Experiencing Autonomic Dysfunction? Insights from a 34-Year-Old Male
Over a decade ago, I was diagnosed with esophageal dysmotility through the use of esophageal manometry, revealing weak and low peristalsis. My gastroenterologist at that time informed me that I was experiencing an ineffective motility disorder. Since then, I've often faced choking incidents or the sensation of choking while consuming food or even merely drinking water. More recently, I've been dealing with urinary issues characterized by a sense of urgency. However, the most distressing symptom I’ve encountered this year is urinary incontinence. Though it appears to be a minor amount occurring while I sleep, it is enough to create concern and discomfort. This situation is truly unsettling. For over ten years, I've also struggled with heat intolerance. I have noticed that my ability to sweat is minimal, resulting in an exacerbated discomfort during hot weather. Additionally, my sleep has become increasingly irregular. I often find myself waking in a state of confusion, with my mind racing chaotically, which makes me feel restless. While I've had bouts of insomnia in the past, this experience is distinctly different. Moreover, I find myself susceptible to flare-ups in which I endure nerve-related tingling and pain throughout my entire body for extended periods, sometimes lasting weeks or even months. I was adopted, and I learned from my biological aunt that our family has a history of fibromyalgia; however, my symptoms seem to suggest something more complex. I have an upcoming cystoscopy scheduled to investigate my bladder issues, but I wonder if there are any additional tests that could shed light on this broader array of symptoms I’m facing.
Answers (1)
8/28/2025, 5:51:53 PM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you’re experiencing a complex array of symptoms that are significantly impacting your quality of life. Your concerns about esophageal dysmotility, urinary issues, heat intolerance, sleep disturbances, and nerve-related symptoms deserve thorough attention.
Key Points:
- Esophageal Dysmotility: Your history indicates a possible motility disorder, leading to choking sensations.
- Urinary Issues: Urgency and incontinence can relate to various underlying conditions.
- Heat Intolerance and Sleep Disruption: These issues may be linked to autonomic dysfunction, warranting further investigation.
- Nerve-related Symptoms: These require further assessment, especially given your family history of fibromyalgia.
Explanation:
Esophageal Dysmotility: Weak peristalsis can indeed cause the sensation of choking, both when eating and drinking. Eating slowly and in smaller bites can help mitigate this risk.
Urinary Concerns: The urgency and incontinence you're experiencing can stem from various conditions, including bladder dysfunction, neurological issues, or even stress-related factors. Your cystoscopy will provide vital information on your bladder, but other tests such as urodynamics could also be beneficial if symptoms persist.
Heat Intolerance: Difficulty in sweating can indicate autonomic nervous system dysfunction. Keeping cool with fans, hydration, and wearing breathable clothing can help manage symptoms.
Sleep Issues: Disrupted sleep can stem from many causes, including anxiety, pain, or neurological factors related to your overall condition. Developing a sleep hygiene routine may help, such as keeping a regular sleep schedule, avoiding screens before bed, and creating a calming environment.
Nerve-Related Symptoms: Tingling and pain could relate to several underlying conditions, such as fibromyalgia or other neuropathies. Chronic pain management strategies, including physical therapy and stress management techniques, may be necessary.
Next Steps:
-
Document Symptoms: Keep a detailed journal of your symptoms (timing, intensity, and triggers). This will help you and your healthcare team identify patterns and potential connections.
-
Dietary Adjustments: Focus on soft foods and liquids that are less likely to trigger choking. Small, frequent meals may help manage esophageal dysmotility.
-
Cystoscopy Preparation: Ensure you're well-prepared for your cystoscopy, noting any additional urinary concerns to discuss with your healthcare provider.
-
Consider Additional Testing: After your cystoscopy, discuss with your provider about further tests, such as urodynamics for urinary function, autonomic testing for heat intolerance, and possibly an electromyography (EMG) to assess nerve function.
-
Sleep Hygiene: Establish a calming bedtime routine, ensuring your sleep environment is conducive to rest. If sleeplessness continues, you might explore relaxation techniques or cognitive behavioral strategies for insomnia.
-
Follow-Up: Keep your appointments for regular follow-ups with your healthcare providers, discussing how your symptoms evolve or change over time.
Taking these steps will help you better manage your symptoms and gather useful information for your healthcare providers. Please take care and remember that managing complex symptoms often takes time and patience.
Related Questions
INTENSE Spine Discomfort, Breathing Difficulties, Muscle Twitches, and Sweating
To elaborate on the situation mentioned in the title, I’ve been experiencing unusual muscle twitches and spasms for the past few days, along with some discomfort in my back. However, today, I felt an unexpected sharp pain shoot through my spine, which has left my legs feeling numb and made it impossible for me to sit up straight. Additionally, I’ve been dealing with cold sweats for the last hour and struggling to breathe properly. Perhaps I’m just overanalyzing things and it’s a common occurrence, but the intensity of the pain is overwhelming—it's truly unbearable. I’m shaking quite a bit, and unfortunately, my parents aren’t responding to my attempts to reach them for help. I have a history of a chronic heart condition and arthritis, yet I’ve never experienced pain this severe, especially in my spine. For context, I am nearly 15 years old and female. My current medications include pain relievers, anxiety medication, beta blockers, and some vitamins, though those specifics may not be particularly relevant. I don’t smoke; however, I have tried vaping a few times, which might not matter much, but I thought it was worth mentioning as it was requested.
Concerns About My Toes
Age: 30, Female Currently, I am on the lookout for a reputable podiatrist in my vicinity. However, I've encountered a perplexing issue with my foot. Just last night, I noticed a growth on the side of my toe, something entirely new to me. I maintain a nutritious diet and have a demanding job that requires me to be on my feet quite often. My footwear includes brands such as Brooks Ghost Runners, Hoka Bondi 9’s, and Nike Motiva’s, and I don’t opt for restrictive socks. I also apply Vick’s Vaporub to my feet, a practice handed down from my family, and stick with simple, non-fragrant lotions like Vanicream and CeraVe SA Cream for my skin. In addition, I am curious about the my big toenail's change in color. What might be the underlying reasons for this? Also, I have these persistent dark spots on my toes that I've struggled with since my days on the runway. Despite my efforts, nothing has succeeded in lightening or diminishing their appearance. I'm just looking to determine if there might have been a factor from the past that could have contributed to these issues. I’m not sure what else to include, but I’m open to answering any questions you might have. Thank you for your attention! Best wishes from a worried soul!
Strange Jelly-Like Substance Observed from Wound
I’m a 21-year-old female living with an auto-inflammatory condition known as hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). Recently, I've experienced a concerning issue with one of my wounds. This particular wound causes significant pain and excessive bleeding. However, whenever I attend to it, I tend to find this unusual jelly-like substance present within it. Interestingly, this phenomenon has only occurred with this one wound and not any of the others I have. The bleeding seems to persist until I manage to remove this jelly substance, after which it typically slows down and comes to a halt completely. I’m seeking insights into what this might signify so that I can effectively discuss it with my healthcare provider.
