OpenHealth Q&A

Navigating My Unexplained Medical Dilemma: A Cry for Help from a 21-Year-Old

Hello there, I’m a real individual sharing a glimpse into my life over the past several months. While I often find humor in tough situations, I sincerely find myself at a standstill and am seeking insights. **Background Information** I am battling chronic hypothyroidism and significant scoliosis, along with a few other unrelated health issues. I am on a regimen of 50mcg Levox, and fortunately, I am asymptomatic concerning my hypothyroidism. There’s a history of various ailments in my family, particularly a pituitary tumor on my dad’s side and irritable bowel syndrome on my mom’s side. Yes, this is yet another case centered around digestion, but I can’t help it! **The Enigmatic Illness** For approximately six months now, I have been experiencing an unusual state of constant, unwarranted arousal. Unlike typical arousal, this feels like a transcendent bliss akin to an afterglow experienced after an unforgettable moment. I get a flood of oxytocin that makes it challenging to remain conscious. This sensation occurs multiple times daily for several weeks, followed by a brief reprieve before returning. I’ve tried many remedies, yet nothing seems effective. It feels as though my entire reproductive system has become engorged. There’s a peculiar heaviness to it, accompanied by tension pulling on nearby muscles without any pain. Bending forward intensifies the pressure on my ovaries, but it’s neither painful nor pleasant, just a persistent feeling of pressure. The bouts of arousal can last for hours several times each day, showcasing a tingling sensation primarily in the left ovary, extending to a sensation akin to the vagina expanding significantly, even impacting my belly size temporarily. The external appearance resembles regular belly fat, culminating in an intense feeling of euphoria and warmth throughout my body. It’s cozy yet inconvenient, and I'm sincerely not losing my mind; it genuinely feels like my body is administering narcotics against my will. It’s an outrageous situation, which explains my hesitation to seek hospital treatment later. To clarify, I’m not pregnant, single, and not involved in any sexual activities when this started. The oddest symptom pertains to my stomach. It gives off a strange sensation reminiscent of a waterbed. My back feels irregularly soft while my stomach is noticeably distended but lacks firmness. It shifts side to side, filling up intermittently, yet isn't impacted while using the restroom or at all correlated with the hyper-arousal episodes. About a month ago, I hypothesized that I had caught “the stomach flu.” This began with mild cramping in my lower abdomen lasting a few days and some occasional minor spitting up - around 60ml daily, with no feelings of nausea, allowing me to eat without issue. However, I experienced no bowel movements, and considering my medical background, this wasn’t shocking, though not typical for me. I eventually passed hard, dark, and notably painful stools, leading to a small fissure that healed. Days passed without any resolution until I experienced an overwhelming need to relieve myself, followed by a flow of overflow post-bowel movement—an immense sense of relief. The next day, abdominal cramps intensified, drawing attention to the left inguinal crease with a sharp pain in the groin region. This created random spurts of intense pain in the left ovary, appearing without clear triggers. I also noticed mild bloating, with a soft, tender stomach below the navel that felt fluid-like, creating a lumpy sensation upon touch. I suspected a possible hernia. Later, I encountered a painful pulling sensation on my left side, around the piriformis muscle or its vicinity. The discomfort felt like a tear. However, if I kept my left leg bent while lying flat, the pain disappeared. Any other position caused a return of the painful sensation, including pain in the hip joint that made walking challenging, forcing me to limp uncomfortably. As dusk approached, my left leg became entirely numb while lying down and tremored, making it impossible to seek assistance. Instead, I opted for a nap. I awoke three hours later to find my leg was recovering. That night was restless due to the persistent discomfort. Come morning, I made the poor decision to eat a soft pretzel. Upon standing, I suddenly felt incredibly disoriented. Suddenly unable to walk properly, I stumbled upstairs, grappling with numbness and persistent vertigo, with each step becoming increasingly painful. I nearly collapsed on the stairs and had to lean against the bathroom wall. Once seated, I realized I couldn’t stand up again. A deep sense of dread washed over me, mixed with nostalgia for Michael Jackson. In moments, my face flushed with heat, soon followed by full-body chills, reminiscent of fever, combined with involuntary shaking. Hyperventilating from panic, I controlled my breathing and monitored the situation. I soon felt my abdomen swelling rapidly until it became rigid from my ribs to my groin. I was unable to bend, experiencing a sensation similar to cold water cascading down my right calf. Then came fierce cramps combined with nausea that led to vomiting. The bowel movements that followed were painful yet manageable. I wrestled through a second wave of vomiting before feeling drained and sore. Having adjusted my routine, I began taking 35mg of senna laxatives daily, which restored my ability to pass softer, correctly colored stools, but they remained too soft for my liking. Although I considered going to the hospital, I was hesitant due to the notoriously long wait times and chaotic management, which many people I know have experienced. The following day, after that tumultuous experience, I began observing something unusual beneath my skin—suspicious elongated, painful objects. I immediately speculated on potential hernia issues. They felt like intestines in size, and every time I laid flat and pulled in my stomach, they seemed to shift inward, refusing to retract entirely. Any pressure on them caused excruciating pain. I could feel them moving across my body, creeping from my sides to my back and down my butt, even settling in the skin of my buttock. The discomfort made any position—standing, sitting, or lying down—agonizing. Existence became challenging. Concerned, I had my mother, a former LPN, examine them; after moving them around, she expressed concern yet confusion. We attempted to go to urgent care, but they had closed early. When we returned home, I collapsed onto a hard wooden chair, and getting up afterward left my backside numb. I managed to walk to the bathroom mirror only to discover a long, dark bruise-like line across my back above the buttocks that was initially numb but stung terribly afterward, vanishing within a few hours. At this point, I am convinced I have a hernia of sorts or perhaps something entirely different. Another peculiar notice was a massive purple and red lump on my lower left back. It didn’t stretch the skin but was round and bumpy. It felt unnerving, like an oversized ball had made a home inside me, pressing from the inside. Desperate for relief, I sucked in my stomach for as long and hard as I could. With two painful pops, it shifted out of sight yet left inflammation behind. I felt instant relief, though I was far from emotionally settled. Somehow, I began to doubt my sanity, attempting to rationalize these experiences. However, that day I developed skin manifestations resembling bumps all over, similar to cylinder-like shapes on my thighs and other areas. Alongside the major lump on my left leg, I found my knee rendered immobile due to swelling. I encountered numerous bumps across my abdomen and finally on my arms and breasts, manifesting as a strange, shifting mass beneath my skin. With my arms raised, the sensation flooded upwards, yet I woke up the next morning to find it vanished. At this point, it's evident that this is not solely in my head. In recent days, I’ve felt relatively normal except for the softer stool issue. In a moment of recklessness, I decided to use a toy during masturbation. Though cautious about allergies, I sensed something was amiss and stopped. A subtle pulling sensation emerged, followed by abdominal inflation, coupled with a painful “cylinder” re-emerging in my upper abdomen. Though the pain returned, it was significantly muted. However, I did trigger the ovary pressure and heaviness symptoms, albeit without the euphoric or tingling feelings, alongside brown bruising on my belly. I am eager to converse about my dilemma, and if anyone could provide even the faintest clue, it would be immensely appreciated! I hope sharing my medical puzzle was interesting—wishing peace to all! ✌️

