OpenHealth Q&A

Seeking Answers for My Health Struggles

While the title might sound overly dramatic, I genuinely feel like I'm unraveling here. 🤦🏼‍♀️ I’m a 29-year-old woman residing in the UK. My health issues began in November 2024, which is when I first consulted a physician. At that time, I had taken up running in an effort to lose weight. Approximately ten minutes into my runs, I started experiencing tingling sensations in my feet. This eventually escalated to a prickly feeling, followed by complete numbness that left me awkwardly limping back to my vehicle. My physician advised me to cease running and focus on losing weight, then sent me on my way. Shortly thereafter, I began to experience numbness and tingling in my right thigh whenever I lay on my back to sleep. I mentioned it to my mother, who dismissed it—she had experienced something similar due to a slipped disc in her youth. So, I carried on with my life. In March 2025, I started using Mounjaro to assist in my weight loss efforts, having struggled significantly before that and also facing a PCOS diagnosis a couple of years prior. By the time my next major symptom appeared, I had shed 2 stone. In June 2025, I began facing alarming issues with vertigo; every time I stood up, I would feel as though my head were spinning, and my vision would fade to black. This was an entirely new sensation for me. I informed my doctors about my use of Mounjaro, but they did not attribute my symptoms to it. Blood tests were conducted, most results coming back normal except for an elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) level of 18. Subsequent blood tests showed a consistent elevation in CRP, with levels ranging from 13 to 22 over several months. I was then referred to a cardiologist, who performed an echocardiogram and a 24-hour ECG, both yielding normal results. My heart rate varied between 43 and 137 beats per minute. Throughout the duration of the ECG, I experienced severe numbness in my legs, which continued to be an issue. Since I struggled to comfortably sleep on my side due to the ECG, I had frequently to revert to sleeping on my back, often waking around 4 AM from intense, shooting pain in my right thigh, accompanied by numbness across both legs. Following the ECG, my previously manageable lower back pain escalated, and the numbness in my legs worsened in frequency. Consequently, I was referred for MRI imaging of my lumbar and cervical spine. The doctors suggested that there might be compression on my lumbar nerves causing the leg numbness and possibly something in my cervical spine contributing to the dizziness. In the timeframe between my MRI referral and the actual procedure, I encountered a month where I struggled to eat properly as each meal resulted in debilitating bloating and discomfort. Additional bloodwork confirmed my elevated CRP levels, alongside a stool test. Fortunately, the bloating eventually subsided, but its cause remains unclear to me and whether it connects to my other symptoms. I underwent an MRI, which showed a clear cervical spine but revealed minor bulging discs at L4/L5/S1. According to the GP, these findings were unlikely responsible for my various issues. Now, I’m being referred to neurology for further evaluation, with the MRI results provided to me on January 22, 2026. From November 2024 to January 2026, I have mainly experienced increasing numbness in my legs (predominantly in my right thigh), intensifying lower back pain, and worsening dizziness upon standing. The dizziness has become particularly concerning; in the past week, I nearly fainted on three separate occasions. Where it was previously merely an annoyance, the sensation has escalated to the point where I feel I might collapse. Additionally, I've recently started to endure severe headaches and migraines. Although I’ve dealt with headaches before, these recent episodes are excruciating and can linger for hours. Do these symptoms correlate with one another? Could anyone offer potential insights into what’s happening? Thus far, doctors have casually mentioned conditions such as PoTS and MS, albeit in passing. Interestingly, I should note that I am now 4.5 stone lighter than when these symptoms first emerged.

Answers (1)

2/3/2026, 1:01:04 AM

OpenHealth AI

I'm really sorry to hear about your ongoing health struggles. Your symptoms sound concerning, and it's understandable to feel overwhelmed by them. Let’s break down what you’ve shared, clarify how these symptoms might be connected, and identify actionable next steps.

Main Points

1. Symptoms Overlap: Your symptoms of tingling, numbness, dizziness, and headaches could potentially point to underlying issues affecting your nervous system or other related conditions.
2. Current Evaluation Status: It's positive that you've already undergone initial assessments like blood tests, an echocardiogram, and an MRI. Being referred to neurology is an important next step.
3. Emotional Impact: Managing chronic symptoms can be emotionally taxing, warranting attention to your mental well-being alongside your physical health.

Explanation

Your initial symptoms began after you started running and have evolved into more complex issues, including:

• Numbness and Tingling: These could arise from nerve compression or other neurological conditions.
• Vertigo and Dizziness: Feeling faint when standing up raises the possibility of conditions like Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (PoTS) or other autonomic dysfunctions, especially since your heart rate varies significantly.
• Headaches and Migraines: These could potentially correlate with your other neurological symptoms, requiring further investigation.

The elevated CRP levels indicate inflammation in your body, which could be related to various conditions, including autoimmune disorders. The presence of bulging discs in your lumbar region may contribute to your lower back pain and leg symptoms, although they are deemed less likely to be the primary concern by your GP.

Next Steps

1. Follow Up with Neurology: Be active in your follow-up appointment. Highlight all your symptoms clearly and request a comprehensive assessment that may involve nerve conduction studies or other specific tests to ascertain nerve function.

2. Monitor Symptoms: Keep a symptom diary detailing when and how often each symptom occurs. Note any potential triggers (like specific activities, medications, or foods) to help provide insights during your next medical visits.

3. Evaluation for PoTS: Given your dizziness and its impact on your daily life, consider discussing PoTS further with your neurologist. They may suggest tilt table testing to diagnose it.

4. Address Headaches: Track your headaches as well, as they may also need a tailored management plan. Over-the-counter pain relief can be helpful, but discuss this with your doctor.

5. Supportive Care: Explore stress-reducing techniques, like mindfulness, meditation, or gentle stretching. Anxiety and stress can exacerbate physical symptoms, so finding ways to cope may help improve both your mental and physical health.

6. Nutrition: As you’ve experienced bloating, sticking to easily digestible and low-FODMAP foods temporarily may help ease gastrointestinal symptoms while you determine the cause.

Remember, it’s important to keep an open line of communication with your healthcare team. Advocate for yourself, especially when symptoms escalate or worsen. You're not alone in this, and support can often make a significant difference in managing complex health issues. Let me know if you need further advice or support!