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Hi, Back in November I suffered with some sort of a virus that kept me bedridden for about a week. After that virus, I was left with a severe case of Prostatitis and a Pericardial Effusion(water on Heart). I was put on Ibuprofen, Diclofenac, and various antibiotics. Two weeks later I became very lightheaded and felt faint, with chest pain and short of breathe and went to the ER. I was admitted for monitoring. That evening I became so dizzy I could not move. They gave me Meclizine. I then began to have severe abdominal pain. The next day I had an Endoscopy which was normal. Xrays that were normal. Ct scan of my belly, which was normal. An MRI-MRA of my brain, which was normal. Bloodtests were normal. I then had a Pharmachological nuclear stress test as I could not stand from the vertigo. Stress test was normal, but I suffered from terrible discomfort from the stress test. My abdomen hurt so bad and my chest-lungs felt like they would explode. Three more days in the hospital with worsening symptoms of chest pain, left side to middle, excrutiating pain in lower,middle and upper abdomen, as well as lightheadedness, dizzyness, and a nerve pain that went up and down my spine, legs,arms and groin. Doctors ordered stool tests which came back normal. After that stress test, I had a drop in blood pressure of about 15 points and my heart rate which ran at about 85-90, dropped to 60. 50 When I sleep. That is where it has remained to this day. I believe that nuclear biohazard almost killed me. I was released on the 5th day sicker than when I went in. No diagnosis. I went home and followed up with an internest. He tested my blood and stool again for various heavy metals, bacterias, and disease specific blood tests. All came back farely normal. I did find out that my bloodtests in the hospital were slightly bad in the liver. Albumin was raised and Gamma GT was extremely raised. Also heard I was dehydrated and my sugar was low, then slightly high then normal upon leaving the hospital. I went to a Urologist for several visits and had many rectals and a CT Urogram which was normal except for a bit of seminal vesicle inflamation and a prostate inflamation. I had a prostate ultrasound and a systoscope(sp?) More and more antibiotics which tore up my belly. Then I was told after having a venous dopplar that I had a clot in my arm from the IV's. Then started an aspirin regimen(650mg) for 3 months added to the ibuprofen(600mg a day) Diclofenac, simvastatin for cholesterol, carbamazepine for mood and nerve disorder, and still more stomach eating antibiotics. I was also put on Bentyl for the stomach pain and Nexium. Both of which did nothing. I went to a cardiologist at least 4 times and he did a Ct scan of my chest to look for clots and to check my heart, a halter monitor, an event monitor, EKG's, 2 echocardiograms and said my heart was ok. Two months after the hospital stay and after 5 CT scans, three of my chest, and two of my belly-genital region and dozens of more blood tests, the doctors all agreed I was on too many medicines that could be causing conflicts. I was taken off all medicines. Two weeks later my belly began to swell. Nerve pain was now all over my body. From head to toe. I had severe trouble breathing with stabbing pains all over my belly, genitals, neck,arms,back, and head. I went to three different Gastroenterologists and had barium swallows, an enteroscopy, more stool tests, more bloodtests for celiac, Iron deficiancy, vitamin deficiency. Thyroid tests and liver function tests. All came back normal, yet my abdomen continued to swell and be hard as a rock 24/7. I then was sent for a gastric emtying test which was normal. Doctor said I may have a bit of a fast metabolism but not Gastroparesis(paralysis of the stomach) I was sent for 24 hour cortisol test which showed a slightly hi cortisol but I was in pain and nervous so It may have been nothing. I was checked for lead poisoning and that was negative. I continued to see my family doctor to no avail and saw another Neurologist for the nerve pain and lightheadedness. He gave me Carbamazepine again for the nerve pain. I was on it for about 10 days when another doctor got upset with that decision and took me off it again. The doctors started to say at different appointments about a Neuropathy. I saw a neurosurgeon and he said that I need a good neurologist and a nerve conduction test. Nerve test turned out normal. The little nerves that are in your legs and back and genitals and stomach etc. cannot be tested. I went to a Tertiary hospital to see a better Neurologist, and he was a waste. He did reflex tests and blood pressure tests and said that I should go to the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota for a possible Autonomic Dysfunction, cause my blood pressure swings with positioning too much. My heart rate swings too much. Mt digestive system tests normal, but I still have pains everyday and still after 5 months, have a distended hardened abdomen which causes bad shortness of breath at times and palpitation( pounding heartbeat) regularly. I also have bad lightheadedness most of the day every day. I get nausea and throw up from time to time. It seems that although my belly never shrinks anymore, that