E.m.d. (Recluse, Wy Usa) on 01/16/2011
I'm a twenty-nine year old female with an undiagnosed health condition. I've had this condition to varying degrees for as long as I can remember. It worsened around the time I was twelve, backed off a bit for about thirteen years, and got very bad after I had our beautiful daughter two years ago.
In terms of symptoms, mine can rapidly become extreme. They start as a "brain fog" and the loss of fine-motor skills. I become irritable (which is not my usual demeanor), and my ability to reason logically is greatly impaired. Next, I usually start to hyperventilate, and then my breath catches and I am not able to breathe in. That's the really scary bit, but I think it only lasts for a few seconds. Then I collapse, curl up into a ball, start crying (if I haven't already), lose all basic control of my muscles, and on occasion have mild hallucinations. The odd thing is that I have never passed out. However, I have short-term memory loss during that time. I will remember one thing very clearly though; it's usually the color of the ceiling, a couch, etc. to pull me out, we have to give me about a quarter of a diabetic sugar tab and a couple of large spoonfuls of peanut butter. It will take me a few of hours to recover fully, but on occasion I have not been back to normal for a couple of days.
Now, I start to have symptoms every two hours. That means I have to eat about every two hours. Nuts, meat, and eggs usually help to keep it under control. However, there are times when I will "crash" no matter what I eat. For a long time, I thought that protein was the key. Unfortunately, beans, soy, lentils, quinoa, buckwheat, and milk products (cheese, yogurt, etc. ) do not help at all. Sugar and glycine will pull me out of a "crash" quickly, but, as I said above, I have to counter them with nut butter.
I understand that my symptoms are very similar to a blood-sugar imbalance. Yet, I've been tested three different ways for that, and they all came back saying that my insulin levels were, not only okay but, very healthy. I have had a basic heavy metals test, and a food allergy test: They both came back with nothing very unusual. I had a brain chemistry test done through a company called Neurogistics (they're a great company who treat brain imbalances with over the counter supplements). My test came back that I'd been under high stress for a long time, but there wasn't anything terribly off. I went followed their recommendations on supplements, and it helped my brain to relax and cured my insomnia. However, I did not help my pre-existing condition.
My symptoms can also be triggered by stress. Yet, I do not think it is psycho-somatic, because my Mother and my Sister also have similar symptoms. I do have a slightly under-active thyroid, but, even when I was taking a prescription, it did not help.
I am currently taking two tsp. of ACV twice a day, and a glyconutritional supplement. I have not noticed any long-term differences with the vinegar, but the glyconutrients do help me to recover faster. I know glyconutrients are a bit iffy for some people, and I am not sure exactly what it is in it that helps. I have wondered if it is the aloe? I would love to know, so that I wouldn't have to spend so much on the supplement I am currently buying! Also, sports drinks tend to help clear up my head, and I can only assume it is the potassium. I exercise six days a week, and am in every other respect a very healthy person.
I've seen a slew of Dr.s and people who practice natural medicine. However, I keep just getting more puzzled looks.
I am sorry for the long post. If you have any ideas I would be very grateful. Plus, you would probably help my whole family! Thank you so much for reading this and for your help!
EC: Dear E.m.d. Please read our Remedy Side Effects page. A few of the symptoms you are reporting can be found in the apple cider vinegar section.Replied By Kay (In The Valley, Ca) on 01/17/2011
Replied By Deb (Melbourne, Australia) on 01/17/2011
http://www.doctoryourself.com/hoffer_niacin.html
Cheers
Replied By Mother Earth (Ks, Us) on 01/17/2011
Replied By Laura (Redondo Beach, Ca, Usa) on 01/17/2011
You could also add 1 teaspoon of Maca powder. It is known for regulating hormones and is great for overall vitality. You can order all these products at vitacost.com or get them at a good healthfood store. The symptoms you have are very mysterious and confusing. I wouldn't be suprised if this took care of it completely, but even if it doesn't, I think you will benefit from the extra added nutrition you will be getting. I wish you well!
Replied By Lemarque (Melbourne, Victoria, Australia) on 01/19/2011
I found your post regarding your unexplained symptoms very interesting. It seems as though you have thoroughly examined the blood sugar aspect and as yet have found nothing to explain your symptoms. I read also that you have had neuro-testing which has shown high level stress but otherwise nothing predominantly physiological. I note that you feel that your symptoms are not psycho-somatic, and strictly speaking, I would have to agree.
However, I think you may have to consider that your symptoms in the absence of a physiological cause could be a rather severe form of "anxiety-attack". I have seen and treated several people with anxiety that presents with very acute physical symptoms. For one person it was almost as if she was having a grand mal epileptic seizure, for another it was like a severe asthma attack. Interestingly you say that your mother and sister have similar symptoms and I assume they too have not been able to find an underlying cause. "anxiety attacks" can have a strong familial trend especially in the female lineage. Since this has been an issue since a very young age with yourself, it is important that you sit with your family and try to figure out if there was any traumatic or upsetting event that occurred in your childhood or theirs that may have been a trigger to your current situation. It may be worth while seeking the help of a counsellor to do this, as often what seems like an insignificant event turns out to be the causative agent.
