[NaderSl]

Hello, i am 24 male from Lebanon, my quality of life has recently dropped to beyond 0 which left me in a complete agony state.
In my past, i suffered some high depression/anxiety and a bit of ocd where i finally managed to control it all with my brain and it took around 4-5 years to do so, and Paxil (SSRI) drug helped inhibiting my panic attacks by far, but as a cons it limited my emotions and left me a bit zombie-like.

After 1 year of stopping that drug and not being on anything else, i started gymming and developing some good body, however i always used to feel extra exhausted when i lift something and felt like i am always putting insane effort to maintain persistence and endurance during an excercise and totally didn't look anywhere near whats compared with the other gymmers cases, and my muscles always remained stiff and sore for perhaps a week less or more,that was okay i thought i lacked some agility and i have to be patient to reach my goal.
After 6 months of gymming, i had some good body transformation results, then where someday i triggered some FLU-like symptoms after somking a standard Malboro ciggarette (i occasionally smoke due to smoke allergy), these symptoms lasted longer than usual ( around a month+), and it started developing a strange hot-cold sensations in chest and spine,however i did take some anti-flu drugs, i also took some anti-histamines.
When i was starting to recover slowly from that, i went to the gym to training a bit, its where i noticed that the strange hot-cold burning sensation that took over my body increase as i perform so that a stream of burning/cold sensation streams down from top of the head down to my feet as the muscles of my body feel really stiff, after few days of that, i had some strange non explanable panic attack where my musles just kept on contracting so much specially in my neck, and started feeling very cold and shivering, it didn't feel like one of the panic attacks that i was used to and looked a bit more physical to me, however few days after that i got hit with a strange sudden shock sensation accompanied by depersonalization and derealization feelings where i felt detached from the whole world, unable to focus on whatever i look at, brain felt like it had so much distracted noise felt like scrumbled eggs and i was kind of attracked by that noise specially located in my left side of the body (brain essentially) just like a magnet, unable to think clearly, unable to feel, unable to appreciate, lost all morals and sensibilities asif i was a neutral object like a tree, although i can still feel the pure sadness/strangeness/fear/guilt and i can feel rage/hate and can remain in those states forever.
I started developing very bad physical sensations, pressure and dizzyness that occurs only on left side of my body, burning and pressure focus on right hand,back of eye hurts and burns as if its wounded right behind the eyeball, constant burning in ears and in the whole sinus area/respiratory system. The worst part is that i get some strange non-panic attacks randomly which where my sinus,larynx,top of chest become totaly dry and my breath starts to burn that area everytime i enhale, the back of the tongue gets numb and a metallic taste (like blood) popps out in my mouth from no where however there is no signs of blood anywhere, i start feeling tired like i jogged for miles as i start feeling coldness in my nervous system basically located in upper back, its occompanies by some severe confusion and the feelings i have out-side this attack start to amplify, and muscles seem to shiver and contract, for some the pattern i noticed is that this case is more often triggers when there is AC turned on, which would start the attack, and dry up my respiration system, and the only way to decrease it and decrease some other symptoms with it temporary is to drink from and respire in a hot cup of anything, even water.

Exams underwent and came back fine:

• Brain MRI : Tesla 3
• Cervical Spine (Neck) MRI : Tesla 1.5
• Chest X-ray
• CBC and TSH
• Diabetes
• Blood Pressure

The only thing i was diagnosed with was showed via the Sensitivity Allergy Test, which showed that i am allergic to dust mites and some other home parasite, and i've been on a treatment for that for above 3 months now (Turbohaler:Symbicort and Corticosteriod nasal spray:Omnaris), that didn't help eliminating any of my symptoms.

Other things i tried (described by professional doctors) to help decrease my symptoms of which non worked:

• Started another course of Paxil (SSRI) for 6 months increased to 36 mg dailt, had a nil effect, then switched to another course of Cymbalta (SSNRI) for another 6 months, had a nil effect as well so i stopped them all and started a course of high dosage of Amitriptyline HCL and still same thing, however the latter manages to decrease the anxiety i have at times, but that is not the pulpcore of the problem.
  
• Treating any GERD related effects by consuming Esomeprazole 40 mg daily 30 min before breakfast daily, in addition to some other GERD /Ulcer controlling drugs, for 1-2 months, still taking Esomeparazole however.
  
• Consuming daily Magnesium + B6 compound .
  
• Taking a course of 5 B12 shots.
  
• Changing dieting lifestyle towards better.

