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Blurred Vision, Headache, Head And Chest Pain. Have Diverticulosis. Am Constipated And Have Neck Lump. Could This Be Anxiety?

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Posted on Sat, 16 Jun 2012
Question: I am a 39 year old female who for the past year have been having several very odd symptoms and have yet been able to find out why this is happening. I have seen many specialist and have had several tests done but every test comes out okay. Long story short about 1 year ago I was feeling normal until the day I was at my dest at work and all the sudden I blacked out and when I came to my body was shaking uncontrolably, I couldn't walk straight cause I was very weak in my knees and I was extremly light headed and felt like I was going to pass out. I went to the hospital they did an EKG and several other blood tests and everything looked ok and they told me to go see a nerologist. From that day on I have never been the same. My symptoms are as follows: blurred vision at times, headaches, sharp pains in my head and chest that come and go when least expected, fatigue, joint pain, rectal bleeding, very heavy cramp that goes from my neck down into my chest area, tingling in my hands and arms, very cold most days but do get hot flashes when I am sleeping, at times I have a feeling that hurts like my sciatic nerve from my groin area down to my feet - and it takes a few days for this feeling to go away. frequent urination with very bad odor at times, I lost 30 lbs in a little over 30 days for no reason and have not gained any back but have not lost anymore since then. My head feels like I am carrying around a bowling ball. As soon as I wake up it begins. I have had an MRI and Cat scan of my brain, chest X-rays, coratid artery test, 24 hr haltor monitor, EEG, diabetes test, thyroid tested, colonoscopy, several blood test ect........ and all came back fine except the colonoscopy showed I do have diverticulosis. i was constipated and did not have a bowel movement for 20 days - mind you I did not feel bloated or in pain either which was very odd so they did an ultrasound of my colon and they showed no backed feces in my colon at all.... where was it going then??? I now have this lump on my left side of my neck that does not bother me and it does not hurt at all and I have a pea size one under my chin as well. I am probably missing things but this should give you an idea of what I am going through. I have not gone to the doctors for some time now because I am embarrassed the doctors think I am crazy or something but if only they could live in my body for one day to feel what I feel they would understand. I have learned to cope with all of these feeling because its the only thing I can do and it has been a daily thing for me everyday for a year now but my body is really playing games with me and I cannot imagine living with this for the rest of my life. I swear something is triggering all of these things and no one can tell me what. I know you are probably thinking this is aniexty but truth being at my most calmest days my symptoms are worse. could this be aniexty even when I don't feel anxious?? Doctor did prescribe me Xanex to see if it helps but it does nothing. I seriously feel like one day I am going to pass out and that will be it. I just don't understand how one day I can be totally fine then the next day have all these feelings that I cannot explain. My doctor said they have exceded all the tests that he thinks can be done so my only other chance for an answer would be to send me to cleveland clinic for much further testing. I am curious if you possibly have a feeling as to why my body is reacting this way?? I look forward to your insight !!!!
Thank you for your time,
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Prasad J (17 hours later)
Hi,

Thanks for the query.

You have provided with an elaborate history explaining your problem. Though it is an hard task trying to figure / diagnose the condition, I shall try analyzing your symptoms relating to probable medical condition that could be discussed with your primary doctor.

" I am a 39 year old female who for the past year have been having several very odd symptoms and have yet been able to find out why this is happening. I have seen many specialist and have had several tests done but every test comes out okay.

“Long story short about 1 year ago I was feeling normal until the day I was at my dest at work and all the sudden I blacked out and when I came to my body was shaking uncontrolably, I couldn't walk straight cause I was very weak in my knees and I was extremly light headed and felt like I was going to pass out. I went to the hospital they did an EKG and several other blood tests and everything looked ok and they told me to go see a neurologist”....

Sudden black outs could mean syncope or seizure. Sometimes, low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can induce similar symptoms. An expert neurologist can differentiate both the condition. This could be an isolated episode or it might be recurrent condition. May I know what the diagnosis of neurologist was then?

".....From that day on I have never been the same. My symptoms are as follows: blurred vision at times, headaches, sharp pains in my head and chest that come and go when least expected, fatigue, joint pain, rectal bleeding, very heavy cramp that goes from my neck down into my chest area, tingling in my hands and arms, very cold most days but do get hot flashes when I am sleeping, at times I have a feeling that hurts like my sciatic nerve from my groin area down to my feet - and it takes a few days for this feeling to go away. Frequent urination with very bad odor at times, I lost 30 lbs in a little over 30 days for no reason and have not gained any back but have not lost anymore since then. My head feels like I am carrying around a bowling ball. As soon as I wake up it begins......"

