Winner Picked! RAOK: What's wrong with me?

[Amalgamate]

The prize is 1 (or maybe I'll have 2 or 3 winners...depends on the answers) envie of great coupons, including $1 off cheese and $3 off prime rib. NWPR and no state restrictions for either.
*Updated: Thanks to so many great replies so far, I'm going to add in $1 off chips or dip winetag!

I'm not looking for a diagnosis or anything major like that...just some off the wall suggestions that the doctors might not have thought of yet.

I've been having severe muscle spasms since June. They are usually my whole body (legs, stomach, arms, jaw, etc.) and can last anywhere from 15 minutes to 2.5 hours. They began as just once or twice a month and have progressed to a couple of times a week. They're possibly aggravated by stress, but that's not the direct cause. I look like I'm having a seizure, but I'm fully aware of my surroundings. They are usually accompanied by flushing of my face, dizziness, nausea, and sometimes diarrea. They also usually begin in my thighs or as a tremor in my chest.

Tests have shown it's not my heart, brain, or a tumor (Glad it's not the severe stuff!). Doctors are at a loss, and we're all grasping at straws. I've even wondered if it could be fumes or something from newspapers because I started serious couponing right before these symptoms!

*Note* I eat somewhat healthy. I changed my diet in February and took out sodas, sweet tea, and Debbie cakes. I used to do moderate exercise at least once or twice a week, but since September even mild exercise makes me really dizzy. I have been to a cardiologist and neurologist, neither of which have found anything abnormal. I'm also not taking any medications...haven't for over a year.

So what's your best suggestion for what's causing my problems? I promise I've heard some crazy ideas, so don't think yours is too out there to post. I'll pick the best idea on Saturday, Nov. 7, around lunch time.
Thanks for all of the great ideas so far! Let's keep 'em coming

[SCCC2213]

Sorry to hear that you're going through a rough time. I'm definitely not a doctor, but it sounds like it could be neurological. All of the physical symptoms could come up if there's something neurologically out of whack. I usually hear about that stuff being more localized, though - and you say this is your whole body. The only other idea I'd have is perhaps panic attacks, but those usually last only up to 10 minutes.

Either way, I certainly hope that you can figure it out and get better soon!!

[mskeno1959]

I, too am sorry. I agree with PP about seeing a Neuro specialist.

Please keep us posted on your progress.

Thanks much for the RAOK very nice of you during a difficult time:)

[christinalkc]

I am very sorry to hear that you're not feeling well... Did you try getting a second/third opinion? Did you start taking any new medication recently and perhaps that's the side effect or maybe it's clashing with other medication that you have been taking? There was a news recently about this girl that can't talk or walk right and have been getting some sort of seizures after receiving the seasonal flu shot....

I agree that you might want to visit a neurologist to find what is going on and please don't wait...

Keep us posted and thanks for offering this RAOK. Get well soon!

Cheers.

[fussypants]

Wow, that is strange. So sorry you are going through this! I'm shooting in the dark here, but have you thought of inner ear problems or issues with your eyes? My husband had inner ear problems back when we were dating and it gave him facial twitches for some reason. I have all your symptoms minus the spasms when I get migraines, which is quite often. Obviously you would know you are having a migraine. My migraines are usually brought on by smells and my glasses not sitting right on my nose. My eye dr.'s have told me many times not having your eyes checked regularly is bad news. Do you wear glasses or contacts and are in need of a checkup?

[Jojaby]

Sorry to hear about that. Maybe you're having problems with some of your nerves. Hope you get better

[wealthybarney]

You have been ingesting something different or on a new medication. Have you been taking a new OTC herbal,health food or diet product?
Have you changed brands of cigarettes or are smoking more?
Does your heart feel like the beats skip?
Most likely your symptoms are becoming more frequent because you are getting dosed more., OR, your normal blood levels are too low in a couple of areas.

Do you have a history of food allergies?
DO you take frequent antihistamines?
Perhaps in the last 6 months an MD diagnosed you with a prescription that he said you needed, and the side effects are building up.
It sounds like prescription drug interactions as the top choice.
Are you using new contraceptive products? Latex allergy? It starts in your thighs did you say?

Does this happen 20-30 minutes after each meal? If so, Something is getting absorbed that is bothering you, unless you are Celiac and Gluten, Wheat, Oat and Rye intolerant.
Have blood tests to check your liver or kidneys been done? Have you gained or lost a large amt of weight?
Thyroid checked?
Parathyroid? Your Magnesium and Calcium(effects the Parathyroid) and Potassium levels sound screwed up to me.

You sound to me like you need to make an appt right away with a Hematologist-a blood MD. They also take care of Cancer patients, but don' worry-doubt highly that is it. But they diagnose rare abnormalities like yours.
He can do every blood test available to check for electrolyte imbalances, organ function without being invasive.

Can you go wheat, rye, oatmeal free, & see if the symptoms go away.
You may have more than one thing going on--the diarrhea from this itself can cause a dip in Calcium/magnesium/Potassium levels.
This in turn, can cause these spasms. Do you crave OJ & Milk? Drink both and see if you improve. If you do, it would be a secondary Calcium and Potassium deficiency. But from what?
Crave Salty foods and Sweets? That would mean your adrenals are low, low blood sugar and low blood pressure.

You can help by being your own detective. Write down everything that goes into your mouth, what you inhale, and when the symptoms start and how long they last. What makes it better? What makes it worse, etc.
I believe you are very close, and it can definately be treated.

[seedlady]

i'm so sorry.


my real answer was a problem with the inner ear, but since that has been suggested,

i'm going to take an allergy to housework.








hey, it could happen!

[lazy1608]

Could it be an inner ear infection or inner ear imbalance. Maybe you have a bit of TMJ with your jaw? Is there an imbalance of you walking like a drunken person and not being able to walk in a straight line? If so, you may want to visit a ENT or a neurologist. Good luck with your situation. It can be extremely frustrating when you can't figure out what is happening to you and you don't have a solution to help you.

[nrpeace17]

I was wondering if you had some sort of nerve disorder that is causing all of this trouble. I hope the Doctor can get to the bottom of it for you.