Sick, doctors unsure of causes... - Open to All Other Health Topics Message Board

pdrq221 · 08-22-2003, 12:41 AM

Hello, I have been 'sick' for the past three months, and have had a wide array of symptoms. I'll list here the major ones that have occured for at least 3 days straight, and most of these have occured much more often than that...these are not in any particular order, by severity or otherwise.

Tension headaches
Low back pain aggravated by bending over
Dull upper back pain
Chest pain, pressure-like
Occasional burning pain in chest/back with breathing
Muscle Twitching
Pain in armpit region
Dull ache in testicles (more often it seems like it is coming from the right one)
Abdominal cramps, pangs of pain
Diarrhea, off and on
Increased skin sensitivity, welts, and hives
Some tingling sensations in face

I have been to my doctor several times. Many tests have been done for me over the past 4 or 5 months (note; I've only had many of these symptoms for 3 or so) including:

2 CBCs
ESR (sed rate)
3 Chest X-rays, 2 abdominal X-rays
Urinalysis
Stool parasites, blood tests/cultures
EKG
Extensive physical examinations of chest, abdomen, groin

I have been exasperated lately because this is really taking its toll on me, and the doctors (my GP, close friend who is a GP, and 2 internists) have not come up with any definite diagnosis...so if anyone could contribute more possibilities it would be helpful...thanks

orion · 08-22-2003, 01:29 AM

I would have some hormone tests done, specifically blood tests for thyroid and testosterone, and a 24-hour urine cortisol test. It sounds a lot like adrenal insufficiency which often shows up as lower back pain especially in the morning and getting less as the day goes on.

Have you been taking steroids puffers or prednisone recently?

pdrq221 · 08-22-2003, 05:56 AM

Nope, haven't taken those. I'm not 100% sure that the back pain is related to this though, as I've been suspicious that it might be my mattress' fault, but I'll have to find a way to confirm that...but it is funny how it would just start irritating my back now after several years...

Also, it seems like the hives/welts are the most 'severe' of the symptoms. They do not hurt, and itch occasionally, but it seems like no matter what happens, I get them. After a hot shower, they cover my whole body almost, if I run my fingernail even lightly across my skin it produces a welt, etc.

[This message has been edited by pdrq221 (edited 08-22-2003).]

zuzu8 · 08-22-2003, 10:23 AM

Hi- I certainly can understand your exasperation. Have any of th doctors suspected and/or suggested ANYTHING? Given you an idea for followup in any particular direction?

Given that the skin issue is making you the most uncomfortable right now, I suggest you see a dermatologist ASAP. You might have to deal with one thing at a time with specialists instead of internists if the internists are coming up empty.
A gastroenterologist might be able to identify why you are having the cramps and diarrhea.

Oh..I see you had stool tests for parasites. Was this done through a gastroenterologist? Both the skin and stomach issues may be intertwined...some allergic process going on.

Chest pain/ pressure could be anything from simple heartburn to acid reflux to heart disease and needs to be evaluated carefully. If it's reflux related, again, a gastro person would be the person to see. Forgive me if you've BEEN seeing specialists already. It's just that from your post it seems you have only been dealing with general practitioners.

Did any of the tests come up abnormal?
And again, what are your doctors telling you?

zuzu xxx

[This message has been edited by zuzu8 (edited 08-22-2003).]

pdrq221 · 08-22-2003, 03:18 PM

One specialist was a gastroenterologist, yes.
All tests have come up normal, but the tests have been minimal. I had requested an upper GI series after he had prescribed fluoxetine then subsequently Levbid for what he though was IBS, and my symptoms still persisted for the months, even after taking the meds, along with Prevacid from my GP (he gave me 6 sample packs of 5 pills, which I took once a day...)and making major dietary changes, which all had no effect.

The other specialist was in fact a dermatologist, which I have been seeing for mild acne anyway, and I just bumped up my regular checkup by a month...when I went to see him the rashes/welts/hives decided to go away miraculously, only to come back two days later. Since there were no symptoms when I was there, he didn't believe it could have been too seriious. Also, I've never had any allergies at all to anything. Pollen, dust, grass, certain foods...I've never had allergies to any of those.