Seeking Guidance Amidst Health Crisis
At 23 years old, I find myself in dire need of direction for support regarding my health struggles. Since early November, I've been grappling with alarming symptoms. To provide some background, I live with Inflammatory Bowel Disease, erosive bone disease, and various autoimmune issues. Currently, I am undergoing tests for potential bleeding disorders, porphyria, and myeloproliferative neoplasms due to frequent instances of rectal, gynecological, and urinary bleeding. The pain in my abdomen and bones has also been debilitating. My situation escalated in November when I experienced intense abdominal pain coupled with significant rectal bleeding, prompting a visit to the emergency room following my primary care physician’s recommendation. While I did receive pain management, I was ultimately discharged without a clear resolution. Shortly after, I contracted a salmonella infection that led to multiple return trips to the ER, as the initial antibiotics failed to relieve my severe pain. Unfortunately, my health has continued to decline; just last week, I encountered another episode of unmanageable rectal bleeding, which caused me to faint and sustain a head injury at home. My heart rate spiked significantly during this ordeal. Despite returning to the hospital again on the advice of my PCP, I wasn't met with compassion or understanding, but rather suspicion, with staff implying that I was seeking drugs and questioning the legitimacy of my bleeding. Although my complete blood count was stable, I have a condition that typically results in elevated red blood cell counts and hemoglobin levels, even on the better days. Hence, during episodes of bleeding, my levels do not decrease significantly enough to raise immediate alarms. Now, my symptoms are intensifying; I’m enduring agonizing pain rated at 10 out of 10, dealing with mucus-filled bloody diarrhea, and even darker urine. Last night, I fainted again at home and have been unable to keep any food or liquids down due to persistent vomiting. This situation has left me utterly terrified as I hesitate to seek help from the emergency room again, fearing I will be met with the same accusations of drug-seeking behavior. Although I recognize my frequent ER visits (about seven times in the past six weeks) may appear excessive, my health concerns have been genuine and my condition is deteriorating. I would greatly appreciate any advice or guidance on how to navigate this challenging situation!
Answers (1)
12/13/2025, 9:20:41 PM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you are experiencing incredibly challenging and distressing health issues with your inflammatory bowel disease, bleeding episodes, and significant pain. It's completely understandable to feel overwhelmed, especially given your recent experiences with healthcare. Let's focus on practical steps you can take right now to better manage your situation and advocate for your needs.
Summary of Key Points:
- Your symptoms indicate a serious health concern, especially the intense pain, frequent bleeding, and vomiting.
- It’s important to prioritize your safety and health even if previous experiences were frustrating.
- You may benefit from strategies to manage both your physical symptoms and the emotional distress stemming from your experiences.
Explanation:
The symptoms you describe—particularly the intense abdominal pain, rectal and urinary bleeding, and inability to keep food or liquids down—are signs that need immediate and thorough attention. While your complete blood count may not show alarming results, the combination of your symptoms suggests that you are at risk for serious complications, and timely care is crucial.
Next Steps:
-
Seek Immediate Medical Attention: Given the worsening of your symptoms—including fainting, severe pain, and inability to eat or drink—please consider going to the ER. Bring along documentation of your health history, notes about previous visits, and any discharge instructions you’ve received. This can help guide the staff to understand your condition better. If possible, bring someone with you for support.
-
Communicate Clearly: When you arrive, explain your symptoms succinctly, focusing on the recent episodes of bleeding, pain levels, and functional difficulties (like vomiting, fainting, etc.). Emphasize the severity of your symptoms, and consider using a symptom diary to communicate your experiences more effectively.
-
Explore Pain Management Options: If pain is unmanageable, ask specifically about interventions that could help alleviate your suffering. If your current treatments are not effective, make sure to voice that too.
-
Mental Health Support: Experiencing repeated health crises can take a toll on your mental health. Consider reaching out to a mental health professional who understands chronic illness, either for therapy or support groups. They can provide coping strategies for anxiety and stress related to your health.
-
Follow-Up Care: Once stabilized, ask about creating a more comprehensive management plan for your chronic conditions. This might involve consultations with specialists (like a gastroenterologist and a hematologist) to better address your complex symptoms and improve your overall care.
Final Note:
This is a daunting situation, but your persistence in seeking help is vital. Don't hesitate to advocate for yourself—your health is worth it. Remember, you are not alone in this, and with the right approach and support, you can find a way to manage these symptoms more effectively. If you have further questions or need support, feel free to reach out.
