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Suggest Treatment For Weakness, Muscle Loss And Swollen Legs While Having Crohn's Disease

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Posted on Fri, 10 Jun 2016
Question: I have Crohn's disease with very weak immune system. Over months I have only craved candy to eat, very tired and weak, muscle loss(can't open jars, pill bottles) swollen legs feet and ankles, while upper body has disappeared, ribs on one side don't round out they caved in(I can push hard with my chest outward and the bottom rib will pop back out) the other side below nipple indents about a inch length. Loss eye sight(got glasses), no short term memory, chest pain, rapid heart beat, confusion, shortness of breathe, these are kinda normal to me, then one day I had scabs and bumps on my scalp, I thought lice maybe, I used a tea tree oil and peppermint, things came out and seemed to bite into my back. I colored my hair and the developer(peroxide, ammonia) made all this fatty like globs come out into the sink when I washed color out(like globs of butter). I noticed more and more moles/freckles, some had black things in the middle then they started to rise and at night would be painful like trying to escape through the skin, if I scratched they would scab and not heal unless black c shaped thing and white tiny balls were all, forcefully, removed. Scabs look like examples of basal cell carcinoma. Hair falling out in patches all over head, then started in Pubic region. Then my flare up dried completely up and I had to literally go in to get hardened dry bm out. Then I had a large mass in between bladder and bowel. Every night I was so crazy over feeling crawling all over and pain in my muscles and bones. I took laxatives and what looked like hundreds of c shaped things came out for over two days each bm about 20 or so times a day. Then small worm looking things in green goo. That brings me to today. With that I have grooves/indents all over my skull, ridges just inside vaginal wall and what feels like the tiny worms in gums and throat. What do I do? Doctor won't take this seriously. She doesn't even physically examine me
doctor
Answered by Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Consultation

Detailed Answer:
Hello, and thanks for your question.

I'm sorry you are going through such a difficult time. Here are my thoughts.

I think while you are working with your doctor to figure out what is the cause of your physical problems, I would also address the significant anxiety this is causing you. Anxiety can worsen physical symptoms, in addition to causing a lot of mental anguish. I would urge you to visit a psychiatrist to consider treatment for anxiety. This treatment may also help alleviate some of the physical symptoms you have. Typical treatment for anxiety consists of an SSRI antidepressant such as sertraline combined with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). This combination treatment is highly effective, and I believe it would help you.

Please remember to rate and close this answer when you are finished and satisfied.

In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me directly at my private link below. After you ask a direct question, it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (tinyurl.com/psyrank). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, and individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private link: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (14 hours later)
Thank you for reply. I actually just started seeing a psychiatrist a few weeks ago and have my second appointment tomorrow. I have been put on Zoloft but hasn't been long enough to see any results and have been given Ativan but only 7 pills at a time, my doctor is against it and has only prescribed three times over a year. I grow a tolerance for anything I've been prescribed. I had oxy after dental work when I was 18 and after two days it wasn't helping so I was taking two every two hours, not understanding the risk at that age. I have only ever had horrible side effects from steroids. I thought I was going nuts the first close to dozen or so anxiety attacks I had, The worst was 36 hour long, I caved myself under blankets, boiling hot and barely breathing, I was terrified of my sister who I lived with, and the only thing I could say was I don't know. I'm having the worst time with the health care system here. I know, free, but you don't have a say, you wait months to years for tests, scans, I see my specialist twice a year for 15 minutes. I stay in my house alone most days all day, and cancel my work appointments frequently, which I maybe work up to a few hours a week. I grow frustrated not having energy to do anything I resort to other drugs which helps for that day then I'm more anxious and depressed and more frustrated about that, then days pass and I sleep acouple. But after the extreme tiredness wears it all starts again and I want to be able to do something but can't, get mad and here it goes again. I used to play every sport, I renovated my entire house myself, I cooked extravagant meals, I worked hard and played like a kid, I'm not me anymore and I don't like this life and anyone in it now cause everyone treats me completely different, either with pity or with their own worry and frustration. Even doctors. I can't find a way back so I need someone that can lead me there. I got no answers here
doctor
Answered by Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (11 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Followup

Detailed Answer:
This is surely a difficult road, but I recommend exercising patience and allowing the new medications you are taking some time to work. Give them a try, they are effective for most people. Hopefully in due time you will start to feel better.

Please remember to rate and close this answer when you are finished and satisfied.

Regards.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Deepak
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Answered by
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Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2014

Answered : 2236 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Weakness, Muscle Loss And Swollen Legs While Having Crohn's Disease

Brief Answer: Consultation Detailed Answer: Hello, and thanks for your question. I'm sorry you are going through such a difficult time. Here are my thoughts. I think while you are working with your doctor to figure out what is the cause of your physical problems, I would also address the significant anxiety this is causing you. Anxiety can worsen physical symptoms, in addition to causing a lot of mental anguish. I would urge you to visit a psychiatrist to consider treatment for anxiety. This treatment may also help alleviate some of the physical symptoms you have. Typical treatment for anxiety consists of an SSRI antidepressant such as sertraline combined with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). This combination treatment is highly effective, and I believe it would help you. Please remember to rate and close this answer when you are finished and satisfied. In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me directly at my private link below. After you ask a direct question, it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (tinyurl.com/psyrank). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, and individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private link: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers