Seeking Medical Guidance for My Mother
Greetings! I am reaching out on behalf of my mother. At 56 years old, she has yet to receive a formal diagnosis, despite having undergone a number of medical evaluations and treatments in hopes of addressing her health concerns. She has communicated several alarming symptoms that I would like to summarize for further insight: My mother is experiencing a variety of troubling symptoms, and the cause remains elusive. She struggles with a heightened sensitivity of the skin, episodes of dizziness, an unsteady walking pattern, weakness in her limbs, and even challenges with fecal control. Additionally, she endures persistent cramping and spasms in her arms, legs, hands, and feet. Notably, her PAVAL test returned negative, and her results for Vitamin B12, CK, and Methylmalonic Acid in serum are all within normal ranges. What could potentially be the underlying issue?
Answers (1)
12/16/2025, 7:50:50 PM
OpenHealth AI
Thank you for sharing your mother’s health concerns. With her symptoms—such as skin sensitivity, dizziness, unsteady walking, limb weakness, fecal control issues, and cramping—it’s understandable to seek clarity about her condition. Given that her PAVAL test was negative and her Vitamin B12, CK, and Methylmalonic Acid levels are normal, we can consider some potential areas to focus on that may help in understanding her situation better.
Main Points
- Variety of Symptoms: The symptoms she is experiencing could be linked to several underlying issues, such as neurological, autoimmune, or metabolic conditions.
- Normal Test Results: While normal results for particular tests provide some reassurance, they do not rule out all possible conditions.
Explanation
Her symptoms are quite varied, which can complicate the diagnostic process. Heightened skin sensitivity and muscle spasms could suggest a neurological or muscular issue. Dizziness and unsteady walking may indicate problems with balance or coordination, potentially involving the inner ear, brain, or peripheral nervous system. Fecal control issues can also arise from neurological conditions or could be related to gastrointestinal issues.
Common conditions that might present with mixed symptoms include:
- Neuropathy (nervous system disorders)
- Multiple Sclerosis (a disorder affecting the nervous system)
- Fibromyalgia (musculoskeletal pain disorder)
- Autoimmune conditions, such as lupus, which could potentially explain multiple symptoms if inflammation is present.
Next Steps
-
Keep a Symptom Diary: Encourage your mother to maintain a detailed record of her symptoms, noting when they occur, their intensity, and any potential triggers. This can be invaluable for future evaluations.
-
Regular Follow-ups: Arrange consistent follow-up appointments with her healthcare provider to revisit her symptoms and any new developments. Ensure that all specialists involved, if any, are on the same page regarding her case.
-
Consider Other Tests: Based on discussions with her provider, inquire about additional testing, such as:
- MRI or CT scan of the brain (to rule out neurological issues)
- Electromyography (EMG) (to assess nerve and muscle function)
- Allergy tests, especially if skin sensitivity persists.
-
Holistic Approach: Focus on supportive measures, such as managing her diet with balanced meals, and consider physical therapy to address mobility issues and support her overall wellbeing.
-
Encouragement and Support: Lastly, offer emotional support to your mother. Acknowledging her struggles is important, as dealing with unexplained symptoms can be very challenging.
By taking these steps, you may help both your mother and her healthcare team move toward a clearer understanding of her health concerns. Please remember that persistence in seeking answers is key, and engaging openly with her healthcare team will be essential. Let me know if you need more assistance or specific suggestions.
