Hello from a confused and scared man...
 

Hello,
I'm glad to find this forum and hope someone more educated than myself has the patience to read my post and shed some light on my situation.

I'm a 37 year old male with no family history of neurological diseases (plenty of heart disease but no neuro). Side note I have IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) dating back 20 years. I'm not overweight and like to consider myself healthy, except...

One year ago I ended up in hospital after an intense hockey game because I felt terrible; high blood pressure, headache/temple pain,dizziness, chest pain and heart palpitations throughout my body. They checked me out and sent me home basically saying "***** happens, but your fine". I was pretty stressed before the game so I'm blaming the event on that, even though the doctors didn't acknowledge the possibility.

Several weeks later while sitting at work in front of the computer the left side of my face went numb,"this is odd" I thought to myself. It persisted but didn't get worse until a few days later until it was my entire face, left hand, and legs. Next thought was "WTF is going on!!". I got up to walk and my legs felt like jello, I was getting dizzy spells, and just a feeling of being off balance (felt like my legs lost all coordination). Even looking at moving bath water made me woozy. One doctor said it was vertigo and gave me a prescriptions, it didn't help. My family doctor sent me to a neuro, did an MRI and EMG, both fine except "white matter" on the MRI which apparently is common but wasn't explained more than that. So I'm a couple months in with these symptoms and still no diagnosis. I even went to an ENT to check my inner ears, this was fine also.
Fast forward 8 months and things have gotten a little better on their own, great. Still get the symptoms but much lighter to the point I can shrug it off. :rolleyes:

However a month ago more symptoms started, sigh :( tight chest, back and rib pain, difficulty breathing (feels like I need to yawn but can't and feel like it need to work harder to breath), twitching in my left pectoral and sometimes my eye, tenderness when touching other muscles...

So now I'm full on scared because of the new symptoms. Twitching and breathing problems from ALS? Muscle pain from MS? My irritable bowel mutated into my nervous system...haha(yes I try to keep the humor)
But what is wrong with me?? Is this all stressed induced or is there a problem.

Both my family doctor and neuro are on vacation so I either go the hospital or wait...I was once a calm guy, but now my nerves run rampant and get emotional about my health very easily (mostly because I have a 2 year old and another one the way).

Forgot to mention that a year before my initial symptoms (so 2 years ago) I had a few light head injuries and whiplash that didn't ramp up to much... Unless it's coming out now.

In summary I feel like crap but am trying to stay active; hockey and light biking.

I would really appreciate any constructive comments, opinions or suggestions.

Paul

Great to meet you!!
 

why don't you post in the traumatic brain injury room. maybe it has nothing to do with the head injuries. but maybe someone in that room can shed some light. i know personally some crazy things can happen with a head injury. but stay calm. don't let your mind wander. good luck.

Welcome Paul77. :Tip-Hat:

Hi Paul,

Welcome to the NeuroTalk Forums.

Just so you don't worry too much about it unnecessarily, we all have white matter in our brains. It's when there is a problem with the white matter that you should worry.

There are many conditions that have the same symptoms and you have many varied symptoms. You need a knowledgeable doctor to sort it all out. It's good to have a trusted family doctor who has seen you over a period of years. Just my opinion, but sometimes they can pick up on issues faster because they're familiar with your history face to face.

Have you checked out the symptoms of dysautonomia?

Thank you for reading my post everyone. I wasn't sure which forum to post in since I have no idea the source of my health issues.

markneil1212 you're spot on, it might be from a head injury or not :confused:

Lara, i do have a good family doctor who I trust, however, sometimes I feel like I'm not being taken seriously. Same goes for my neurologist, it seems as though they brush off my symptoms. They rule out a few things but never diagnose me. Then I start to research on my own which leads me to things that scare the heck out of me like ALS, or Cancers :eek:

It's no fun being in the dark not knowing what's going on. As I sit writing this my face feels partially numb, my ribs and back are in pain, and I'm having difficulty taking a deep breath...

Darlene, I'll check out the other forums, hopefully I can find someone with common symptoms.

Boy am I having a bad day. My muscles are in pain, twitching left, right and center. My back is so tight it feels like my lungs are in a knot, and my emotions are up and down like a roller-coaster. :(

I'm sorry to hear that Paul.
I wonder if you tried some relaxation exercizes to help your anxiety.
If you're feeling really bad, you should call your doctor.

p.s.
Did you ever get to check out any info. about Dysautonomia?

Hi there... I'd get your vitamin D tested.

Low D can give alarming symptoms
By messing up your calcium metabolism.

This deficiency is very common and responds
Well to vit D3 (not the RX one doctors still
use which is D2.

Also get that B12 checked. You should be
At 400pg/ml. Doctors tend to call very low
Levels normal so get your actual numbers.

These two are common culprits for many
People in misery who can't get doctors
To listen to them.

I am on vacation with only an iPhone
So I cannot link things for you.

There is a vit D thread on our vitamin forum
And B12 thread on our neuropathy forum in the
sticky area.

