I Need Insight on Bizarre Health Symptoms!
I’m reaching out in hopes of finding some guidance for a troubling health situation I’m facing. I genuinely need some advice. I’m a 20-year-old woman, weighing 240 pounds and standing at 5 feet 4 inches. My only formal diagnoses are Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and asthma. I started showing signs of fatty liver when I was 16 and was diagnosed with asthma at 18. My doctor has recommended Vitamin D supplements, but I’ve avoided them because they seem to exacerbate my current issues. I don’t engage in drinking, drug use, or smoking – I assure you. Since the beginning of this year, I’ve been grappling with several distressing symptoms. It all commenced with severe digestive problems. These episodes typically unfold during the night, bringing on nausea, gagging (without vomiting), watery diarrhea, chills, and significant bloating. I often feel incredibly cold at these times, and the fatigue can be overwhelming, as I feel like I’m battling for my well-being. I’ve been brought to tears on those nights, pleading for help. Initially, these occurrences happened about every two weeks, but they’ve now ramped up to nearly weekly episodes. I’ve attempted various medications for relief, but even anti-diarrheals don’t seem to benefit me. I’ve explored natural remedies as well, including numerous vitamins that claim to alleviate stomach discomfort. Leaving my house without medication has become a source of anxiety, as one wrong meal can send my stomach into turmoil. The diarrhea and gas are persistent, and despite knowing that anti-diarrheals may be harmful to my liver, they are my only means of getting any normalcy in my day. I am reaching out to ask if anyone has any ideas about what might be going on with me. My doctors appear to be perplexed by my symptoms, and while I’ve undergone a series of blood tests, nothing definitive has emerged, aside from indications of potential pre-diabetes and signs suggesting my body is fighting something off. I’m desperate for any potential explanations to discuss during my next appointment. I am convinced that something is not right, and while my doctors may not see how much it affects my quality of life, I am keen on finding a solution. Without a coherent theory about my health, I worry they might not take my concerns seriously enough. Thank you very much for taking the time to read my post. I don’t usually share on platforms like this, so I hope I presented my situation clearly. I have an appointment scheduled for tomorrow, and I plan to insist on additional tests to uncover what’s happening. I might provide updates afterward!
Answers (1)
8/27/2025, 11:53:41 PM
OpenHealth AI
I'm truly sorry to hear about the distressing symptoms you're experiencing, and it's commendable that you're seeking guidance to improve your health. Let's focus on understanding your symptoms and prioritizing steps you can take to address them.
Key Points
- Symptom Patterns: Your symptoms, including severe digestive issues, are concerning and have worsened over time.
- Potential Underlying Conditions: The combination of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, asthma, and new digestive issues suggests the need for a thorough evaluation.
- Emotional Impact: It's understandable to feel anxious and frustrated; gastrointestinal distress can significantly affect your quality of life.
Explanation
Your symptoms may be influenced by multiple factors, including dietary choices, stress, and perhaps underlying gastrointestinal conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or even food intolerances. Given your liver condition, it’s important to be cautious about medications.
Next Steps
-
Keep a Symptom Diary: Document your symptoms, including the timing of episodes, food intake, emotional state, and any medications taken. This detailed log can provide critical information for your doctor.
-
Explore Dietary Modifications: Consider working with a nutritionist or using an elimination diet to identify any food intolerances that may contribute to your symptoms. Common triggers can include dairy, gluten, or high-fat meals.
-
Prioritize Your Doctor's Appointment: At your upcoming appointment, emphasize your experiences in detail. Discuss your symptom diary, and request specific tests for gastrointestinal issues (like celiac disease or gastrointestinal infections) alongside a review of your liver condition.
-
Discuss Chronic Stress Management: High levels of stress can exacerbate gastrointestinal symptoms. Consider implementing relaxation techniques like mindfulness, meditation, or gentle yoga to assist with anxiety.
-
Following Up on Vitamin D: If you have concerns about Vitamin D affecting your symptoms, bring this up with your doctor. They can help adjust or choose alternatives that might suit your needs better.
Remember, you're advocating for your health, and it's essential to voice all your concerns. Your well-being matters, and seeking clarity on your health situation is a strong step forward. If you need further assistance or have updates after your appointment, feel free to share. Take care!