Related Questions
Advice Needed on Persistent Left-Sided Chest Discomfort Before My Upcoming Appointment
For the past few years, I've been grappling with chest discomfort, yet all the various tests I've undergone returned normal results. Two years ago, a cardiologist conducted a thorough examination, which included a CT scan, a 24-hour ECG, a standard ECG, blood tests, and a chest X-ray. Everything appeared normal, and I was informed that my symptoms were likely linked to anxiety. The pain I experienced would vary in duration from a single day to as long as two weeks, often manifesting as a heavy sensation in the center of my chest. Recently, over the past eight to twelve months, the discomfort has shifted to the left side of my chest. It is somewhat centralized but primarily located about an inch above and below my left nipple, extending under my left armpit and at the bottom of my left rib cage. This pain, characterized by a dull ache, can last continuously for one to two weeks. On occasion, I also sense a similar discomfort radiating to my upper left arm. Interestingly, I do not awaken with this pain; instead, it gradually develops after I’ve been up for about an hour. I've sought emergency care roughly six times this year due to the intensity of the pain, which can feel overwhelming, leading me to believe I might collapse at times. My most recent ER visit was two weeks ago, where I underwent another ECG and blood work. This time, the doctors suggested it might be costochondritis as the likely cause. Three months back, my general practitioner referred me to a pain management clinic, but I have yet to receive an appointment. Currently, I am three days into another episode of left-sided chest pain and the discomfort has returned to my left arm as well. The sensation is identical to my previous experiences, and now I would rate the pain at about a 3 out of 10. I'm curious whether I should attempt to dismiss these sensations as best as I can. When I engage in walking or similar activities, the pain does not worsen, and I do not experience breathlessness or perspiration; overall, I feel perfectly fine. I am a 28-year-old male seeking any advice on whether I should be anxious about this situation or if it's safe to wait for my scheduled appointment.
Sudden Fainting Episode and Bowel Control Loss
Let me provide some context: My husband is a healthy 41-year-old man who has never smoked and does not have any known health issues, aside from a history of vasovagal syncope, with his most recent incident occurring three months prior. A week ago, our daughter received her rotavirus vaccine. Today, while dining out, my husband mentioned that he had been feeling nauseous earlier but seemed to be recovering. However, as we were about to leave, his complexion changed, and he appeared quite unwell. Suddenly, he collapsed, displaying signs of another vasovagal event and unfortunately lost control of his bowels, resulting in watery diarrhea. Shortly after, he vomited twice, which seemed to be a large amount of fluid. For the past few hours, he has been experiencing both diarrhea and vomiting. I am left with several concerns: Could he have contracted rotavirus from being in contact with our daughter’s stool? Or might it be norovirus, considering that rotavirus generally presents milder symptoms in adults? Additionally, should I be worried that my daughter and I might be at an elevated risk of experiencing norovirus as well? Given that she is only 11 weeks old, I am anxious about the possibility of her falling seriously ill. Is it possible that his severe nausea and other symptoms could trigger a vasovagal syncope episode?
Understanding Rectal Bleeding Following DIEP Flap Surgery: Key Insights
As a 50-year-old female breast cancer survivor with a diagnosis of DCIS, residing in the southwestern United States, I want to share some personal details. I have not engaged in smoking, am 5'10” tall, weigh 190 lbs, and am on medications including fluoxetine, omeprazole, cyclobenzaprine, iron supplements, and allergy medications. While my activity levels are not high due to recovery from recent surgery, I am doing my best to incorporate regular walks into my routine. I underwent a DIEP flap surgery on November 21. Since that day, I've noticed some spotting blood on toilet paper and a minimal amount in my underwear. Being menopausal, I was on vaginal estradiol but discontinued it two weeks before my surgery and have yet to resume it. Therefore, I confirmed that the spotting is of rectal origin, not vaginal. I understand it’s not entirely uncommon to experience this symptom post-surgery, but I find myself uncertain about the duration it might persist and the actions I might need to take. This bleeding is not accompanied by any other symptoms such as fever, body aches, or swelling. After my surgery, I did undergo a second round of antibiotics due to an infection at the drain site, but my procedure did not involve muscle dissection; there is a mesh implant positioned between the skin and fascia of my abdomen. I currently have one surgical drain left (down from four) that I will keep in place for three more days. Additionally, I have a hemorrhoid which has typically not posed any problems, and my bowel movements remain regular and not strained. I have an appointment with my plastic surgeon slated for Friday, where I intend to inquire about my symptoms. However, I am curious if there are any specific questions or observations I should be mindful of before that visit.