Hi Lara, I decided to step out of the office and take a 5 minute walk right after I posted, nice sunny day today.

Funny you mention relaxation exercises, on my way back from my walk a co-worker asked why I was walking alone, I told him I was feeling a "little" stressed. He then went on for a good 10 minutes talking about his anxiety disorder and how my symptoms were very similar to his. It actually calmed me a little.

I have not looked into Dysautonomia. I'm not sure if its best that I continue to self diagnose. On the one part it may lead me to a real diagnosis. On the other, I easily jump to conclusion that I have said problem and begin to freak out thinking the worst.

My GP is on vacation until Monday but I'm going to a walk-in clinic tomorrow morning.

Thank you for replying, I'm glad someone is listening :)

Hi mrsD, I'll definitely ask my doctor tomorrow morning to get that checked. I appreciate you replying to my thread especially while you're on vacation.

:Thank you:

here are the links that mrsD mentioned.

STICKY - The Vitamin B12 Thread:

New medical information on Vitamin D + videos:

Hi again Paul,
I'm glad you are feeling a little better now after your walk and talk.

Anxiety is a terrible thing and can have many symptoms similar to other conditions. I only mentioned the dysautonomia because you mentioned your IBS and heart palpitations etc..

take care of yourself and try to take time out to relax until you speak again with your doctor.

remember to breathe ;)

Hi Paul,
A few suggestions from Australia - can you see a doctor who practices integrative medicine? You could have a need for magnesium but you need the right advice as there are several types, but my Dr calls Mg the great relaxer - I take one type for cardio , one for muscle relaxation and one for bad cramps _ diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2007. Use very little drug therapy, just a truckload of supplements and meditation called holosync from USA which has been a lifesaver . Can you get to mindful meditation class or find one on the internet? I also go to gym x2 week and do some yoga a-stress is EXTREMELY DEBILIATING so laugh a lot and go outside and play with your family as therapy! Good luck and blessings, Allyson ps what about the mayo clinics? They seem pretty progressive?

Hi Allyson,
Welcome to the NeuroTalk Support Groups.

I'll just quickly leave the link to the PD forum for you below.
If you need any other help with forum usage, just ask and
someone will help you.

Parkinson's Disease Forum

Welcome Allyson Cook. :Tip-Hat:

Well, I just got back from the doctor, diagnosis is anxiety. I had blood tests done just to "go fishing", but he was pretty certain it was stress related since the symptoms are all over the place and my vitals were fine.

To be honest I'm having difficulty accepting it. I want to believe it but a part of me says otherwise.

We planned a family vacation next week, I'm scared something bad will happen to me. I don't want to disappoint my family :(

My better half thinks its anxiety too...this was before my appointment

thanks for the tip Allyson, I'll keep that in mind. Perhaps it's an avenue that I should pursue.

Paul, I'm glad you saw the doctor.

NeuroTalk does have an
Anxiety and OCD Forum

There are many members across the different forums here who have anxiety issues for varying reasons. CBT (cognitive behaviour therapy) is very helpful. Some people chose medications and others try different supplements such as Allyson has suggested with the magnesium.

I take something called Inositol for anxiety. I take that because it's harmless and after many years taking medications when I was younger, I've chosen to go the natural route. It helps take the edge off a little, but it certainly doesn't get totally rid of the anxiety. With panic attacks, if you are having those, I've found the best tool has been knowledge. If a person learns how anxiety affects the body (breathing, heartrate etc.) then it actually can take away some of the fear.

The main site to which NeuroTalk is connected is PsychCentral.
There is some excellent information there about the different types of anxiety.
http://psychcentral.com/disorders/anxiety/

I need to educate myself more on anxiety, I'll spend some time in that forum...

I'm not sure if I'm getting panic attacks or not. My symptoms seem to come and go in waves but don't get to the point where I'm gasping for air. At my worst I get; jello legs, full facial numbness, balance/dizziness. Sometime this can go on for hours. Can attacks last long?

From my experience and observing others, an actual Panic Attack doesn't last very long. It's more like a peak with anxiety levels rising beforehand and subsiding a little afterwards.

This PsychCentral page describes the usual symptoms of panic attack (part of panic disorder)

http://psychcentral.com/disorders/pa...tack-symptoms/

For some people there can be underlying health issues or lifestyle issues that can be sorted out that can ease anxiety states.

EDITED to add:

Some good resources in the "Sticky" thread in the NeuroTalk Anxiety Forum too.
Useful Websites and Resources for Anxiety and OCD

Dr. Andrew Weil had a suggestion several
Years ago on a TV program-- for self
Calming. I use this breathing technique for
Stomach spasms and the anxiety.

Take as deep a breath as you can thru your nose if possible.
Count to 8 slowly holding it if you can (do 6 counts if not),
and slowly exhale thru your mouth.
WAit a few seconds and repeat. 3 of these
Usually this will settle you nicely.. And stabilize
Your blood's acid/base system and
Reduce the physiological symptoms that
anxiety can cause.