I feel like I'm dying

Posted by srodriguez @srodriguez, Jan 26, 2012

i am a healthy (I thought) 43 year old female. 2 weeks ago I was at work. Stood up. Got this pulled muscle sensation in my back around my bra strap area. I then proceeded to have chest pain, shortness of breath, flushed, sensation of hot liquid seeping out into my chest, dizziness, and numb and tingly all over my body. I felt like I was gonna pass out or die. I was rushed to the ER. After several tests, and an overnight stay, they discharged me the next day with Synthroid (thyroid just a tad low) and Flexeril for my back pain. I still had the shortness of breath. But they assured me my heart and lungs were fine. Did not do any x-rays or anything for my back. The next day I was pretty much laid out at home due to the flexeril. The following day, I decided to go back to work. Got up, took a shower, then I started having all the same symptoms as before. I had my son take me to the ER again. They did several tests, said my heart and lungs were fine. The doctor diagnosed me with GERD, and sent me home with Prilosec. I took Prilosec for 4 days, then my PCP had me try Protonix, which by the way, both of these gave me horrible side effects (confusion, delirium-hallucinations) and were not helping my stomach pain and nausea. So, she started me on Zantac, which worked wonders the first couple of days, but seems to have worn off now too. Also, after numerous testing, doctor said my Vitamin D was low, was 11, and should be between 30-80. So I started taking Vitamin D3--400 units. 2 weeks later, I have been to the ER three times, had an endoscopy just yesterday (doctor said everything looked fine, but sending off stomach sample for biopsy). Still taking Zantac, and Vitamin D. Trying to eat more foods rich in Vitamin D and calcium. I continue to have nausea, stomach pains, body very weak, losing weight, diarrhea, dizziness, flushed and feel like passing out. I can't sleep, and feel very dehydrated. Every morning I feel like I'm dying with these symptoms. It feels as though it hurts from deep inside my muscles or bones, even my joints in my fingers and elbows hurt. Closer to noon, I feel a little better, try to eat a little something, then it starts all over around 9 or 10 in the evening, and keeping me up all night. I WAS TOTALLY FINE UNTIL 2 WEEKS AGO, THEN ALL THIS STARTED HAPPENING. CAN SOMEONE HELP ME PLEASE? I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO. I FEEL LIKE I'M JUST GONNA SHRIVEL UP AND DIE.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Digestive Health Support Group.

I am not a Dr and nothing said here is to replace advise of professional!

That being said, ❤️ Heart issues can mimic GI symptoms, such as Nausea and vomiting, weakness, coughing, sleepless, unusual muscle pains and can come on suddenly! Please get a MRI and CT scans and have your Heart checked out just to be safe!
Very Best Wished!

REPLY

I don't know where you live but you seem to need a differential diagnosis and that requires several specialties at once, most likely. Vit. D supplements can cause all sorts of problems for me, can't take them, might be the same for you. If this were me, I'd look for a major teaching hospital and start with an infectious disease specialist or a rheumatologist. I don't know who takes meds for a low (but normal) thyroid, I wouldn't. There are more sophisticated tests for thyroid function and the sudden symptoms you report can't possibly be caused by a thyroid issue, doesn't present that way. Sounds GI related: colonoscopy?? No idea but diagnostics is a skill most doctors don't have. I'd also start documenting symptoms for disability reasons. Whatever this is, you need time to recover and you won't be able to go to work.

REPLY

I think the heart check advice above is really good. Have they checked ALL your lipids including lp(a). If you were that low in D, did they check your other micronutrients? Calcium? Electrolytes? You need a complete panel. If they won't order, do it yourself. Walk in Labs or Quest, or Lab Corp online! ASAP! You can even pay to have someone come draw at your house. Lab Retriever for example.

REPLY
@samclembeau

funny reading this the read. years ago (age 65ish) I started getting changing conditions. hair falling out, thyroid up then down, stomach pains with gerd, painful gas with constipation then the opposite. sneezing every day, no alergy. blood work normal, stomach fine, drank more water, changed thyroid meds. everything worked, just changed what bothered me. Dr said it was just that I was just getting older.
I was always so healthy that I commented to my doctor that I thought it was something systemic.
Fast forward to age 74 when I got my colonoscopy and it was found that I have stage 2 anal cancer. can take years to develope.
I guess what I am saying is don't let doctors stop by giving you pills. see if they will give you a petscan.
find out the base reason for your illnesses. they may be connected to something you can nip in the bud.

Jump to this post

@samclembeau what symptoms were you experiencing before your colonoscopy and anal cancer diagnosis?

REPLY

Pain like a hemorrhoid. Early, but a little blood now and then. Thought sure it was a hemorrhoid, but then read that hemorrhoids are not firm, but cancer is solid. Finally gave in and got a colonoscopy. When I came out of Anastasia the doctor said it appeared to be cancer, but wait until labs came back. Had 2 more biopsies before it was confirmed. In treatment now and doing great.

REPLY

Sorry about the email correctipns. In a car right now.

REPLY

Before all that though I had a sore stomach. Best word I can use to describe it. Not nausea, aching. Hair started falling out, then indigestion, then tired and weak feeling. Rashes that presented differently. Bladder problems, came and went in 2 days. Nothing that you could put your finger on and say aha that's it. Doctor said old age, but in such short order it seemed unlikely. Meds changed so dermatologist thought allergy to fillers in the new meds. ( They were made in a different lab). That's when the " hemorrhoids" started. Along I felt there was something systemic they were missing. Probably the growing of the cancer.

REPLY
@wishingonastar

Same problem here despite discontinuing Zoloft. Is yours still going on? Did anything or anyone help?

Jump to this post

Same problem here! Ugh. I wonder how long after discontinuing Zoloft that things could still turn around. They ruled out microscopic colitis already and I've been off Zoloft for over 7 weeks now.

REPLY
@mmm48tx

Same problem here! Ugh. I wonder how long after discontinuing Zoloft that things could still turn around. They ruled out microscopic colitis already and I've been off Zoloft for over 7 weeks now.

Jump to this post

I think I just replied to you. It's still going on! Please let's stay in touch to see what might work. Yes, they ruled out microscopic colitis.

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.