1. < Just Want to Talk

So many symptoms: Where does one start to get answers?

Posted by sleep4awhile @sleep4awhile, Feb 10, 2022

Hi all. New here and thought it was worth a try.
I've always been known for being tired and lacking energy. Recently I've been noticing some strange symptoms - some old that I never paid much attention to, but paired with some new.

So first, I'm 38/female. History of depression and anxiety which I am treated for and have come a long way. I likely have IBS because I'm always either constipated or my stool is too soft. I'm also gluten free as of a few years ago due to stomach discomfort. I have pretty much been tired my entire life. My dad and brother also deal with excessive tiredness. I rarely have a day without feeling like a need a nap.

Ok here goes:

I work in a school and I do lunch duty. This school year I've been noticing that when I get there, over time I experience these symptoms:
-Lightheadedness
-Disorientation in my eyes
These 2 will make me feel like I need to clench my eyes shut for a moment to get my bearings.
-As kids fly into the cafeteria I'll get disoriented by all the movement. Like I can't track all of them coming in.
-Shortness of breath. This often occurs after I eat but I can't find a correlation. One day or was 2 small slices of gf pizza. Another day it was an orange. I'll feel excessively full and short of breath.
-noticeable shakiness in my hands
-feeling my I have a tenor inside my muscles. My arms feel like they are shaking on the inside.
-I'll feel like my heart is pounding, but I've had the school nurse check it and it's not actually elevated.
-While all of this is occuring, I just feel like I need to sit down. Feel fatigued.

Someone mentioned pots to me, but I don't think my heart rate elevates 30bpm upon standing which is supposed to be a key factor.

I've had my glucose, bp, and heart rate all checked and they're within normal levels. My BP was slightly high FOR me because I run low. I've also had my thyroid checked via bloodwork multiple times and while it lands heavily towards hypo, because it'll still be within normal range they dismiss it.

Any help is appreciated! Thank you!!

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Just Want to Talk Support Group.

kayjay209 | @kayjay209 | Feb 10, 2022

i am not an expert but can you talk with your doctor about your thyroid numbers. over the years, i have seen articles about treating low-normal range with meds. certainly you could tell if you are responding to the intervention and could be helpful. good luck!

REPLY
kayjay209 | @kayjay209 | Feb 10, 2022

maybe a referral to an endocrinologist?

REPLY
Mentor
Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor | @rosemarya | Feb 11, 2022

@sleep4awhile, Good Morning and Welcome to Connect. I used to work in my local school system as a classroom assistant and later as a teacher. I absolutely must say, "Thank you" for your service to children by your lunchtime cafeteria duty.
As I read your post and the symptoms that you listed, I can feel your discomfort and confusion. I am not at all surprised that you would need a nap after a hectic lunch preparation, serving, and cleanup shift, however since you are experiencing other symptoms, I agree that you proceed to finding answers.
I know that with your scheduled work days, it can be difficult to get time off, but I think that you should make an appointment with your PCP-Primary Care Doctor for a complete check-up. If I were you, I would copy the list of symptoms that you have listed here along with your concerns, and take it with you to the appointment.

Why not give your PCP a call today and see if you can get an appointment?

REPLY
1 reply
codered032 | @codered032 | Feb 17, 2022
In reply to @rosemarya "@sleep4awhile, Good Morning and Welcome to Connect. I used to work in my local school system..." + (show)
@rosemarya

@sleep4awhile, Good Morning and Welcome to Connect. I used to work in my local school system as a classroom assistant and later as a teacher. I absolutely must say, "Thank you" for your service to children by your lunchtime cafeteria duty.
As I read your post and the symptoms that you listed, I can feel your discomfort and confusion. I am not at all surprised that you would need a nap after a hectic lunch preparation, serving, and cleanup shift, however since you are experiencing other symptoms, I agree that you proceed to finding answers.
I know that with your scheduled work days, it can be difficult to get time off, but I think that you should make an appointment with your PCP-Primary Care Doctor for a complete check-up. If I were you, I would copy the list of symptoms that you have listed here along with your concerns, and take it with you to the appointment.

Why not give your PCP a call today and see if you can get an appointment?

Jump to this post

Welcome to Mayo Connect. This group is so helpful for me. I will suggest that you keep a 7day diary of all your activities. Start with time of day, list all of your foods consumed at each meal, list routine activities during the day. List symptoms nothing what time they occurred and how long they lasted. Take your b/p and pulse( if possible when symptoms start). Take them standing &sitting. You can use your cell phone to record your daily diary. Because the dr’s time is limited make a graft at the end of each day to see if there is a pattern to your symptoms. What makes your symptoms worsted ? What makes them better? This will provide accurate information for your dr. Also note your sleep patterns. I know this may seem like a lot, but use your phone to record daily activities, and your computer to help you graft information to paper. This will help paint a picture of your symptoms to share with your dr. Good luck

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor | @rosemarya | Feb 19, 2022
In reply to @codered032 "Welcome to Mayo Connect. This group is so helpful for me. I will suggest that you..." + (show)
@codered032

Welcome to Mayo Connect. This group is so helpful for me. I will suggest that you keep a 7day diary of all your activities. Start with time of day, list all of your foods consumed at each meal, list routine activities during the day. List symptoms nothing what time they occurred and how long they lasted. Take your b/p and pulse( if possible when symptoms start). Take them standing &sitting. You can use your cell phone to record your daily diary. Because the dr’s time is limited make a graft at the end of each day to see if there is a pattern to your symptoms. What makes your symptoms worsted ? What makes them better? This will provide accurate information for your dr. Also note your sleep patterns. I know this may seem like a lot, but use your phone to record daily activities, and your computer to help you graft information to paper. This will help paint a picture of your symptoms to share with your dr. Good luck

Jump to this post

@codered032, That is a great way to provide the doctor with a snapshot of your condition. Thanks.
I also keep a record of any change of symptoms (good and bad) when there is a change of medications. Also is important for over the counter medications/supplements if you take them.

@sleep4awhile, I am concerned about what you decided to do? Did you contact your PCP or a doctor? Will you be seeing anyone? Has there been any change in your condition?

REPLY
Jessalyn | @billskid | Mar 8, 2022

Have you had your Iron checked? (I also work in a lunchroom.) I had a lot of those same symptoms for years until a urologist noticed how low my Iron was during a kidney stone surgery and looked at my files and noticed my hemoglobin had been below normal multiple times and was very low during my hospital stay. I had Iron infusions and honestly it changed my life.
Hope you can find answers and you get to feeling good!

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.