Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatments

We all have aches and pains from viruses or just general day to day living but many of us also have other problems that are with us all the time or most of the time. Some of these long term symptoms we don't even bother mentioning to the doctor because we put them down to age, being unfit, tiredness, a cold we had months ago and that just won't go away... We learn to live with them or live round them. We suffer quietly and cope as best we can. But its not normal to have an on-going  runny nose or regular trips to the toilet or constipation all the time. 

Below you will find a list of symptoms that I have had for a long time over the past six years. Some of them started even before that. Many of them disappeared on going gluten free, others after I took out the other grains and dairy but come back from time to time for reasons that I'm still not sure of (and that doctors have even less of an idea). This list may vary from person to person. My daughter has some of these symptoms but also has others which I have listed (see My Daughter's Story).

I have also added a list of my "diagnosed" illnesses although I consider IBS and ME to be just a consequence of an imbalanced system or intolerances and that I firmly believe that I will find a solution for at some point.

Illnesses to date and treatment:

·         IBS                                        same as coeliac

·         ME                                        same as coeliac

·         Leaky gut                              same as coeliac

·         Chronic candidose               yeast free and sugar free diet, grapefruit seed extract,
                                             caprylic acid, digestive enzymes, vit D

·         Coeliac                                   grain free, dairy free, nightshade free diet

·         Asthma                                 inhalers

·         Spasmophilia                        magnesium and calcium

·         Reactive hypoglycemia      low GI diet

Symptoms List

Below you will find a list of symptoms (although I am sure I have missed some) that I have had for a long time over the past six years. Some of them started even before that. Many of them disappeared on going gluten free, others after I took out the other grains and dairy but come back when I eat something I shouldn’t or for some other unknown reason. Those highlighted are the ones that still continue today even if milder than before .

DIGESTIVE PROBLEMS

Weight fluctuation

Abdominal pain

Bad taste in mouth/throat

Bloating

Colitis

Constipation

Diarrhea

Difficulty eating/weight in stomach after a stomach

Difficulty swallowing/Numbness in mouth and tongue

Discomfort under right ribs (liver or gall bladder?)

Flatulence

Haemorrhoids

Excessive hunger even after big meals

Indigestion

Nausea

Stomach cramps

Tummy swells up and look pregnant

Very thirsty particularly after sweet things

GENERAL

Anaemia (iron deficiency)

Chronic fatigue

Drowsiness

Excessive saliva with slavering at night

Excessive sweating at night

Feeling as though I had drunk 10 cups of coffee but having drunk none

Food cravings especially sweet things or starch foods

Hypoglycaemia/drop in blood sugar levels

Hypotension/drop in blood pressure

Irregular heartbeats

Lightheaded feeling or fainting

Mineral deficiency (magnesium)

Mouth ulcers

Pains in chest

Sensitive teeth all the time regardless of food or temperature etc

Slow heartbeat

Tired on waking with improvement in the afternoon

Water retention or swelling of legs, hands and face

GENITAL/URINARY

Irregular periods/No periods

Miscarriage

Thrush

Urgent and frequent urination sometimes with incontinence

Vaginal discharge – heavy and permenant with no apparent reason

MUSCOLOSKELETAL

Muscular aches and pains particularly after eating sweet things

Pins and needles in hands

NEUROLOGICAL

Anxiety/panic attacks

Blurred vision

Brain fog

Difficulty concentrating

Difficulty speaking

Dizziness

Headaches and migraines

Hyperactivity

Intolerance to stress

Intolerance to noise

Irritable and explosions of anger that are disproportionate or for no reason

Mental confusion

Mixing words up or thinking one word and saying another

Poor memory

Sleeplessness/insomnia

Stuttering

RESPIRATORY

Asthma/wheezing

Breathlessness

Difficult breathing as though not getting enough air into lungs

Itchy eyes and throat

Itchy nose

Nasal congestion/sinusitis

Post-nasal drip/catarrh

Rhinitus

Runny nose

Sneezing

Sore throat

Watering eyes

SKIN

Acne

Burning sensation on skin when its cold or with vibration eg swimming, cycling

Eczema

Itching starting on legs and spreading all over body until I could rip my skin off

Very dark shadows and puffy eyes