I'm starting to feel like a hypochondriac
#243847 - 02/03/06 10:49 AM
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I get a Dx and then it seems I have something else to look into.
So now we have the IC and vulvo Dx. Well, I now have cracked (deep cracks!) and under the skin bleeding happening and it reminded me the naturopath who is in Israel mentioned this could be part of something bigger.
And my hands and feet are always cold. (Like right now my bod is nice and warm...my feet have socks on and I'm still cold!! And my hands are freezing!) And my mom has Raynaud's.
Hubby thinks I'm looking for Dxs. He's like "Why not just stop going to doctors if you don't want something else to be wrong".
But I have heard that getting an early Dx can stop some things in their tracks.
Oh and btw, I have an endo appointment in April for my thyroid nodule.
It never ends.
What would you do? Am I a hypochondriac. PLEASE be honest with me!
Thanks for any thoughts on this (HONEST ones!!!)
If it is all in my head I want to know...
Love,
Ruchie
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Formerly known as Ruchie
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This sounds like what my mom went through. For years and years, every cure she got for one thing made her get sick with something else. After a while, doctors (and everyone else, it seems!) started treating her like it was all in her head.
Finally, she went to a naturopath, who took a look at her whole body and mind and not just her symptoms. They helped her change her diet (turns out she's gluten intolerant) and suggested some supplements for a thyroid problem.
She's doing a lot better now.
Anyway, my point is that maybe you should consider going to an accupuncturist, a naturopath or an ayurvedic practitioner and getting their diagnosis. They may be able to spend more time with you and look at the bigger picture.
Not for everyone, but if you're open to it, it may be worth a shot. Some insurance companies will even pay for it (my mom's did, and mine reimburses a portion).
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Speaking from my own experience, maybe it has to do with anxiety. Now that you have been positively diagnosed with a variety of disorders, you can't help but wonder, "Well, what else could I have?" So I don't think you ARE a hypochondriac and I don't believe it's all in your head. You have legitimate questions about your health, but you may view some common symptoms (like cold hands and feets) as part of something larger due to past experience and anxiety.
Ruchie, you know your body best and if you feel you still don't have the answers and that your diagnoses are part of something bigger then definitely push your doctors for some answers. You're smart and I trust that you will make the right decision for you. If it were me in your position, I might not go in search of more diagnoses before trying to work on what I'm currently dealing with. Maybe you should just focus on what has been diagnosed, recovering from your surgery, and finding the time to do things you enjoy until your April appointment?
But as I said that's me and maybe I'm not the best person to give advice! I waited almost ten years before finally deciding to talk to my doc about a possible fibro Dx. I probably have the opposite of hypochodria - I can't believe anything's wrong with me even though I feel like crap! 
Hugs!
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Hey l'il sis.
I know of a hypochondriac. At my pervious job, this woman's hubbie hit his head and got a concausian (sp?). He was out of work on worker's comp for months on end. He had migraines every single day and was unable to work because of it. So at one point worker's comp made himgo to another city (6 hours away) for a week's worth on head-testing. Some of it was cat scans and other scans to see if there was any serious damage. Guess what? They found NOTHING! Not even a itsy-bitsy little anything. He was ordered back to work and advised to take some Tylenol or something for his headaches.
That is sooo NOT YOU!!! You get tested and they find real proof of some illness.
That said, I can see your hubbie's point. I'm sure if a healthy person went to a doctor, they would find something wrong with them too.
If you think you have something wrong (like endo), there's NOTHING wrong with getting tested for it. A hypo is someone that after being told they don't have it still think that they do and the doctors are wrong.
My ex co-worker's hubby swears that the docor's are crazy and he does have something wrong. They officially gave him a hypochondriac diagnosis. She is please because they lost so much money from him being out of work and she needed him to get back to work!
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a person could get a hypochondriac diagnosis. I've just never thought of that. I guess it's just one of those terms that's thrown at anyone who is legitimately concerned about their health and well-being. It's similar to the way people use "anti-social behavior," not realizing it's a serious personality disorder.
Thanks for the example you gave, Tina, and the education!
Edited by Maria!Maria! (02/03/06 11:42 AM)
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I have been Dx with IBS, fibro, migraines, allergies, sinusitis and bronchitis (in remission!!!!), hital hernia, IC and vulvo, mild hypoglycemia, and more.
I have a HUGE thyroid nodule. I cannot "make this up" you can see it when I swallow (all docs ask about it and proceed to give me a blood test that comes back neg. for thyroid disease). I have to get it cheked yearly.
I have some symptoms that are "strange". Cold hands and feet, deep cracks in my hands, aches and such that happen to both hands at the same time. (Like both wrists will hurt simulteanously not just one.)
