I have a friend in her late 20s who has been sick for about a year now. Lots of physical pain. Migraines, headaches, sinus pain. Nerve pain in her neck, up the arms, hands, and wrists. Digestive pain and intermittent constipation. Dry mouth, dry skin. Heat surges that make her want to tear off her skin. Extreme food sensitivities. Extreme fatigue - she spent a good portion of the last year completely immobilized. Lately, lots of dizziness and several fainting spells. Confusion and memory loss. And profound emotional angst - anxiety attacks, rage, bouts of terror. More and more, she calls me in tears and I'm beginning to worry about her sanity. She's literally starting to sound crazy to me.
She went to a few doctors, and they couldn't find anything. So she's been seeing some practicioners of alternative medicine. They think she picked up a parasite in Thailand, and are treating her with herbs and other hokey stuff. I've tried not to butt in, but I'm growing increasingly concerned.
2007-01-28 15:50:28 · 11 answers · asked by halitobro 2 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Other - Diseases
Some things to consider... Have her get her thyroid checked! I would think that they would have done this, but you never know...
Reassure her that she is not alone, just because Dr.'s haven't figured it out doesn't mean there isn't anything wrong! It took about 7 years for me to finally get a diagnosis of Chronic Fatigue, but hopefully that won't be the case here. It also sound like an Endocrinologist should be consulted. There are alot of tests that can be done these days, but you have to be persistent!! Don't give up after a couple of tests. If you have personally witnessed any of her symptoms when they occured you ought to go with her to the Dr. and confirm that this is really happening, Dr's sometimes think women are exagerating and we have to be assertive in getting through to them!! Being a pt. is difficult especially when you feel like crap!! Have her keep track of everything she eats, medicines (including herbs and over the counter stuff), vitamins, beverages, etc. Some symptoms sound like allergies, some like thyroid, some like endocrine disorder, and some like an extreme adrenergic response.
She needs to write down ALL of her symptoms and when they occur (ex: after eating, in the morning, afternoon, evening, after excersize, etc) keep that list with the intake list, and take them to the Dr.- (keep a copy of both lists, and give a copy of them to the doc) this is much more concrete and can be very helpful in determining which direction they should go! Just continue to be her friend, I know alot of people probably thought I was crazy, but I'm here to tell you and your friend that it's OK, keep after it until you get answers. Good Luck!!
2007-02-03 19:00:55 · answer #1 · answered by tra 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Please encourage your friend to make an appointment with a Rheumatologist. These doctors study and treat a group of autoimmune diseases. Some of these can cause several of the symptoms you cite and others may - or may not - be reactions her mind and body are having to the first symptoms.
Type "Rheumatologist" in your search engine and learn what questions to ask the doctor and what tests to expect will be done.
We don't always get the right answer right away but it's wise to keep trying. Many alt. docs. are highly trained but others are just modern day snake-oil salesmen/women.
If the first "Rheumy" doesn't run a complete series of tests including several blood tests, urine, neurological and the whole usual gamut for that field, try another.
You're describing actual physical symptoms, not imaginery, from my experience. I've been a medical writer/researcher for several years and have a few autoimmune diseases of my own. Not an expert at all but informed enough to know your friend needs medical testing to define her real symptoms.
I wish you both well!
Shar
2007-02-05 09:44:35 · answer #2 · answered by shar 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't work in the medical field, but I would tell her to keep pursuing more doctors. Has she been tested for Lyme disease. How about fibromyalgia. Sjogren's syndrome (other autoimmune disorders)? But i'm not a doctor, and some signs don't fit, but they are worth looking up.
She should seek out specialists if she hasn't done so already
Neurologist-migranes, headach, sinus pain, nerve pain, heat surges, fatigues, mental problems
Gastroenterologist-digestive problem, food sensitivity
Even a dermatologist for dry skin
Hormones do odd things, how about an endocrinologist.
If she thinks she has a parasite she should see a doctor who specializes in infectious disease or travel medicine.
Tell her to be aggressive in her search, make the doctors do tests ect.
Good luck
2007-01-28 16:36:15 · answer #3 · answered by ALM 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Wow, with all though symptoms youd think our doctors could find something! If she is a close friend you have every right to butt in! It shows her that you care and might even stop her from "ripping her skin off" or harming herself in any other way! Some times side effects like these means signs of cancer but the cancer wont show up on test or anything. Just try to keep comforting her as much as possible I guess since our "smart docs" cant find anything. That is just bizarre! GoodLucka nd best of wishes!!
2007-01-28 16:06:54 · answer #4 · answered by dairyprincess 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
With the symptpms you mentioned, I guess you should be bringing her to a neurologist, a specialist of Brain diseases. You see, its agenarlized things already. It is like the whole human function is disrupted. There must be something in her central nervous system that is not working well. Have she undergone a CT scan or MRI? How avout PET scan? Laboratory test may help also. And above all pray a lot. Pray for her. Miracles happen. Hope this helps. God bless your friend
2007-01-28 19:24:57 · answer #5 · answered by justurangel 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
First of all we follow the commission to preach found at Matt 24:14 and 28:19,20 (Matthew 24:14) And this good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations; and then the end will come. (Matthew 28:19, 20) Go therefore and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded YOU. And, look! I am with YOU all the days until the conclusion of the system of things.” Second, we do this when we can, no special day is set aside. Third, it sounds like your talking about teenagers who many havent made this their lifestyle. Fourth, A cult is ran by one man, we have many teachers within the organization :)
2016-03-29 07:24:35 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If a doctor couldn't help, chances are we can't either. You're doing the right thing by caring, though. That's the most important thing. She just needs to keep seeing doctors and both of you just hope for the best. Make sure that she is telling the doctors absolutely everything. One little slipped detail can be deadly.
2007-01-28 15:56:48 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
a parasite?! hmm. some of this sounds like she could have a brain tumor. but i don't know! she needs an ultra sound of her body done.
2007-02-05 15:04:14 · answer #8 · answered by Kalinka 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
she needs to have a CBC blood count done.
Look into a disease called Lupus.
2007-02-03 13:24:23 · answer #9 · answered by Happy Bunny to the rescue! 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
One word: Leeches.
Or, get her to a neurologist, whatever.
2007-01-28 16:20:52 · answer #10 · answered by ShagRug 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