Recurring headaches could be due to migraine, tension headache, sinus problems, refractory errors and other causes. Such headaches may present with constitutional symptoms such as blurring of vision, nausea, vomiting and so on.
Heavy cramps going from neck down to chest – might be a feature of indigestion / GERD
Rectal bleeding could be due to local problems such as rectal fissure / hemorrhoids.
Apart from these certain hormonal disturbances such as thyroid hormone dysfunction / ovarian hormone dysfunctions may be a cause.

"....I have had an MRI and Cat scan of my brain, chest X-rays, coratid artery test, 24 hr haltor monitor, EEG, diabetes test, thyroid tested, colonoscopy, several blood test ect........ and all came back fine except the colonoscopy showed I do have diverticulosis.....

It is good to know that most blood tests, including scans, cardiac test, EEG and thyroid test were normal. However few of the conditions such as migraine headaches, GERD are diagnosed based on clinical symptoms. Further it might be worth getting a per rectal examination, upper GI endoscopy tests, regular blood sugar check ups as well as routine blood pressure check ups done to confirm any conditions that were missed. They will also benefit to keep you healthy and fit.

".....i was constipated and did not have a bowel movement for 20 days - mind you I did not feel bloated or in pain either which was very odd so they did an ultrasound of my colon and they showed no backed feces in my colon at all.... where was it going then???....

If this was an isolated event, I would not be concerned. However a recurrence of such symptoms would need probing. Some times electrolyte disturbances or reduced dietary fibre intake can result in major constipation without abdominal pain.

"......I now have this lump on my left side of my neck that does not bother me and it does not hurt at all and I have a pea size one under my chin as well.
How big is this lump. Small nodular lumps in the neck are due to lymphnode enlargement. They are clinically not significant unless any secondary changes / increase in the number of lymphnodes are seen. In such cases a biopsy of the lymphnode is entailed.

I am probably missing things but this should give you an idea of what I am going through. I have not gone to the doctors for some time now because I am embarrassed the doctors think I am crazy or something but if only they could live in my body for one day to feel what I feel they would understand. I have learned to cope with all of these feeling because its the only thing I can do and it has been a daily thing for me everyday for a year now but my body is really playing games with me and I cannot imagine living with this for the rest of my life. I swear something is triggering all of these things and no one can tell me what. I know you are probably thinking this is aniexty but truth being at my most calmest days my symptoms are worse. could this be aniexty even when I don't feel anxious?? Doctor did prescribe me Xanex to see if it helps but it does nothing.
Anxiety and other psychological factors are considered as the cause when no other appropriate cause for your medical condition is found. It needs regular medication (which may need to be modified according to your needs) along with behavioral therapy and stress reducing measures such as physical exercise, regular diet, yoga, meditation and so on. I seriously feel like one day I am going to pass out and that will be it. I just don't understand how one day I can be totally fine then the next day have all these feelings that I cannot explain. My doctor said they have exceded all the tests that he thinks can be done so my only other chance for an answer would be to send me to cleveland clinic for much further testing. I am curious if you possibly have a feeling as to why my body is reacting this way?? I look forward to your insight !!!!
Thank you for your time,........."

I understand it is a hard time dealing all these symptoms and trying to find a cause for it. It might be possible that there could be multiple factors (as mentioned above) causing the symptoms. You may discuss with your primary physician about these possibilities too.
Lastly, if no significant pathology is found, consulting a psychiatrist for proper medication and therapies might prove beneficial.

Hope I have given you some insights on your problem.

Wish you good luck.

Best Regards
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Dr. Prasad J

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2005

Answered : 3708 Questions

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Blurred Vision, Headache, Head And Chest Pain. Have Diverticulosis. Am Constipated And Have Neck Lump. Could This Be Anxiety?

Hi,

Thanks for the query.

You have provided with an elaborate history explaining your problem. Though it is an hard task trying to figure / diagnose the condition, I shall try analyzing your symptoms relating to probable medical condition that could be discussed with your primary doctor.

" I am a 39 year old female who for the past year have been having several very odd symptoms and have yet been able to find out why this is happening. I have seen many specialist and have had several tests done but every test comes out okay.

“Long story short about 1 year ago I was feeling normal until the day I was at my dest at work and all the sudden I blacked out and when I came to my body was shaking uncontrolably, I couldn't walk straight cause I was very weak in my knees and I was extremly light headed and felt like I was going to pass out. I went to the hospital they did an EKG and several other blood tests and everything looked ok and they told me to go see a neurologist”....

