Let's Play "diagnose Me"

[Guest BERNESES]

ugh! I haven't been weel in over a month and I'm not sure what's going on (the doctors haven't figured it out yet either) so I figured I'd throw out my symptoms and their duration and see if anyone can think of something we might be missing.

I had my gall bladder out May 17th and that went fine. Felt great after. Then did a round of the antibiotic Keflex (apparently it's very strong) from June 16-23 for an infected salivary gland and it all went down hill from there. About a week later I developed diarrhea and got progressively sicker. I did 10 days of Flagyl for C-Diff (yuck!) which didn't make me feel very good either but it stopped the diarrhea. As soon as I stopped the flagyl, it came back and we're going from there. The second C-diff test came back negative so here's the list. I'm open to any and all suugestions of avenues to pursue. Thanks, B

Headaches (last month)

Neck hurts (I do have arthritis which flares up from time to time)

Eyes, nose dry (last week or so)

Bloated (hands and feet- last week or so)

breasts are tender (last week or so)

Extreme fatigue (last two weeks)

irregular menstrual cycles (stopped completely in January and came back in June after being induced)

unexplained extremely high estrogen

eczema in outer ears (always there but controlled- especially bad right now)

nausea, diarrhea, foul smelling gas (last two weeks- the gas smells like it did when I had malabsorption before going gluten free)

moody, irritable (I guess anyone would be at this point!!!!)

So, I had a colonoscopy to rule out any IBD's and it looks OK. Bloodwork is being checked- for Thyroid. I'm wondering how reliable a normal blood test is at detecting thyroid problems? My GI (who is a celiac specialist) thinks that it sounds very C-Diff (at least what's been going on in the last month anyway).

Would appreciate any insights all you bright people here might have! Thanks, B

[CarlaB]

I don't really know. But I've found some interesting info on thyroid -- do a google search on Dr. Broda Barnes. He thinks basal temps are a better thyroid test than blood tests. I had experience with this method in my years of teaching NFP (natural family planning) and it helped many women who had subclinical low thyriod (including me!!) to feel better and have more regular cycles.

[Guest BERNESES]

I don't really know. But I've found some interesting info on thyroid -- do a google search on Dr. Broda Barnes. He thinks basal temps are a better thyroid test than blood tests. I had experience with this method in my years of teaching NFP (natural family planning) and it helped many women who had subclinical low thyriod (including me!!) to feel better and have more regular cycles.

That's so interesting that you say that as my basal temps are ALWAYS really low (like 95, 96). So i will check out his info. Thanks Carla!!! Hugs, B

[CarlaB]

That's so interesting that you say that as my basal temps are ALWAYS really low (like 95, 96). So i will check out his info. Thanks Carla!!! Hugs, B

If your temps are that low, that would definately contribute to your feeling fatigued!!! I take Solaray Thryoid, two capsules per day, and it keeps my temps at 97.6 or higher and I feel much better than when they drop to 97. Mine have never been as low as yours are, but I've seen others whose have been. If your doc's test comes out low, then he might have some stronger stuff to give you than what I use. If you get something over the counter, be sure it actually has thyroid in it. Some just are a thyroid support with no thyroid. Also, do you use iodized salt? If not, you might want to look for another source of iodine (my thyroid capsules have it).

I don't know if this could be what your other symptoms are all about, but as you know, our health is a puzzle, this could at least be one more piece of it for you.

Hope you're feeling better soon!!!

Carla

[plantime]

I had my gall bladder out May 17th and that went fine. Felt great after. Then did a round of the antibiotic Keflex (apparently it's very strong) from June 16-23 for an infected salivary gland and it all went down hill from there. About a week later I developed diarrhea and got progressively sicker. I did 10 days of Flagyl for C-Diff (yuck!) which didn't make me feel very good either but it stopped the diarrhea. As soon as I stopped the flagyl, it came back and we're going from there.

