Long running health problems; need fresh ideas

[Katymac]

I have diagnoses of ME/FM/IBS and I feel sometimes this masks another condition

I also have (have had?) Deficiencies in Vit D, B12, Iron, Folic Acid & Zinc

I've seen several gastro people (& had more than one colonoscopy & biospy)and have been diagnosed with "a very fast transit time" which tbh I consider a symptom rather than a diagnosis and I really don't have coeliac.

I've seen several rheumatologists who have excluded RA and diagnosed the FM

I saw a neurologist in January and my pain isn't a result of the B12 deficiency & I recently found out I have been over doing the B12 a bit (spots/acne as a side effect of over doses)

My mouth ulcers have greatly reduced with the zinc supplements but I still have a lot of pain (joint/muscle/bone & constant headaches), exhaustion & awful IBS unless on a very strict FODMAP diet (intolerant to milk, eggs, almond, coconut, fruit, pulses, anything grainy or bitty)

More recently I have had new symptoms of dizziness, queasiness, blurred vision

The GP thinks I'm depressed; which to some extent I am but I have a lot going on & I'm always poorly - I use a lot of talking therapy and I have good family support but I don't feel I need antidepressants at the moment - I have needed them before but I think I'm OK now

So where do I go from here?

[puffylovett]

Sibo is the type of thing a functional medicine practitioner would check for too. And would probably consider those thyroid results as verging on hypothyroid.

[gleegeek]

I'm watching this with interest as you could be describing me... only difference is I'm not working so have stopped going to the Dr's. Not needing a sick note means no point going as they're so useless. Although I've started having what i think are panic attacks so might actually have to heave going...
Similar history of illness through childhood, god knows how I got any exams as I was off so much! Had pneumonia and two serious bouts of food poisoning and haven't worked since

[Wiifitmama]

I should add, your GP will most certainly not have heard of SIBO or test for it. I can recommend a private gastro who specialises in this area and can do the breath test but it is very expensive.

[Wiifitmama]

Have you heard of SIBO? Your digestive issues could certainly be that. Here is a recent article written by one of the few specialists. It is written for medical professionals so quite technical but worth reading.

www.townsendletter.com/FebMarch2015/sibo0215.html

[Katymac]

The odd thing about my results is that if you added low& high range & divided by two that is almost exactly my level for everything how bizarre!!

TSH 2.81 (0.35-3.5)
FT4 12 (8-21)

[Katymac]

Can't afford it - bit broke atm

Week off at Christmas - plus I get odd sessions off as children come & go (Tues & Wed am, Fri pm) so it's better than it could be

[PoshPenny]

Katymac all I can suggest is getting a printout of your results with all the ranges and going through your blood results one by one and finding what each one really means. This "normal" business is a bugger. I honestly don't understand how GPs after all those years of study and training can just sit there, read results of a computer and if they're in the range tell us all is "normal" when the patient in front of them clearly isn't. Having done this analysing printouts for myself I then went back to the doctor and courteously challenged him on the clearly borderline (1point within a very wide range) results and got him to try a bit harder. He is no longer my GP. I found a private functional medicine doctor very helpful in this situation, not least because he diagnosed me with hypothyroidism when the GP refused to and told me I was reading too much rubbish on the Internet. How are your thyroid results by the way as they are notoriously normal when they're actually anything but.

[Badders123]

So they could cover you til xmas?
You need rest.

[Katymac]

Fortunately I work in a team - so they all cover for me when I'm poorly

I generally work 7:30-12, sleep 12-2, work 2-6, sleep 6 onwards

I had acupuncture today & slept 4-8ish

[Katymac]

I'm a childminder.......

[Badders123]

Mine always say that too, Katy.
In fact my fecal and urine samples are back today and "normal"....so why am I on abx for a urine infection!?
Any thoughts on being signed off?
X

[Katymac]

Just collected 4 sheets of blood tests saying everything is perfect

So down

[Badders123]

Steve...I have had 2 positive tests for lupus.
But they wont dx on that alone.
I have to get worse.
Despite the fact I have been suffering from nefritis for the last 2 months - a major symptom of lupus :(

[Serioussteve]

Ask your GP to do a blood test for IgA (Immunoglobulin A) - a high reading indicates autoimmune disease, in many people with ME/Fibro it points to Lupus.

[Badders123]

Oh that's really tough. I'm sorry.
I've lost 11 family members (including my dad) in the last 2 years. It's utterly soul destroying at times.
I'm a great believer that as human beings we can only cope with so much, whether that's psyiologically or psyiologically.
The body can only take so much, which then affects the mind.
Is there any chance at all of getting singed off for a few weeks? Even just til Xmas?
Sorry I don't know your cirsumatances but I was told to so that when I was really ill and refused. I often wonder how much quicker I would have recovered had it taken the Drs advice :(

[Katymac]

Thanks Badders - it is what it is (Lung cancer, Brain Tumour - both 'cured' but he is failing fast)

Woken up this morning in horrendous pain - nothing to do but pop painkillers & go to work

[Badders123]

I'm really sorry about your dad x

[Badders123]

I can relate!
Having had to do bowel prep yesterday I will just be glad when it's not water!!!

[Katymac]

If it makes you feel any better I have my Gallbladder & my digestion is buggered too

The latest (TMI sorry) is rabbit droppings in slurry

[Badders123]

You certainly have a lot going on!
I find I am currently in the headspace of actually wanting them to find something they can treat!
I had my gallbladder removed 2 years ago and my digestion is buggered

[Katymac]

Sorry Puffy, that's a bit 'out there' for me I think

[Katymac]

I feel I have reactive depression, I'm ill, my business is having a bad patch & my dad is terminally ill plus DD moved out

Generally when I have reactive depression I talk my way out of it and as long as I have 'plans' I probably will get out of it. When 'things become hopeless' I'll get anti-depressants. As long as I still get angry, frustrated and happy - I'll work through it maybe

[Katymac]

The problem is your GP should really refer you

I've seen 2 private Gastros for all the good it did me

I was quite poorly with whooping cough too

[Badders123]

I only ask because we have done that a few times (for me and the dc) and then taken the recommendations/dx to our gp and gone from there....

[Badders123]

Getting a private consult an option?