Strange Illness For Over One Year, Please Help!
in [Cardiology]
|
From: ryancinman on 3 Oct 2005 03:37 Hi all, My name is Bill. Starting Sept. 8 of 2004, I have come down with a "mystery illness", at least according to eight doctors thus far. I am hoping to find some possible causes for the problems I am experiencing. Symptoms onset suddenly at 6:00 PM back on Sept 8/04 for no obvious reason. Prior to this, I had no known health problems. Originally, It started out as numbness of the left side of my body, affecting the face, arm, and leg. Soon, the numbness spread to my entire body and my hands literally clenched up. I could not move my mouth, hands, or legs, they were totally numb. To follow was shortness of breath and rapid heart rate. Once placed on ambulance monitors, 02 was 82%, BP 220/120, HR 180 BPM. During this time, I was fully alert, totally aware of what was happening. I felt like I was going to die. The hospital diagnosed lead poisoning (I work with solder frequently). They gave me Albuterol and sent me home. Later that night, the symptoms came back, but I stuck it out. Three days later, while visiting my family doctor, the same chain of events occured again that led me to the hospital originally. He immediately called 911 and I was again taken to the hospital via ambulance. There was no explaination. I remained home for months following this incident, dizzy, short of breath, and not able to function. Gradually, things got somewhat better. In Nov of 2004, I saw a Cardiologist. A new murmur was detected which I did not have before. I passed the stress test and echo, no problem. Blood tests and gases were normal. I was placed on Atenolol 50 mg for the tachycardia. Around this time, more symptoms developed. Unexplainable red lesions covered both forearms, I lost part of the vision in my left eye, and the murmur got louder. I also saw a Pulmonary doctor, Rheumatologist, Infectious Disease doctor, Endocrinologist, and Neurologist. Not much was found except for the following: ANA = 3.3 (marked as elevated) Cortisol PM = 18.6 (12.0 is the maximum normal) WBC = 3.8 (4.0 minimum normal) In my opinion, the problem is cardiac related. To date, the symptoms are: Severe shortness of breath at rest, tachycardia, red skin lesions (small, BB size), vision loss in left eye, occassional dizziness, photophobia, severe fatigue, 50 lbs weight loss. I am starting to regain some of my life back at age 22, but the symptoms still take their toll. Any ideas would be much appreciated. Best, Bill
From: Frankie on 4 Oct 2005 00:17 Hi Bill, Have your doctors pursued the fact that you work with solder? Side effects for both lead and tin are pretty nasty (see short lists below). Has anyone mentioned EDTA IV chelation? Frankie Complications of lead poisoning in adults Although lead poisoning is especially dangerous to children, it may cause health problems in adults, too. High levels of lead in adults may lead to complications such as: * High blood pressure * Digestive problems * Nerve disorders * Memory and concentration problems * Muscle and joint pain * Damage to sperm-producing organs in men * Cataracts http://www.mayoclinic.com/invoke.cfm?objectid=0A7D73B9 -8E5D-4DD2-B3D49ABEE6FD2AE7&dsection=6 Long-term effects of tin poisoning are: - Depressions - Liver damage - Malfunctioning of immune systems - Chromosomal damage - Shortage of red blood cells - Brain damage (causing anger, sleeping disorders, forgetfulness and headaches) http://www.lenntech.com/Periodic-chart-elements/Sn-en.htm
From: ryancinman on 4 Oct 2005 01:59 Hi Frankie, The doctors ran tests for most heavy metals: Lead Chromium Mercury Thallium Arsenic All levels were normal, even the lead. After speaking with the pulmonary doctor, he mentioned that it is impossible to be poisoned from the lead/tin alloy found in rosin core solder. He stated that the alloy would need to be ingested, or in the case of inhallation, in organic form (which solder is not). I've been tested twice for common heavy metals, nothing was found either time. At the time, I did ask about chelation. The hospital did have a type in IV form, but mentioned that the side effects were worse than my symptoms. It was reserved for "severe cases" I work in a industrial setting daily around lead and chromium in particular, along with MEK and Benzene. No one else has fallen ill as of yet (20 other workers) Thanks for your input. Best, Bill
From: Bill on 4 Oct 2005 02:43 <ryancinman(a)aol.com> wrote in message news:1128405585.487429.3590(a)o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com... > Hi Frankie, > > The doctors ran tests for most heavy metals: > > Lead > Chromium > Mercury > Thallium > Arsenic > > All levels were normal, even the lead. After speaking with the > pulmonary doctor, he mentioned that it is impossible to be poisoned > from the lead/tin alloy found in rosin core solder. He stated that the > alloy would need to be ingested, or in the case of inhallation, in > organic form (which solder is not). > > I've been tested twice for common heavy metals, nothing was found > either time. > > At the time, I did ask about chelation. The hospital did have a type in > IV form, but mentioned that the side effects were worse than my > symptoms. It was reserved for "severe cases" > > I work in a industrial setting daily around lead and chromium in > particular, along with MEK and Benzene. No one else has fallen ill as > of yet (20 other workers) > > Thanks for your input. > > Best, > > Bill > Are you reasonably certain the initial low oxygen level was correct? Did you ever get an explanation for that? Has that happened since - e.g. in other hospital visits. Bill
From: ryancinman on 4 Oct 2005 04:01
Hi Bill, The low O2 level only happened twice in the past to my knowledge. Once during the initial onset of symptoms back on Sept 8/04, and a few days later while in my family doctors office. The first reading was 82%, and then 86% In both instances, there was extreme numbness throughout the entire body. Onset was rapid, within seconds. I never received an explaination as to why it happened. Best, Bill |