The Symptoms

[ordinaryrachie]

So I’ve covered the background about my tumor (On my journal page) and the reason I do not trust doctors these days. Now I think I should write about the symptoms I have had for many years that have been ruled out being linked to my tumor.

*Hair loss- thinning (Not in patches)

*Battles with anemia

*Fatigue and feeling ill

*Aches in my feet, hands (

Comments

[chemoelectric]

Depression can involve pain and inflammation, oddly enough. There’s a lot of possible causes for things.

An anxiety disorder certainly can contribute greatly to the severity of any other disorder, as I know from being a profound example. Trouble concentrating is one symptom it definitely will cause or contribute to greatly.

Migraine attacks can involve nausea without headache (me being a living example of that, too).

Yes I know depression can involve that but...

[ordinaryrachie]

The problem is I've had these symptoms LONG before depression really set in- my depression as it is now did not start until after my back surgery and I was placed on disability.

Re: Yes I know depression can involve that but...

[chemoelectric]

What about anxiety? Anxiety could be a major contributor to rashes, hives, migraine, nausea, palpitations, breathlessness, stiffness, pain, itch, etc. I’m not trying to blame anxiety for such symptoms but it can both make them worse and make them seem more confusing, if that makes any sense; and I bring it up not because I think it explains your problems-considering that you deal with anemia and fevers, for instance-but just to shine a light in that direction at least once.

BTW when I sacrifice the health of my eczemic skin for the muscular relief of a hot bath, at least once I blame this for being measured mysteriously with a ‘fever’ at the doctor’s office. I suspect this is not what you are talking about, though.

[neonrose5]

Thyroid test came back normal define "normal" My doc (GP) said it was normal, my endocrinologist said it was WAY too high..

Now, fer missing some of those FMA symptoms, you don't have to have then all to have FMS.. & You don't have to have *all* the trigger points for a Dx of FMS either.. I have a Dx of FMS, & I don't have Dry mouth ( well I do now, but I know I am dehydrated..), constant chest pain, Facial pain (other than associated generally with acne or migraines), but you have symptoms I don't have.. yeast infections, hip pain, burning sensations, hives, facial rash, Weight loss (only when I was on weight watchers - I'd love my health to have that side effect/symptom for a while)

[wolfden]

Did they test C reactive protein?

With an elevated SED rate my rheumy would say there is underlying inflammation that should be watched. Once my body was showing inflammation he said that meant I had something else/in addition to fibro.

That said pregnancy does whacky things to the body. I know my blood is checked periodically to see if I now test positive for RA or ANA. I also have m liver monitored as I am on high risk meds.

Hang in there.

C reactive protein

[ordinaryrachie]

No they didn't test for that.

I researched SED rate when my GP said it was elevated- that is when she referred me to the first rheumatologist- you'll learn more about him tommorrow when I do that entry- and I did learn that an elevated SED shows inflamation in the body yes- but when I got the first rheumatologist he said it was from pregnancy and that could be the case so my GP said she would check again after I give birth.

They haven't checked my urine one time since my pregnancy which I find very odd! Isn't that odd?

[crystalra1ndr0p]

I agree with the person who said your elevated SED rate could be caused by something else. I have had mine repeatedly tested because the doctors have suspected that I have arthritis.

I think the thing with your fingers is called Raynaud's Syndrome, if it's painful but I don't know what other symptoms it causes.

You don't have to have all the trigger points to be diagnosed with fibro, but there is a certain number. I have the fatigue, stiffness, dry skin, depression and anxiety too.

[krasota]

Have you been tested for nutritional deficiencies? Anemia can cause a lot of the symptoms you list and a plain ol' CBC won't always show it--you also need to check serum ferritin. B6, folic acid, vitamin K, vitamin D, and B12 deficiencies can also make you ill. Have you seen a gastroenterologist to rule out celiac disease and any type of malabsorption disorder?

Have you seen an infectious disease specialist to rule out rickettsial infections?

[krasota]

I see you had some blood tests done, but how recently? And if you have small red blood cells and a low crit, how the heck do they think you're not anemic? Hemoglobin isn't the end-all be-all. Did they check your ferritin?

My blood work was done recently

[ordinaryrachie]

I have never seen anyone for infectious disease like Lyme Disease or anything of that nature. I've been checked for the normal pregnancy diseases they test for- the STD's, HIV and all that good stuff and that was all normal but I did have a false positive hep result which was VERY strange!!! I forgot to mention that in the entry

Re: My blood work was done recently

[krasota]

A lot of the bloodwork won't necessarily be reliable because of pregnancy. Checking things out more thoroughly later would be a good idea.

Give your symptoms, however, screening for celiac disease wouldn't be a bad idea.

Since you're pregnant, your treatment options for pain are relatively limited, anyhow. Make friends with your heating pad. Find a good massage therapist. Try water exercise classes and prenatal yoga.