Sudden black outs could mean syncope or seizure. Sometimes, low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can induce similar symptoms. An expert neurologist can differentiate both the condition. This could be an isolated episode or it might be recurrent condition. May I know what the diagnosis of neurologist was then?

".....From that day on I have never been the same. My symptoms are as follows: blurred vision at times, headaches, sharp pains in my head and chest that come and go when least expected, fatigue, joint pain, rectal bleeding, very heavy cramp that goes from my neck down into my chest area, tingling in my hands and arms, very cold most days but do get hot flashes when I am sleeping, at times I have a feeling that hurts like my sciatic nerve from my groin area down to my feet - and it takes a few days for this feeling to go away. Frequent urination with very bad odor at times, I lost 30 lbs in a little over 30 days for no reason and have not gained any back but have not lost anymore since then. My head feels like I am carrying around a bowling ball. As soon as I wake up it begins......"

Recurring headaches could be due to migraine, tension headache, sinus problems, refractory errors and other causes. Such headaches may present with constitutional symptoms such as blurring of vision, nausea, vomiting and so on.
Heavy cramps going from neck down to chest – might be a feature of indigestion / GERD
Rectal bleeding could be due to local problems such as rectal fissure / hemorrhoids.
Apart from these certain hormonal disturbances such as thyroid hormone dysfunction / ovarian hormone dysfunctions may be a cause.

"....I have had an MRI and Cat scan of my brain, chest X-rays, coratid artery test, 24 hr haltor monitor, EEG, diabetes test, thyroid tested, colonoscopy, several blood test ect........ and all came back fine except the colonoscopy showed I do have diverticulosis.....

It is good to know that most blood tests, including scans, cardiac test, EEG and thyroid test were normal. However few of the conditions such as migraine headaches, GERD are diagnosed based on clinical symptoms. Further it might be worth getting a per rectal examination, upper GI endoscopy tests, regular blood sugar check ups as well as routine blood pressure check ups done to confirm any conditions that were missed. They will also benefit to keep you healthy and fit.

".....i was constipated and did not have a bowel movement for 20 days - mind you I did not feel bloated or in pain either which was very odd so they did an ultrasound of my colon and they showed no backed feces in my colon at all.... where was it going then???....

If this was an isolated event, I would not be concerned. However a recurrence of such symptoms would need probing. Some times electrolyte disturbances or reduced dietary fibre intake can result in major constipation without abdominal pain.

"......I now have this lump on my left side of my neck that does not bother me and it does not hurt at all and I have a pea size one under my chin as well.
How big is this lump. Small nodular lumps in the neck are due to lymphnode enlargement. They are clinically not significant unless any secondary changes / increase in the number of lymphnodes are seen. In such cases a biopsy of the lymphnode is entailed.

I am probably missing things but this should give you an idea of what I am going through. I have not gone to the doctors for some time now because I am embarrassed the doctors think I am crazy or something but if only they could live in my body for one day to feel what I feel they would understand. I have learned to cope with all of these feeling because its the only thing I can do and it has been a daily thing for me everyday for a year now but my body is really playing games with me and I cannot imagine living with this for the rest of my life. I swear something is triggering all of these things and no one can tell me what. I know you are probably thinking this is aniexty but truth being at my most calmest days my symptoms are worse. could this be aniexty even when I don't feel anxious?? Doctor did prescribe me Xanex to see if it helps but it does nothing.
Anxiety and other psychological factors are considered as the cause when no other appropriate cause for your medical condition is found. It needs regular medication (which may need to be modified according to your needs) along with behavioral therapy and stress reducing measures such as physical exercise, regular diet, yoga, meditation and so on. I seriously feel like one day I am going to pass out and that will be it. I just don't understand how one day I can be totally fine then the next day have all these feelings that I cannot explain. My doctor said they have exceded all the tests that he thinks can be done so my only other chance for an answer would be to send me to cleveland clinic for much further testing. I am curious if you possibly have a feeling as to why my body is reacting this way?? I look forward to your insight !!!!
Thank you for your time,........."

I understand it is a hard time dealing all these symptoms and trying to find a cause for it. It might be possible that there could be multiple factors (as mentioned above) causing the symptoms. You may discuss with your primary physician about these possibilities too.
Lastly, if no significant pathology is found, consulting a psychiatrist for proper medication and therapies might prove beneficial.

Hope I have given you some insights on your problem.

Wish you good luck.

Best Regards