Persistent Neurological Disturbances in a 26-Year-Old Woman
Age: 26 years; Weight: 121 lbs; Height: 5'6". I am currently on birth control, a multivitamin, and a vitamin D supplement. I consume alcohol occasionally but do not use any illicit drugs. I am experiencing a seemingly unending sensation of vibration in my head and eyes, accompanied by various other neurological issues. Whenever I shift my gaze, objects appear to waver or shimmer, almost reminiscent of the distortion seen on hot pavement. This is compounded by additional concerns such as trembling hands, balance difficulties—not only when I walk but also while waiting at a traffic light in my vehicle. My speech often comes out jumbled, I struggle to retrieve words, and understanding song lyrics has become increasingly difficult. Additionally, I've faced significant memory challenges, feeling the weight of both short-term and long-term forgetfulness. I frequently endure sharp pains radiating from my neck to my jaw and ear, find it hard to fall asleep, and wake up feeling exhausted, leaving me fatigued during the day. Concentration is elusive, and I find it challenging to process new information. Mood fluctuations are prominent, and I often sense that I can't breathe deeply or feel rejuvenated. Over the years, these symptoms have intensified, rendering basic daily activities and work tasks quite daunting. An MRI revealed some hyperintensities that are thought to have a vascular origin, likely indicating small vessel disease. The doctor noted that these lesions are scattered throughout my subcortical white matter, yet I can’t help but feel that my age was overlooked in this diagnosis, as this condition is more commonly associated with older individuals. The implications of these findings remain unclear to me. Here are some recent blood test outcomes: - LDL Medium: 365 nmol/L - LDL Particle Number: 1,733 nmol/L - LDL Pattern: B - LDL Peak Size: 215 Angstroms - LDL Small: 382 nmol/L - LDL-Cholesterol: 102 mg/dL (calculated) - Cortisol: 39.2 mcg/dL - ANA positive As for my thyroid and iron levels, they have consistently shown normal results over the years. I cannot persist in this state where everything feels in constant flux.
Answers (1)

8/23/2025, 2:41:36 AM
OpenHealth AI
I’m really sorry to hear about the challenges you’ve been facing with your neurological symptoms. It sounds like you're experiencing a complex situation with multiple factors at play, and it's understandable to feel overwhelmed. Let's break down the situation and focus on practical steps you can take going forward.
Key Considerations:
- Symptoms Overview: You mention persistent neurological disturbances, including visual distortions, tremors, balance issues, memory problems, fatigue, and mood fluctuations.
- MRI Results: The presence of hyperintensities in your brain suggests possible small vessel disease, which is often related to blood flow issues but can be seen in younger individuals as well.
- Blood Test Results: Key findings include a positive ANA (suggesting possible autoimmune processes) and high LDL levels, which may indicate cardiovascular risk factors.
Explanation:
It's important to understand that while your symptoms and MRI findings can seem alarming, they are quite complex and often interrelated. The hyperintensities you have could potentially be linked to vascular issues and possibly autoimmune factors given the positive ANA. Both small vessel disease and autoimmune conditions can manifest with neurological symptoms, but the specific causes can vary widely.
Next Steps:
-
Monitor Symptoms: Keep a detailed journal of your symptoms. Note when they occur, their intensity, and any possible triggers. This information can be invaluable for your healthcare provider in determining the best course of action.
-
Lifestyle Adjustments:
- Diet: Focus on a heart-healthy diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids (like fish), fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. This can help manage cholesterol levels and improve overall vascular health.
- Hydration and Sleep: Proper hydration and establishing a consistent sleep routine can significantly impact your energy levels and concentration. Aim for at least 7-9 hours of quality sleep per night.
- Stress Management: Techniques like mindfulness meditation, yoga, or deep-breathing exercises can help manage stress and improve your overall mood.
-
Focus on Follow-up Care:
- Neurology Consultation: Consider seeking a referral to a neurologist if you haven't already. They may want to explore further testing, including an assessment for autoimmune disorders, given your symptoms and positive ANA.
- Cardiovascular Health Check: Discuss your blood tests with a healthcare provider who may help interpret these results in relation to your neurological symptoms and suggest lifestyle adjustments or treatment if necessary.
-
Support System: Engage with a support group or community for individuals dealing with similar neurological symptoms. Sharing experiences and strategies with others can be comforting and helpful.
-
Exercise Caution with Alcohol: Since you mentioned occasional alcohol consumption, consider reducing or eliminating it, as it could exacerbate neurological symptoms.
Conclusion:
Your situation is highly nuanced, and it's vital to approach it collaboratively with your healthcare providers. Focus on monitoring symptoms, lifestyle changes, and maintaining open lines of communication with your doctors. Remember that help is available, and taking proactive steps can lead to improvements over time. Don't hesitate to reach out for support along the way.
Related Questions
Unexpected Dyslexia-like Symptoms?