Why Does My Body React So Strongly When I Fall Ill?
Whenever illness strikes, it turns into a significant struggle for me. The first symptom I endure is an excruciating sore throat, soon followed by severe nasal congestion. I constantly find myself blowing my nose and performing nasal rinses; if I neglect this, I risk developing a sinus infection. Meanwhile, a fever makes an appearance, adding to my discomfort. The final phase typically involves a deep chest congestion accompanied by a relentless cough that leaves me doubled over and aching in my ribs, all while I hope for my fever to subside. Looking around at others during their sick days, it's perplexing. They merely sniffle or cough occasionally, continuing with their normal routines. Why am I different? Is something wrong with me? To manage my allergies, I take Claritin daily to lessen my body’s reactions. What should I discuss with a doctor about my condition? As I age, I'm increasingly worried that these flare-ups could seriously impact my health later in life. I'm reaching out to reddit for advice. If anyone has additional questions for me, feel free to ask. I’m eager to understand what I might need to investigate further. Is there a problem with my immune system? My tonsils are still intact. And to be clear, I’m currently under the weather as I write this. I’m a 49-year-old male, standing at 6 feet tall and weighing 155 pounds. Aside from taking medication for blood pressure, my overall health has been stable, but I’ve dealt with these issues well before starting that medication.
Seeking Guidance for My Autistic Brother (17M)
I'm reaching out for guidance regarding my brother, who is 17 years old and diagnosed with autism. While he can verbalize some words, his speech often lacks coherence, making communication a challenge for both of us. There are moments, though infrequent, when he manages to express a complete thought, allowing us to connect for brief periods. A significant concern is that he experiences intense episodes of rage, which leave him inconsolable. During these outbursts, he often screams, lashes out physically at others, and damages nearby objects—particularly drywall, which seems to be a favorite target. This behavior has severely limited our ability to take him out in public. Our mother is proactively seeking assistance from therapists and has urged me to do the same. I suspect she hasn't turned to this platform yet. Even outside these episodes, he remains loud and forceful, often distorting the words he knows intentionally—like saying "nilk" when he means "milk." This behavior has become more pronounced lately. Sadly, these outbursts occur almost hourly, and his sleep pattern is erratic, leading him to sleep late into the day. It is concerning how unaware he is of his own physical strength. He tends to inflict harm on himself, resulting in various scrapes and bruises on his body, as well as on my mother and myself, who have also sustained injuries while trying to calm him. These aggressive episodes seem to have started a little over five years ago, and despite consulting with doctors, who attributed this behavior to hormonal changes, it appears to be escalating. Another alarming observation is that he does not seem to react to pain, which leaves us puzzled. While I doubt he has Congenital Insensitivity to Pain and Anhidrosis (CIPA) since he avoids painful situations, it often leads to him becoming his own punching bag. His academic situation has also deteriorated, as he was expelled from what was claimed to be the "best school for autism in the country." Currently, he's taking a small dose of hydroxyzine at night to aid his sleep, but I suspect he has developed a tolerance. Previously, he was prescribed risperidone, which my mother feels helped, even though I’m not convinced it made a significant difference. He has also been switched between two other medications for short durations, which neither of us can recall clearly, as they were discontinued quickly. My mother is apprehensive about seeking help at a facility specializing in mental health disorders, fearing potential mistreatment since he cannot advocate for himself. She worries they might resort to sedation, discharging him in an unchanged condition or potentially worse. The tension between our perspectives complicates matters significantly. At this point, I feel quite lost and unsure of where to seek help. Any suggestions, advice, or recommendations for professionals—especially in Florida—would be incredibly valuable. If you have thoughts that could offer assistance, I would greatly appreciate hearing them. Thank you for your consideration, and I look forward to any insights you can provide.