Answers (1)

9/11/2025, 2:11:09 AM

OpenHealth AI

It's understandable that you're feeling overwhelmed with the symptoms you've described, given their complexity and the duration you've been experiencing them. You’re dealing with multiple intertwined issues, including chronic hypothyroidism and a potential digestive disorder, which can certainly add to your anxiety. Let's break down your concerns and explore actionable steps you can take.

Main Points:

1. Symptom Complexity: You're experiencing unusual sensations and pain, particularly in your abdomen and reproductive area, along with irregular bowel movements.
2. Possible Causes: Your symptoms could stem from several factors, including gastrointestinal issues, hormonal imbalances, or even anxiety-related responses.
3. Next Steps: It's essential to monitor your symptoms closely while considering specific actions to manage discomfort and improve your digestive health.

Explanation:

The sensations of bliss and pressure you describe, along with the gastrointestinal symptoms, might relate to hormonal fluctuations or may even be linked to your hypothyroidism or an underlying gastrointestinal issue, such as IBS or a hernia. The feeling of something moving beneath your skin and the other unusual sensations you mentioned could be related to muscle tension or visceral sensations from gastrointestinal distress.

Given your complex history and symptoms, it's crucial to approach this systematically while also acknowledging the emotional toll this takes on you.

Prioritized Next Steps:

1. Log Your Symptoms: Keep a detailed diary of your symptoms, noting the timing, frequency, and intensity of each experience, along with any triggers (food, activity, stress). This can help identify patterns and facilitate future discussions with healthcare professionals.

2. Dietary Adjustments: Focus on a bland diet that avoids trigger foods (such as spicy, fatty, or overly fibrous foods) to help manage your digestive symptoms. Consider incorporating:

   • Hydrating Foods: Make sure you're drinking plenty of fluids and include watery fruits and vegetables.
   • Nutritional Balance: Aim for a well-rounded diet rich in whole foods like lean proteins, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates.

3. Gentle Exercise and Relaxation Techniques: Engage in low-impact exercises like walking or yoga, which can help reduce muscle tension and improve digestion. Implementing relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or mindfulness could also alleviate anxiety-related symptoms.

4. Monitor Bowel Movements: Maintain consistency in bowel habits. If soft stools are a problem, consider adjusting your senna intake in consultation with a healthcare provider to ensure it’s appropriate for your situation.

5. Re-evaluate Current Medications: Given the changes in your body and symptoms, it may be beneficial to review your current medications, including dosage and timing, with a healthcare professional, particularly regarding your thyroid medication.

6. Consider Seeking Professional Help: Although hospital visits can be daunting, if symptoms escalate (new severe pain, inability to walk, fainting, new bleeding, or worsening of any existing symptoms), don’t hesitate to seek immediate medical attention. Your well-being is the priority.

Closing Thoughts:

I encourage you to keep advocating for yourself and to seek help when necessary. Your health journey can be complex, but breaking it down into manageable steps can provide some clarity and, hopefully, relief. Stay connected with supportive friends or family during this time, as emotional support can be incredibly beneficial. Let me know if you need further assistance or clarification on these steps.