I was refered to this site by several friends. I am so happy it exists. I have been ill for almost a year with what started as flu like symptoms. These progressed to include extreme fatigue, numbness and tingling in hands and feet, rapid weight loss, pain in throat and ear,(only on right side) difficulty swallowing, foggy brain,and headaches. My doctor ran all kinds of tests and refered me to all kinds of specialists. No positive test results for any of the folowwing; lupus, lyme disease and west nile disease. An Endoscopy confirmed GERD and I am being treated with Protonix. Stomach issues and weight have stablized, while the rest of my symptoms come and go. This has been an eye opening year in terms of health care and health care professionals. Some have been kind caring and respectful, others, not so much. My own Internist,(always voted top doc by his peers)wasn't particularly interested in my input and when I was so very ill early on and brought either my husband or one of my sisters to take notes and ask questions, he was downright rude. He made it clear that I was alotted seven minutes and wasn't here to through off his schedule no matter how sick I was. Needless to say I have a new Internist and am still searching for some answers. It is nice to know that I am not alone and that this site exists to help any and all, even if it's just to lend an ear. Thanks, Bridget
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I just wanted to send some hugs xx
September 13, 2008 - 12:11amSo many people going through undiagnosed health problems it makes me so mad.
Be strong
http://www.undiagnosedillness.org
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Even with all the information you presented, there's still more information needed to properly assess and evaluate your situation. I can offer some information based on what you've mentioned. I hope it will be helpful to you.
Tingling and/or numbness in the limbs can be indicative of a calcium deficiency. Of course, there are other possibilities, but I like to present the 'easy fix' possibilities first. (Many times, the simple ones ARE the fix.) How do you do with dairy? Sometimes those with a calcium deficiency have milk allergies, or an intolerance to milk. This may be caused by a Potassium deficiency and an absence of an enzyme called Lactase. How are your teeth? Do you experience any bone pain?
Better sources of Calcium are dark leafy vegetables (lettuce, endive, watercress, kale, cabbage, dandelion greens, brussel sprouts), sesame seeds, oats, almonds, walnuts, millet and sunflower seeds. It is recommended to avoid Calcium Lactate. Rather, it is suggested to start on Comfrey, the herbal source of calcium. It's a good digestive aid and will help break down other nutrients (through assimilation). After a week or two, you could switch to Bone Meal or Oyster Calcium or Calcium orotate or Asporotates.
When a person burns up their potassium through stress, trauma, perspiration, etc., and does not replenish it, they will become intolerant of dairy products, which will usually manifest as a sinus condition. Potassium can be replenished by using carrot juice, bee pollen and alfalfa.
You didn't mention ringing in your right ear, but if that's the case, it could be caused by a wheat allergy and may be corrected with Vitamin F (olive oil).
Regarding GERD, it could be that you're not producing enough Hydrochloric Acid, which is essential to digestion. Protonix is proton pump inhibitor, meaning it decreases the amount of acid produced in the stomach. It can also deplete you of Vitamin B-12, which is important for normal functioning of the brain and nervous system, and for the formation of blood. It is normally involved in the metabolism of every cell of the body, especially affecting DNA synthesis and regulation, but also fatty acid synthesis and energy production. You could discuss this further with your prescribing doctor.
Aside from nutritional deficiencies, there are toxic considerations. Heavy metals are a biggie--amalgams, vaccinations, and environmentals, such as cadmium (batteries, yellow and red paint, plastic, PVC, etc.). These factors could contribute to your headaches, fatigue, brain fog and other symptoms.
Symptoms are indicative of your body trying to tell you that it's out of balance. It's good that you're listening and trying to work it out.
I'm sorry you had that experience with your first doctor. Unfortunately, 7 minutes is the usual time allotment when visiting an allopath....it all comes down to productivity and profitability (insurance, etc.). I hope you have better luck going forward and that you are able to feel comfortable asking questions and getting the answers you seek.
Feel better soon!
Kristin Mills, Traditional Naturopath, CNHP
June 17, 2008 - 12:59amlagunanaturalhealth.com
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Welcome Bridget, I am so sorry to hear about your "illness" and was wondering if your doctor even considered testing you for heavy metals toxicity. Most of your symptoms are familiar to me. Eight years ago I had many of those you listed. After a year of testing for everything, I came across a study on mercury poisoning and asked my doctor to test my mercury levels. She hesitantly requested them. Sure enough a couple of days later she called me on the phone in a panic to tell me I was a "walking thermometer" and my mercury levels were above what the EPA considered safe for humans. It was a long two years after that doing everything I could to detox...mercury poisoning (or many other heavy metal toxicity) is an epidemic today. In the 60's was lead poisoning, but our environment is very polluted with more toxic substances, heavy metals being among them. You can also ingest mercury via contaminated predetor fish like tuna or sword fish. Many doctors overlook this environmental toxins we are exposed to daily and/or do not believe that this is a problem. The fact is that they are not trained to consider that possibility and do not know how to test and treat a patient who presents with your symptomology. You need to find a second opinion. By the way, my doctor learned a lesson of her own. She always tests for mercury levels when a patient presents with similar symptoms. Best of luck!
June 17, 2008 - 12:29amThis Comment
Hi again...speaking of brain fog, I goofed on the name of the blood test I was suggesting...I believe it's a 2-hour glucose tolerance test, not a 2-hour blood glucose test. It's the one where they give you the lovely bottle of orange pop to drink and check your glucose levels after 2 hours.
June 16, 2008 - 9:21pmThis Comment
Hi there! I'm so sorry that you have been dealing with these health issues, and also that you had to deal with that bozo of an internist! Good for you for switching to another doctor! I wanted to ask you if you have also been tested for diabetes, and/or if your good new doctor ever brought that up as a possible health issue--from what I have read the extreme fatigue, numbness and tingling in the hands and feet, rapid weight loss and foggy brain have all been linked to blood sugar problems. I don't mean to scare you in anyway at all, but rather suggest a possible reason for some of your symptoms. If you are tested, please ask your doctor to not only test your fasting blood sugar but also to do a 2-hour blood glucose test on you...in many cases the fasting result can be normal but the other one will be elevated, and in most cases they only test the fasting level. It's great to have you here!
June 16, 2008 - 9:19pmThis Comment
Sounds like you have had quite a year. What answers are you still searching for? We'd like to help.
June 16, 2008 - 8:42pmThis Comment