Is This Truly Normal? I Just Can’t Wrap My Head Around It
I’m a 34-year-old woman weighing 190 lbs, with a background of gestational diabetes on two occasions and two cesarean deliveries. Since 2020, I have been battling frequent illnesses along with systemic symptoms that persistently flare up. Currently, I’m on the following medications: - Abilify 5mg - Wellbutrin XL 150mg - Adderall 20mg IR - Lamictal 150mg Despite my repeated blood tests coming back mostly normal (my iron levels are fine, and the ANA test was negative), I can’t shake the feeling that something is off. I constantly find myself with new unexplained bruises, and it’s becoming increasingly alarming. Each morning I awaken to fresh bruises that don’t hurt at all. I’m not engaging in any activities that could possibly lead to bruising. I’m at a loss regarding my next steps since all my lab results seem normal. I often feel unwell and I’m exhausted from the lack of answers, making me feel rather overwhelmed and anxious.
Answers (1)
8/7/2025, 10:50:41 PM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you’re experiencing frustrating and concerning symptoms, particularly unexplained bruising and persistent feelings of illness despite normal lab results. It’s completely understandable to feel overwhelmed and anxious in this situation. Let’s break this down and explore your possible next steps.
Main Points:
- Unexplained bruising and systemic symptoms can have various causes.
- Normal lab results do not necessarily rule out underlying conditions.
- It's important to take proactive steps to gain clarity on your health.
Explanation:
Frequent unexplained bruising can occur for several reasons. It might be linked to medications you’re taking, certain nutritional deficiencies, or potentially another underlying condition that hasn’t yet been identified. Medications like Adderall and others can affect blood clotting or platelet function, while fatigue can sometimes be a result of hormonal changes or stress-related issues.
Since your blood tests for iron and autoimmune markers (ANA) are normal, it may be beneficial to explore other possibilities, including:
- Platelet Count: A complete blood count (CBC) can help understand if platelet levels are low, which would contribute to easy bruising.
- Medications and Interactions: All the medications you're on might interact or have side effects that lead to bruising. A review of these with a healthcare provider may help identify potential issues.
Next Steps:
-
Keep a Symptom Diary: Document when new bruises appear, any other accompanying symptoms, and potential triggers (diet, stress, new activities) to present to your healthcare provider. This can help spot patterns that may not be evident at first glance.
-
Nutritional Considerations: Evaluate your diet to ensure it's rich in vitamins C and K, and stable in antioxidants. These nutrients play a role in blood vessel strength and healing processes.
-
Consult About Medications: Schedule a review of your current medications with a healthcare provider. Discuss the possibility of side effects or interactions that could lead to your symptoms, and explore alternatives if necessary.
-
Consider Additional Testing: If symptoms persist, suggest to your healthcare provider the need for targeted tests like a CBC or specific tests for clotting disorders (like PT, PTT, and platelet function tests) to rule out underlying issues.
-
Mental Health Support: Given your feelings of anxiety and overwhelm, connecting with a mental health professional could provide coping strategies to manage stress while you seek answers about your physical health.
Remember, it's important to advocate for your health and voice your concerns to ensure that you get the necessary support and answers you need. You're not alone in this, and taking these steps may help you feel more empowered.
Related Questions
Impact of Tegretol Overdose at Age 7
As a woman now in her late thirties, I reflect back on a significant event from my childhood. At just seven years old, I accidentally ingested a large quantity of Tegretol, a medication prescribed to my brother for his epilepsy. Without realizing the danger, I swallowed a handful of those pills and fell asleep on the couch next to my mother. To my surprise, I regained consciousness a week later in a hospital bed. My mother recounted that I had suffered a seizure, at which point she found herself unable to awaken me, leading to a state of coma. Once I awoke, the emotional shift was profound; I transitioned from sadness to experiencing a tumultuous range of feelings. I am now curious about how such an overdose could have impacted my brain function. I attempted to search online for insights but came up empty-handed. Any information or shared experiences related to brain effects from similar situations would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance!
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.
Seeking Guidance on Ice Treatment Post-Surgery
I’m a 34-year-old male, weighing 158 pounds and standing 5 feet 6 inches tall. I lead a non-smoking lifestyle, consume three alcoholic drinks weekly, and do not have any known allergies. I'm currently recovering from right hand and wrist surgery, which took place five weeks ago. I need some advice regarding the use of ice for my treatment, as my wrist remains quite swollen. While I understand the advantages of icing, I find the experience quite intolerable. I attempt to immerse my hand and wrist in ice water completely, but the pain is so intense that I can barely last more than 15 seconds. Is this a challenge of mental resilience where I need to push through the discomfort for the sake of a proper 10-minute soak? In the past, I worked with racehorses, and we would apply ice to their legs for 30-minute sessions, significantly accelerating their recovery. I recognize the effectiveness of this method, yet the pain from the cold is unbearable. Should I endure this discomfort for longer periods?
Rash on My Arm: Should I Be Concerned?
Hi there! I’m a 65-year-old female, and for the past four days, I’ve been dealing with a strange rash on my arm. Unfortunately, I can’t visit a healthcare professional until Monday, so I’m hoping to get some clarity in the meantime. I’ll share some images. If they don’t upload here, I’ll post them in the comments instead. The first image, taken last night, is a bit out of focus, but this morning, the rash has appeared even redder. Although it doesn’t itch now, I did experience some itching during the initial two days. As for my health history, I generally don’t have major health concerns apart from elevated cholesterol levels and a recent A1C reading of 5.9, but I do not have diabetes. I keep fairly active for my age group. During the first couple of days, there was some pus, and I managed to clean it with an alcohol wipe, which helped remove it. Could this be related to a spider bite? I noticed some small spiders (specifically daddy long legs) in my bedroom, especially near the balcony door, and I eliminated a few of them today, so that could be a possibility. Should I be wary of any serious complications from this rash? Any advice would be immensely appreciated! My ER co-payment is quite steep, and there’s no urgent care facility nearby. My only option is to request an appointment with my primary care physician next week, but I’m uncertain if it’s something that warrants immediate attention.
Navigating Recurrent Prostate Cancer: A Patient's Journey
As a 60-year-old man living in New York, I faced a challenging battle with prostate cancer approximately 4.5 years ago. My initial biopsy results indicated a Gleason score of 6. However, in September 2025, my PSA levels alarmingly soared to 27.7. To investigate the possibility of an infection, my doctor prescribed a month-long course of antibiotics. Afterward, my PSA levels showed a slight reduction, dropping to 25.5. Following another biopsy procedure, the Gleason score unexpectedly escalated to 10. This prompted serious discussions with my healthcare provider. He explained that, given the radiation treatment I had previously undergone, the surgical removal of my prostate would be quite complex, with very few surgeons willing to perform such a procedure. Consequently, I sought a second opinion from a specialist in urological cancer. The specialist echoed similar concerns, indicating that the potential complications could severely affect the urethra and rectal lining. Instead of surgery, he proposed cryoablation as a viable alternative. Simultaneously, I commenced treatment with testosterone hormone blockers. To say that this experience has been frustrating is an understatement. Most importantly, I also struggle with urination issues that complicate my daily life. I am reaching out for any insights or advice that might assist me in navigating this difficult situation.