Head feels like it will explode daily. Severe cognitive difficulties

How were they finally able to diagnose your husband? Maybe the test can help Nathan know what to ask for 🤔

What has your general doctor say? You said you’re 18?(suffering still from my mysterious episode so cognitive impairment is thete$ do you get your regular annual lab work? I would request a full thyroid panel (depending on your insurance ect) maybe something metabolic I believe was mentioned early
Definitely get the thyroid
Do these symptoms come and go or are they consistent ? Since they started did it progress or did you get all of this in an instant?
Were you sick in any memorable way perhaps 4 months before this started?
So you have any family members even extended with any health problems,passed early? Stuff like that?

I’m asking because those types of questions can narrow things down a bit

I know not feeling right in your body and brain and people think our younger generation are all just dramatic and blah blah But I believe you. Just remember certain things can trigger or make your main health problem create more havoc or intensify everything that is going on
I’m 43 a mom of 5 biological and a few extra o kept along the way. My oldest is 27,24,17,twin14 year olds
We all have genetic conditions auto immune. Hereditary predisposition to cancers,most mental illness
Rare genetic disease that requires transplant (my daughter was 7 bone marrow transplant back in 2007. Children in New Orleans did it. She was the second child that was treated for her condition ever!
Detailed family history is your best friend
Sorry so long. Hopefully all this helps

After reading this Have you had a classic neck to toe X-ray?
I really think you need to see a cardiologist. Do you have a smart ring or anything that will track your blood pressure/pulse oxygen? Get one asap. Get familiar and learn what’s healthy and not
They have this condition in kids your age group that has risen since Covid (regardless if your got Covid,the vaccine or got sick )
Please see your regular doctor. Or your parents.. nothing was mentioned so I’m not sure of if you do your health appointments or if your parents still do
O also think an X-ray for the breathing may be very important Your not crazy

Hello Nathan,

Have you figured out what is going on?
It might sound crazy, but I am a 15-going-on-16 female with similar symptoms to yours, but less severe, and I am terrified this is all in my head. I get the breathing issues, the constant tension headaches, brain fog, memory issues, and my memory has gotten so bad I can't remember spoken words, at all. I can't remember parts of my days, and while I do have anxiety, I am starting to believe the constant pressure on my chest isn't from that. I am struggling so hard now and I don't know what is going on, and these symptoms started off really mild two and a half years ago and now have gotten to the point where it is becoming unlivable.
Notes on Medical History:
0. Have a chronic autoimmune medical issue that caused increased fight-or-flight (not MAST, doctors cannot determine it, genetic), but upped my medication for that, helped with the weird restlessness and back pain, but did not help with the breathing or other issues.
1. Genetic relatives with a history of thyroid issues, particularly hyperthyroidism
2. Have been diagnosed with potential arrhythmia of the heart when I was seven
3. Was diagnosed with GAD at 8-9ish (My memory has always been poor, but never this bad - I am missing 3 hours worth of memories at a time). Also have been diagnosed with long-and-short asthma in Australia (in America I was fine- where I was living in Australia, everyone has asthma), and no matter how many puffs of flixotide, Qvar, or Ventolin, nothing helps.
4. Fell on my back off of a swing after just turning 13, in April. I couldn't breathe for 30-45 seconds, and turned red, but was able to walk and talk totally fine, after I caught my breath, although my voice was a little strained. Back did not bruise but was sore for a few days afterwards.
5. In the end of June to the beginning of July of that year, I began noticing issues - I could not run as long or as fast as before. I couldn't get enough breath, which by the way, really, really hurts. My legs could move, but not my lungs. However, I also learned to swim during this time, and surprising, could swim with no issues respiratorily.
6. By December 2023, I could not run. I felt like I was dying, the pain was so bad, and my vision started tunneling. Memory issues began, and random back pain also began.
7. Memory issues many dealing with the comprehension of spoken words rapidly deteriorated, to the point at the end of 2024 I could not follow 2-step instructions, either because I was trying so hard to remember the first, there was no space for the second, or I forgot the first by the time I remembered the second.
8. Early 2025 after walking a lot, or dong exercise that requires respiration, about half-an-hour after doing the exercise my heart begins beating out of control. I can feel it just start to beat really fast, erratically, and hard, and it hurts. Additionally, at around this time, I have to start taking conscious breaths every 10 breaths, or I feel like I am beginning to suffocate and then I spiral. Also, if I am under too much stress, I faint.
9. Mid 2025 I cannot sleep through the night because I wake up having forgotten to breathe, and I begin to forget written words. Previously, written words I have had a near-photographic memory of, like to the point where I could recite a poem I read from memory. I could quote book passages.
10. August-November: Focus is a memory that is very faint. My grades suffer and I forget all the chores I need to do, and there is only about 3 per day. In addition, my lower back hurting becomes unbearable when I am tired, and after a while of sitting up straight, goes numb, which causes my legs to fall asleep. Fainting continues.
11. Late November-December - I increase my dose of Mirtazapine to 30 milligrams from 22.5. Back symptoms cease, as mentioned, and restlessness and phantom aches are less. Memory continues to deteriorate, and so does my focus, and my headaches and chest pain are near constant. Lying down does not improve the headaches, but it does the chest pain.
Further Notes: No x-rays, no tests, I have no idea where to begin, and right now I am concerned this is just me being overdramatic. Health insurance is not great, and we aren't rich, so I can't get it wrong.
I am so sorry for the length, but I thought it would be best to be as detailed as possible.
I hope you are feeling better and are okay now.