My personal thoughts and suspections on what i have:
Based on my experience on all the Anxiety/Depression and panic attacks that i had to the level of total bone numbness,shivering,feeling cold and finally managing to handle it and mind control it,despite that i have severe anxiety and depression again now, what i have now feels completely different and looks more like there is some physical cause behind it and it might be a complex of problems, and after the whole year of daily research on the internet and consulting some online doctors after that i consulted so many locals, things i saw matching my criteria could perhaps be one of the following, knowing that i am in no way a health professional, i am just a programmer:

• Fibromyalgia (unknown/debatable cause/solution), all the burning sensations and chronic exhaustion that i have and some other symptoms can relate to this
  
• Yeast infection/ Candidiasis, many doctors don't seem to beleive in this since after a long research it appeared that there is no easy way to fully diagnose this , and that a test called (water-spit) test turned out to be totally unreliable,as doctors require a direct valid proof of its existance, but in a nutshell, its basically when certain bacteria in stomach/intenstines or wherever get overgrown and start releasing toxins into the blood stream that accumelates over time, using a very high-resolution microscope to detect black patches seems to be able to diagnose a suspection. The absolute way to treat it is to stop carbs/sugar in any form contained food, even starchy vegetables, meaning cutting diet down to almost only vegtables, and some non starchy seeds, in addition to aquiring some good source of probiotics, anti-fungal bioproducts (since drugs can cause a sever cut-off phase leading to suffering more intense and sudden symptoms).
  
• Multiple Scerolosis, although i've been tested negative from a professional doctor specialized in MS via a clinincal examination, i just suspected that, as i've heard of some atypical types where clinical diagnoses can be a futile attempt.
• Lyme disease, that is one other thing to diagnose, an infected tick-bite, can cause symptoms leading to anywhere, and matches a big region of symptoms that i suffer from, however i doubt it since i live in Lebanon and there doesn't seem to be such reported cases here.
  
• Chronice Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) which is basically belonging to the fibromyalgia group, some professionals seem to consider them as one while others tend to separate them apart, they basically have a high matching region of symptoms however CFS tends to focus more on chronic fatigueness.

Despite whatever i have, i just have it set to extreme level, i sense that very well, and it prohibits me from almost doing any activity propery,it decreased my cognitional behavior and left me sort of a disabled person, it is so much agony and i am dying to find out what is wrong, i lost all hopes, i have 0 motivation towards anything and is shocked how life can be this random and cruel which let me loose faith as well.

[SnakeCharmer]

Dear Nader, you've had a very thorough medical work-up and the tests seem to rule out many of the worst physical causes. Which is good news, but it doesn't help because you still have the symptoms.

This might not help you, but I can tell you what has worked for me and a friend ...

For about 20 years, I've suffered from severe, all-over burning sensations, including the sensation that I have boiling water running down a limb. I find it helps if I wear very soft fabrics that cover me completely so warm or cool air does not directly touch my skin. Silk works better than any other fabric. Fabrics other people think of as soft feel like sandpaper on my skin. I wear long sleeves even in the hottest of weather, but with soft, light fabrics. It decreases the burning sensation tremendously. For me, walking from the outside where it's hot into an air-conditioned building can trigger a burning episode that lasts for days. Tight belts or undergarments can also cause symptoms. Paradoxically, I find a hot shower -- as hot as I can stand -- can tone down the burning sensation for hours.

I am also a gymmer and I am in good shape. Like you, I experience unusual muscle soreness, even after moderate workouts. I don't have normal flexibility and become stiff unless I work to stay limber every day.

For me, these problems are caused by an auto-immune disease for which there is no easy treatment. I see the doctor regularly for check-ups and blood work so he can make sure no major organ systems are impacted. There are some blood tests your doctor can do for auto-immune disorders that are not part of the CBC test.

I have a friend who suffered from just about all the symptoms you described. All that you mentioned. She had many medical tests that all came back fine. After suffering for several years, she finally accepted the problem was caused by stress. She began a doctor prescribed program of stress reduction, including meditation and learning how to view daily problems as small obstacles instead of looking at each thing as a disaster. It took about six months, but when she practiced the stress reduction exercises daily, she stopped having the symptoms that had plagued her for such a long time.

Her doctor said her physiological response to normal stresses had been so exaggerated that her body was over-reacting to everything, including normal sensations that other people did not find uncomfortable or painful. Her adrenal glands would fire at odd times, causing strange panic attacks and difficulty breathing. The more she worried, the worse the sensations became.

Perhaps a stress reduction program would help you, too. Perhaps your doctor can refer you to someone who could help you learn stress reduction skills. And you might ask about blood tests for auto-immune disorders.

I wish you the best of luck.