Battling Chronic Nausea and Vomiting for Over Two Years
For the past two years, I (age 26, female) have been enduring an incredibly challenging health situation. I experience intense nausea daily and find myself vomiting numerous times, with almost nothing providing relief. To provide some background, I’m from West Texas and I currently weigh around 190 pounds, standing at 5’7”. Initially, my weight was about 211 pounds when these symptoms began, and it fluctuates frequently between 190 and 225 pounds. I engage in vaping and consume THC. Previously diagnosed with hypothyroidism, my condition seemingly resolved, according to my healthcare providers. Additionally, I have polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). I have consistently faced irregular bowel movements, with stools that are loose and sometimes appear to have mucus. Compounding my struggles, I've also suffered from migraines. I have had an IUD for over five years, experiencing two insertions of the Kyleena device. In December 2022, my battle with health took a severe turn when I was diagnosed with stage 4 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, requiring chemotherapy treatment, specifically AVBD (Apologies for not recalling the exact medication names). By July 2023, I had fortunately achieved remission. However, after reaching remission, my vomiting worsened, transforming from primarily white foam to a mixture of 80% bile, any food I attempt to consume, and still white foam. This intense vomiting, accompanied by significant pain in my upper back, escalated to more than eight episodes daily by November 2023. At that time, THC seemed to be the only avenue for me to retain any food. During this tumultuous period, I consulted various doctors who, after confirming I wasn’t pregnant, attributed my symptoms to Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS). Immediately, I ceased THC consumption for over six months, yet the vomiting continued unabated. Each time, doctors would prescribe ondansetron, regardless of my claims that it provided no relief. I experimented with various diets recommended by medical professionals, but there were no improvements in my condition. Eventually, I obtained a referral to a gastroenterologist who intended to perform an endoscopy. However, the procedure was prohibitively expensive even with insurance, and thus was never conducted. This doctor also ordered blood tests to rule out several gastrointestinal disorders, such as Crohn's disease, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), and gluten sensitivity, but all results came back normal. Afterward, I had another appointment with a different gastroenterologist, but the doctor failed to meet with me. Instead, a nurse informed me that the doctor had merely recommended promethazine without conducting any tests or scheduling further visits. When I mentioned the possibility of gallbladder issues, the doctor laughed dismissively at my suggestion. Discussing my situation with my oncologist, he suggested that my heightened sensitivity to food odors stemmed from my chemotherapy experiences while I was working in fast food. While food smells indeed affect me, I'm primarily triggered by medical scents such as rubbing alcohol and cleaning agents. This ongoing ordeal has been overwhelmingly distressing. I now experience episodes of vomiting accompanied by bright red blood, presumably due to a throat tear. When I first encountered this troubling symptom, I consulted a doctor who appeared unfazed and prescribed a promethazine suppository, which does help but makes me extremely drowsy. My nausea persists nearly around the clock, often feeling as if there’s a heaviness in the upper part of my abdomen. I frequent urgent care facilities when my symptoms intensify, only to be met with minimal assistance since this is a chronic issue. Currently, I lack a primary care physician. Whenever I sought one, I encountered skepticism regarding my condition, with some healthcare professionals implying that I was exaggerating my symptoms. Though many physicians who do take my situation seriously seem baffled, I've lost count of the diverse medical experts I've consulted about these ongoing issues. If anyone has insight or suggestions, I would genuinely appreciate it. I can share my latest bloodwork results if that would be helpful—just let me know!
Strange Stomach Sensation Leading to Waking Up
Greetings. I'm a 36-year-old male, standing at 172 centimeters and weighing 90 kilograms. I don't take any medications, nor do I smoke. I've been living with diastasis recti for several years now, and I may also have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Additionally, I deal with fatty liver and kidney stones, though I assume these last two conditions are not related to my current concern. Occasionally, I experience a peculiar sensation that jolts me awake; it feels like a quick pulsing in my stomach. I’ve noticed it tends to affect the left side when I’m lying on my left side and the right side when on my right. Remarkably, it can occur even when I’m on my back. This strange feeling often escalates into a surge that fully rouses me. Alongside this, I sometimes feel prickling sensations throughout my body and fleeting lightheadedness. When this sensation disturbs my sleep while I’m turned to my side, shifting onto my back or the opposite side might alleviate it, but not always. In instances where I awaken while lying on my back, I discovered that gently pressing my hands on either side of my stomach can help, as can rising to a sitting or standing position. However, during my last two episodes—one a couple of weeks ago and another tonight—those techniques weren’t effective right away, which made me feel a bit anxious, prompting me to seek advice. Does anyone have insight into what might be going on? By the way, I’ve undergone routine ultrasound examinations of my abdomen by two different physicians during check-ups, both of whom assured me that everything appears normal, including my abdominal aorta and internal organs. They didn’t identify any issues at that time.