Facial Swelling - no diagnosis
The illness that I am about to write about has occurred over the last two years and is still ongoing. Two years ago this month I noticed the beginning of facial swelling. It started on both eyelids and then migrated to both cheeks and then to my Parotid glands. Within two months my face was noticeably puffy and swollen. To this day, the facial swelling is still there and NO other parts of my body have been affected.
Initial trips to my primary care physician, Emergency Room visits, two ENT’s and an allergist yielded zero results and no opinions of what was possibly wrong. Following that I made the decision to go to a holistic doctor. He ran multiple blood tests, allergy tests(high yeast count which prompted him to put me on the Candida diet; this did nothing), thyroid tests (low Normal results, he suggested Synthroid but recommended the diet initially). Acknowledging that there may be something bigger than he could handle he recommended me to a special diagnostic clinic at Emory Hospital in Atlanta.
The unit at Emory consisted of a number of specialists who saw patients with undiagnosed conditions. The disciplines they represented included; ENT, Hematologist, Rheumatologist, Endocrinologist, Immunologist. Over the course of three months I had individual appointments with each group. The bloodwork that each doctor ordered came back with no indication of any illness outside of a low white blood count and low platelet count. As part of this process I also had chest x-rays, biopsy of sub-mandibular gland, head and neck CT scan, Bone marrow biopsy which also came back normal. I left Emory because they told me that they couldn’t identify what was wrong with me and frankly didn’t have any defined next steps.
I then decided to go to an infectious disease doctor and all of the tests that were run came back negative; Lymes disease, infections etc… The doctor could clearly see my facial swelling and she recommended that I go back to a rheumatologist, which I did.
The Rheumy, who I have been going to for the last 5 months, reviewed all of my past history of blood test results and previous doctor’s notes. He diagnosed me with what he termed an immune deficiency which he felt was manifesting as an auto-immune disease, even though all my blood work never revealed any markers for any known auto-immune diseases and I don’t exhibit any symptoms from the neck down. He prescribed a course of Prednisone over a 6-week period/20mg/10mg/5mg (facial swelling was extremely responsive and face looked normal BUT swelling returned within three days of going off the steroids). He then prescribed plaquenol with a low dose of prednisone(5mg) which I have been on for 90 days now and the swelling has not gone away. My Rheumy has mentioned going on either, Azathioprine, Methatrexate or Sulfasalazine to see what that would do but I have opted not to because I feel that I need a valid diagnosis prior to taking any drug like that.
I am not sure if this is truly a rheumatological or an endocrine issue. I have exhibited zero markers for a rheumatological disease and only a low normal for thyroid disease. I am writing to see if anyone out there has experienced a similar situation, I am at a total loss as to where to go next. Any shared thoughts and ideas are welcome.
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Keith, that is great & do not forget about checking out possible fungal infection as these are missed more often than you think.
Thank you for your thoughts, kind words, and prayers!
Have discussed with functional medicine professionals. When the mega doses of prednisone wear off, we will pursue the testing and the naturalist approach. Thank You
@keithwalker I can only imagine the pain you must be going through. There is nothing worse than to see your child in agony and not having a diagnosis would only make it so much worse.
I sincerely you find a diagnosis and solution to help her.
JK
Hello my name is Beryl .....all I can say after reading your post is...I am so sorry for you and your family to have this terrible thing happen to your daughter ...I just hope there is somewhere someone that can bring some understanding of this so that there can be an end to this horrible life your poor daughter has endured and bring some quality of life to you all .....God Bless you all......Beryl
Look into leaky gut as it can start a host of terrible side effects as I have been going through.
Have the doctors looked into fungal infections of sinus or anywhere else in her body? I have had a lot of her symptoms (not as extreme) & am now up at National Jewish Hospital in Denver trying to figure out the cause of my illness. What I have learned on my own is that I may have fungal infection as root of cause. I was looking at photos of people that have serious fungal infections & your daughter's photos look similar. I am so sorry for your daughter & you but please push to have fungal infection ruled out. It is hard to detect & a lot of doctors do not know how to test for this A good ENT should be able to see if infection is in sinuses. Also, a functional Med Dr. may really be able to help. The only reason I am able to write you now is because of functional med Dr. & oil of oregano & grapefruit seed oil.
Another cause for your daughter's declining health could originally stem from her stomach - I mean it could have started in her stomach as mine did. Then it effected my face, facial glands, eyes, etc. Please research & call in to a functional med dr ( a very good one) - who might be the best help for your daughter yet.
That is what I also am dong & it is the only thing that helps me.
I use NutriBiotic maximum GSE (Grapefruit seed oil) liquid concentration w/ full spectrum of bioflavonoids & I get it from Natural Grocers in Colorado Springs, CO. I also get my oil of oregano from them too. I do not have the brand name with me but if you contact any Natural Grocers in the US they can direct you to the best products. The GSE that I use is mixed directl into water & tastes very, very bitter but you can also get it in capsule form. I use the strongest, most powerful oil as I can as I don't have to use as many drops. My facial swelling has gone down abot 50% just from these to things.
Thank you for sharing your experience.