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.

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How are you now? Did you get a diagnosis? Did you go to the Mayo Clinic? I'm 43 and saw your post and I'm guessing because there is no post that your good now.? I'm going to try Zantac and Vitamin D, now that I saw your post....because it seems my intestinal issues are getting worse.....I haven't got any tests yet, I'm just trying everything first before the doctors put me through the rat race....

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I have same problems as u have. But i have anxiety and depression. And i have bad thoughts i think if death. I went to ER. Like 20 times believe me. And every test they did they all came out good. I decided to see psychiatrist. And he put me on Zoloft 50 mg.

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Look into an Autonomic Dysfunction, possibly POTS, Mayo has a good clinic. Often misdiagnosed for Psyc.

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im young like in my teen years and i have the same things happening to me that is or was happening to you i am scared

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Hello @starlight_msp

I see that this is your first post at Mayo Connect, welcome!

It is certainly understandable that you would be frightened by these types of symptoms. Have you talked with your doctor about this yet? Understanding the reason for your symptoms will help reduce your fears which is very important. The teen years can be stressful enough without added stress.

As you are comfortable sharing more, please let us know how long you have had these symptoms and if you have seen a doctor.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Teresa

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@starlight_msp

im young like in my teen years and i have the same things happening to me that is or was happening to you i am scared

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This happened to me back in 2012. I'm pretty much back to normal now. At the time, I did feel like I was dying. There were so many tests done on me which all came back fine. They never really figured out what was wrong with me. There were speculations of Fibromyalgia, Auto Immune disease, and Low Thyroid. I did have low Vitamin D, and started taking a Vitamin D supplement for that. Even though I didn't have much energy, I started doing Zumba. That was a Godsend. I was already eating pretty healthy, but I cut out all gluten, and that seemed to help as well. Slowly but surely I became myself again. I am much older than you, about to be 50 in September. I don't know if my case had anything to do with Pre-Menopause. Nevertheless, try eliminating gluten, sodas, don't eat too many sweets, drink plenty of water, and exercise every day. That's what worked for me. Good luck!!

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@starlight_msp

im young like in my teen years and i have the same things happening to me that is or was happening to you i am scared

Jump to this post

I'd like to add my welcome, @starlight_msp; and I'm so happy to see you return to Connect, @srodriguez – welcome back!

As @hopeful33250 mentioned, could you share a few more details, @starlight_msp ?
What symptoms are you experiencing? When did you notice your symptoms? I'd really like to connect you to other members so that they too, can share some insights that might help – thanks @srodriguez, for returning with such an encouraging message – may I also ask if parents/adults in your family are aware of your symptoms, starlight?

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I would recommend that you have your Vitamin B12 levels checked. I was constantly losing weight & lost 45 lbs, had no energy, fatigue, had neurological symptoms & gastrointestinal issues & I developed a bopping up & down type of walking. I was seeing many specialists and a neuromuscular doctor finally diagnosed my deficiency. I had no B12 left in my body. He prescribed 1000 mco of B12 each day and within 6 weeks some of my symptoms started to lessen or abate. I still have many other health concerns but I highly recommend that you give it a try as it can’t hurt to take it.

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@starlight_msp, Welcome and I hope you have received some solid input about where to start. I would offer one warning in regards to Vitamin B supplements. I don't know for certain that too much Vit. B12 will not hurt you, but if you take a B complex, it is entirely possible to get too much Niacin, which I believe is B6. Otherwise, I believe @marychapman offers a good idea to have it at least checked. If it is very low, your Dr. may start you with an injection which is much more efficiently and rapidly absorbed. Many of us eat plenty of foods with vitamin B, but there are a number of meds that decrease your body's ability to absorb it.
Just FYI,
Gary

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I had similar symptoms for years and it was missed because they didn’t order mast cell stains for my biopsies. These are not standard lay performed for endoscopy and colonoscopy. Also if the endoscopy is negative the cells could just be in the colon. I also had systemic symptoms like POTs .
I have a diagnosis of mastocytosis, systemic and just for your information I was treated as a general mast cell disorder for bout 5 years before definitive diagnosis was made with Zantac twice a day Zyrtec two tablets both morning and evening and singulair to start along with immodium and phenergan as needed and now I am also using cyclosporine A with great relief.
Best!
Mary

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