Related Questions
Anxious About Starting Amitriptyline
Hello everyone, I’m a 31-year-old male weighing 70 kg, and recently my doctor prescribed Amitriptyline to address my ongoing stomach issues. I've been dealing with this uncomfortable stomach pain for the past two years. No matter what I consume or how much I eat, I experience persistent discomfort and unease. Stress exacerbates the situation, and although I initially suffered from nausea, my condition has improved somewhat since I began taking Lexapro 10 mg. Unfortunately, the pain persists, and the only time I find relief is while I’m asleep. My gastroenterologist suggested Amitriptyline, but I am apprehensive about beginning this treatment, especially since it would be in conjunction with Lexapro. Currently, I have been lucky enough not to experience any side effects from Lexapro. My main concerns include: - Sexual dysfunction - Constipation - Drowsiness - Weight gain I’m reaching out to see if anyone has had a favorable experience with Amitriptyline, particularly when taken alongside an SSRI like Lexapro. I truly want to feel better, but the fear of potential side effects is overwhelming. Thank you for your support!
Anxieties About Medication Changes and Current Treatment
I’m a 42-year-old woman, standing at 5'8" and weighing 118 pounds. I don’t smoke and have no other health issues aside from what I’m about to discuss. I’ll be brief and would greatly appreciate any guidance or assistance! Approximately seven years ago, I began experiencing recurrent yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis (BV), which were unfamiliar issues for me until then. While pinpointing an exact cause can be challenging, I suspect it relates to my decision to discontinue hormonal oral contraceptives after nearly two decades of use. I made that choice on my own, believing it was a good move as I aged, but it turned out to be a mistake. I resumed the birth control pill, and while I still occasionally experience BV, I’ve relied on a weekly fluconazole regimen to eliminate yeast infections effectively—something that has worked wonders for me over the years, for which I’m truly thankful! Now, however, I find myself facing potential side effects from the fluconazole; it seems to be affecting my digestive health. I've been dealing with intermittent loose stools and have been maintaining a bowel journal to identify any contributing factors, but it hasn’t yielded clear answers. There are times, up to 10-12 days where I experience no issues, followed by periods where it occurs multiple times a week. I’ve experimented with incorporating fermented foods and probiotics while reducing dairy, yet there’s no definitive solution forthcoming. I consume alcohol very rarely, so I can confidently say it doesn’t seem to be a trigger. More often than not, if I experience loose stools, it’s shortly after eating lunch. I have a few alternatives for my treatment. I could alternate between fluconazole in cream form and the oral version, or reduce the oral dosage to once every ten days. I’m also considering stopping fluconazole altogether to try a newer option called vivjoa. To say I’m terrified would be an understatement. The ambiguity surrounding my situation is overwhelming, and I feel lost regarding how to tackle it with so many influencing factors. If I were only able to uncover which foods might be exacerbating or alleviating the issue, I could stick to strategies that work for managing yeast, but that remains elusive. Additionally, I’m struggling with anxiety related to “what if” scenarios: What if I’ve caused irreversible damage to my gastrointestinal system? What if switching medications doesn’t alleviate the yeast issues or the bowel problems? What if vivjoa has adverse effects? What if it fails to deliver the results I hope for? I’m uncertain if I’m tracking my bowel movements correctly—should I focus on the ratio of regular to loose stools per day or track the occurrences over the month? Should I consider only the food I ate the day of experiencing loose stools, the meal before, or include what I ate the previous day as well? During my battles with yeast infections and BV, I felt utterly defeated, and I cannot afford to revisit that mental state. Is there anyone here who has experience with the following topics? - Weekly fluconazole for yeast suppression. - Techniques to manage loose stools caused by medications. - The new vivjoa treatment. Any advice or insights would mean the world to me. I could really use some support right now.
Adjusting Anxiety Medications
As a 31-year-old woman standing 5’4” and weighing 230 pounds, I've been prescribed 25mg of sertraline for over a year, alongside a dosage of 300mg of bupropion that I've maintained for an even longer duration. Recently, I've been experiencing adrenaline spikes that lead to feelings of panic, nausea, and trembling. Following a referral from my therapist, I am now under the care of a psychiatric nurse practitioner who is planning to increase my sertraline to 100mg while reducing my bupropion to 150mg. It's been 12 days since I began taking 50mg of sertraline, and today, coinciding with the start of my menstrual cycle, I found myself in a difficult situation. I woke up feeling unwell, with my heart racing at 115 beats per minute, a slight tremor in my hands, and an urgent need to find a restroom, followed by a familiar surge of adrenaline. Surprisingly, this episode didn’t escalate into a full-blown panic attack. I did shed some tears, but it felt more like a release of frustration paired with a longing for my previous sense of normalcy, rather than a reaction driven by fear or a feeling of losing control. At this point, I am seeking reassurance about the efficacy of sertraline and any strategies that might assist in managing my morning anxiety during this adjustment period. I have a prescription for Propranolol 10mg, but I’m uncertain about the appropriate timing for its use. Additionally, I possess .5mg clonazepam, though I prefer to avoid this unless I find myself in an acute panic situation. I would greatly value any advice or insights you might have!