In the meantime you could try a 2 week course of Rescue Remedy (Bach) or Emergency Essence (ABFE) and follow that up with a more specific essence for anxiety such as a combination of Aspen, Cherry Plum, Olive and Star of Bethlehem (Bach) or Calm and Clear Essence from ABFE. I hope you find your answer Best Wishes
Replied By Granny Laura (Waco, Tx) on 01/22/2011
Replied By E.m.d. (Recluse, Wy Usa) on 01/22/2011
To Kay from CA: I've also wondered if it was a hormonal imbalance for the exact some reasons. To be honest, I can't remember everything I've had tested. However, I've been meaning to get a copy of my files from my Dr. I'll have to let you know when I get the paperwork. Thanks for your empathy and encouragement!
To Deb from AU: For an extended period of time, I did take a very good B-complex. It kept me from having any lows after I ate, but it did not do anything for my overall symptoms. Thanks for your idea and the link though! P. S. : I spent three months in AU and really liked your country! I hope your enjoying the sunshine!
To Mother Earth from KS: I haven't looked into Adrenal Insufficiency, so I'll have to read up on it. Thanks for the tip!
To Laura from CA: My diet is overall a very healthy one. I also saw a nutritionalist a few years back. Unfortunately, she was as puzzled as everyone else. I have debated taking a green supplement, or something with kelp, so I will look into the one you suggested. I take some very good vitamins, but I know supplements are not as good as fresh healthy food. I'll also check out Maca powder; it sounds intriguing. Thank you, and I'll let you know what I find out!
To Lemarque from AU: Thank you for sharing some of your expertise. I did glance through some info. on anxiety attacks, but I'll have to take some time to look more thoroughly. When we were trying to determine if my symptoms were simply psychosomatic, I did see a counsellor for a short time. She said specifically that I did not need to be treated for trauma, and my mother had her symptoms long before I was born. I can have a very fun and relaxing day, and still suddenly crash. Yet, I appreciate your feedback, and I'll spend some time looking into anxiety attacks. I've recently looked into some of the Bach's Flower Remedies, and I'll go over to their page to check up on what you suggested. Thanks!
Replied By Sunnyside (St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada) on 03/16/2011
Replied By Saliza (San Jose, Ca, Usa) on 04/19/2011
Replied By E.m.d. (Recluse, Wy Usa) on 08/21/2011
I did switch from the glyconutritional supplement I was taking to pure inner leaf aloe vera juice. Surprisingly, the aloe gave me the same effects with a fraction of the cost. The only thing you have to be careful of with aloe is that it can cause stomach pains, gas, etc. I found that if I took it with something very acidic, such as grapefruit juice or ACV, I usually did not have a problem. Then one day, out of curiosity, I made up some dandelion coffee (roasted dandelion root tea). I was amazed. Not only was it tasty, but my brain started to clear up part way through my first cup. I did some research, and apparently you need to take dandelion root for a few months before you receive the full benefits. So, I've been drinking three cups (one after every main meal) for quite some time. Dandelion is wonderful, guys! The root helps with sluggish livers, resets your internal ph level, helps to kill yeast, and, although it is a diaretic, it does not deplete potassium from your body. Although I loved all of this, I had to stop taking ACV because too much gave me heartburn. Therefore, I also stopped drinking aloe juice (without the extra acid, my stomach was upset all day). However, with just dandelion alone, my body still retained the extra stability that I had felt with the aloe. So, I don't regret switching over.
I have also started taking some of the Bach's Flower Essences to see if they would help with the stress that can aggravate my condition. I cannot say enough good things about them. They have helped to focus my brain so that I can really see what is causing the stress instead of just dealing with the symptoms. When I started looking into them, I was VERY skeptical. However, I went ahead and ordered some. I made the mistake of taking a few drops directly from the bottle, and it was so strong my head spun. So, if you order/make any, please be sure to dilute them first. They can also be applied directly to your skin. If I have a sore muscle, I'll rub a few drops into it, and, within seconds, there is relief. It doesn't last very long, but there are no side effects and I'd rather do that then take lots of pain killers. When I had a cold, I rubbed some across my sinuses, and it caused them to drain. There are a lot of applications, and I am pleased to see that my skepticism was proved wrong.
Wow, so that's what I've been doing the past couple of months. I did spend some time in China several years back, and I would love to see a TCM practitioner. Unfortunately, I live in the least populated state in America, and there is no one who does complete TCM. We did find some acupuncturists in the nearest town though. I am planning on seeing one of them in the next month or so. I'll let you all know how that goes.
In the meantime, I appreciate all your ideas and your patience. If you think of anything else that might help, let me know. Thank you all so much!
Replied By Connie (Slc, Ut) on 08/22/2011