Understanding My Recent Health Crisis: A Deep Dive
At the age of 53, and being non-binary assigned female at birth (AFAB), I've been dealing with multiple health conditions, including Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and Addison's disease. In April 2024, I underwent gastric bypass surgery. I’m currently on a regimen of medications, which include Prednisone, Estrogen, Armour thyroid, and I receive Tysabri infusions every four weeks. Additionally, I use a scopolamine patch as needed. My height is 5’4” and I weigh 131 pounds. Three nights ago, I had what I thought was a normal evening. After eating some sugary cereal paired with dried fruits, I quickly started to feel unwell. Within just ten minutes, I was struck by nausea that escalated into severe abdominal cramps, diarrhea, cold sweats, and dry heaving. This intense episode lasted about two hours. I eventually fell asleep around 3 a.m., but when I woke up at 6 a.m., I was still exhausted and fell back asleep. I distinctly remembered waking again around 9 a.m., yet I felt an overwhelming inability to get out of bed, and I ended up sleeping for almost 16 hours. When my partner returned home that evening, he found me in a concerning state—disoriented and very weak, struggling to crawl. I experienced what looked like seizure-like movements for roughly ten minutes. He helped me to the couch, provided some water, and gave me my prescribed anti-nausea medications. After about an hour, clarity started to return, although my thoughts remained hazy. That night, I slept soundly, and the next morning, I felt peculiar sensations in my head when I moved around. I managed to hydrate with an electrolyte drink throughout the day while taking intermittent naps. By today, I feel generally better but I still experience a bit of mental fog; the episode lasted approximately 36 hours in total. I’m now questioning whether this could have been an episode of dumping syndrome or possibly a result of low blood pressure—particularly since I had recorded a low reading of 94/52 just before these symptoms began. My partner was quite concerned and wanted me to seek emergency care, given the remote nature of our location in Alaska, which would require a medical flight. I insisted against it at the time, but now I'm left wondering if I should have made a different choice. I've had similar episodes before, but they were never as severe or left me with such memory gaps concerning the incident.
Answers (1)
7/21/2025, 7:01:44 AM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you've had an incredibly distressing experience, and I'm glad you're reaching out for support and clarification. The symptoms you described could be attributed to several factors, including potential dumping syndrome, low blood pressure, or a reaction to food combined with your existing health conditions. Here’s a breakdown of the main points and some actionable guidance.
Main Points
- Your symptoms could suggest dumping syndrome or a potential episode of low blood pressure contributing to your disorientation and weakness.
- The episode you experienced was intense, and while you feel better now, monitoring your health closely is essential going forward.
Explanation
Dumping Syndrome: After gastric bypass surgery, some people experience dumping syndrome, which occurs when food moves too quickly from the stomach to the small intestine. Symptoms often include nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, and dizziness. Foods high in sugar can trigger these symptoms, as you experienced with the cereal and dried fruit.
Low Blood Pressure: Your recorded blood pressure of 94/52 indicates low blood pressure, which can lead to dizziness and fainting. If you feel faint or disoriented, it may be related to this, possibly exacerbated by dehydration or your current medications.
Prioritized Next Steps
-
Track Symptoms: Keep a detailed diary of any similar episodes, including what you ate, how you felt before and after, and any relevant health metrics (like blood pressure). This information will be valuable for future health assessments.
-
Dietary Adjustments: Avoid foods high in sugar and try to consume smaller meals that are balanced with protein, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to mitigate any potential dumping syndrome. Focus on foods that are high in nutrients but lower in simple sugars to maintain stable energy levels.
-
Hydrate Properly: Continue to focus on hydration with electrolyte-rich drinks, especially considering your history of low blood pressure. Ensuring that you are consistently drinking water can help prevent dehydration, which may contribute to further low blood pressure episodes.
-
Monitor Blood Pressure: If you have access to a blood pressure monitor, keep track of your readings, especially when you feel weak or disoriented. Note any patterns or significant changes.
-
Consider Medication Review: Given your medications and recent episodes, it might be beneficial to evaluate your medications’ impacts, especially with your healthcare team. Work with them to ensure that none of your medications are contributing to side effects like low blood pressure or nausea.
