Symptoms that would perplex even "House" ...?

P

pai

New member
I feel like I could be on "House" with my own struggle to understand my symptoms. But I have a few clues. I wonder if anyone would like to add their opinion!

Here's my list of symptoms:

* a daily lightheadedness with a feeling like I am going to faint occassionally
* daily fatigue
* mental clarity (brian fog)
* Find concentration difficult
* Not very good memory
* low pulse rate - 47
* blood pressure ok at 126/70

Here's the more specific ones that give me some more clues:
* I had post-traumatic stress 8 yrs ago
* I yawn a lot when taking in NEW information and I feel tired
* When I feel tired, I feel mentally tired, not physically. I know because I am certain that I can get up at any moment and do two hours in the gym.
* I am 41 yrs old, 7 lbs overweight , but in pretty good shape and I work out 5 times a week for 45 mins, cardio & muscle


I went through loads of blood tests, tropical disease tests (I was in Africa) but no positives except a very slightly raised createnine (sp?) level.

I am convinced that I have a blood-oxygen supply issue to the brain. I think bradycardia might be worth checking out?
My brain seems not to be getting enough oxygen as I yawn a lot but I am not physically tired.
The only time I feel good inside is when I work out cardio and the blood gets pumping and my pulse gets up.

So, I think its a blood-oxygen issue. Would be interested to read your comments... !

thanks,,
 
Is your pulse rate always low? Does it speed up as you increase activity? A 47 at rest doesn't seem too bad (are you athletic or on beta blockers?) but if it's staying slow when your body needs more oxygen and nutrients that would definitely be a problem.
 
Did have some sleeping problems with Post traumatic stress for four yrs or so.
I sleep pretty good generally now. Don't normally wake up suddenly or with apparent blockage.
thanks.
 
hmmm, yes. However, I didn't exercise for a few weeks on vacation and the symptoms got worse. So exwercise is definately a plus for me.
I have a deskjob all day so I need to do some physical work/exercise.
I'll investigate the sugars though. Seems to be a good thing to check out.
 
I'm in quite good shape actually (physically). It does take a lot to get my pulse up. 30 mins on the elliptical trainer and I can get it up to 180.
I am not taking betas or any other meds.
I eat pretty well - not too much junk food (low fat, low meat, juiced carrotts everyday).
My pulse does stay low it seems but doctors have been impressed in the past saying 'wow, you've got the pulse rate of an athlete'.
Well, thats nice if there's no symptoms I guess, but I feel theres an oxygen-blood supply issue and my slow pluse is not helping I think.
 
they did check my thyroid.
cartoid artery issues sometimes have the following symptoms which I don't have:
vision blur
numbness
trouble swallowing

But I will certainly ask my doctor about it (when I go). At the moment I am information gathering to see if I can pinpoint my ailment.

thanks for contributing ! :)
 
Fleet Admiral: If you were a woman I'd say it was menopause. Since that's not the case, how about getting checked for diabetes or just hypoglycemia - low blood sugars.
You can have it without being a diabetic. And the thyroid could be the issue too. I hope you find out what's wrong. I know it's annoying not being able to find answers right away.
 
Yes, I do seem to react to sugar. I get an initial high but a very low low.
However, I have been tested for sugar: a fasting blood test a few times.
And I react to eating big meals too. If I have a heavy lunch, I am wiped out.
I think digestion has a lot to do with it, but maybe since it takes a lot of blood and energy. And blood transfer seems to be an issue with me?

I tired elimination diets cutting out gluten. lactose etc. Not positive.
 
You have many of the classic signs/symptoms of low thyroid. Not all doctors run the right thyroid tests. Even when they do, they often don't know how to interpret them. If you want to get copies of your results with their lab ranges, you can post them for advice on the Thyroid Board.
 
Fleet: You said you exercise alot. I have a T1 diabetic son and I was told by the doctors that when he's exercising that the liver is making glucose. It's the fight or flight senario so you don't pass out while exercising. Initially it increases his sugars and then around 2-4 hours later the body corrects itself. Exercise is a natural insulin. That's why when he exercises we have to compensate with lowering the amount of insulin he gets or increase his carbs to keep the sugars stable. Think about it. Maybe you're exercising too much and not compensating carb wise. Either way, I'd have my sugars checked. Like I said, you can have hypo and not be a diabetic.
 
You need at least TSH and free T4 tests. It would also be helpful to have free T3, TPO antibody, and Tg antibody tests, but most doctors would make you fight them for those. And most doctors would run TSH only. Don't allow that; insist on the free T4 as well. (Not Total T4... the free measurement is most accurate.)
 
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