Tests that may be done to diagnose an autoimmune disorder may include:

Antinuclear antibody tests
Autoantibody tests
CBC
Comprehensive metabolic panel
C-reactive protein (CRP)
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)
Urinalysis

[NaderSl]

Originally Posted by SnakeCharmer

Dear Nader, you've had a very thorough medical work-up and the tests seem to rule out many of the worst physical causes. Which is good news, but it doesn't help because you still have the symptoms.

This might not help you, but I can tell you what has worked for me and a friend ...

For about 20 years, I've suffered from severe, all-over burning sensations, including the sensation that I have boiling water running down a limb. I find it helps if I wear very soft fabrics that cover me completely so warm or cool air does not directly touch my skin. Silk works better than any other fabric. Fabrics other people think of as soft feel like sandpaper on my skin. I wear long sleeves even in the hottest of weather, but with soft, light fabrics. It decreases the burning sensation tremendously. For me, walking from the outside where it's hot into an air-conditioned building can trigger a burning episode that lasts for days. Tight belts or undergarments can also cause symptoms. Paradoxically, I find a hot shower -- as hot as I can stand -- can tone down the burning sensation for hours.

I am also a gymmer and I am in good shape. Like you, I experience unusual muscle soreness, even after moderate workouts. I don't have normal flexibility and become stiff unless I work to stay limber every day.

For me, these problems are caused by an auto-immune disease for which there is no easy treatment. I see the doctor regularly for check-ups and blood work so he can make sure no major organ systems are impacted. There are some blood tests your doctor can do for auto-immune disorders that are not part of the CBC test.

I have a friend who suffered from just about all the symptoms you described. All that you mentioned. She had many medical tests that all came back fine. After suffering for several years, she finally accepted the problem was caused by stress. She began a doctor prescribed program of stress reduction, including meditation and learning how to view daily problems as small obstacles instead of looking at each thing as a disaster. It took about six months, but when she practiced the stress reduction exercises daily, she stopped having the symptoms that had plagued her for such a long time.

Her doctor said her physiological response to normal stresses had been so exaggerated that her body was over-reacting to everything, including normal sensations that other people did not find uncomfortable or painful. Her adrenal glands would fire at odd times, causing strange panic attacks and difficulty breathing. The more she worried, the worse the sensations became.

Perhaps a stress reduction program would help you, too. Perhaps your doctor can refer you to someone who could help you learn stress reduction skills. And you might ask about blood tests for auto-immune disorders.

I wish you the best of luck.

Thanks for your response and care

You really brought my attention to autoimmune diseases more as i was searching more about it yesterday, specially the Sjrogen syndrome where i have most of my endocrine glands feeling dry, today i want to my trusted professor general doctor (he is really good with diagnoses like a magician), he noticed that my pulse and heart beats weren't really stable and he saw that i have 37.5 temperature, this means that the heat i feel usually might be constant like that as my thermometere might be broken, anyhow he also suspected some immuno disease as i brought it to his attention, so he asked me to test for :

• CBC (was natural 6 months ago)
• TSH (Was natural 6 months ago)
• ANA/ANCA
• Rheumatoid Factor
• ESM
• Anti Sm
• Anti Antiphospholipid
  

[SnakeCharmer]

Nader, I hope your trusted doctor will continue to look for a cause for your discomfort. My blood tests --including thyroid, CBC and Metabolic panel -- are normal some months and swinging wildly in other months. The same with the other tests you mentioned.

If the tests come back normal, I urge you to ask your trusted doctor if he can recommend a stress reduction program and also if he will re-test you in six months time. It took a very long time for me to get a correct diagnosis because my tests did not stay at one level. Then finally they did.

My doctor said he knew there was something wrong with my auto-immune responses but he could not diagnose or treat me until his exams and the tests gave him a clearer indication of what to do. That's why he kept testing me every 4-6 months. It took several years to get a clear picture.

I feel much better when I eat well, avoiding processed food. Lifting weights helps, too, even though I am abnormally sore afterward. Walking at a moderate rate works much better to alleviate symptoms than any other aerobic exercise.

If you do have an auto-immune disorder, it's important to avoid too much exposure to direct sunlight, even though windows. I walk in the early morning and early evening. Also try to avoid extreme temperature changes, such as going from cold air-conditioned building to the hot outdoors whenever you can. It shocks your system.

Those are all things you can put into practice while you're waiting for the doctor to make a diagnosis, which unfortunately may take a long time. At first they feel limiting, but after becoming much less symptomatic, I began to feel a sense of freedom I did not have before. Instead of feeling limited by all the restrictions, I feel relieved and free.

I wish you the best.

[NaderSl]

Thanks again for your response, and yes the sunlight kind of burn my skin in a frostbite manner, as if i was holding a snowball then put my hand in my pocket, it burns in a an annoying way.

