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What Causes Severe Fatigue Muscle Cramps And Brain Fog?
Question: Hi, I am a 47yo male and have had severe fatigue, muscle cramps, brain fog which started last year. I've had fatigue through most of my adult life along with cold hands and feet. I now have carpal tunnel which started a few years ago but has gotten worse. The cramps are so severe I had to stop running. I am in pretty good shape, but my workouts have taken a hit. My primary care physician ordered blood test and he considers them normal. I don't. I'm on the low side of the scale for red and white blood cell count, low end for free T4 (0.9), the high end for TSH (3.5) and high side for ANA (1:180). While on prednisone a few months back, I actually felt better, stronger, clearer. As soon as I came off pred, right back to tired, sore and cloudy. Should I get a second opinion and from what type of doctor. Thank you.
I should add that since this all started, I have tried to improve other areas in my life to see if that helps. I have cut out all soda for the past 7 weeks. That was a daily habit for 20+ years and I may have been self medicating my fatigue. Since cutting out soda, I even more tired, have dry mouth and the cramps are worse.
I should add that since this all started, I have tried to improve other areas in my life to see if that helps. I have cut out all soda for the past 7 weeks. That was a daily habit for 20+ years and I may have been self medicating my fatigue. Since cutting out soda, I even more tired, have dry mouth and the cramps are worse.
Brief Answer:
Seems like inflammation of some glands
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for your query.
I read your query and I agree with you that something is gong wrong. It seems like an inflammation going in some parts of your body like neurons, thyroid gland, muscles, salivary glands. I won't consider it subclinical because you have symptoms, but nothing much is showing up on your tests. Regarding your muscle cramps, I am not sure if you gotten blood calcium levels and parathyroid hormone levels checked. If you could upload your test results, I would be better able to help.
The cause for this inflammation could be a chronic infection, autoimmune, etc. The fact that it gets better with prednisone points more towards autoimmune than infection. Though inflammation secondary to some infections like fungal infection get better with it too. Low WBC counts could be due to steroid therapy or part of autoimmune process
Autoimmune has a progressive course. While infections if found can be controlled. Since your WBC levels are in low-normal range, I would suggest that you take precautions to avoid unnecessary bacterial infections. One of the precautions would be to take more fruits (oxidant rich) and drink cleanest water with lowest PPM possible. It may help combating with inflammation issues as well.
I would suggest that you consult a rheumatologist to check if you are developing lupus.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Dr Vaishalee
Seems like inflammation of some glands
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for your query.
I read your query and I agree with you that something is gong wrong. It seems like an inflammation going in some parts of your body like neurons, thyroid gland, muscles, salivary glands. I won't consider it subclinical because you have symptoms, but nothing much is showing up on your tests. Regarding your muscle cramps, I am not sure if you gotten blood calcium levels and parathyroid hormone levels checked. If you could upload your test results, I would be better able to help.
The cause for this inflammation could be a chronic infection, autoimmune, etc. The fact that it gets better with prednisone points more towards autoimmune than infection. Though inflammation secondary to some infections like fungal infection get better with it too. Low WBC counts could be due to steroid therapy or part of autoimmune process
Autoimmune has a progressive course. While infections if found can be controlled. Since your WBC levels are in low-normal range, I would suggest that you take precautions to avoid unnecessary bacterial infections. One of the precautions would be to take more fruits (oxidant rich) and drink cleanest water with lowest PPM possible. It may help combating with inflammation issues as well.
I would suggest that you consult a rheumatologist to check if you are developing lupus.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Dr Vaishalee
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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