I'm wondering if this sounds like Raynaud's (my mom has it but her hands turn blue and mine don't), and I should be tested or it's just nothing and I should get on my with my life. If it IS something I want to know because supposedly they have meds to keep it from getting worse...but I feel like a loser to keep going to doctros...and I'm beginnig to thin it's all in my head....and that if I stop going to doctors I'll be fine?
Am I just crazy?
Honestly...I don't want to go to the doc ever agin. But if they have a med that can help...which I've heard they do now........then shouldn't I go find out? I haven't been to the rheumy since my fibro Dx in Oct. of 04'. And i would need to find a new one......oy.
Quite honestly, I'm scared. I'm scared the Dx will never end. The thing is...I've had many of these symptoms all my life. They have just gotten worse as I got older. I guess G-d gave them to me through the genes. I'm just not handling it all very well right now 
P.S. I've been to naturopaths and they don't know how to help me.
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Formerly known as Ruchie
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Ruch - I have cracked and dry hands and feet all winter. You're in a really dry area of the country. Also, my hands get cracked in bleeding if I'm washing my hands too much from the OCD. Could this be a possiblity?
Hugs, A.
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Formerly HanSolo. IBS, OCD, Bipolar, PTSD times 3.
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Alicia,
Hmmm...I had this even when we lived in Miami (no winter and humid city!) And I'm not OCD with washing my hands too much..... (I use the sanatizers with lotions!)
Maybe I am losing it....getting so excited over this stuff
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Formerly known as Ruchie
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Do you have any swelling in your wrists or joints that hurt?? I was told that the Raynaud's Syndrome's (SP??) tell tale sign was that your skin turned white. It could just be very chapped dry skin causing the cracks, I find Neutrogena hand cream to be the best and its not real expensive! If you have swelling though, you should definitely see a dr!
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Taking it one day at a time.....
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Ruchie,
All of the Dx you have received thus far are all inter-related and even a small amount of basic google reading will confirm that. Your doctors have proven each Dx with firm testing and results, so no...this is not in your head!
It does seem to be a lot for one person, but like I said, it is not uncommon for one person to have several of these same Dx, because they are all inter-related. As treatment continues, I personally think you will begin to heal and feel better.
Just hang in there! Vent all you need to, and trust your instinct if something isn't right or something changes. I can't imagine how tired you must be of Dr. visits, but at least it isn't in vain!
Love and prayers,
Kim
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God is Faithful!
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Hi there, just read your post I have no medical background but have read a lot and cold extremities i.e. hands and feet are classic signs of a hypothyroid condition. Also hair falling out, brittle nails, etc.etc. As you already have a problem with your thyroid, this is probably/maybe part of it. I may be off beat but just wanted to pass this on to you.
Take care
Pauline
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and we assumed it was my bipolar meds.
In Oct. I was checked fgor thyroid levels and all was well.
But I do have that nodule.
I have an appointment in April with the endochronologist (sp) Maybe they'll have some answers for me.
Thanks for the info.! *hugs*
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Formerly known as Ruchie
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Hi there, I have read and heard that at least in this country maybe different where you are, that the standard testto see if you are hypothyroid is not that great i.e. your thyroid needs to have just about stopped functioning in order for it to show up. Of course you can have many symptoms like cold feet, hands, hair loss, weight gain etc. etc. etc. if your thyroid is not functioning properly but is not at the level that shows up on the tests. Hope this makes sense. You can get some really good stuff to kickstart your thyroid from a naturopath if you believe in using them, you would have to check to make sure they wouldn't interfere with any other meds you are taking. Best Wishes. Pauline
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Did they only test TSH? My fibro doctor checks my T4, T3, reverse T3, and thyroid antibodies and that's the way they found my Hashimoto's thyroiditis, which is hypothyroidism, but is also autoimmune....it means my immune system attacks my thryoid so it doesn't produce enough. Hopefully this endocrinologist will figure stuff out!
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Melissa
Friendship is thicker than blood. ~Rent
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Ruchie,
I don't think you are a hypochondriac at all. Are you sure you don't have Raynauds? You know there are two types of this. One is Raynauds syndrome and the other is Raynauds disease. I know someone that has the disease and her fingers turned almost black and she almost had to have surgery on her hands but she didn't. You have been to a specialist for arthritis haven't you? Maybe your thyroid problem that has not shown up since you have a nodule.
Also lacking of the B vitamins I have heard can cause something similer. My hands and feet are always cold. Have yet to find out why. Good Luck Ruchie. There is an answer out there somewhere. Best Wishes.
Thoughts and prayers
Terry
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Cold hands and feet are normal symptoms of fibro. Don't be worried! My DBF says stuff like your DH all the time! I just give him "the look" and walk away now.
Be strong! You're not dreaming. You're sick and in a flare + low cycle right now. There is help and support!
~nelly~
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but I hope that the endo I have an appointment with in April will check for everythig...
Thanks for showing me I'm not crazy *hugs*
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Formerly known as Ruchie
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Wow, thanks *hugs* I hope you get some answers too Terry!