Headaches (last month)

Neck hurts (I do have arthritis which flares up from time to time)

Eyes, nose dry (last week or so)

Bloated (hands and feet- last week or so)

breasts are tender (last week or so)

Extreme fatigue (last two weeks)

irregular menstrual cycles (stopped completely in January and came back in June after being induced)

unexplained extremely high estrogen

eczema in outer ears (always there but controlled- especially bad right now)

nausea, diarrhea, foul smelling gas (last two weeks- the gas smells like it did when I had malabsorption before going gluten free)

moody, irritable (I guess anyone would be at this point!!!!)

For some people, having the gall bladder removed means having diarrhea. The liver drains directly into the intestine, which causes a "soup" all of the time instead of only when you eat. It is a normal happening. The headaches and neck pain could very well be related, have you tried stretching exercises and massage for your neck and upper back? I don't know anything about the exzema. The rest sounds like hormone shifts, possibly related to perimenopause. Have you been checked for polycystic ovary disease?

[CarlaB]

For some people, having the gall bladder removed means having diarrhea. The liver drains directly into the intestine, which causes a "soup" all of the time instead of only when you eat. It is a normal happening. The headaches and neck pain could very well be related, have you tried stretching exercises and massage for your neck and upper back? I don't know anything about the exzema. The rest sounds like hormone shifts, possibly related to perimenopause. Have you been checked for polycystic ovary disease?

Interesting.

I get rashes, too. Right now it's bad ... always on my scalp.

[Nantzie]

Candida overgrowth? It can get especially bad after a lot of antibiotics. With the gastro stuff, and especially the gas, I'd highly suspect that.

Nancy

[loraleena]

Ditto on the candida overgrowth. Your symptoms fit. There is a huge list of things candida can cause. I recommend you get on line and read.

[queenofhearts]

I hope you feel better soon, Berneses-- your symptoms sound just miserable. What a lot to deal with all at once!

If your temps are that low, that would definately contribute to your feeling fatigued!!! I take Solaray Thryoid, two capsules per day, and it keeps my temps at 97.6 or higher and I feel much better than when they drop to 97. Mine have never been as low as yours are, but I've seen others whose have been. If your doc's test comes out low, then he might have some stronger stuff to give you than what I use. If you get something over the counter, be sure it actually has thyroid in it. Some just are a thyroid support with no thyroid. Also, do you use iodized salt? If not, you might want to look for another source of iodine (my thyroid capsules have it).

I don't know if this could be what your other symptoms are all about, but as you know, our health is a puzzle, this could at least be one more piece of it for you.

Hope you're feeling better soon!!!

Carla

Wow... that is fascinating. My temps have always been low too, to the point where only when I'm feverish do I get up to "normal"-- & when I tell people that they look at me like I'm nuts. My thyroid has always tested normal but I've thought before there might have been something there... I often have chills no matter the weather (I say I'm the only 50 year old who gets COLD flashes!) & have dry skin, fatigue & some other symptoms...

So my question is, how do you get doctors to consider this possibility? And I wouldn't want to mess around with hormones if that ISN'T what's wrong... so how do you tell?

Leah

[CarlaB]

My doc knows I take otc thyroid and that my thyroid tests normal while taking it, so I've never discussed it with him beyond that.

[Guest BERNESES]

Thanks everyone- I just got some blood work back from yesterday (it's not all in yet) and I'm seeing a reproductive endocrinologist tomorrow so I'll be talking to him as well.

White blood cell count is 2.8 (scale 4-11)

RBC 3.74 (under 4 is low)

HCT (is that homocysteine?) 35.8 (36 is low)

MCH 33.8 (over 32 is high)

MCHC 35.4 (over 35 is high)

My NEUTS (I can't figure out what this is) are low 49.7 (above 50 is normal)

UreaN is low 3 (below 6 is low)

These are the things that stand out or have changed dramatically since my last workup in January. I went to

Open Original Shared Link

which is you haven't been to is great for figuring out what your labs mean!