The most disturbing thing i am currently suffering in addition to weakness and burning constant sensations is that many times per day i feel like there is something very dry itching between chest/upperback and it crawls up to the back of my head where it put pressure there and i feel pulses and sometimes if this feels intense ill have some metallic/blood-like taste in my mouth, and my neck seems to be sore and stiff, it is very disturbing and i don't feel like a human being anymore to be honest.

Ill update you with my exams sooner or later, thank you again for participating and trying to cheerup

[SnakeCharmer]

Nader, please let me know what your tests and medical exam say. I hope the doctor finds a reason, but please do not feel discouraged if the results come back negative. Sometimes that means that although you feel bad, no disorder has reached a level of causing your internal systems to be damaged. That's a good thing!

I will be waiting to hear how you're doing.

[NaderSl]

Originally Posted by SnakeCharmer

Nader, please let me know what your tests and medical exam say. I hope the doctor finds a reason, but please do not feel discouraged if the results come back negative. Sometimes that means that although you feel bad, no disorder has reached a level of causing your internal systems to be damaged. That's a good thing!

I will be waiting to hear how you're doing.

I performed the tests i mentioned which costed $300 =/, takes a week to 10 days for collection, because some tests require such an incubation period.

Do you think that it is possible to die from whatever symptoms i have without getting a diagnoses? i always am anxious that i'll have a sudden stroke or heart-attack or bleeding, because my symptoms are so severe and i feel like my head/neck/chest has some sort of an infection and i am feeling like i am on a FLU 24/7 muscle contractions and cognitional behaviour

[SnakeCharmer]

Originally Posted by NaderSl

Do you think that it is possible to die from whatever symptoms i have without getting a diagnoses?

Nader, the best person to seek an answer from about that question is your doctor. But I can tell you this ... if you had an on-going infection, it would have shown up in your earlier CBC. Your doctor would have detected signs in your recent exam such as fever or swollen glands or bad color in your skin. Although your temperature was slightly above normal, it was not high enough to cause a doctor to worry. My normal temperature is often similar to the one you reported and blood tests show I have no infection.

The CBC test would also be able to determine if your blood did not have proper clotting factors. But the test was normal and the doctor is testing again. My doctor tests my blood every 4-6 months.

Some auto-immune disorders can be very severe and life-threatening, but the dangerous symptoms show up on blood tests and your doctor can also recognize dangerous symptoms just by examining you. They can recognize symptoms sometimes just by looking at you, without even touching you or using a stethoscope. They can see obvious signs of danger in your eyes, neck, hands and even in the smell of your breath and body.

Because you've just seen your doctor, one you know is competent and trustworthy, it's highly unlikely that you are currently in danger of dying from having a very severe undiagnosed disorder. I am impressed with the tests he's running on you. He is taking a thorough approach.

From what I know, people get into trouble medically when they ignore their symptoms, refuse to seek medical help and when they tax their bodies by doing things that are not good for them, such as excessive drinking or drugs or staying up for several days or not eating or eating very bad food. Severe emotional stress can also make auto-immune disorders worse, so it's important that you use all of your skills to remain calm.

Because you just saw your doctor and because you are doing your best to take care of yourself, it's unlikely your life is in danger while you're waiting for your test results to come back.

I know from my own experience how dreadful it can feel to have these unexplained symptoms. I felt very sick. It scared me. But as bad as I felt at the time, my life was not in danger. It was the quality and enjoyment of my life that was suffering.

The feeling of having the flu is a good description. I often felt that way and the feeling lasted for extended periods of time.

If you are feeling very uncomfortable in the chest area, you might ask your doctor to prescribe you a drug called a beta blocker.

The feelings you described in your head, neck and chest might respond well to this type of drug You might talk to your doctor about this. Beta blockers are relatively safe drugs. They are not controlled substances or drugs that most people would choose to abuse, so doctors are usually not reluctant to prescribe them.

The symptoms you described can be direct symptoms of auto-immune disorders, but they are also symptoms of anxiety. Fortunately, beta blockers work on both kinds of symptoms. Beta blockers work quickly, within half an hour, to relieve those particular symptoms. They probably won't help the flu-like symptoms. If your doctor says it's okay, you might try taking a NSAID drug like ibuprophen, but get your doctor's okay first just to be on the safe side.

If your doctor agrees, it might be worth your while to experiment with beta blockers to relieve the odd feelings in your chest, neck and head. I take a beta blocker called atenolol, but there are many others that are good. He might also recommend a NSAID drug for the flu-like symptoms.

Please let me know how your tests turn out. My thoughts are with you!