Help. Tons of symptoms, no diagnosis.

Hey there...

I didn't know, where to put this, as I do not have a diagnosis for my many symptoms and thought pain feels okay for now. I am hoping to maybe find some answers through this forum as we currently do not have any more money to go through more medical tests :(

I am female, 27 years old, always have been healthy. No surgery ever. Family history, Dad has high cholesterol and had testicular cancer. Nothing else.

This is my shortened symptom history:

January 2012 - Sudden sharp pain in left armpit while sitting at my desk. Panic attack following the sudden symptoms. Doctor visit.

I was told I had a urinary tract infection. Was treated.
I was told I had another infection, I honestly don't remember the name. Something in a stool sample. Was treated for that.

January 2012 - May 2012

I started having panic attacks as I was very worried what was going on with me. Went to the ER two times thinking I was having a heart attack. I was told I simply had panic attacks, I was given Ativan which helped really well with my anxiety. I understood many of my symptoms come from panic and got over that part. Went from taking 1 Ativan a day to only taking it, when the panic really got out of hand.

Started having weird other symptoms.
Back pain, very localized. X-rays showed nothing. Chiropractor said it's from not being active enough, so I started being more active.
Numbness and tingling in hands, fingers, feet, toes, sometimes up to knee/elbow. Was told that's from nerves in my back. Tried massages and acupuncture for this.

June 2012 - August 2012

I was starting to do a bit better. Got the panic under control, the pain was baerable, even though it didn't get better or go away ever. I am having back pain every day, 24/7. Walking seems to make it better, the more I sit or lay still, the worse it gets. But I can live with it. Conquering the mental part of this helped me to live with the physical symptoms.

September 2012

After an episode of sudden dizziness and heat flashes I feel sick. And even though I rest, eat well, drink well and try to exercise it doesn't get better.

State now:

Back pain. Constant. It's located between my shoulders, on the left side. about a palm sized area. Turning to the left makes it worse, turning to the right makes it even worse than that. Movement seems to help. Sitting and laying still makes it worse to the point, where I can not sit or lay EVER to relax and constantly have to shift positions.

Blurred vision. It's like...taking of my glasses, but I am still wearing them. I have this most of the time now, it was only from time to time before. I can still walk etc. but sometimes trip, because my vision blurs.

Dizziness. That appears from time to time. It might be related to hunger, as it SEEMS to get better, when I eat something.

Numbness/tingling in toes, fingers. Mostly after getting up in the morning. Most of my symptoms are worst in the morning actually. Usually goes away after maybe 2-5 minutes.

Weird feelings in stomach area. Kind of like I am CONSTANTLY hungry. My stomach is growling. Sometimes I get a sudden flash of nausea. Then sometimes I get a feeling like I am falling in the pit of my stomach. Not sure if this might be caused by hunger, it seems to get better, when I eat about every 2 hours...

Joint pain. I have that constantly now. Especially my hands/fingers are achy and feel weak. Also my knees and hips especially. I feel like I have no strength in my hands and fingers even though I actually do...It feels like I can't trust my grip, even though so far I haven't dropped anything.

Muscle pain. Feels like having the flu on an every day basis.

Fatigue, low energy. I constantly feel like I WANT to do stuff, but my body feels like it is always tired, no matter how much sleep and rest I have had.

Buzzing in ears. That has started a few days ago and now seems constant. Seems to get better with movement, I am not sure.

Those are my symptoms I think...might have forgotten something. Anyone know, what that could be? I have always been healthy and I KNOW that something is going on. I know I am sensitive and many things get worse with stress, but I also KNOW, that there is a physical cause somewhere in my body, I know my body VERY well...every doctor so far has told me, that I am young and everything will be okay -.- We don't have any more money for all kinds of tests, it's really really bad situation for me :( So if you guys know anything, that could narrow down a small amount of necessary tests, that would REALLY help!

Thanks so much!

Hey there,

thanks for the reply.

I have had x-rays of my spine taken, not an MRI. I'd like to get that done, but we do not have the money for that right now :(

I did have regular blood tests - iron, vitamins, hormones have not been checked. It could very well be my nutrition as I eat VERY little and also the same stuff every day. I have Asperger's Autism which makes it very hard for me to eat healthy, as I am pretty much only okay with eating the same stuff every day.

I have been to a chiropractor, which was VERY relaxing but unfortunately didn't help much after I left there ;) I have not had any physical therapy as we can not afford to go anywhere. I have gotten exercises to do from my chiropractor to specifically target and strengthen my back, but lately they have become too painful to do. I still do try to do yoga and stretches for my back in the morning after getting up and in the evening, before laying down for about 8 hours of sleep...but I know and feel like that's not enough. Unfortunately the pain stops me from doing 'normal' exercises. I used to go running and was very active before all of this started :( Now I just feel so weak and wobbly all the time, it's hard to even do the normal housework.

My chiropractor actually mentioned Vitamin D to me, when I first told him about my symptoms...and combined with my bad eating habits, maybe that IS something I should get checked out O_O Once we have the money for another blood test ;)

Hi Enrooted and welcome,

We're not doctors here so can't give you a diagnosis.

It sounds like you are having disk problems. You really would need an MRI to get a diagnosis. Most hospitals have free care that will cover an MRI. Just call your local hospital and ask. There are also clinics out there that have a pay depending on your income (or lack thereof) policy.

If you are always eating the same thing, have you had your b-12 level checked? Also it would be a good idea to have your sugar checked.

Welcome Enrooted, you have friends here to talk to. One idea I have is to talk to your pharmacist about taking an iron, vitamin. D and B12 vitamins. Just find out if there is anything that might be harmful to you if you did these vitamins on your own. It sounds like you have something going on with your back. Some years ago my doctor called a clinic and he told them he had a patient that needed an MRI asap, they got me right in at no charge at all. Some Pharmacist companies will also fill your meds for free. It is well worth your asking. You are to young to have these medical problems. I am so sorry. Sometimes you just have to take the bull by the horns and contact every medical place you can and explain your financial situation, and hopefully your doctor will go to bat for you to get these services done for a low amount or even free. Good luck and we look forward to hearing more from you......hugs....Cathy

Hi again,

Susie is correct, do not take most vitamins without checking with a doctor especially iron. I have a b-12 deficiency which leads to pernicious anemia which could explain some of your symptoms.

Taking b-12 or iron doesn't help this because low iron isn't the cause and you can't absorb b-12 and need a shot.

When you call the local hospital about free care ask them about where to get medical coverage with no money. Also, apply for medicaid at your local human services office. (you can also apply online).

Hi enrooted.. just wanted to toss off a couple suggestions. Does your city have any type of crisis call line? Here in TN we have one and they say they can help you find different types of assistance. Sometimes the hospital or ER can help you file for state aid if you go in with no medical insurance.

I have to agree with everyone else here, right now it sounds like an MRI is necessary for you. I had a lot of xrays done, they never showed a darn thing.. but an MRI showed some pretty serious issues in my neck.

Please hang in there, I know it's hard to do right now, but things will get better. I went without insurance for years, in pain and depressed, and finally made it into the state aid program. Know that others are there to office advice and suggestions and just listen to you when you need to talk.
Sarah

Just a thought, if you get your back problem straightened out, and some of the other symptoms you mentioned continue, you could consider being checked for Fibromyalgia. I'm only saying this is a maybe because many of your symptoms you listed are classic Fibro symptoms. I want to emphasize this is only a suggestion!

I hope you can find answers and solutions soon because it does sound like you are going through so much.

Hey Donna...

That sounds interesting O_O

The reason I don't think, that's the case for me is this:

I have only taken one Ativan a day for about 2 weeks. I knew from the beginning, that these kinds of drugs get you hooked VERY fast, so I really only took it in the utmost emergency to begin with. I haven't taken any for months now and did not have the symptoms I am experiencing now. All the symptoms I described gradually appeared over the past month. Before that I had not taken Ativan for about 4 months and was feeling better slowly, but surely...at least anxiety wise.

BUT I will keep this in mind, as my chiropractor suggested I try taking an Ativan a day for 2-3 days, to see which of my symptoms are caused by stress and anxiety and which might be caused by something else...because it is SO hard to distinguish between psychological reasons and physical reasons once you ARE in that anxiety spiral :(