after I eat, it swells even worse and I get terrible SOB and irregular heart beats. I am now seeing an Endocrinologist which is running a bunch of tests. If they are normal, I will have to somehow go a thousand miles to the Mayo Clinic for my last hope. I apologize for such a long post. I appreciate any advice from doctors or people who have the same things going on. Right now, my symptoms are bad back pain from tailbone to my head. Mostly in the lower back. A swollen, distended abdomen with rigitity. Difficulty breathing, lightheadedness,pains in my head, swings of constipation to diahrea and still that never ending chest pain on the left breast area and palpitations. I am no longer on any meds. The doctors don't want to make things worse with the symptoms when they cannot figure out what is causing them. Since November, I have lost 30 plus pounds without dieting. Although my appetite was bad, I forced myself to eat and even drink protein drinks like ensure or boost. I did notice that I get sick after drinking Ensure and soymilk. Diahrea and vomiting. I also was taking Lorazepam for a number of months cause the illness scared the pants off me. I have stopped that medicine almost cold turkey. I am getting some withdrawal from that. No diagnosis as to what is swelling my belly, causing all this pain and lightheadedness. Before November I was fairly healthy. Although, about 2 years ago, I lost almost 25 pounds very quickly without dieting and my gastro doctor could not diagnose anything then either. I had at that time, lower left abdomen pain ongoing for months. Now, most of the pain in my belly is either in my lower right abdomen, or a little discomfort under my breastbone, but that can be from the swollen belly? I have not had any scans of my belly since it has swelled. They just refer back to the CT scans prior to the swelling. I am at wits end. The doctors all agree on a few things. I am sick, my symptoms are real cause they can see my swollen belly, but they have a mystery that they cannot diagnose. Thanks for reading and any help you can give me. I am a 38 year old male. No drugs, no smoking, no drinking. Thank you. Brad

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Dear Brad: I sympathize with you, so much. What a terrible experience. As I continued reading, I saw that you've seen the specialists that I would have advised. Here's my only other thought, however morbid so please forgive me. Is it possible that you are being poisoned? I know that there are very specific tests that check for poisoning, i.e. rat poisoning. I'm just trying to be helpful, but it does happen. There are chemicals that you could be ingesting, (whether you intend to or not), that will not be detected unless the doctors are specifically looking for it. As much as we don't want to admit it, this type of thing happens. Check it out. Again, I apologize for my inquiry, but my only intention is to help you find answers. Please get back to us with an update. I wish you the best.
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Hi Thanks for your reply. Since my post I have seen another gastro Dr. and had more bloodtests and a Capsule endoscopy done. I am awaiting those results. My Cardiologist said that he feels that a autonomic dysfunction is the cause of my ills and that I need to see a BIG Neurologist for that. However he said that he would do an invasive angiogram to make sure my heart is ok. He also said that he does not feel that he will find a problem. I am cancelling that test. If he is not concerned then why do that test. My PCP said that if it was him, he would not take the angiogram. So, I am having an ultrasound of my abdomen and kidneys tomorrow for the second time, then I am trying to go to the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. My insurance will fight it. I have exhausted every avenue here in PA. I now have to try and go out of network. I was tested for some poisons early on by an internist. Mercury, arsenic, etc. I was tested for heavy metals as well like lead. All tests came back normal. Meanwhile i continue to be very lightheaded, and my heart has slowed down. I feel a pressure in my head and ears. My abdomen is still hard and swollen. I have a lot of back pain and labored breathing still as well. My only problematic bloodtests after 5 months of suffering are very high insulin(but normal sugar) and high LDL cholesterol and very low vitamin D. I am on medicine for the vitamin D. 50,000 iu's of D per week. No statins for the cholesterol cause of the mystery illness. Nor are they treating the high insulin. The endocrinologist said that I may be pre-diabetic and to wait and see. Well if I didn't have to "wait and see" for the last 5 months, I may not be pre-diabetic. My bloodtests were coming back normal, but there is only so long a sick body can take the abuse. Then start to fail. Thanks for your inquiry. Brad
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I am so glad that you are continuing on your quest to get answers. You seem to be on the right track there. I hope that you will keep us updated with your "progress." I know that you will find answers. Don't quit. I hope that there is a member out there you will be able to give you additional info that will help you...Stay in touch.