A 20-year-old woman weighing 229 pounds has been battling various health challenges, including Autism, Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), moderate Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), and Anemia. Currently, she is prescribed Wellbutrin. She underwent a C-section approximately ten months ago and has a family history that includes BRCA 1 mutations, schizophrenia, ADHD, GERD, type 2 Diabetes, heart disease, and OSA. Recently, she's experienced perplexing symptoms resembling dyslexia that seem to have arisen without warning over the past year. These symptoms manifest as misreading text, where she mixes up consonants or completely misidentifies words. Additionally, she struggles to spell words that were once easy for her, leading to oddly constructed texts containing words that aren’t present or repetitive phrases. This difficulty contrasts sharply with her childhood experiences of hyperlexia, where she excelled in reading, leaving her puzzled and frustrated by this sudden change. Moreover, she has noticed a change in her verbal expression, often mispronouncing some consonants. A past incident may be significant; while playing on a treehouse, she suffered a head injury from a falling nail gun, requiring glue to seal the wound, as she feared stitches would be painful. Although her mother reassured her that no major complications arose from this event, her father recalls some unspecified issues, which she can't fully remember. Now, years later, she wonders whether this injury could be linked to her current condition, as it remains a notable medical milestone in her life. She also suspects that her recent OSA diagnosis might be connected to other neurological concerns. This condition is not attributed to her weight but rather due to possible airway collapse linked to her anatomical structure and her hypermobility associated with symptoms of connective tissue disorders. She is currently awaiting genetic testing. There have been troubling instances where her airway collapsed during anesthesia, necessitating multiple attempts to insert an intubation tube. Overall, she has found it increasingly challenging to communicate effectively and now relies on autocorrect features for texting and other written interactions, adding to her frustrations.
Experiencing Lymph Node Issues – Urgent Help Needed
Hello, I'm a 28-year-old man, and I need some advice. Recently, I began feeling discomfort in a lymph node located in my left armpit. Within a couple of days, it developed into two visibly swollen nodes. Since I can't think of any other explanation, I’m fairly certain they are lymph nodes. The swelling escalated quite rapidly; it hurt significantly on the first day and visibly enlarged as the day progressed. Additionally, a section of the skin in my armpit turned red and began to throb, likely due to the pressure. Naturally, I panicked and immediately thought about potential cancer, but I decided to try some basic self-care remedies like using warm compresses and taking ibuprofen. While the pain subsided somewhat, the swelling persisted. Tonight, before going to bed, I took my evening dose of ibuprofen and decided to inspect my armpit. When I gently pressed on the swollen lymph node, a gooey substance began to ooze out through my skin. It was similar to when you extract a small blackhead or a blister, but it was more substantial in volume. The fluid had a whitish-yellow tint, and although it contained a bit of blood, it didn’t emit a particularly foul odor — I’m not quite sure how to describe the scent. After applying a bit more pressure, even more of the substance came out. I plan to visit the doctor first thing in the morning, but I’m really anxious and would appreciate any insight into what might be happening. Please help me!
Exploring the Impact of Gastric Surgery: Outcomes and Advantages
The question arises: do the benefits associated with gastric surgery stem from significant weight reduction, the actual removal of part of the stomach, or are the two factors collectively responsible, with varying degrees of influence? A major point of inquiry focuses on the improvement of sleep apnea in patients undergoing gastric sleeve procedures. Is this enhancement primarily due to the physical excision of stomach tissue, or does it arise chiefly from the resulting weight loss that follows the surgery?
Seeking Help to Understand My MRI Findings
I’m currently facing a challenging situation as I search for a new neurologist. This MRI serves as a follow-up to one I underwent in January. Since the beginning of 2024, I've experienced non-epileptic seizures and several other neurological incidents, which led to a diagnosis of Functional Neurological Disorder (FND). Here's what the report indicates: **BACKGROUND**: The MRI was conducted to evaluate reported non-epileptic seizures and determine the presence of any brain lesions. **COMPARISON**: This MRI was compared to the one done on February 19, 2025. **TECHNIQUE**: The examination utilized multiplanar multisequence imaging without contrast, incorporating a 3D coronal T2 FLAIR sequence. **FINDINGS**: - A small area in the right centrum semiovale shows a slight increase in T2 signal that remains unchanged compared to previous scans. - There are subtle increases in T2 signal noted in cortical areas of both the right and left medial temporal lobes, as well as in the right and left insular regions. The volume of the medial temporal lobes appears normal. - No restrictions in diffusion were observed, nor is there any sign of hydrocephalus, fluid accumulation outside of the brain, or recent bleeding inside the skull. Overall, brain volume is normal with no unusual blood flow findings noted. There is a mild enlargement of the adenoid gland, measuring 2.4 cm in diameter, and the marrow signal appears normal. **INTERPRETATION**: - There are subtle irregularities in the signal of the cortical gray matter located in the bilateral medial temporal lobes and insular cortices. Importantly, there is no evidence of any mass effect or atrophy in the medial temporal lobe. These findings could be related to recent seizures or areas of seizure activity within the brain. The previously mentioned subtle white matter abnormality in the right centrum semiovale has not changed, and the rest of the white matter appears normal without any new issues. Consultation with a neurologist is recommended. If anyone could provide some clarification on this, it would be greatly appreciated! 😊
Concerns About Brain-Eating Amoebas Following Sinus Rinse
Hello, I’m a 25-year-old male, standing 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighing 150 pounds. I recently underwent surgery to correct a deviated septum and was advised to use sinus rinses for one week after the procedure. In my research, I discovered that the recommended water types for these rinses include distilled, properly purified (with specific guidelines for purification), or boiled water. Lacking experience and knowledge, I wrongly assumed that using purified drinking water would suffice. However, upon diving deeper into the topic, I stumbled upon information about Naegleria fowleri, a notorious brain-eating amoeba that can be lethal if it enters the nasal cavity. I turned to ChatGPT for clarification on whether the brand of drinking water I used, "Nestle Pure Life," was adequate for sinus rinses without additional boiling. The response I received was negative, which has left me feeling like I’m facing a serious health risk.