Doctors & nurses - if a patient came to you with these symptoms, what would you think?

Question

TMJ, depression, low *normal* body temp, chest pains, breathing issues, daily headaches - frequent migraines and tension headaches, sensitivity to light and sound, cough, diarrhea for 3 months, thyroid disease, endometriosis, PCOS, ovarian cysts, hair loss, weight gain - mostly in midsection, food sensitivity, nausea, sleeping problems, IBS, constant gas, intolerance to multivitamins, excessive sweating, burning sensation in arms, joint pain in ankles knees & hips, muscular pain in upper legs and forearms.

I just found a family doctor and made an appointment - I'm guessing I'll need a referral to a specialist, my endocrinologist thought I'd need to see a rheumatologist since my vitamin d levels are okay, so are my thyroid levels & my lupus test was negative. I've gotten the vibe from a lot of people that this may be fibromyalgia. Any other ideas? Also, what kind of treatment options are there? Any doctors out there who don't think it's all in your head?

I'm not looking for some moron to tell me there's nothing wrong with me. You have no medical background and probably haven't even graduated from high school, so I'm not looking for YOUR advice. If you aren't smart enough to figure out that the first few words in my question are "doctors & nurses" and that means I want answers from someone with a clue - than you're an idiot. Go waste your time on someone else's question.

Answer 1

I am not a dr. but yes it does sound like fibromyalgia. But, since you have trouble sleeping, and the shits all the time and can't take a multi vitamin, I really think you need to see a nutritonist. You can get really sick from not sleeping and having the shits. It depletes the vitamins in your body, causes your cells to damage easier, your anit-bodies to attack your self instead of invaders, it can bring your immune system down, there are so many things that can go wrong if you can't sleep and have upset stomatch all the time. All of your body works together too if one thing isn't right everything else gets throw off too it like a domino effect. If your body isn't working efficiantly your just going to get worse and worse. A nutritionist will work with you to get your body on a path to getting stronger, you can take the drug nessicary to feel better but if you body isn't working the way it should due to bad nutriton (or depletion of nutrients) or sleep deprivation its going to be that much harder to get to feeling better or even get better period. You need to go to the dr. and i really thing you need to get your insides back to working the way it should. It will take awhile, nutrition and vitamins are not like taking a drug that you feel the effect from in 30-40 minutes it will take a few months to finally feel the effects. One supplement or even herb may not work as well as another, kinda likek meds too. Please go to the nutritionist. I live in constant pain from endometriosis and i know how much it sucks to feel like your life is worthless because you can't do anything fun or fufilling and i don't think anyone should know a constant state of pain. Get better damnit.

Answer 2

Don't listen to these medical persons here. (sorry don't mean to offend doctors, I respect them but just don't think they can help in this situation, drugs are not the answer).

Years ago I ended up ER with terrible stomach pains..the doctors could not find anything wrong with me. Well I found out it was caused by drinking milk. When I stopped the milk and diary products I got well.

That said I do agree to see a MD for tests and get an opinion...but don't let them tell you it's all in your head. It sounds like a lot of your problems could be food allergies.

Sounds like you need to see a doctor that specializes in diet and vitamins. A chiropractor might be a good start...my own chiropractor has a lot of knowledge about diet and nutrition.

Answer 3

I'm glad you're going to see a rheumatologist because you have all of the symptoms of Fibromyalgia. I know because I suffer from it.

Here is a brief list of common symptoms of this disease:

Chronic pain throughout the body
Burning, numbness and tingling
Tenderness when pressure is placed on or around the neck, elbows, hips, thighs and knees.
Sleep disorders
Chronic fatigue or exhaustion
Depression
Anxiety
Facial Pain
Jaw Pain (TMJ)
Memory Loss
Irritable Bowel
Tension or Migraine Headaches
High sensitivity to foods and medications (allergic type reaction).
Minimal tolerance to heat and cold
High sensitivity to bright lights and sounds
Hair Loss

Because symptoms develop gradually, this disease is often misdiagnosed. It is often diagnosed as a repetitive strain injury; sleep disorder condition, irritable bowel syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis or any other type of medical problem. Based on the American College of Rheumatology a person is diagnosed with Fibromylagia when he or she suffers pain throughout the body for at least three months and has 11 out of 18 tender points present.

I'm sure you're going to get your answers with the doctor of rheumatology. I wish you the best.

Answer 4

I'm not a doctor or a nurse but someone who had most of your symptoms. Please listen to Billie77.

I answered this because you've been on my contact list, and I hate to see you going through all of this pain.

Trust me it's not in your head.

Answer 5

if YOU have all those sypmtoms, in my gut I would honestly think you had some personality disorder issues going on and after a full check from the dr, with some labs run (if they came out negative), i would likely refer you to a therapist of some sort.

ETA : Yes as a matter of fact I am an RN and you did ask for their opinion, which I gave. I'm sorry if you don't like it, but you gotta expect there will be answers you do not like in a place like this.

Answer 6

Sorry, not a nurse or anything close. I just hope you get some help and can feel better soon. Good luck to you.

Answer 7

ask your senior, they should know. with best regard.