naturegirl

Most of my symptoms come and go and are sometimes much worse than other times.

Since June 2012, I periodically get the following symptoms, all at the same time, in what I consider to be 'episodes'. The onset is sudden:

Swollen abdomen

Nausea (much worse at night/ in early morning)

Stomach cramps (much worse at night/ sometimes eating helps)

Swollen glands (in neck - near tonsils)

Swollen lymph nodes (groin, armpits, neck, knees...) - I think these are my lymph nodes (but could also be some other kind of gland?)

Aching joints (hips, knees, elbows, small joints in fingers, toes...)

Headache (tight band around top of head)

Lack of appetite

Extreme fatigue

Brain fog

Sense of despair/ cry easily - that feels more physical than just a response to other symptoms

Painful urination (as though urine itself is irritating)

Sore throat

Slightly hoarse voice

Itchy acne like rash on forehead - like lots of tiny pimples beneath the skin (nowhere else - usually appears after other symptoms have subsided)

Weakness

Muscle aches

Dry/gritty eyes

Photosensitivity (hurts my eyes to drive at night, look at a computer screen...)

Hypersensitive to smells

General malaise / feel like I'm getting the flu

Chills and feel hot at same time (prefer to be warm though)

'Buzzing' in my head (not a sound - more a sensation)

Only option seems to be to 'sleep it off'

I first got this collection of symptoms and it lasted around 3 days in June 2009 (just after having the Mirena IUD inserted - not sure if related, might just be a weird coincidence). When I do not have them, I feel mostly like a healthy person in my early 30's... but unfortunately they come frequently, sometimes weekly, sometimes bi-weekly, and are getting in the way of all aspects of my life (work, relationship, travel...).

The other symptoms/issues that I have are more ongoing and I've had these issues since childhood, although some have got worse in the last couple of years. Frequently getting very painful UTI's /kidney infections (this has vastly improved since I recently started doing bladder instillations - life-changing!) and gynecological issues (pain, inflammation, irritation, fissures...). I've had these issues since being around age 8.

I've been gluten-free (and dairy light) since July 2009, which has helped me a LOT with my 'baseline' GI issues (bloating, diarrhea, flatulence, cramping, gurgling...). But not with these other symptoms (that started almost at same time.