Struggling

My food and such has been fine, but I'm just not feeling right physically and it's really starting to take a toll on me emotionally. For the last few weeks I've been getting these strange feelings from about my xyphoid to up and around my lower rib cage. I've had my gall bladder out and my liver function tests (last time I had them done) were fine. It's just strange. Sometimes I'll get this VERY quick stabbing pain that I've been attributing to gas because I can almost feel it "rolling away" afterwards. I also have felt a pressure in my chest off and on (I had an EKG - all's well) that they've attributed to my heavy breasts (I'm still a "DD" and am in the process of finding out about getting a reduction). I get dizzy spells, especially around the time of my period. I feel tired a lot, and am just tired of the almost constant "heaviness" that I feel in my chest. I went to the doc the other day about it and he pushed on my xyphoid and I about jumped off the table. He said it was musculo-skeletal (sp?) and since I can't take ibuprofen to just try Tylenol - which didn't do much. I've also been feeling esophogeal spasms which I knew that I had before, but they're coming more frequently. It's almost like the feeling after you run, that sorta irritation that you feel in your esophogus - I get that sometimes. I'm finding myself just wanting to lie down on the couch and not moving because once I get into a position where nothing is aching, twitching, spasming, or feeling 'off', I don't want to move! I just want to feel good. To be honest, I've not felt nearly as good as I expected to feel post-op since I've had this surgery. Yes, I can do more, but I've not ever had one day where I've been on top of the world feeling absolutely fantastic - which is exactly how I expected to feel. Even when I was working out daily, I still felt 'off' most days. I don't really know how else to explain it other than feeling off. My mother was just diagnosed with mild manic depression - I'm thinking maybe I have the same thing - I dunno - I just know that right at this moment, I'm not a happy person. Michelle

I am so sorry you arent feeling so well.Where exactly is your xyphoid? I hope they find a solution for you -no fair.I know you are a busy person has this slowed you down? I'm saying a little prayer for you -feel better soon. Laura

Michelle, I'm so sorry to hear about poorly you are feeling. {{{{HUGS}}}} (gentle so as not to push on the xyphoid process or anything else that might hurt ya) How are your iron, ferritin, % sat and TIBC values? These all measure iron stores. From the sounds of the tiredness especially getting worse around your period... I'd think maybe you might be having iron issues. If you are having some musculo-skeletal issues perhaps a chiropractor can help. They work with the skeleton and the related muscles. What has your doctor said about the esophagael spasms? Sorry to hear about your mom. I hope that she finds good meds to help her. There is definitely a strong genetic component to bipolar disorder (manic depression). I hope that brighter days are ahead for you. Ahead for us all. Hugs, Kathy

Michelle, I don't really know what to say except for I'm sorry you're feeling so bad and I hope you feel better soon... I agree with Kathy, it does sound like iron, but it sounds like it could be multiple things at once, too - strain from your breasts, iron/bloodwork, depression. Follow your intuition, if you don't feel well, keep at it until someone can give you some answers.