Feeling Weird

[Chiggers]

I'm now 38 and since 12yo I've been feeling absolutely exhausted. Been o many GPs over the years and every one of them have ordered all the blood tests you could imagine. All results have come back normal. Since last year, I've been feeling weak, as in barely able to stand weak. I'm currently feeling very lightheaded/faint and have been since the middle of last year.

Again, I've spoken to my GPs about this and again, any bloods have come back as normal. I'm now too tired to eat and just want to sleep all the time. I have also tried taking a good vitamin and mineral suppliment (Centrum etc) for over 20 weeks and nothing has helped. My diet has gone from 6+ portions of fruit and veg a day, alongside chicken/fish and the odd bit of red meat to virtually nothing but the multivitamins and minerals.

Can anyone help me try and find out what is going on.

All replies appreciated. TIA

God Chiggers, that sounds dreadful and so scary for you.

Have you discussed ME with your GP?

Can you afford to see a neurologist or rheumatologist privately?

Have you tried L-Theanine and Magnsium as supplements?

You could try for a second GP opinion, as your GP sounds worse than useless.

It did cross my mind, but I don't think it is that due to the numerous bloods coming back as normal. All my vitamin and mineral levels are good, as are my thyroid results (every blood test was absolutely fine). I was referred to the ENT specialist (managed to get seen within 6wks due to a cancellation), as my GP thought it may be something to do with my balance, but everything is fine and both the ENT and GP are completely stumped.

It's getting to the point where I am scared to go out in case I collapse, but if I did collapse, I'd be very embarrassed about it (that's just the way I am about any medical problems). Every time I close my eyes and open them again, I feel really dizzy, and I feel like I'm permanently in the conscius recovery period immediately after a GA. That's the only way I can describe it. It's like watching your life unfold, where you're able to make decisions, but you're telling yourself what to do and what decisions to make IYSWIM.

Look up Dysautonomia and POTS. Could that fit?

It can be ME with normal test results by the way. In fact that is a defining feature.

Either way you need to see a better GP and a suitable consultant.

Plus - and listen to this carefully:

YOU MUST EAT, don't add in Anorexia to your health issues. Food gives you strength and nourishment.

Are you saying that apart from taking the multivitamins you're not eating much/anything? If so it's hardly surprising you feel faint etc?

I just don't have the appetite as the smell of food makes me feel very nauseous and in that state, I can't force myself to eat until I'm ready.

Not entirely sure it's POTS as I've had a 10-lead heart trace done a couple of times, a few days ago and everything is normal. They did this while I was resting, then sitting down and standing up quickly. My heart rate went up from 54bpm to 60bpm after the sitting/standing exercise. I was told that was quite low for someone who isn't an athlete, but that's the normal heart rate for me, and my blood pressure was normal for me as well at 90/66. BP went up to 100/70 after the standing/sitting exercise.

I really don't want to bother the GP anymore as I'm sure it'll probably be a virus or something minor that'll work its way out of my system in it's own time. Besides, every time I feel like I'm wasting their time, when someone in more need could be seen.

It's easy to get trapped in starvation mode. If you don't eat for a while, you stop feeling hungry and eating becomes difficult. Then you get weak..
Have an ensure or build up protein drink from supermarkets.

Sounds like you are down playing it now but glad to hear you have had some tests and it's not POTS or a dysautonomia variant.
Good luck OP.

I'll go to the open surgery tomorrow morning and see if I can talk to another GP. I'm not able to drink those build-up drinks as they make me vomit. It's a catch-22, I can't bring myself to eat just yet, but I can't drink those build-up drinks either.

Evening ladies. Didn't get to the open surgery this morning, was feeling scared to go, so went shopping with the DC for the rest of their school uniform.

I was too scared to see the GP as I end up feeling intimidated and always have. I have no problem going with DH or taking my DC, but to go and explain what is wrong with me is too intimidating. I really cannot talk to GPs about moderate or serious medical matters and end up asking advice on something minor.

I'm very shakey at the moment. I still can't eat anything and am just drinking plenty of fluids.

Chiggers please ask someone to go with you to the doctors. Write down how you feel, or even show them parts from this thread. Try small things to eat, slowly but surely, my go to safe foods are things like cream crackers, boiled potatoes, even a cuppa soup and bit of bread.