Seeking Help for My Disturbing Thoughts
F14. I'm uncertain about the best way to express what I'm feeling, but I will do my best. I've been experiencing intense impulses to inflict harm, primarily on others. I find myself having violent fantasies about attacking, or even killing, individuals close to me or those who irritate me. Things have escalated to the point where I've harmed small animals; it's an action I deeply regret. However, what troubles me the most is that, oddly enough, I felt a sense of satisfaction during these moments. It’s difficult to articulate, but there's almost a bizarre sense of joy in observing their struggle or demise. I’m reaching out for guidance—what steps should I take, and what might be underlying these feelings?
Navigating Health Anxiety: Should I Seek Further Testing?
This explanation might be a bit lengthy, but I appreciate your consideration. I’m a 32-year-old individual with no major health issues in my history, however, my family has a medical background. My mother is a type 2 diabetic, and my father faced hypertension and underwent angioplasty approximately two decades ago. Recently, for the last three to four months, I've been experiencing episodes where I wake up suddenly at night with my heart pounding. The first few instances were quite alarming, as they were unfamiliar to me; there was even an occurrence during the daytime. These experiences have made me excessively attentive to any fluctuations in my heart rate. I began to habitually monitor my pulse, constantly trying to determine if my heart was beating too quickly or if everything was stable. Even the slightest twinge in my chest would provoke anxiety about my heart's well-being, resulting in heightened sensitivity towards any heart-related sensations. As time has passed, I’ve started to cope more effectively during these episodes. I remind myself that this feeling will eventually subside, take a few deep breaths while lying down, and gradually my heart rate stabilizes. To date, I haven’t experienced any additional symptoms during these episodes, such as breathlessness or dizziness. However, I have occasionally felt some discomfort in the area between my stomach and diaphragm, which leads me to ponder whether my symptoms might stem from some unhealthy lifestyle choices, particularly concerning my sleep routine and meal timing, potentially disrupting my circadian rhythm. Here’s my reasoning: I’ve been averaging around six hours of sleep each night for the past three years. I often find myself ruminating over various aspects of my life, contributing to mild anxiety (though it hasn't become severe). I usually eat dinner around 10 PM, head to bed by 1:30 or 2 AM, and tend to browse social media before I fall asleep. Sometimes I notice that I snore, which raises concerns that I could have some kind of breathing obstruction leading to my nocturnal episodes of waking up with an accelerated heart rate. However, I can’t definitively say whether I’ve always snored or if I’ve had similar experiences of waking up without being particularly aware of them. Additionally, I’ve noted that four out of ten times, I awaken with a racing heart while having some sort of dream, although I can’t classify them as nightmares. Earlier this year, I underwent blood tests three times, and the most recent results showed normal levels for hemoglobin, cholesterol, triglycerides, and other relevant markers. The sole area of concern was my high-sensitivity C-reactive protein level, which registered at 4.56, indicating an elevated state since anything over 3 is marked as high. I consulted with a cardiologist regarding my findings, yet I felt that my specific situation wasn’t fully appreciated. He prescribed beta blockers for anxiety and hypertension, but I suspect this recommendation stemmed more from my office blood pressure reading of 149/88 and a heart rate of 117. I believe these measurements were possibly skewed by my anxiety during the consultation, and don’t truly reflect my regular status. Additionally, the nurse who recorded my blood pressure didn’t seem to account for my posture, and she took the reading three distinct times. The cardiologist did comment that my circadian rhythm might be disrupted due to my irregular sleep and dinner patterns. I opted not to pursue the prescribed medication and instead reached out for a second viewpoint from a knowledgeable family member who specializes in pathology. He advised against starting blood pressure medication considering my blood pressure isn’t elevated. He suggested a very mild dose of amitriptyline if absolutely necessary, but strictly as a last resort. This entire ordeal has intensified my health anxiety, leading to a fear of being alone in public. Whenever I notice a twitch or an unexplained ache in my chest, my mind immediately jumps to worst-case scenarios related to my heart. I frequently hesitate to engage in brisk walks or home weight lifting, concerned that it might trigger a heart attack. Any insights or advice from those who have faced similar challenges would be greatly appreciated. Thank you to everyone who read this lengthy account and is willing to offer their support and recommendations.