When I had my hormones tested on day 4 of my cycle:

FSH 17.1 (over 10.2 is high)

Estriadol 240 skyrocket high

Thyroid 1.973 (all I know is it's considered normal)

Prolactin normal

Back in January my PTH was 66 (over 65 is high).

I am definitely aware of the yeast problem and haven't been eating sugar and using supplements to try to eliminate that (although I understand it's not easy).

I am still convinced that something is wacky with my thyroid though. It looks like you can be borderline and still feel crappy. Hmmm....just thiking out loud.

Thanks everyone. B

[penguin]

with the RBC's low, and the MCH etc. high, that looks like iron deficiency anemia to me. I think HCT is probably hematocrit.

[Guest BERNESES]

Thanks Chelsea- I was thinking iron or B-12 deficiency.

[ravenwoodglass]

Thanks everyone- I just got some blood work back from yesterday (it's not all in yet) and I'm seeing a reproductive endocrinologist tomorrow so I'll be talking to him as well.

White blood cell count is 2.8 (scale 4-11)

RBC 3.74 (under 4 is low)

HCT (is that homocysteine?) 35.8 (36 is low)

MCH 33.8 (over 32 is high)

MCHC 35.4 (over 35 is high)

My NEUTS (I can't figure out what this is) are low 49.7 (above 50 is normal)

UreaN is low 3 (below 6 is low)

These are the things that stand out or have changed dramatically since my last workup in January. I went to

Open Original Shared Link

which is you haven't been to is great for figuring out what your labs mean!

When I had my hormones tested on day 4 of my cycle:

FSH 17.1 (over 10.2 is high)

Estriadol 240 skyrocket high

Thyroid 1.973 (all I know is it's considered normal)

Prolactin normal

Back in January my PTH was 66 (over 65 is high).

I am definitely aware of the yeast problem and haven't been eating sugar and using supplements to try to eliminate that (although I understand it's not easy).

I am still convinced that something is wacky with my thyroid though. It looks like you can be borderline and still feel crappy. Hmmm....just thiking out loud.

Thanks everyone. B

I hope the endocrinologist can shed some light on why these results are as they are. Did they check your B12 and Folate levels as well? It does look like you have some anemia going on. Have they run another celiac panel on you, if you showed up on earlier ones? Are you positive any OTC, prescription drugs and non-food items are gluten-free? Some of your symptoms sound like they could be related to CC, the skin problems in particular. I know you have been feeling awful and I hope they get everything figured out soon.

[Guest BERNESES]

They didn't run another Celiac panel on me. All my prescriptions are gluten-free, I stopped OTC stuff and haven't really been using anything new in the bath/body department that isn't gluten-free.

I take Celexa, klonopin, nexium and folic acid.

OTC I take Natrol which is clearly marked as gluten free.

For shampoos and stuff I mostly use Neutrogena, Burt's Bees aand Dove (which list all their gluten-ingredients).

Thank you for trying to help me trouble shoot. I REALLY appreciate it.

[Judyin Philly]

GOSH, BEV, WISH I COULD HELP BUT I KNOW NADA!

WHAT BERT'S BEES ARE YOU USEING.

HUGS AND HOPE SOMEONE CAN HELP YOU

WISH I COULD DO YOU STILL HAVE "D"

REMEMBER THE 'BENEFIBER' I TOLD YOU OF.

J

[Lymetoo]

I'm sorry you are so miserable! Yikes!! I know I"ve posted this before, but perhaps you will find something that will "speak to you"!

Candida diet and elimination:

Open Original Shared Link

Open Original Shared Link

"Successful control and elminiation of a Candida Albicans overgrowth requires a multifaceted program as described below. Failure to follow ALL the steps simultaneously will result in slow progress and will lengthen healing time significantly. The program should be tailored to the individual and must balance the need to eliminate the Candida and deprive it of its food source while insuring proper nutrition for the individual."

