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Posted 2/7/2006 3:08 AM (GMT 0)
Hi-
If you have time to read the following, I could really use some insight as I am trying to diagnose myself (going crazy) and have been to many doctors. I am a 31 year old female dietitian. Have always been healthy, up until 2/05 I started having weird symptoms. Some are quite vague, so it makes it hard when going to the doctor to have so many things out of whack.

The reason I am thinking mold is we moved into a new apartment a month before all of this began. We have a front closet which had water damage and some mold spores. when we complained, the management co. came and painted over it. The mold came back, and they painted again. We complained and they gutted the closet and bathroom, and since then the mold has been visibly gone at least. The smell of mold is gone too. I just started reading about toxic mold, and many of the symptoms sound similar.

In feb '05 I started feeling a burning sensation in my forearms - some cramping in the palms. After many tests, I was diagnosed with thoracic outlet syndrome. Over the next summer ('05) I started getting vertigo and dizziness from time to time, my neck was really stiff and achey, and was congested for about 6 months (my doc kept saying it was allergies). Finally I was tested (basic panel) and do not have any allergies. The allergist said I likely have chronic sinus infections and gave me 4 rounds of Zithromax. I have never had sinus problems before. The antibiotics seemed to help - vertigo completely cleared up, and congestion is better. However, the final big symptom I have is that I have been nauseaus for about 4 months. It used to be just in the morning and would resolve when I ate something, but now it is more constant. The allergist said the nausea could be from the postnasal drip from the sinus infection. Currently, I have noticed more achiness and cramping in my arms and some in my legs, but not much. My doctor is also wondering about GERD. My energy is good surprizingly!

The tests I have had are an MRI brain (clear), MRI C-spine (minor bulges in neck), EMG (clear), X-rays of chest and neck, blood tests (ANA, glucose, HBA1C, CBC, metabolic panel, H. Pylori), hearing test - all normal. I am scheduled to take the ELISA/ACT test next week for other allergies/immune response.

Therapies I've had: occupational therapy for thoracic outlet syndrome, chiropractor, a little acupuncture.

I am so at the end of my rope, am spending so much on tests, therapies, and nothing is working. I am starting to fear something is severely wrong with my system. It just seems all these random symptoms are happening at once. It is hard for me to believe they are each separate issues.

Could this be a mold toxicicty? IF so, are there any tests to diagnose this? What is the treatment?

If anyone could provide some insight, I would be very grateful!!!

Many thanks,
Lisa
Posted 2/7/2006 3:23 AM (GMT 0)
It sounds possible that you may be exposed to toxic mold. Here is what I found out about the symptoms of this:
Q: What are the symptoms of exposure to mold?
A: Effects from exposure to toxic mold can result in any of the following symptoms:
• headaches • memory loss • problems focusing or concentrating • chronic fatigue
• nose and throat irritation • persistent cold-like symptoms • burning, itching or watering eyes
• dizziness • nausea • tremors • heart palpitations • shortness of breath (during mild exertion)
• exhaustion after routine activity • serious swelling in legs, ankles, feet • serious swelling in torso or stomach • prolonged muscle cramps and joint pain • sensitivity to odors • cancer • women who are pregnant could experience multiple problems, even miscarriages.
Also too here is a great website that can give you some more info on this:
http://www.mold-survivor.com/symptoms.htm
Posted 2/7/2006 3:53 PM (GMT 0)
Do you garden, hike, camp, or live in the northeast or midatlantic states? Vector born disease is becoming epidemic in all parts of the U.S. and particularly in Connecticut, New York, New Jersay, and Pennsyvania. Anway, my thought was to also look at the symptoms that come with Lyme disease. I went through similar symptoms and in 1995 they told me I had Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue syndrome. In 2003 a doctor put the whole picture together (over time it is as if every system in the body is affected.) My dermatologist and allergist did nothing for me because all my tests came back normal. When reviewing the information on Lyme, remember that symptoms vary from person to person and they can fluctuate due to bacterial replication and die-off of the bacteria. The one thing that caught my attention was that you said you started to feel better on the antibiotic. Over the years I had a log of sinus and chest infections and they would put me on antibiotic. Some of my other symptoms would begin to subside and I would tell my physician that I wondered if there was any connection. Also hypersensitivity to molds can be a part of lyme. It is a long road to figuring out these things. Best of luck - I am not saying that you have it, just take a look at the information. There is a lot of it on the internet.
Keenan B
Posted 2/7/2006 6:21 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you both for taking the time to read my post and for your thoughtful responses!
Keenan - that is interesting. I have been suspecting Lyme, but I left that out since my post is so long as it is.

In June '04, about, about 7-8 months before all this began, my husband, brother and I were canoeing near our cabin in the north woods of Wisconsin. At the end, there was only one path out of the river, and happened to be a dead deer on it. We were forced to go around, and my husband and brother both found about 5 ticks on each of themselves. I didn't find any. I live in Chicago, so all the doctors I've seen have been quick to dismiss the possibility. I didn't have a bulls eye rash, but am learning about 50% of people who get Lyme don't.

I am waiting to test for Lyme until I have been off antibiotics for 6 weeks, which is in another 2 weeks.
I really have narrowed it down to these two possibilities since the symptoms are so similar, and I have both the apartment/potential mold factor, and the deer encounter. We assumed since the mold wasn't visible, and the smell was gone, that it was gone, but we are moving in the next few weeks to eliminate that possibility.

One other reason I suspect Lyme too is that the first few days of taking Zithromax were awful. I was sick on the couch, my stomach killing. I had taken it in the past for different viruses over the years with no bad side effects. Looking back, I wonder if this is a herx? You know how these things go though, you don't know what to believe or want to get your hopes up that you actually figured it out!

Were you diagnosed with Lyme? I hope you are feeling better! You aren't kidding, it is a long difficult road through these things. We were only married a few months before this started. I function fine, but it is a nightmare not knowing what it is, and having all these little things suddenly go wrong, wondering if it will get worse. Hopefully I will get some answers soon!

Thanks again!
Posted 2/9/2006 2:18 PM (GMT 0)
Hi,
I posted last night but my mouse slipped and I lost it. I have to go now but you could look for Keenan B threads to read about my history. I am way to long and I apologize. I really hope you are going to a lyme doctor. That is critical because you may not test positive, which means nothing. You could still have lyme and if you do, you need to treat it agressively. Best Wishes.
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