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Hello, I went to the Gastroenterologist this past week. He is stumped. Cannot find the reason for my abdominal swelling and pain. I told him of my constant lightheadedness and terrible back pain in my entire spine and he shrugged his shoulders. It seems that when you mention a symptom that is not gastrointestinal, or whatever that doctors specialty, they shrug you off instead of tying symptoms together. I read on the internet that nerve inpingement in the thoracic spine can give many gastrointestinal pains and chest pains as well but he just didn't want to listen. I told him about the terrible back pain and in certain postions my breathing is laboured and I get lightheaded when the back pain gets real bad and nothing. He is sending me to a larger facility in a major city. He said he will get on it as soon as he returns from vacation. Can you believe that? One phone call or fax and I am in, and he wants to wait till he returns from vacation. He said my bloodtests came back fairly ok, but I got copies and read them and was stunned. The lab tells you if something is low, hi, abnormal or critical. I CAN read. My Albumin was hi, my bilirubin was hi, my calcium was hi, my protein in the blood was way too hi, my insulin was hi, but he didn't even review those things with me. He figured I would never see the results. Also the lower number on the blood pressure was over 90. It consistantly runs over 90. I was healthy as a horse prior to that virus in the middle of November and now I am a shell of a 38 year old man feeling about 90 years old and sick. As soon as I eat my belly swells. I think it all stems from that virus and is centered in my spinal cord but cannot get anyone to listen. He said the more you think about little pains and sprains you develop a kind of phobia. PHOBIA THIS! I lost over 60 pounds since the end of 2007 and starting in 2008 I began to gradually lose weight about 1-3 pounds a week all without dieting. I lost 6-8 pounds in the last month alone and that is with eating. They say I am not malabsorbtive so then what is it? I know a Pet Scan would tell us the answers but they refuse to order it. Supposedly the USA has the best medicine but unless you are rich or have a clear cut diagnosis immediately, doctors just don't want to take the time to research and diagnose. They just want to see colds and and sinus infections and the rest of us are left to waste away.

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Hi Again:
This just goes on and on...But I will continue to believe that you will find answers. A first suggestion is for you to bug that doctor's office for the referral to the Mayo Clinic, immediately! They will get tired of your calls and will contact him. I'm sure they will know how to reach him. Start with those calls today. He is on the right track with sending you to a larger hospital. I hope he means a teaching hospital with a reputation for their work in this area. Don't give up...you are moving closer to healing. Please keep me "posted" as you move along, starting with the calls to the md.
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Hi blynn07:
I haven't heard back from you. Are you doing ok? You problem seemed so critical. Have you gotten any answers? Were you able to find a hospital as I advised in my previous post? I really hope that you haven't given up. There is an answer. Have your symptoms gotten better? If so, what have you changed or what do you think the problem is/was? I sincerely hope that something is better since your last post. Please post an update. I'd like to know that you are doing ok. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
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Hello, sorry it's been a while since i posted. My capsule endoscopy was normal. No, I have not given up on my quest for answers but I have slowed down significantly. My abdomen is still swollen and rigid. I still have the stabbing pains throughout my body but they have lessened a bit. I have done nothing different. I am just trying to not dwell on the pain or think about the illness. I let it consume me before and that is just exactly what it did. My advice for anyone reading this and going through an illness that is yet to be diagnosed is as follows; Whatever you do, do not dwell every waking moment. You are going to be in pain whatever your thought process is, so try and just take the pain and see your doctors and don't let the pain discourage you. YES, i am dissappointed in the healthcare system. I have seen as many as 10 specialists and still have no diagnosis, other than Neuropathy(nerve pain). I was denied entrance to the Mayo Clinic as they said they get an overwhelming demand and cannot help everyone. I begged my local doctors to give me a spinal MRI as it seems that the pain stems from my spinal cord, but they denied me over and over. I finally called and begged just short of demanding the MRI and they agreed. I am awaiting the results. I am also waiting to see a world renowned Gastro dr. in Hershey PA. in July. I have stopped all other doctor visits. They wasted my time and gave me no help. They all agreed that I need to go to a big University Hospital, but my insurance denied almost all of them cause they are out of state. My insurance did however get me a one day visit to Mayo, but like I said, they won't take me as a patient until things become dire. So for now, I suffer in silence and stopped all of my complaining and just endure the pains, palpitations, screwed up digestive system and daily lightheadedness, cause there is nothing I can do to help myself anymore for now and there in no sense in letting it take over my life. Yes, I spend a lot of time in the bathroom, and a lot of time in bed, however, I am getting out of the house more and not letting it rule my life. It hasn't killed me, so I will live life as normal as I can. My weightloss has leveled off thank the Lord. It was almost 55 lbs. I am a shadow of what I once was, but I am alive.
