Seeking Answers for My Ongoing Health Crisis
Age: 44 | Weight: 174lbs | Height: 5'11 | Ethnicity: Caucasian | Duration of Issues: 6.5 Years | Current Medications: None | Lifestyle: Non-smoker, non-drinker. During the spring of 2019, I experienced a sudden illness that has perplexed my healthcare providers. After numerous consultations and conversations with various medical professionals, I turn to the Reddit community in hope of finding some clarity or insight. My range of symptoms includes persistent rhinitis, cognitive difficulties such as brain fog and memory issues, heightened anxiety and depression correlated with dietary intake, chronic fatigue, early awakenings around 3 or 4 a.m., diminished libido, erectile dysfunction, blurriness in vision, dizziness, relentless tendonitis and joint pain, and symptoms of Raynaud's phenomenon more prominently affecting my right hand. I also face tingling sensations in my extremities and experience itchy, burning skin. In the initial stages of this condition, I struggled significantly with nausea, frequent vomiting, gastrointestinal disruptions, and severe muscle tightness particularly throughout my arms, legs, hips, neck, pelvic area, and jaw. Over the past year, I have lost between 41 to 43 pounds, dropping from 215 pounds to 174. I’ve undergone a multitude of tests, including MRIs, hip X-rays, an extensive array of blood tests, a colonoscopy, an endoscopy, and consultations with specialists like a rheumatologist, gastroenterologist, sports physiotherapist, and allergist. All results have come back normal. My testosterone levels were on the lower side but remained within acceptable limits, and I was found to be deficient in Vitamin D. While I have seen some modest improvements over these six years, primarily through applying a methodical approach to identify foods that exacerbate my symptoms, I still maintain a chronic level of discomfort even when avoiding these triggers. My current diet largely revolves around eating mashed potatoes and chicken daily, as they seem to keep my symptoms manageable, allowing me to think more clearly while avoiding severe tendonitis and joint pain. I underwent an elimination diet and suspect that fructans could be at the root of my problems. However, I find it hard to believe that these and Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) treated with rifaximin could explain the broad spectrum of my symptoms, particularly the painful joints and ongoing tendonitis that arise from certain foods. This seems excessive and quite unreasonable. I apologize for any lack of coherence; summarizing six and a half years of illness is no small feat. I was previously an avid runner with immense energy, and now I feel like a shadow of my former self. I’m open to any questions and will provide further details if it would help clarify my situation. Thank you for your support in this matter.
Answers (1)
7/29/2025, 12:40:49 AM
OpenHealth AI
I'm sorry to hear about the long and challenging journey you’ve been on with your health. Your symptoms are complex, and it's understandable to seek clarity given the extensive medical evaluations you've undergone. Let’s break down what you are experiencing and prioritize actionable steps to help you manage your condition and potentially find some relief.
Main Points:
Your symptoms suggest multiple potential underlying issues, including possible food intolerances or autoimmune conditions. Since tests returned normal, it's crucial to focus on symptom management and lifestyle modifications.
Explanation:
The combination of persistent rhinitis, cognitive difficulties, anxiety, chronic fatigue, joint pain, and skin sensations may hint at several interconnected issues, including:
- Food Intolerances: Your insight regarding fructans and SIBO could play a role in gastrointestinal symptoms, which might be exacerbating your overall health.
- Nutritional Deficiency: Vitamin D deficiency can lead to fatigue and joint/muscle pain. Addressing this deficiency could be crucial.
- Autoimmune Considerations: Conditions like autoimmune disorders can produce widespread symptoms, but they can be challenging to diagnose if tests are mostly normal.
Given the duration and complexity of your symptoms, a multi-faceted approach is often most effective.
Next Steps:
-
Nutrition Focus:
- Continue with your elimination diet but consider working with a dietitian who specializes in gastrointestinal issues. Since you suspect fructans and potentially other triggers, structured reintroduction of foods can help clarify your intolerances.
- Focus on increasing your vitamin D through supplements as guided by a healthcare provider. Safe sunlight exposure can also help, depending on your geographical location.
-
Exercise and Physical Therapy:
- Gentle exercise can help manage joint pain and fatigue. Consider engaging in low-impact activities like swimming or walking as tolerated. Stretching routines or physical therapy might assist in your tendonitis.
-
Mental Health Support:
- Since you've noted heightened anxiety and depression linked to dietary intake, incorporating mindfulness practices like yoga or meditation could help improve your mood and cognitive focus.
- Consider speaking with a therapist about the psychological impact of chronic illness; cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) may be particularly beneficial.
-
Symptom Monitoring:
- Keep a detailed symptom diary that records your food intake, symptoms, and emotional state. This can provide insights during subsequent consultations and help identify patterns or triggers.
-
Consult a Specialist:
- Given the complexity of your case, a consultation with a gastroenterologist familiar with functional gastrointestinal disorders could provide an avenue for exploring conditions like SIBO further.
- Additionally, consider discussing your joint symptoms with a rheumatologist who can evaluate for conditions like reactive arthritis or other inflammatory responses.
It’s important to remember that while these changes may take time, gradual adjustments can lead to substantial improvements in your quality of life. If any new symptoms arise or if there are significant changes in your condition, ensure to revisit your healthcare providers for further assessment.
Please let me know if you have more questions or need further clarification on any of these points. You're doing an important task by seeking support for your health.