:-)
I did NOT know there are 2 tpes of Raynauds at all. I know it runs in my fam and my mom always has cold hands and feet. I know her hands turn blue. Do you have this?
I hope you get some answers...do you have an appointment with a doc? I was Dx by a Rheumy with fibro Oct 04' but haven't been back since. Didn't like the rheumy (went to a wonderful pain specialist and forgot the Rheumy)...
I guess I will schedule an appoitnment with a rheumy just to be safe. I will ask around for one. This way I'll have my bases covered.
Thanks for supporting me *hugs*
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Formerly known as Ruchie
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It's nearly Shabbos so I can't respond to everyone individually......
So...I decided I will go to my endochronologist as scheduled in April and see what happens. In the meantime I will ask around for a good Rheumy and make an appointment...I can always cancel later. Besides...seeing a Rheumy every year is prob a good idea for fibromite to learn new tips to deal with fibro and such.
Thanks again for all the support everyone...and for not thinking it's all in my head *hugs*
Love,
Ruchie
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Formerly known as Ruchie
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I am a cold handed and footed person too Ruchie, but I don't think I have Raynaud's, but I do think if your Mom has it (and if it's genetic) that it's a good idea to raise it with your doc- even talk to your Mom about her symptoms etc.
Have a good weekend
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S.
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I don't think you're a hypochondriac. For a few years it seemed like I had one thing after another and I started to feel the same way. I started asking myself if I was just making it up. In the last few years I've had to deal with IBS (of course), scoliosis, ovarian cysts, mononucleosis, several cases of bronchitis, several cases of severe flu (multiple times a year), dehydration, I found lumps in my breasts (benign!), my doctor threw in the possibility of oral herpes, menorhagia (sp?), all kinds of dental problems, chronic sore throats, chronic headaches, and it just goes on. I'm happy to say that the majority of these things have been taken care of and don't bother me anymore. But after about three years I just couldn't deal with it and trying to live life day to day. Everything just hurt too dang bad or I was mentally wiped out. And then I had people telling me I'm too young to have to deal with that many things things that close together. I started to wonder whether I was really having all these troubles or if it was in my head. Finally I gave up on everything. School, work, friends and family (except my husband) and just let it all fall out of my control. Then I started over. And it's a work in progress but I'm doing a whole heck of a lot better now.
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If you're not dead, you've still got time.
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I'm going thru the same thing right now. I actually went to a nautropath today and finally feel like there's some hope. They way she explained it is that all this crap is symptoms of a major internal issue. So, a different way of looking at all the issues. I lost my thyroid a year and a half ago (it was the size of a lime). The choking sucks. Honestly...not that bad. Also wanted to ask you about the low-oxolate diet (sp?). Can I have your email?
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IBS-C with major bloat!
Gluten Free Vegan
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Ruchie,
No I don't have Raynauds.Sometimes my toes turn a light blue. I've had cold hands and feet for so many years. Mine is really bad from say Oct-April or May.
My family won't let me touch them with my cold hands. The person I know that has it used to wear white clothes to keep her hands warm, does your Mom have to do this? All of this could be related to your Thyroid tho. I've had mine checked and it comes back fine. Ruchie I don't know how you do it( being so kind to others) when you have so many things going on with you. God Bless you and take care..
Terry
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Nelly,
I had no idea that cold hands and feet were common with fibro? I asked a past Dr. of mine about fibro but he did not want to check into that for me. I'm going to start looking for a Dr. that could tell me whether I have fibro. or not. Does numbness and tingling go along with fibro. as well? Not to mention all of the aches and pains.
As i sit here now I am freezing and its like 69 degrees in my house.
Terry
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This site: http://neurologychannel.com/fibromyalgia/ lists numbness and tingling sensations as fibro symptoms as well.
The best list of other symptoms I've found is here . I printed out and checked off most of the 60+ symptoms listed and brought it to my doctor. He didn't doubt me for a minute-- I guess it's pretty obvious I have it when all of those random symptoms come together. 
Hope this helps! It took me a year to drag myself in to get tested, and I've waited way too long to start feeling better.
~nelly~
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Ruchie
#244174 - 02/04/06 03:38 PM
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Janey
Reged: 10/25/03
Posts: 1716
Loc: Maryland
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I am so sorry that you are going through all of this. I do not think you are a hypochondriac. You have legimate health issues. I know how you feel though. As far as hubby goes that is men for ya. I think when we are sick it makes them feel insecure. If we are sick we can't take of them.
You have a lot to deal with right now. Try to take things one at a time and try not to think about the future. It can be overwhelming to think what is going to happen in the future. I think if you deal with each thing day by day it will be easier to cope with what is going on in your life and the changes that are happening.
As always I will keep you in my prayers. Lots of hugs and love,
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Janey
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