Discussions By Condition: I cannot get a diagnosis.
At my wits end...
- Posted By: bellevue
- August 22, 2007
- 09:15 PM
Last November (2006), I developed a rash on my lower right leg. When I was finally able to get into my doctor in January 2007, showed him the rash and said that I also have the following symptoms: incredible fatique, brain fog, weight gain (I was already overweight but just started gaining more), joint pain in my right hand and right shoulder, headaches, moodiness, and malaise.
The doctor looked at me (I'm a 41 year old mother to 4 kids) and said I have Lupus or diabetes then sent me off to the lab. All the tests came back good (though I wasn't given my results at that time). I was refered to a rheumatologist in March by a nurse that was in such a panic that I thought I was dying.
The rheumy put me on prednisone and I started feeling better and the rash went away ( I had already been through two prescriptions of steroid creams which did nothing). The rheumy said he didn't know what was wrong with me and wanted to put me on Plaquenil- but about that time we found we were moving out of state. So he just made me a nice packet of info to take to the next doc.
When we got to our new location I made an appt with the rheumy here. He says there is nothing wrong with me and takes me off the prednisone. Back comes the pain and the rash (the other symptoms never fully went away). I also developed high blood pressure and my pulse rate increased, which he said was nothing (140/105 and pulse rate of 100). And refers me to a dermatologist.
The dermatologist did a biopsy of the rash which came back inconclusive. He started yet another steroid cream that did nothing and gave me an antibiotic cream just over a week ago, which isn't doing anything either.
Over the last couple of weeks I've started getting a funny feeling in my throat, like a cotton ball is stuck in it- it doesn't hurt, just annoying and I'm always trying to clear my throat of it.
I called to make an appt and was told to call and talk to a nurse. I did and she said that my blood work looked good and I should wait to be released from the dermatologist before making an appt about the same complaints (my husband is in the Army and care can be lacking at times).
Can anyone give me any insight on what may be happening? The only medication I've been taking in Prevacid for acid reflux (for 14 months).
Thank you!
9 Replies:
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You may want to get tested for Lyme disease. just a thought.Anonymous 42789 Replies Flag this Response
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I hope this isnt it. Chronic fatigue syndrome.. headaches, pain, tiredness, brain fog, emotional issues eg emotional sensitivy, moodiness etc .. all strongly feature in CFS. Rashes can happen with it too (35-45% of CFS people get unexplained rashes). For CFS symptoms.. check out http://wwwcoco.com/cfids/bernesx.html In CFS a pulse rate of 100 or higher (tachycardia) is extremely common. (along with blood pressure variations and POTS). There is also a subgroup of CFSers who end up getting like metabolic syndrome (syndrome x). Im mentioning this due to your high BP and weight gain, so if its found you do have CFS, maybe get the things in metabolic syndrome, checked too as you could also have these other issues going on...taniaaust1 2267 Replies Flag this Response
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Ask if they tested you for hyperparathyroidism? Also, the lump in the throat is called a crycopharyngeal spasm. If you have any valium or a muscle relaxant, taking one would be a test for this problem.rad-skw 1605 Replies Flag this Response
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You most likely have been bitten by a spider. Check the area where the rash first appeared. You will most likely find a small bite mark or a pair of marks depending on the spider. If you let me know which state you were in when the first symptoms broke out I may be able to narrow it some more. In the mean time go to a local Wal-Mart or health store and pick up a bottle of Tea Tree oil. Apply this to the area of the rash. Tea Tree oil can negate the affects of the spider venom. The fact that you are still having symptoms means that your body has not been able to fight it off. The blood pressure and other symptoms may be a side effect of the Prednisone and steroid creams that you have been using.sojourner 8 Replies Flag this Response
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Try here: http://www.haea.org/hae_symptoms_for_physicians.phpaquila 1263 Replies Flag this Response
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flea bites???Monsterlove 2921 Replies Flag this Response
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I would remember that all symptoms don't have to necessarily be related to one diagnosis.pddeboy 4 Replies Flag this Response
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Dear Belleue...to be honest, it sounds as if you may have both CFS and Fibromyalgia. rashbrain fogweight gainjoint painheadachesmoodinessmalaiseprevacid for acid refluxLupus possibilityDiabetes possibilityconstant "clearing of the throat"Husband in the Army Here is a bit of info on Fibromyalgia Fibromyalgia is very closely related to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), the main difference being that with CFS, the predominant symptom is fatigue; with fibromyalgia, it is pain. Fibromyalgia is a rheumatic disorder ( so is Lupus)that most commonly affects the neck, lower back, shoulders, back of the head, upper thighs, elbows, buttocks, knees and the upper chest. It is important to remember, however, that the achy, burning pains of the disease can strike any part of the body. The pain and stiffness is typically worse in the morning and is often accompanied by insomnia, headaches, depression, brain fog, incoordination, digestive disorders, dizziness, panic attacks and skin rashes. The immune system of an affected person is often hypersensitive and allergies to environmental and dietary factors are common. Symptoms can be aggravated by allergies, overexertion, lack of sleep and acute infections.mommy cat 1654 Replies Flag this Response
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And some symptoms of CFS Sore throat, chills, sweats, low body temperature, low grade fever, lymphadenopathy, muscle weakness (or paralysis), muscle pain, muscle twitches or spasms, gelling of the joints, hypoglycaemia, hair loss, nausea, vomiting, vertigo, chest pain, cardiac arrhythmia, resting tachycardia, orthostatic tachycardia, orthostatic fainting or faintness, circulatory problems, opthalmoplegia, eye pain, photophobia, blurred vision, wavy visual field, and other visual and neurological disturbances, hyperacuity, tinnitus, alcohol intolerance, gastrointestinal and digestive disturbances(reflux disorder) allergies and sensitivities to many previously well-tolerated foods, drug sensitivities, stroke-like episodes, nystagmus, difficulty swallowing, weight changes, paresthesias, polyneuropathy, proprioception difficulties, myoclonus, temporal lobe and other types of seizures, an inability to maintain consciousness for more than short periods at a time, confusion, disorientation, spatial disorientation, disequilibrium, breathing difficulties, emotional lability, sleep disorders; sleep paralysis, fragmented sleep, difficulty initiating sleep, lack of deep-stage sleep and/or a disrupted circadian rhythm. Neurocognitive dysfunction may include cognitive, motor and perceptual disturbances. Cognitive dysfunction may be pronounced and may include; difficulty or an inability to speak (or understand speech), difficulty or an inability to read or write or to do basic mathematics, difficulty with simultaneous processing, poor concentration, difficulty with sequencing and problems with memory including; difficulty making new memories, difficulty recalling formed memories and difficulties with visual and verbal recall (eg. facial agnosia). The best advice I can give for this illness as far as treatment of symptoms is NAET/Bioset therapy. Please look into it. I have had only 6 treatments and my symptoms are 90% resolved. Wishing you well and hoping you find the answers you seek...mommy catmommy cat 1654 Replies Flag this Response