Related Questions
Increasing Pain in the Sternal Area
A 26-year-old female, standing 5 feet 2 inches tall and weighing 150 pounds, is seeking insights into her health condition. **Current Medications:** birth control and Allegra. **Past Medical History:** includes irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C), bilateral cubital tunnel syndrome that required surgical intervention at ages 17 and 18, and minor kyphosis. For the past year, she has experienced considerable stiffness, along with clicking and popping sensations, accompanied by mild discomfort located at the costosternal junction, particularly around the second to fourth ribs, with greater intensity on the left side. Recently, during the last three days, she noticed a notable increase in pain on the left, to the extent that it occasionally causes a sharp sensation that temporarily immobilizes her. However, once she changes her position, the pain becomes more bearable. Notably, she is not experiencing any shortness of breath. The pain appears to be triggered by movement and can be replicated, leading her to believe that cardiac or pulmonary issues are unlikely. Attempts to alleviate the discomfort with a lidocaine patch have been largely ineffective, although she has found some slight relief with ibuprofen. This situation appears to align with typical presentations of costochondritis; nonetheless, she acknowledges that such symptoms typically resolve within a few weeks, while hers have persisted for an entire year. She has encountered information suggesting that chronic costochondritis might point to rheumatoid disorders, and she is uncertain about the validity of this claim. Given her earlier struggles with ulnar nerve entrapment, which occurred during her teenage years, she is contemplating whether this pain warrants further medical evaluation. Currently, she lacks comprehensive health insurance, and she wishes to avoid any extensive diagnostic processes if they are unlikely to yield actionable results. However, if there is a possibility that her symptoms could indicate a more serious condition, she is prepared to follow through with recommended evaluations. Thank you for your assistance!
Experiencing Severe Discomfort - What Are My Options?
Age: 35, Height: 5'2", Weight: 61 kg. I have been suffering from intense discomfort located beneath both of my ribs, particularly a sharp pain deep under my left rib cage. A significant medical event occurred on November 25 when I underwent gallbladder removal. This morning I experienced diarrhea, which has since improved after taking loperamide. However, about an hour ago, I was abruptly awakened by significant pain radiating under my ribs. Additionally, I've experienced minor nausea that hasn’t alleviated my symptoms. I took co-codamol roughly three hours ago for pain relief, but it has proven ineffective against the current level of pain I'm enduring. What might be causing these symptoms? I live in the UK and I'm hesitant to utilize emergency services unnecessarily. Yet, given that co-codamol hasn't alleviated my discomfort, and I have a demanding 12-hour shift ahead tomorrow, what steps should I take next?
Experiencing Discomfort in My Left Armpit
I realize this may sound odd, but I'm feeling unwell and thought I'd seek some advice regarding my symptoms. A few days ago, I began experiencing cold or flu-like symptoms, which isn't unusual for me as I seem to catch these colds every month. However, what is out of the ordinary this time is the intense pain in my left armpit and left arm. The discomfort is quite pronounced, ranging from about a 6 or 7 on the pain scale at its worst, while averaging around a 4. Typically, I experience muscle soreness in both armpits and around the lymph nodes in my neck, but this sensation feels distinct. It’s difficult for me to articulate, but it seems to be an internal pain rather than muscular. The pain appears to originate from my armpit area, closer to my back, yet it radiates down my arm towards my pinky finger. I no longer have a fever; my main symptoms now are congestion and a general feeling of malaise. I thought it was best to reach out for some insights regarding this issue.
Severe Throat Discomfort
Hello! I've been experiencing a severe throat discomfort that intermittently appears. This issue generally arises as I begin to recuperate from an illness, typically persisting for approximately three weeks to a month. During the initial episode, I struggled to turn my head or move my neck at all. While residing in college dorms, the campus health staff repeatedly speculated it was mononucleosis, despite my negative test results on several occasions. This occurred around October or November. The next episode unfolded while I was traveling over the summer. I encountered the usual travel-related illness due to my historically weak immune system, and this prolonged sickness lasted about a month before the throat discomfort returned. I eventually visited the emergency room for relief, but they offered no solutions. They assured me I was fine based on negative strep tests and a clean bill of health for "other conditions." They merely provided ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and Benadryl to assist with sleep. Just two weeks ago, I fell ill again, recovered swiftly, but then woke up yesterday with a throbbing sore throat. My neck aches, and I can feel that my lymph nodes are enlarged. I can’t shake this ominous feeling… To add some context, I’ve observed a pattern; each instance of these illnesses coincides with periods of significant stress in my life.
Concerns About Potential Oven Cleaner Exposure: Should I Be Worried?
I'm a 23-year-old male, weighing 225 pounds, living in the United States. After shifting to a new apartment, I discovered that the oven still had dried remnants of oven cleaner that hadn't been washed off. My roommate had recently applied a different oven cleaner and scrubbed it with a Brillo pad, followed by rinsing. The next day, when I used the oven to heat some food, I noticed some leftover residue in the corners. A chemical odor caught my attention, and after about 15 minutes, I decided to transfer my food to the microwave for safety. Moreover, I had used the same Brillo pad to clean the oven tray before placing my food on it, unaware that it had been previously used with oven cleaner the night before. Now, I'm feeling anxious that I might have ingested some oven cleaner. I’m experiencing an unusual cold sensation in my mouth and throat, which comes with a scratchy or dry feeling. I'm wondering if the amount of cleaner I might have been exposed to is concerning or if it's merely a negligible trace. Any insights from others who have experienced this would be greatly appreciated.