-
Follow-up on Symptoms: If similar severe episodes recur, or if you experience heightened confusion or seizure-like movements, seeking emergency care or a consultation with a healthcare professional is crucial. Given your complex medical background, prioritizing your safety is essential.
Reflection
It's understandable to reflect on whether emergency care was warranted during your episode. In hindsight, while mild symptoms may sometimes be managed at home, severe symptoms involving confusion, weakness, or altered consciousness often require immediate medical evaluation. Trusting your instincts in the moment can be challenging, especially when feeling unwell.
If you continue to feel unusual sensations or mental fog, or have further episodes, consider scheduling a follow-up appointment to discuss your experiences in more detail. Your health is complex, and your well-being matters most. Take care, and I'm here if you have additional questions or concerns.
Related Questions
Navigating Health Concerns: A Young Woman's Plight with Chronic Migraines and Stress
To summarize a very complex situation, last spring in 2025 was exceptionally challenging for me. I faced overwhelming stressors, including family deaths, eviction, and my parents splitting up. This turmoil led to chest pains so severe that I had to visit the emergency room because I couldn’t breathe deeply without experiencing intense pain. The doctors attributed the issue to psychological causes, but I continued to suffer from pain and instances of fainting due to the stress, which worsened as yet another family member was diagnosed with cancer. My psychiatrist suggested medication, and I started on Lexapro and Concerta, which improved my condition somewhat, even though I remained fatigued and felt like I was merely surviving. By the end of August, I contracted a severe case of bronchitis that caused me to experience fevers even while doing laundry. It seemed I was verging on pneumonia, prompting the prescription of prednisone and other steroid medications. Thankfully, I began to recover quickly, but soon after, I was plagued by persistent headaches and an overwhelming sense of paranoia that someone was out to get me. After another emergency room visit, the physicians informed me that, although my symptoms—such as fever, intense pain, night sweats, sensitivity to light, ear pressure, and a stiff neck—were alarming, they were likely just severe migraines that should eventually fade. Unfortunately, they didn’t. I returned to urgent care for further treatment, received antibiotics, and was advised to consult a neurologist. While the antibiotics provided some relief, my symptoms intensified. My primary care physician eventually prescribed sumatriptan, a medication intended to alleviate migraine pain, but instead, it exacerbated the headache. For the next two to four weeks, I endured an exceptionally difficult time, facing numerous strange symptoms that felt worthy of immediate attention, yet each visit concluded with a migraine diagnosis and a waiting period for my neurology appointment. My frustrations pushed me to contemplate risky alternatives for relief, but I resisted, feeling utterly hopeless and unable to cope. I sought an ear, nose, and throat specialist to rule out sinus issues, which turned out to be fine. A painful spot under my jaw led me to suspect nerve involvement, and I visited the emergency room again due to experiencing stroke-like symptoms (including mild left arm weakness, extreme headache, and minor speech issues). Sadly, I was again told it was merely a headache, and the IV medications were ineffective. During my annual check-up, my primary care provider was unfamiliar with my ongoing issues but discovered an enlarged lymph node in the lower left side of my neck and a cyst on my thymus after conducting a soft tissue scan. She reassured me that there was no need for concern and suggested waiting for my neurology visit or getting my eyesight checked. Despite my yellower complexion, increasing stiffness, and joint pain, I accepted her recommendation. While I mentally adapted to the chronic pain, which was always present, it affected my ability to concentrate and engage in daily life. I tried consuming plenty of lemon juice and engaging in lymphatic drainage massages, which provided transient relief and halted my yellowing skin. Now, in the present, I've noticed a peculiar, raised red bump on the side of my foot. It’s hard, tender, and smaller than a dime, without any accompanying rash. It has persisted for a couple of weeks without causing pain while walking. Additionally, more lymph nodes in my neck have become swollen, I have experienced difficulty swallowing, and I occasionally choke on air. My lungs feel heavier with a diminished sense of smell, though I don't have the thick mucus typical of a cold. The headaches, however, are reemerging, sharper than before, which is a concerning development. Throughout all of this, my blood pressure has remained within a low yet stable range, and my blood tests and CT scans have shown no significant issues. I haven’t consumed anything excessively that might raise concern, including food or drugs. Am I truly facing a serious health crisis? Should I prioritize getting another appointment, or do I need to rush to urgent care? I'm scheduled to see the neurologist in about a month, and I'm wondering if I should ask my primary care provider for some preliminary tests like blood work or an MRI beforehand. If so, what specific questions should I prepare for my neurology visit? I believe the pain has a genuine physical basis, although my anxiety definitely amplifies the experience.
