[20F] Experiencing multisystem symptoms including neuropathy and dysphagia

What might be happening

Based on the information you've provided, several conditions could be causing your symptoms:

• Fibromyalgia: This is a chronic condition characterized by widespread pain, fatigue, sleep, memory, and mood issues. It's often accompanied by additional symptoms like numbness, tingling, and difficulty swallowing.

  • Treatment typically involves a combination of medications, exercise, stress management techniques, and healthy lifestyle habits.

• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS): This condition causes extreme fatigue that can't be explained by any underlying medical condition. It can also cause symptoms like unrefreshing sleep, loss of memory or concentration (brain fog), dizziness that worsens with moving from lying down or sitting to standing (orthostatic intolerance), and muscle or joint pain.

  • Treatment focuses on symptom relief.

• Sjögren's Syndrome: This is an autoimmune disorder characterized by dry eyes and mouth, which you mentioned. It can also cause fatigue and joint pain.

  • Treatment typically involves managing symptoms, often with over-the-counter and prescription drugs.

• Hypothyroidism: Although your thyroid tests came back normal, it's worth noting that hypothyroidism can cause symptoms like fatigue, muscle weakness, pain, stiffness, or swelling in your joints, and dry skin.

  • Treatment typically involves daily use of the synthetic thyroid hormone levothyroxine.

• Vitamin B12 deficiency: This can cause symptoms like fatigue, weakness, numbness or tingling in hands and legs, difficulty walking, swollen and inflamed tongue, and difficulty thinking and reasoning (cognitive difficulties), or memory loss.

  • Treatment typically involves B12 injections or pills.

• Kidney stones: You mentioned having recurrent kidney stones. These can cause severe pain in the back or sides, as well as other symptoms like blood in the urine.

  • Treatment typically involves pain relievers and drinking lots of water to help pass the stone. Medical procedures may be needed to remove or break up larger stones.

Please note that this is not an exhaustive list of all possible conditions that could be causing your symptoms. It's also possible that you could be experiencing more than one condition at the same time.

What you can do

Given the range and duration of your symptoms, it's important to seek medical attention. Here are some steps you can take:

1. Schedule an appointment with your primary care doctor. If you don't have one, try to find a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating conditions like fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome.
2. Write down all of your symptoms, even if they seem unrelated to each other. This can help your doctor understand what's going on.
3. Write down key personal information, including any major stresses or recent life changes.
4. Make a list of all medications, vitamins, or supplements that you're taking.
5. Consider taking a family member or friend along to help you remember all the information provided during your appointment.

What you should look out for

Seek immediate medical attention if you:

• Have severe pain
• Have trouble breathing
• Have changes in vision
• Have difficulty walking
• Have severe weakness or difficulty moving any part of your body
• Have symptoms that interfere with your daily activities or quality of life

Remember, this advice is intended to be general in nature, and specific causes may not apply to your situation. Always consult with a healthcare provider for accurate information.