Look after yourself. Sounds like a bit of a vicious circle which is not helping how you feel. Get thee to the doctor tomorrow. MN orders

I can't, Jill. I can't bring myself to go and speak to the GP. I'm feeling too weak to walk the 15mins to the surgery. It's too much for me atm. Just want to sleep. To sleep and wake up when I've recovered. I just want to wake up and be able to eat. I know I need help, but am too scared to ask for it.

You are not helping yourself OP.

You will feel sleepy if you don't eat.

Eat and you will have the energy, its straightforward. You are putting blockages in the way to your own recovery.

Are you feeling down and anxious?

That's the problem though. I can't force myself to eat until my body is ready. I have tried before, after operations and minor illnesses and I vomit straight after I've eaten. There's no point. I want to eat, I really do (I love my food). I smell food and feel very nauseous. I can't eat until the feeling subsides.

Ask to be referred to an ME specialist

They don't exist I'm afraid. Anyone claiming to be one is bullshitting.

It is worthwhile speaking to GP again - psychology has an important part to play in terms of general health.

There are CFS clinics but not sure if they actually do any good

What's your bmi?

Is anyone around to make sure your son's ok?

All sounds a nightmare and very scary. You do need help though. Maybe counselling too?

Have tried getting some toast down me and just threw it back up again. I am training to be a psychologist, so, knowing myself better than anyone else, I can work on getting past this barrier I have. Bit by bit I will open up, but I'm not pushing myself to speak until I'm mentally ready to do so. I get very stressed talking to my GP, so I tend to shut down and avoid talking to my GP about what's wrong. I end up asking advice on something like my acne or back.

At the moment I feel like I have a load of adrenaline rushing through my veins, so feel incredibly shakey and nervous. There's nothing to be nervous of at the moment so I'm trying to figure out why my body is reacting in this way. I'm rarely stressed and definitely not stressed now.

I've told DS to go to my NDN if I pass out (NDN is fantastic and will keep DS, DD and her wee friend safe). I've let NDN know what's happening with me, so both NDN and her DH are on standby if they're needed. NDN said she'll send her DH in to help me if I faint.

My BMI is at the lower end of my ideal weight range, so I'm not overweight or underweight. I was at the higher end, but because of my lack of appetite, my weight has gone down to the lower end of the range.

I wouldn't say it was a nightmare, just something that life has thrown at me and I have to deal with it. A bit scary, but I can accept and deal with it because it's happening whether I like it or not.

I feel like I'm watching my life unfold in front of me, like seeing your life through a camera lens. You know that "There, but not there" feeling. My legs are weak and shakey when I stand or walk. I feel slightly numb and if I hurt myself, I wouldn't feel it as much as I would if I felt alright IYSWIM.

Have your thyroid antibodies ever been tested?

I was sick for along time getting nowhere as my thyroid function test was always within range. I requested the antibody test and did in fact have a autoimmune thyroid condition.

Some of your symptoms are similar to what I experienced. Still have some of them definitely go and see the GP again.

I hope you find out what it is soon.

I've had my thyroid function tests, antibody tests and loads of other tests KFT, LFT's etc. everything is well within normal range.

I did have a very nasty renal infection back in 2007. The Dr told me that if I had not gone to the GP and had been referred to the hospital as an urgent case, I would have had to have dialysis for the rest of my life. The Dr also said that he had never seen anyone with such a serious case recover so quickly. I was told that the infection couold relapse again in the future, so I'm wondering if this is what's happening.

I don't feel that I should go to the GP and waste their time, especially when there are people who are worse off than I am and aren't getting the help they desparately need. I feel embarrassed to go and ask for help, as I feel I'm wasting their time.

Chiggers, you would not be wasting the GPs time, especially if this is a recurrence of your previous infection, you really need to grasp the nettle and GO!! Not eating for any length of time is going to make you feel crap anyway, and could be why you are feeling the way you do, so come on, make that appointment!

Who can take you there? Can your NDM? Would she take you and go in with you for moral support? O don't think waiting things out is going to help, and you have two younglings that I'm sure would like to see their Mama all tickety boo again.

There are time wasters. You would not be one.

Please get yourself to the docs to stop this somewhat vicious circle and get a plan to get help and get better.

Sounds a lot like anxiety to me, based purely on what you are saying