Inquiry Regarding Metronidazole Use for Recurrent Bacterial Vaginosis
I am a 32-year-old female, measuring 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighing 248 pounds. My current medications include Vyvanse at a dosage of 40mg, a medication for asthma, vitamin D, a 325mg iron supplement, and as of now, I am also taking amoxicillin to treat strep throat. I am about to begin using Metronidazole 0.75% Vaginal Gel, with a total of 70 grams available. The instructions indicate that I should administer 5 grams vaginally twice a day for seven days, followed by twice a week for a period of two months. During the initial treatment phase when I will apply the gel twice daily, I anticipate abstaining from sexual activity. However, once I transition to the twice-weekly application, is it permissible to engage in sexual intercourse? I would normally consult my physician about this matter, but she is currently unavailable, and the nurse is also out of the office, which is quite frustrating.
Concern Regarding Persistent Tongue Bump with White Coating
I am a 24-year-old male, standing at 190 cm tall and weighing 109 kg. For the past five weeks, I've experienced a peculiar issue on my tongue. Specifically, there's a noticeable bump on the right side near the tip, which I believe may have been developing over time, although I'm not entirely sure about that timeline. Recently, I've been troubled by an unusual sensation, including dryness, an odd taste, and a slight decrease in my sense of taste. Additionally, I've observed a white coating that is more pronounced on the aforementioned side of my tongue. The bump in question: - Does not cause any pain. - May have increased slightly in size over the weeks, though I'm uncertain. - Appears smooth with a pink surface, free of bleeding or ulceration. Given that this issue has persisted for over a month, I am feeling quite anxious and am concerned that it may indicate a serious problem. I have no significant medical history, but I confess that my dental hygiene has not been up to par, as I haven’t been brushing regularly. At this moment, I’m also under medication for H. pylori, known as Pylera, but this tongue concern predates my treatment. I am a non-smoker and am reaching out for any insights on this condition. Has anyone experienced something similar? Could this be a sign of irritation, infection, or something benign? I really appreciate any guidance you could provide. Thank you!
Experiencing Clear Fluid from Ear with No Discomfort: Should I Wait for My Appointment?
I am a healthy 57-year-old female, weighing 120 pounds and standing 5 feet 5 inches tall. My daily medications include 100 mg of Losartan for effectively managed high blood pressure, 200 mg of Lyrica taken twice daily for post-herpetic neuralgia, 100 mg of Synthroid following treatment for thyroid cancer, and a combination hormone replacement therapy patch. Additionally, I take Zyrtec and Flonase every day to combat allergies. Since October, I have been dealing with persistent tinnitus in my right ear, accompanied by some pressure and a muffled sensation. Recently, I've noticed that when I speak, it feels akin to the sensation I experience when my ears clear during a flight after chewing gum—my voice sounds amplified in my head. I've scheduled an appointment with a physician's assistant in an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) office for the end of March due to my worries about the tinnitus and any potential hearing impairment. Yesterday, I noticed that my ear emitted a clear fluid. Thankfully, there was no associated pain. The fluid was somewhat thicker than water, completely odorless—unlike the unpleasant discharge I recall from my daughter's ear infections—and there was no sign of blood. Could this indicate a perforated eardrum? I suspect this might be the case, but can this occur without an underlying infection? Should I seek attention sooner than my appointment in March? I would prefer to avoid urgent care during flu season; however, if this situation is serious, I am prepared to take precautions and visit.
Understanding the Increased Pain in My Foot While Reclining
At 30 years old, I am nearing the five-week mark since undergoing surgery on my metatarsals. I've encountered a troubling issue: I can’t seem to find comfort when lying down, whether it’s with my foot raised or lying flat. My pain level escalates to a severe 10 out of 10, unless my foot is making contact with the floor or I dangle my leg off the side of the bed so that my toes touch the ground. Is this situation typical for someone in my circumstances? Are there any suggestions that might assist me in getting a better night's sleep?