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Hey Brad, I'm Will. I was wondering if you could tell me something about my concern. My cousin is feeling sharp pain on his right side, he says it hurts him beneath the ribs. My question is what can it possibly be? And is this serious enough to go to hospital, because we are living on our own, just the two of us, without parents? If we did go to hospital, we would have to call them to pick us up. Is this a serious matter? I read somewhere that it be an indicator of inflamed appendix. All I know that he has slightly swollen stomach.

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Hello, I ran across this site looking for some helpful info for my husband. After reading your blog I swear it sounds exactly like your describing my husband. The things he is going through started April of 2008 and he has been to every doctor and has had every kind of blood work and test done but every thing comes back normal. However, his ANA has been elevated a couple of times but we have been told that there is nothing to worry about. He's going to see his Cardiologist again in about a week for more test on his heart only because he is complaining of the chest pains. My husband has seen Neorolgist for nerve test, Rheumatologist for the elevated ANA, Internal Medicine Doctors, Urolgoist, Gasterologist...you name it he's done it. His symptoms started with extreme light headedness, with tingling in his legs and feet. Now, he has pain in his chest that he says seems to move from side to side depending on what day of the week it is. All of his symptoms seem like it would be SO simple for a doctor to figure out what it is, but apparently WE have to find out what's wrong with him and then tell them what we think it is before they do anything. I believe that if they would just think outside the box we could find out what's wrong with him before he dies! Please keep me posted in your journey. Thanks...from someone who understands what your going through.
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it was no virus,it is a microscopic worm infestation strongyloidasis.Dr Paul Stoopack in N.J. can help you
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PLEASE KEEP ME UP TO DATE ON THIS I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I KNOW EXACTLY HOW YOU FEEL. I HAD THIS ALMOST THREE YEARS AGO FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS. IT SLOWLY WENT AWAY BUT NOW IT HAS JUST CAME BACK. ITS ENOUGH TO SCARE YOU TO DEATH. BUT YOUR RIGHT YOU HAVE GOT TO TRY TO OVERLOOK IT AND KEEP ON GOING. SOME DAYS I FEEL LIKE I AM GETTING BETTER THEN IT GETS WORSE. IT CAN DEPRESS YOU. KEEP YOUR HEAD UP AND KEEP ME POSTED. THANKS.
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ok well i just read that whole thing bekuz it sounds alot like whats happening to me. except i am a 17 year old female. i don't reely wanna go into it kuz i havent had much testing yet but i'd reely like to know whats going on too. the only thing i've thought of that might be what it is is, my teacher or her daughter i kan't remember, was having a hard swelled up belly for like 10 years with pain especially when she'd reposition herself and whatever else. she was testid for aLOT of things for quite a while then they just startid telling her she was a hypocondriak. then FINALLY she went to a doctor who decidid to open her up n look inside. i forgot what they kalled this but what they found was some type of thing similar to cement that had been forming on her insides. it was wrapping around her organs and sticking everything together and hardening. i think what happened was they sergicly removed the stuff and then the symptoms went away. or if that's not it than i reely don't know. i think they should kut you open n look to see what it is. thats what i might ask them to do to me once i get my own insurance and stuff.
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I had a similar mysteioia stomach issues. I went to the Cole Center for Healing in Cincinnati. He has me on the right track.
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Hi you sound just like me....... heart palpitations, pains in left side, losing 3 1/2 stone in just a few months, fatigue beyond anything i've experienced before and i've got 3 children !! i was put on way too many medicines which had a bad impact on my stomach lining causing severe pain and bloating. I was diagnosed with SVT but unfortunately due to other symptoms, which the doc's think came from a virus, made me feel like i was on the brink. The pain in my side, after all medical test came back ok, was put right by my wonderful osteopath, my rib wasn't in its normal place which caused my muscle to swell, this muscle is attached to the diaphram causing me to not be able to eat. She also did my back and neck which my spondelosis in my neck was causing the fluid to not flow correctly throughout my spine which caused me to have dizziness. I felt 100 times better although quite sore for a few days but the nagging pains had gone and i had the best nights sleep in years it was brilliant. My cardiologist specialised in EP studies (similar to angiogram) he found the place which caused the palpitations and did an ablation. This was 2 years ago and i feel great, i do have alot of nerve damaged but in time it will sort itself out but i'm taking Fluoxcetine to help me but a very low dose. I hope this helps as i know all too well what it feels like to be told they don't know whats wrong with you and good luck xx Joanne xx
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