Related Questions
Young Plumber with Herniated Discs Seeks Guidance
Greetings, medical professionals. I am a 17-year-old plumber who has dedicated the past two years to this trade, beginning when I was just 15. About two years ago, I was involved in a car accident that led to the discovery of three herniated discs: one located in my upper back, while the other two are situated in the mid to lower back region. While it's possible that these injuries stemmed from the accident, I suspect they might not be entirely related. Interestingly, disc problems seem to be common in my family. I'm concerned about my prospects moving forward. What can I expect in terms of health as I age, especially regarding these injuries? Moreover, how can I prevent a situation where I may struggle with mobility in my 50s or 60s? For some time, my pain subsided, but recently, I've started to experience discomfort again in the mid to lower back area, reminiscent of what I felt initially. Any advice or insights would be greatly appreciated!
Seeking Clarity on a Pediatric Surgical Experience
One of my earliest recollections involves surgical gauze wrapped around my genitals and being cautioned to exercise caution regarding my circumcision. This incident dates back to around 1972, when I was roughly three years old. My brother, who was eleven at the time, corroborates this memory and recalls that the bandage remained in place for "a few weeks." His recollection is a bit unclear, but he does remember seeing me running around without pants and with a gauze dressing. He believes the dressing wasn't overly bulky and doesn't recall any stent being used. However, I am aware that his memory may not be completely accurate based on other conversations we've had. He recalls being informed that I underwent surgery for an undescended testicle, yet was never made aware of a circumcision being involved. Later, a physician indirectly confirmed that I had undergone an early orchidopexy. This memory piques my curiosity, particularly since my parents have never brought it up with me. I have knowledge of having glanular/coronal hypospadias, and the details of my situation appear to align with images I’ve encountered depicting partial hypospadias corrections. This leads me to wonder if my circumcision might have actually been related to hypospadias surgery. Unfortunately, any tangible proof of these events was lost when I underwent gender confirmation surgery as a trans woman three decades ago. It's conceivable that the standard circumcision procedure typically performed at birth could have been postponed, given that I was born slightly premature and had significant Rh disease and hypoxia. But could it have been deferred until I reached the age of three? I have made attempts to obtain my medical records, but unfortunately, they have been destroyed over the years. While I understand that definitive answers may be elusive, I would greatly appreciate any insights or thoughts on this matter.
Concerns About Potential Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)
For the past three to four years, I have been dealing with a persistent numbness in my left foot. Initially, I suspected it might be due to a pinched nerve or perhaps something similar, but the sensation has never completely returned. As time has gone by, I've encountered additional worrying symptoms: - My feet have started to develop a purple hue, particularly evident when I sit in positions that put pressure on my legs or when I take a shower. This discoloration has become one of the most alarming signs of my condition. - The growth of my toenails has slowed considerably, and they now appear uneven and ridged. - Additionally, my feet have a temperature that feels significantly colder than the rest of my body, and they no longer grow hair as they once did. I do not smoke and I’m not diabetic; however, I have high cholesterol and received an elevated result on a lipoprotein test. The prospect of PAD is frightening to me, as it seems synonymous with a grim future. I have been referred to a cardiologist, but they are reluctant to conduct an Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) test since I am under 35. I want to remain hopeful and believe I don't have PAD, yet I struggle to identify any other plausible explanations for these symptoms. What could be potential alternatives to consider, if any exist?
Unexplained Left Chest Pain, Electric-Like Jabs in Lower Back, and Unusual Headaches
Hi there, I’m a 15-year-old experiencing some peculiar health issues lately. A visit to my doctor led to a diagnosis of anxiety and poor posture after I complained about headaches and strange, electric sensations rising through my head. However, after that appointment, I became aware of pain in my heart and strange discomfort in my left chest accompanied by difficulty breathing. Initially, I thought these symptoms aligned with anxiety, but they persisted long enough to cause concern. To rule out any serious conditions, I underwent a blood test, which fortunately came back normal. Despite the positive results, I continued to feel unusual pains in my heart region and a peculiar ache in my lower abdomen. The doctor had previously mentioned my poor posture and identified an issue with my occipital nerve, which I’ve somewhat addressed. Now, though, I find myself having intermittent back pain and brief discomfort just beneath my left lung. These pains are indeed strange; they don’t always last long, sometimes just fading after five seconds or they might stick around for several minutes. I tend to spend a lot of time in bed and don’t often leave the house, yet when I do, these pains still occur. Thankfully, they aren’t debilitating, but I can't help but feel anxious thinking something might be significantly wrong with my health. It’s unsettling and I’d prefer not to dwell on such thoughts. To summarize: I experience chest pain in my lower left quadrant, specifically near my lung, alongside a mild but uncomfortable sensation that waxes and wanes. Additionally, I suffer from headaches located on the upper left side of my head. I apologize for any grammatical errors as I used voice-to-text for this message. Another detail that might be relevant is that I have recently quit vaping, now almost 22 days ago, and I wonder if this could be part of the recovery process.
Persistent Shin Discomfort
For the past year, I have been grappling with ongoing discomfort in my shins. Despite consulting multiple physiotherapists and doctors, I have yet to find a solution to my problem. My routine has included extensive strength training targeting my hips, glutes, calves, and lower leg muscles. I've also taken steps to improve my running form and have experimented with various recovery techniques, such as foam rolling and using massage devices. No matter what I try, the pain persists, specifically on the inner side of my lower legs. Initially, I suspected that I was suffering from shin splints. However, given my varied attempts at treatment and the lack of improvement, I am starting to believe that the issue might be something different. Even mundane activities, like walking around at home, have become increasingly uncomfortable, not to mention my inability to ride a stationary bike without experiencing pain. If anyone has any insights or recommendations that could assist me in alleviating this issue, I would be extremely grateful. Thank you for your help! I'm a 20-year-old male, standing at 5 feet 8 inches and weighing 70 kilograms.