pinkpixies
07-09-2008, 03:22 AM
A little back ground on me...I'm a 23 year old female. I am over weight (about 280 lbs) but now that I'm on the right dose of my levothyroxine, I'm losing weight fairly quickly...1-2 lbs of body fat per week. (I have a body comp done weekly at y nutritionist.) I have been going to my doctor a lot with different complaints and she blames everything on either my weight or anxiety.
I am still waiting for my test results to get back from seeing the kidney specialist...should find out in a few days...but I have a feeling they came back normal...so I'll need to follow up with my gp and make her do tests or give me a refferal. They did an ANA and renal function and 24 hour checking for total protein and creatinine (sp?) Here are my symptoms...any idea what could be wrong with me?
-proteinuria (protein in my urine)
-hypothyroidism (but finally under control with medication.)
-pain all over (literally...feet, toes, ankles, legs, knees, thighs, hips, back, collar bones, shouldes, arms, wrists, fingers, jaw...)
-poor circulation (my feet turn purple >.<)
-sensitivity to cold (like opening the fridge door causes intense pain in my toes and fingers)
-headaches and migranes (where I see flashing lights and every little sound hurts)
-skin feels bruised all over and hurts to the touch
-pins and needles in my feet, legs, thighs, chest, face and arms.
-bad balance (keep falling...specially in the shower...which is very painful!)
-dropping things all the time. If I try to pick up something heavy (like more than 3 lbs or so) I will get a shooting pain up from my hands to my collar bone...and I will drop it. Happens with things that aren't heavy at times too.
-folliculitis (sp?)
-lots of infections (vaginal, bladder and kidney)
-IBS
-dry skin and scalp
-constant itching all over
-dizziness and passing out. (doctors say it's a side effect of my medictions.)
...theres probably more, but I can't think atm. Do you guys know what could be wrong? What I could get my doctor to check for?
Medications I currently take: Levothyroxine, Cymbalta, Neurontin, Buspar, Yaz, and Miralax
I am still waiting for my test results to get back from seeing the kidney specialist...should find out in a few days...but I have a feeling they came back normal...so I'll need to follow up with my gp and make her do tests or give me a refferal. They did an ANA and renal function and 24 hour checking for total protein and creatinine (sp?) Here are my symptoms...any idea what could be wrong with me?
-proteinuria (protein in my urine)
-hypothyroidism (but finally under control with medication.)
-pain all over (literally...feet, toes, ankles, legs, knees, thighs, hips, back, collar bones, shouldes, arms, wrists, fingers, jaw...)
-poor circulation (my feet turn purple >.<)
-sensitivity to cold (like opening the fridge door causes intense pain in my toes and fingers)
-headaches and migranes (where I see flashing lights and every little sound hurts)
-skin feels bruised all over and hurts to the touch
-pins and needles in my feet, legs, thighs, chest, face and arms.
-bad balance (keep falling...specially in the shower...which is very painful!)
-dropping things all the time. If I try to pick up something heavy (like more than 3 lbs or so) I will get a shooting pain up from my hands to my collar bone...and I will drop it. Happens with things that aren't heavy at times too.
-folliculitis (sp?)
-lots of infections (vaginal, bladder and kidney)
-IBS
-dry skin and scalp
-constant itching all over
-dizziness and passing out. (doctors say it's a side effect of my medictions.)
...theres probably more, but I can't think atm. Do you guys know what could be wrong? What I could get my doctor to check for?
Medications I currently take: Levothyroxine, Cymbalta, Neurontin, Buspar, Yaz, and Miralax
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midwest1
07-09-2008, 11:52 AM
You have lots of symptoms of B12 deficiency and Sjogren's syndrome, which are autoimmune disorders. If your hypothyroidism is autoimmune in nature - as most cases are - you are predisposed to have other AI diseases. That's where I would want doctors to focus, if I were you.
There is also a possibility that your hypothyroidism may be undertreated and therefore responsible for at least some of your trouble.
I'm sorry you feel so bad at such a tender age. That's just wrong. :(
There is also a possibility that your hypothyroidism may be undertreated and therefore responsible for at least some of your trouble.
