walking can sometimes help improve energy levels and gastrointestinal function.
-
Join Support Groups: Connecting with others who experience similar symptoms can be comforting. They may provide insight into what helped them.
Reassurance
It's truly frustrating to feel like you're not making progress in finding answers, but keep advocating for your health. Collaborating closely with your doctors and specialists, while monitoring your symptoms, will be key in determining the cause of your issues. You're not alone in this journey, and persistent advocacy is often necessary for effective treatment and management. Please feel free to reach out for more support or specific questions as you navigate this process.
Related Questions
Ileum Inflammation Concerns
A 27-year-old underwent a colonoscopy recently, during which the physician observed signs of inflammation in the ileum. Should this finding raise alarm bells? What might be the underlying reasons for such inflammation? The doctor did not provide detailed information regarding this condition.
Need Assistance with Ongoing Symptoms
Over the past few years, I've been experiencing an increasing array of symptoms, yet my medical tests consistently come back clear. I’m a 21-year-old woman with a challenging health history: - When I was 9, I was diagnosed with rheumatic fever, which affected my heart valves. Fortunately, they have healed, and I no longer require penicillin injections. - I've had eczema for quite some time, but it escalated dramatically three years ago, affecting my entire body, which led to my current treatment with Dupixent. - Diagnosed with POTS at the age of 12, I have noticed a worsening of symptoms that makes me question if what I'm experiencing is truly POTS anymore. To combat this condition, I aim to drink around 80 ounces of water daily, utilize compression socks, and take salt tablets. My medication regimen includes: - Adderall for managing ADHD (ruled out as a cause for my tachycardia) - Dupixent - Two Allegra daily (to manage hives) - Various creams for eczema - Salt tablets - Mirena IUD Here’s a summary of my current symptoms, organized chronologically: - Since being diagnosed with POTS at age 12: I've experienced dizziness upon standing, an elevated heart rate when standing, and inadequate blood flow to my extremities. - Periods from ages 14 to 16 were extremely painful, lasting up to 12 days with severe cramps. - In recent years, I've suffered from: - Intense eczema flare-ups - Persistent brain fog - Chronic fatigue - Cramping: Though I no longer have periods due to the IUD, I still endure awful cramps, which I initially suspected might be appendicitis or kidney stones, but it appears to be just another aspect of my condition. - Nausea: I experience vomiting episodes ranging from 5 to 30 times a day, accompanied by constant nausea. - Over the last year, my condition has notably declined: - Extreme fatigue: I feel perpetually drained. - Migraines: I deal with severe, prolonged headaches. - Potential seizures?: I have hesitated to speak to a doctor about this due to fears of losing my driver’s license. Episodes include zoning out, feeling unable to keep my eyes open, and experiencing eye fluttering, with witnesses suggesting it resembles seizure activity. My step-sister, who has epilepsy, believes these might be seizures. While I can still hear faintly during these moments, my vision and speech are significantly impaired. They last around 8–10 seconds but can occur multiple times in a day, usually with a premonitory feeling I can’t control. - Aggravated POTS symptoms: I frequently faint, feel as though my surroundings are spinning even while sitting, and my heart rate has become erratic, occasionally dropping to the 40s before rising again to over 100. - Joint pain: The only abnormal result from blood tests is low vitamin D, for which I take daily supplements, but this joint discomfort may still stem from that deficiency. I constantly feel achy and sore. I may have overlooked some details, but this description is already lengthy enough. Any advice or guidance would be greatly appreciated. I'm simply exhausted from feeling this way, and it’s incredibly challenging to work full-time. I previously managed two jobs, spending long hours on my feet—working over 60 hours a week—but now I can barely muster the energy to get out of bed.
Understanding Bruises and Their Implications
Age: 23, Female Diagnoses: Anxiety, Depression, PMDD, Ongoing ADHD Evaluation Medications: Clindamycin, Tretinoin, Zafemy I often wake up to unexplained bruises on my legs, but recently, I noticed one that has progressively enlarged over the past few days. Despite its growth, it is completely painless and has darkened in color. What steps can I take to differentiate between necrosis and a standard bruise?
Living with a Throat Perforation: A Personal Account
For several years, I have been dealing with a perforation in my throat. This condition arose after enduring severe acid reflux, coupled with a history of binge eating and intermittent smoking. Due to this perforation, stomach acid escapes and seeps into the tissue between my skin and skull, ultimately affecting my bloodstream. Remarkably, I no longer feel any nerve sensations throughout my body, which is an odd experience considering my situation. Despite regular visits to my healthcare provider and undergoing numerous endoscopies, the source of my discomfort remains elusive, as it has not been detected through these procedures. The only additional examination conducted has been a CT scan. Although my blood tests yield mostly normal results, my kidney function appears to be suboptimal, yet this alone has not prompted further action from my doctors. I'm reaching out to see if anyone has encountered a similar issue or has ideas on how I might persuade my medical team to take my condition more seriously. Any insights or experiences you could share would be greatly appreciated.
Home Treatment for UTI: Broad Spectrum Antibiotics vs. Hospital Visit
**Complete Blood Count Analysis** **Date:** July 7, 2025 **Blood Components:** - Basophils: - Absolute count: 0.1 /µL (Reference range: 0.0-0.2) - Percentage: 0.5% - Eosinophils: - Absolute count: 0.4 /µL (Reference range: 0.0-0.7) - Percentage: 2.0% - Hematocrit (HCT): 48.8% (Reference range: 35.0-46.0) - Hemoglobin (HGB): 16.0 g/dL (Reference range: 11.7-16.0) - Lymphocytes: - Absolute count: 6.5 /µL (Reference range: 0.7-3.9) - Percentage: 37.5% - Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin (MCH): 29.7 pg (Reference range: 27.0-33.0) - Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC): 32.8 g/dL (Reference range: 31.5-36.0) - Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV): 90.5 fL (Reference range: 80.0-100.0) - Monocytes: - Absolute count: 1.12 /µL (Reference range: 0.20-0.95) - Percentage: 6.5% - Neutrophils: - Absolute count: 9.0 /µL (Reference range: 1.5-7.8) - Percentage: 52.2% - Platelets (PLT): 330 /µL (Reference range: 130-400) - Red Blood Cells (RBC): 5.4 /µL (Reference range: 3.8-5.3) - Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW): 13.2% (Reference range: 11.0-15.0) - White Blood Cells (WBC): 17.2 /µL (Reference range: 3.8-10.8) **Clinical Observations:** No signs of fever; some mild tachycardia observed; blood pressure within normal limits; feeling unusually fatigued. No urinary troubles reported, and urination appears normal. **Current Medications:** - Propranolol 10 mg twice daily - Norethindrone once a day - Lexapro 10 mg once a day - Hydroxyzine 50 mg as needed - Xolair 300 mg monthly **Medical Diagnoses:** - Mitral valve prolapse and regurgitation associated with tachycardia - Chronic spontaneous urticaria (hives) - Endometriosis **Patient Information:** 28 years old, female. Recently tapered off from 50 mg of prednisone throughout June due to a flare-up of hives.