Question: First, I have been healthy all my life. I am fit (exercise 3x a week). My diet is basically vegetarian (heavy on whole foods and greens), and I have had no ailments. My cholesterol is high but I have low BP. The only med I take is levothyroxine… The illness I have now started with a sense of mild cystitis. Next day, I awoke with a severe pain – the worst I have ever felt – in left lower left abdomen. It was so intense I vomited. I retched violently and repeatedly in several episodes till I thought my head would explode. Because I was traveling in a rural area for work, I could not see a doctor.… For the next 36 hours, I had only cranberry juice, water and Advil. And bed rest. The “cystitis" feeling went away. Then I ate a salad. A few hours later, I had another episode: intense pain in my lower left abdomen followed by violent, head-splitting retching stomach juices…. Then the headaches started. Then I was walking and my legs and arms buckled under me. Twice. (No dizziness. Just loss of limb control.)… For the last 6 days I have had headaches that are mild to severe. They largely go away w Advil but return if forget to take Advil every 6 hrs. I have also had low fever and some occasional vision blur at sides when I stand. My legs buckled under me again a few times when the sudden headache came on. Headache sometimes is on top of head, sometimes back... (this morning it is front left, but usually it is top back of head.)… I feel very weak. Have been largely working when I can from bed. Walking around too much is exhausting. A complete physical has revealed nothing except very mild bladder infection (still) and abnormally high levels of Vitamin D (114), which is odd, because usually my D3 is on the low side. I do not take supplements. My GP is stumped. Thank you for helping. –Cornelia Ravenal

Dear Dr. Shoman -

Thank you very much for your detailed and quick reply. I have another question: In the last few hours, I began to have cystitis symptoms again. Ie., while urinating, I feel a stinging feeling and get chills. The headaches have also returned. Could these be part of a renal problem?

( I have a pelvic sonogram scheduled for Monday. I will ask also for a blood test for kidney functions and parathyroid hormone. But I am concerned now about the cystitis return.)

~Cornelia Ravenal