I'm sorry you feel so bad at such a tender age. That's just wrong. :(
japlopper
07-09-2008, 02:06 PM
I would definitely start with a B12 test! You could also have a Vitamin D deficiency.
when I was low on B12, I had pins and needles, headaches, muscle twitches, fatigue, sleeplessness, and digestive problems.
when I was low on B12, I had pins and needles, headaches, muscle twitches, fatigue, sleeplessness, and digestive problems.
pinkpixies
07-09-2008, 04:02 PM
B12? That's weird...Back when I was vegan...I took a multi that had a really high dose of b12 in it...symptoms started about 6 months after I stopped taking it...and got severe about a year later...but I eat lots of meat and dairy now?
midwest1
07-09-2008, 08:20 PM
The problem with low B12 is usually not related to your intake of the vitamin, but to the process in the stomach that causes malabsorption of it. Don't just guess about getting enough from your diet. Insist on a bloodtest to measure it. Tell your doc you want the tests for pernicious anemia... which is the name of the disorder that low B12 causes.
pinkpixies
07-09-2008, 08:30 PM
The problem with low B12 is usually not related to your intake of the vitamin, but to the process in the stomach that causes malabsorption of it. Don't just guess about getting enough from your diet. Insist on a bloodtest to measure it. Tell your doc you want the tests for pernicious anemia... which is the name of the disorder that low B12 causes.
okay. thanks! Could my history of bulimia have messed up my stomach and made it unable to absorb b12?
okay. thanks! Could my history of bulimia have messed up my stomach and made it unable to absorb b12?
midwest1
07-09-2008, 08:42 PM
Absolutely! Anorexia and/or bulimia can cause pernicious anemia. All the more reason to get tested. Many of your symptoms are classis PA ones.
ETA... Is your MD aware of your bulimia history? 'Fess up if he doesn't, because it's important to know for your future health.
ETA... Is your MD aware of your bulimia history? 'Fess up if he doesn't, because it's important to know for your future health.
pinkpixies
07-09-2008, 08:53 PM
yes...she should be at least. I've told her and I've been hopsitalized for it and everything. I know it's in my chart...but if she remembers...thats a different story.
orion
07-09-2008, 09:14 PM
Adrenal insufficiency also fits the symptoms, possibly caused by a pituitary problem; perhaps even a pituitary tumor. You should have blood tests for cortisol, prolactin, FSH, LH, a 24-hour cortisol urine test and a MRI for a pituitary tumor.
pinkpixies
07-09-2008, 10:37 PM
Adrenal insufficiency also fits the symptoms, possibly caused by a pituitary problem; perhaps even a pituitary tumor. You should have blood tests for cortisol, prolactin, FSH, LH, a 24-hour cortisol urine test and a MRI for a pituitary tumor.
don't pituitary tumors cause people to be really tall? LOL
Would a CT scan have shown that? B/c I had a CT scan done about two years ago, I believe...for headaches...and it was fine.
don't pituitary tumors cause people to be really tall? LOL
Would a CT scan have shown that? B/c I had a CT scan done about two years ago, I believe...for headaches...and it was fine.
T4T3hell
07-09-2008, 10:47 PM
You sound like you have Cushings or Hypopituitarism and maybe adrenal issues---just for good measure.
Do some research on the internet---there are some excellent sites out there for pituitary disease, Cushings and more.
Here's just a few ways a pituitary tumor can manifest itself:
loss of vision---can be temporary
loss of sex drive
rapid and inexplicable weight gain---and can't lose weight---no matter what---or you lose three or four pounds---but gain tons more again.
adult temper tantrums---I call this "roid-rage"
Headaches---can come and go
A good book: The Everything Health Guide to Thyroid Disease by
Dr. Theodore Friedman, MD, PHD
You need to find someone who really knows what they're doing---more complex endocrine issues are usually ignored by regular endos---or as I like to call them---endiots.
PS: There is a precise procedure to have "imaging" done for pituitary disease---it includes an MRI with and without contrast---and it needs to be read by someone who knows how to read the images---pit. tumors are extremely hard to see---and you may get a "you're ok---I don't see anything wrong"---when you actually do have a gooey tumor.
You might search for a really good video clip of "The Science of Obesity" featuring Dr. Friedman.
Do some research on the internet---there are some excellent sites out there for pituitary disease, Cushings and more.
Here's just a few ways a pituitary tumor can manifest itself:
loss of vision---can be temporary
loss of sex drive
rapid and inexplicable weight gain---and can't lose weight---no matter what---or you lose three or four pounds---but gain tons more again.
adult temper tantrums---I call this "roid-rage"
Headaches---can come and go
A good book: The Everything Health Guide to Thyroid Disease by
Dr. Theodore Friedman, MD, PHD
You need to find someone who really knows what they're doing---more complex endocrine issues are usually ignored by regular endos---or as I like to call them---endiots.
PS: There is a precise procedure to have "imaging" done for pituitary disease---it includes an MRI with and without contrast---and it needs to be read by someone who knows how to read the images---pit. tumors are extremely hard to see---and you may get a "you're ok---I don't see anything wrong"---when you actually do have a gooey tumor.
You might search for a really good video clip of "The Science of Obesity" featuring Dr. Friedman.
pinkpixies
07-09-2008, 10:50 PM
You sound like you have Cushings or Hypopituitarism and maybe adrenal issues---just for good measure.
Do some research on the internet---there are some excellent sites out there for pituitary disease, Cushings and more.
Here's just a few ways a pituitary tumor can manifest itself:
loss of vision---can be temporary
loss of sex drive
rapid and inexplicable weight gain---and can't lose weight---no matter what---or you lose three or four pounds---but gain tons more again.
adult temper tantrums---I call this "roid-rage"
Headaches---can come and go
A good book: The Everything Health Guide to Thyroid Disease by
Dr. Theodore Friedman, MD, PHD
You need to find someone who really knows what they're doing---more complex endocrine issues are usually ignored by regular endos---or as I like to call them---endiots.
thanks! I'm gonna read up on it so I can become more paranoid. haha!
Do some research on the internet---there are some excellent sites out there for pituitary disease, Cushings and more.
Here's just a few ways a pituitary tumor can manifest itself:
loss of vision---can be temporary
loss of sex drive
rapid and inexplicable weight gain---and can't lose weight---no matter what---or you lose three or four pounds---but gain tons more again.
adult temper tantrums---I call this "roid-rage"
Headaches---can come and go
A good book: The Everything Health Guide to Thyroid Disease by
Dr. Theodore Friedman, MD, PHD
You need to find someone who really knows what they're doing---more complex endocrine issues are usually ignored by regular endos---or as I like to call them---endiots.
thanks! I'm gonna read up on it so I can become more paranoid. haha!
T4T3hell
07-09-2008, 10:52 PM
thanks! I'm gonna read up on it so I can become more paranoid. haha!
Welcome to the club!!!
They're out there!!!
And they're out to get us!!!
Welcome to the club!!!
They're out there!!!
And they're out to get us!!!
Hyper86
07-09-2008, 11:04 PM
Hello!
My advise would be to find a wholistic Dr. who is a neutritionalist, Chiroprator & Certified Kinsioligist.
I'm 45 & was miserable in pain with a lot of your symtoms for about 35 years & it got worst & worst untill I found a Dr. like this, he got to the root of my problem in 45 minuets, many other MD's had failed to find the problem.
It's been 11 months & now i'm feeling good!
Thank you,
Carol
My advise would be to find a wholistic Dr. who is a neutritionalist, Chiroprator & Certified Kinsioligist.
I'm 45 & was miserable in pain with a lot of your symtoms for about 35 years & it got worst & worst untill I found a Dr. like this, he got to the root of my problem in 45 minuets, many other MD's had failed to find the problem.
It's been 11 months & now i'm feeling good!
Thank you,
Carol
pinkpixies
07-09-2008, 11:05 PM
Welcome to the club!!!
They're out there!!!
And they're out to get us!!!
LOL :D
They're out there!!!
And they're out to get us!!!
LOL :D
pinkpixies
07-09-2008, 11:39 PM
wow...so I looked up Cushings...and I have a lot of symptoms which I didn't even know where bad...LOL like early puberty (I started my period at 9) and irregular periods...they were regular until I was about 17 then they nearly stopped for 2 years...had it maybe once every 6 months or so...then I started birth control. Would being only 5'1 be "growth retardation"? LOL And I gained 170 lbs in two years at one point...and I have bad acne (not so much on my face anymore...mostly my chest and stomach and thighs) and I have facial hair...a thick, dark mustache (oh so attractive! LOL) and two stray hairs on my chin...and a unibrow...and just a lot of body hair...which is gross. And I bruise easily.
orion
07-10-2008, 12:46 AM
don't pituitary tumors cause people to be really tall? LOL
Would a CT scan have shown that? B/c I had a CT scan done about two years ago, I believe...for headaches...and it was fine.
Some tumors do cause excess growth hormone, but most don't.
A CT scan might not show the tumor expecially if it was done without contrast. It is also possible the tumor is small and not visible on a CT or you don't have a tumor and your pituitary is simply malfunctioning.
Would a CT scan have shown that? B/c I had a CT scan done about two years ago, I believe...for headaches...and it was fine.
Some tumors do cause excess growth hormone, but most don't.
A CT scan might not show the tumor expecially if it was done without contrast. It is also possible the tumor is small and not visible on a CT or you don't have a tumor and your pituitary is simply malfunctioning.