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Q: Black out when straining
asked by: mysteryillness on August 17th, 2008
New User
Is there anyone suffering from these symptoms, and may have any answers for me. About a year and a half ago I was working out with a trainer 3 days a week, and exercising 5 days a week. I had always had issues with my thyroid being enlarged and have several lumps around it. I was once told I had cancer, but then a second opinion said just monitor the size of the thyroid and lumps and I do not have to worry unless it grows. That was three years ago. I lost my ability to exercise and lift any weight and am so fatigued I can barely climb stairs. I have black outs when ever I strain. They are very painful with severe head pain, I feel I am being choked, nausea, my heart beats fast, and I feel so sick and completely exhausted. So even using the bathroom ends up an hour long ordeal for me each time I have to go. My weight shot up almost 35 pounds basically overnight. I am the farthest from being an over eater. I eat once a day, I usually have chicken. I feel nauseas a lot when I take bites of food so eating does not appeal to me. I hate myself right now, but more I am now getting depressed. Something I have never had to deal with before. But the depression is from being so sick and useless and unable to have any quality of life for over a year now while doctors put me through test after test every few months that get me no where. My ankles are so swollen and huge every day they feel like they are going to burst open. My legs hurt so badly all of the time. I cannot stand or walk very well. I am constantly dizzy and have severe vertigo. I had severe Iron deficiency anemia for about 6 months, then a test came out at the very lowest number it could to be okay and my doctor said that is was fine now. That was 5 months ago since last tested. I have just under gone many cardiac tests that only showed some tachycardia, but the nurse said that was fine and not to worry about. I am now having a tilt test done. I have been through many gastroentology exams, as they thought I must have internal bleeding because my Iron count was, and stayed so severely low even after taking strong pills. I cannot keep my balance. I drop things, I think the lights are flashing on and off but it is my eyes, and I frequently get intense head aches that are different than migraines, which I also get. I see white and black spots a lot even when not blacking out. I cannot stand up with my eyes closed or I fall over, and fall into things constantly. If I exert myself I get a very rapid pulse. I cannot even cook for family hardly, as just trying to stir things my arm immediately fatigues and hurts, I have to stop every few seconds. The same with trying to brush or blow dry my hair. I was a multi tasking person, known for always being on the go, and now I cannot do anything no matter how much I try to force myself, my body does not work and I truly can feel I am dying. I do not have any confidence in doctors anymore. Can anyone help? Sorry this is so long these are not all of my symptoms, but if any are familiar to anyone please help me.
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antigone
replied on August 18th, 2008
Extremely eHealthy
I suggest you see a neurologist. An MRI/MRA will reveal any structural causes for your symptoms. Your balance problems and seeing lights flash on and off may due to a neurological disorder.

The other thought is your blood pressure. It sounds like your are experiencing syncopal episodes. This can be related to low blood pressure, cardiac problems or neurological problems. Since you have been anemic it may be that your blood pressure is down due to low volume or due to lack of oxygenation of the cells secondary to anemia. Anemia can be caused by many things, not just hemorrhaging. Toxins from chemicals and medications can affect the production of red blood cells. Red blood cells can be destroyed by various disorders, medications, or autoimmune problems. All of these can result in anemia.

Have you had a sonogram of your thyroid lately? What about thyroid levels drawn? This should be done annually to monitor the size of the nodules on your thyroid. It sounds like you have developed hypothyroid. You may want to ask your doctor about this. If your doctor is not receptive go see an endocrinologist. Some of your other symptoms could be associated with a thyroid condition.

Print and copy your post and take it with you to the doctor - whatever doctor you go to see. You have a fairly concise and comprehensive narrative of your symptoms. This will allow a doctor to read your symptoms and digest all the information. You will not forget to mention anything either.

Let us know what you find out.
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Rachele7
replied on September 7th, 2008
New User
re- Black out when straining
Just a couple comments: As the previous poster replied- I would look into your thyroid, specifically hypothyroid. When I was hypothyroid as a teen, I could not climb steps, walk any distance, and very tired and weak.
Also, my son gets flashing lights in his vision with his very painful migraine headaches. I get "silent migraines" which is no head pain but with flashing zigzag bright lights in vision that starts in my peripheral vision and gradually spreads to my entire vision and lasts about 15 minutes to a half an hour and leaves as suddenly as it came.
You said that they did cardiac tests on your heart; did they do an echo? I would ask if they performed all the heart tests that can be done. Many of your symptoms do sound like they could be cardio related.
I hope you get answers and well!
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mysteryillness
replied on September 8th, 2008
New User
Thank You for the suggestions from both of you. I have a tilt test in a couple of weeks. I am dreading it as I now cannot stand up with my eyes closed, nor look up while standing. I cannot turn my head or body without all of these movements causing me to not be able to focus and fall over. I can't see how I will physically withstand the test. But it is very sad that I am hoping to fail it to get any answers I can. I will post the results. I too have had the zig zagg flashes, but only in my right eye. It was very scarry when it happened because I had just arrived at a store and thought I some how had stared at a bright light, like when a flash goes off in your eyes and that light is all you can see for a few moments. But it would not go away I stood there wondering if I should call someone or try to make it to my car. This happened at the beginning of my illness symptoms over a year ago. It took a good half hour for my site to return in that eye. although I could see out of the left, it did not matter because of the flashing pattern being such a distraction I could concentrate with other eye at all to see. I hope you and your son can find out what is causing these scarry symptoms for you as well. Until they've experienced what it is like to have symptoms that take over your body, others cannot understand what it is like. Good luck and I will pass on anything I find out. I am also taking pictures of my swollen ankles and legs with indented holes left after just pushing in my finger tips, and a list of all of my symptoms, past illnesses, surgeries, and family illness history. I do not know how much further I can go medically as I just received a notice that a $1500 cardiac test was denied by my insurance, after being approved saying they do not cover investigative tests. I was not aware there was any other way except investigating to find out what was wrong with someone?
Thank You so much for responses, I am amazed how muc relief I felt just knowing someone understands what I am going through. I am so thankful I found this site!
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GM314
replied on February 3rd, 2009
New User
It might be a combination of things - anxiety can cause fatigue and dizziness (I used to get up to 40 dizzy spells per day. Depression can also cause fatigue. The swelling is a different story.

I also have a thyroid condition, which left me without ant energy for over a year - I had some blood work done and it turned out I had a thyroid problem. I started taking a thyroid medication and the problem is now at bay. (If I stop taking the medication, I become chronically tired within a week.

You might want to ask your doctor about lupus, (I don't know anything about it other than it has a wide range of symptoms)

Good luck to you in your search for wellness. I feel quite OK these days - something I never thought I would feel when I was in the middle of my illnesses. There is always hope and light at the end of the tunnel - even if it seems otherwise.
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