Five Steps to Candida Elimination:

1. You must starve it into submission by eliminating its food source.

2. You must kill it with anti-fungal herbs and supplements. [e.g....garlic, onion, caprylic acid, Pau D'Arco capsules or tea, clove, grapefruit seed extract, olive leaf extract, oil of oregano, tea tree oil, Echinacea, Goldenseal, black walnut, MSM, barberry root, uva ursi, neem leaf, biotin]

3. You must reestablish the proper balance and quantity of probiotic bacteria in the digestive tract. [...multi-strain lactobacillus acidophilus and bifidus capsules with FOS should be taken between meals to maximize repopulation of the digestive tract by beneficial bacteria.]

4. You must reestablish proper levels of all B vitamins (yeast free) and utilize other immune enhancing supplements to boost immune system function. [e.g ... B complex vitamins (yeast free), biotin, beta 1-3 glucan, colostrum, maitake mushroom, vitamins A, C, E, zinc and selenium]

5. You must cleanse and heal the digestive tract to promote proper elimination of toxins and Candida and assimilation of nutrients. [e.g...chlorophyll, MSM, omega 3 fatty acids found in flax seed and salmon oils, GLA found in borage, evening primrose and black currant oils. Pantothenic acid, digestive enzymes between meals]

I think there's a site online about the thyroid called " thyroid.about.com" Something like that...?

[Guest BERNESES]

Lymetoo and Judy- Thank you!

I actually printed out the steps you posted and have it on my fridge!!!!! It's great info! Thank you so much for it.

[trents]

"NEUTS" are neutrophils, a measure of infection fighting capacity.

Steve

[oceangirl]

"NEUTS" are neutrophils, a measure of infection fighting capacity.

Steve

It sounds like everyone is sending you down the most likely paths, but, just to keep in the back of your mind- have you been checked for Lyme disease? Given where you live and the wide variety of symptoms it can cause, I just thought you might want to check it out as well. My sister and close friends who've had it have had every different kind of symptom under the sun. Just a thought and hope you feel MUCH better very soon!

lisa

[Judyin Philly]

Know Lyme's has come up before but can't remember if you were tested.

You know that 'false positive's' are kinda normal

did you ever take the vacine against it??? my chiro says that if you did you test will be positive do to vacine.

hugs and prayers

judy

[queenofhearts]

My doc knows I take otc thyroid and that my thyroid tests normal while taking it, so I've never discussed it with him beyond that.

So is Solaray otc? I didn't realise that.

Leah

[Lymetoo]

Know Lyme's has come up before but can't remember if you were tested.

You know that 'false positive's' are kinda normal

did you ever take the vacine against it??? my chiro says that if you did you test will be positive do to vacine.

hugs and prayers

judy

False positives are very RARE! Yes, you will test positive if you've had that G-d awful vaccine, but very few people had that pleasure.

The best test for Lyme disease is through Igenex Lab in CA.....MDL lab is second best. Forget the others!!!!

www.igenex.com

[Guest BERNESES]

Thanks everyone- the reproductive endocrinologist was useless. Seriously, it was like going to a baby factory. He actually said to me, "If all you want is a baby, we can get you a baby." Unprompted by anything I said. I'll use them to get some testing done because it's covered by my insurance but definitely didn't give me that warm fuzzy feeling. Geez!

I actually feel better today. I think I MAY have figured somethings out.

Bloating: percoset (took it last week for headache- prescribed in ER. I'm pretty sure it was this because I woke up all bloated again today after having narcotics for my colonoscopy.

This may have been what happened. First I took the Keflex which definitely weakened my system and gave me diarrhea. Then I think my system was further weakened about a week later when I got glutened by Sensodyne.Then I did the flagyl for C diff.

The flagyl stopped the D but made me very nauseous. At the end of my round of flagyl, looking back, my fridge had started malfunctioning and I think I ate some chicken that was bad so I think MAYBE the C-Diff was gone but I may have had food poisoning.

For some reason I've felt better since taking that *bogus* stuff to clean out for the colonoscopy. I'm wondering if maybe it wiped out some of the bad stuff. I had more energy today than I have in the last month.

[Lymetoo]

Yea, I hope you can now begin to heal!!!!