Concerns: (1) Protruding/painful veins (2) nerve pain and muscle weakness.

(I am a 47 year old woman, 5'7" 125 lbs) About three weeks ago I began to notice the veins in my forearms, hands, ankles and feet were protruding. They get much worse with heat and exercise. I certainly realize that veins protrude with exertion– but this is not what I’m describing. While it occurred periodically before, it is now always visible and is associated with an increase in pain, numbing and tingling; it also literally feels like the veins are swelling. The only relief I get is when I elevate them and when associated with exercise – when my body cools down.

I have had a history of pain, numbing and tingling in these areas for the past year. Although I've seen several specialists and have had plenty of tests (nerve conductivity, blood work, TSH...) nothing conclusive has been found. At the onset of the nerve pain, I also had an unexplained weight loss of about 12 pounds (over a 5 month period) and my muscles had greatly atrophied. Although I have always been very active, an undiagnosed heart ischemia (about 18 month) limited me since I would get severe chest pain with exertion (a heart catheterization was normal). Blood work at the time of the CAT showed very low ferritin levels (and high Fe binding). Other nutrients were also low and my good cholesterol, I was told, was at “starvation” levels. Don’t get the wrong idea – I was eating… I love to cook and eat but I was also dealing with pretty bad reflux. Unexpectedly, following the heart cath I began to have severe muscle weakness and nerve pain. I literally felt crippled with pain and fatigue.

My best guess is that whatever I’m dealing with now was brought on by the mild “trauma” of the heart cath procedure. I’m sure what didn’t help was that when they took me back for the pre-procedure blood work I handed the technician a script for other blood work my doctor had requested. I had no idea how much blood she would withdraw – three times I asked her to stop drawing but she just ignored me – she must have drawn at least 8 vials. I image if my ferritin levels were already at 8 – taking that much blood didn’t help.

Jump forward almost one year – I’m still about 10 pound lighter (125) – (I haven’t been this thin since high school) but thankfully, I’m no longer losing weight. I still do not have a definitive diagnosis but changing to a gluten-free diet has made a difference. I also began swimming back in August and this really helped. My ferritin levels are up to about 55 and my cholesterol and other blood work is also fine. Although I look fit – I still do not have sustained muscle strength. I fatigue easily and despite swimming (45 minutes) 3 times weekly, I don’t feel in “shape” – something’s definitely still not right. Part of this is likely due to whatever is causing my ongoing nerve pain. For whatever reason, the nerve pain seemed to be getting much better until about 3 weeks ago.

Over the past year my blood pressure has been monitored – Nov & Dec it began to spike (readings ranged from 148 - 177 / 99 - 110). I was put on Norvasck in early April. It successfully lowered my blood pressure but I began to have terrible heart palpitations. My normal resting heart rate is between 48 – 55, it was now up to 77 – 84 (normal for some people, but pretty bad for me - I felt like I was in constant exercise mode and I was losing weight). About 7 days later at the suggestion of my doctor I cut the dose in half. Good news: my blood pressure is normal and the heart palpitations are gone. Unfortunately – just after the palpitations stopped I noticed these protruding veins in my hands that get worse with heat and exertion.

As I previously noted, associated with this is an increase in pain and a “prickling” sensation and also the sensation that the veins are swelling. Needless to say is also looks awful. I understand this happens to most people with exercise and it is normal – but believe me – this is not the same. Also, the nerve and muscular pain is worse than ever throughout my body. I cut the grass today and when I was done – the veins were protruding and the pain was intense. It was a beautiful day – nice and cool, I can’t imagine what it will be like when the heat sets in. Please help!

I am taking the following supplements: calcium, magnesium, Vit D & B, a multivitamin, lysine, glycine, zinc and a natural supplement for menopause.