ZenAlex

I don't feel fatigued after exercise, but I feel lightheaded during and after, and get rushes of depression, tightness around my body, restlessness and higher anxiety. This isn't even after high intense specifically, even just walking does it to me. It's been this way for 4 months. Had blood tests done, no anemia, thryoid fine, hba1c fine, no hypoglycemia, b12, D, iron, all fine. Any ideas?

I'll research more on adrenal fatigue/issues tomorrow. When I contemplate what lead up to all of this, in the months leading up to this, I played a lot of video games. I keep contemplating that I overstimulated myself during this period of time and triggered some sort of weird stress response. I always knew tech stimulation made me feel worse, but since I was away from it in the past for 6-12 months at a time, and didn't completely get better, just saw some improvement, and because I indulged for periods of time before and got back to the zen lifestyle, I didn't expect that it may impact me this way. I have no idea if this temporary period of video game playing messed me up, but there were two things going on just before the symptoms started, that could be just coincidental or not 1) Many hours of video game playing most days, although I did have a few days break at times between binges 2) I took the multi vitamin everyday for about 2 months. The symptoms started a few weeks after ceasing video games and getting back out for hikes again on a daily basis. I'm such an idiot. I've had inner peace to some degree in the palm of my hands and at times I've let it go. Probably because i had to go to extreme lengths to maintain it, and because of emotional flatness and the need to avoid stimulation to maintain wellbeing. I don't know if I should be highly self critical here or forgiving, because my symptoms have often been weird and no doctor/therapist can do much about it.

The one thing that's difficult about situations like this is that there's so much overlapping of symptoms. How would you test and diagnose MCAS.

Oh, and I forgot to mention on my OP - Symptoms I've had for several years but never were too debilitating - Low sex drive since I was a teenager. I've rarely to never really had the motivation to pursue a sexual partner. Over last 10 years, felt very irritable, more depressed/anxious after orgasm for about a week after. (On nofap for majority of last 8 years). Poor appetite - Lost a bunch of weight at one point, including lean muscle mass, because I was able to exercise well enough and had energy due to healthy foods, so assumed I was getting enough calories, but poor appetite must have deceived me. Started eating more medjool dates, nuts etc to boost calories, felt better, but poor appetite remains despite management. 9 years ago - Suddenly felt way more anhedonic, anxious for no reason, depressed, irritable, compulsive thinking habits. Managed, but has never fully resolved. No interest in romantic partners, despite having opportunities. Can social well enough but no real desire. Very Limited satisfaction. Mental stimulation from technology has a prolonged after effect. I remember when I was chopping and changing lifestyle habits that playing just a few hours of video games would make my mind feel far less in present moment and far more ADHD/hyperactive for about a week after. After 1-2 weeks after from video games/tv/watching videos, my mind would feel considerably more present, although I feel like I have to avoid tech stimulation like the plague now to avoid it's negative impact on me. I only allow it occasionally when a big sporting event happens and I decide I just cannot miss it, and accept the negative after effect.

I am concerned it's been 7 months without a resolution, but I am at least significantly self aware and know how to manage the symptoms for now so they don't overpower my day and I can enjoy a small amount of things. At times I recognise I have procrastinated a lot, which happens when it's all about study, contemplation and research, but when I figure out practical things to do I'm right on it. I wish this was as simple as having a room full of tasks and paperwork to do and the problem would be resolved right at the end of the endeavour, and I would be on it 16 hours a day. I forgive myself because I've had days where I've been suicidal and just needing to rest, sleep and vent on suicide forums. But after weeks/months of spending many hours doing this I realise that I need to be fully dedicated to life, and realise that suicidal ideation/fantasy can just be a form of cope/relief. I am 100% committed to this, and this whole thing will hopefully be all worth it, especially when it comes to recognising the depths of my ADHD's impact on my ability to get shit done.

Today I ordered the Active b12 and Cortisol Saliva test, will do them early next week, send em off same day, should get them back before end of next week. Have just got my appointment with cardiology for my heart monitor. Will see what happens. It's concerning because the GP never said anything about it with the initial results, just said "minor irregularities but no real concern", but then when I was continuing to pester the GP, they said they'd send off the results to cardiology for review, and now I got a call from GP saying they'd like to do a 72 hour heart monitor. Makes you wonder if I'm going to have to get a full on health education to understand this whole thing myself because of how unconcerned the GP is at times.

I'm going to take one last active b12 test to see if my dietary changes have impacted my b12 levels at all over the last 2 months, then I am considering a sublingual b12 supplement. I'm only concerned because I realise around the time my symptoms started, for months I was taking a new supplement - Veg1 with cyancobalamin b12, and part of me is still concerned that may have triggered it. I've thought of this months ago, but eventually dismissed it as I thought it was unlikely. Adrenal fatigue is a possibility, and some of the experiences these people are having seem similar to mine - https://www.reddit.com/r/adrenalfatigue/comments/16e0szn/adrenal_fatigue_through_vit_b12_supplement/ https://www.reddit.com/r/adrenalfatigue/comments/16gyp1i/b12/ This is why I am scared to try any b12 supp now tbh. Signs and symptoms of adrenal insufficiency may include: Fatigue - Sleep not as refreshing, although not exactly that tired or anything., Body aches. Unexplained weight loss. Low blood pressure. Lightheadedness. Loss of body hair - Thinner eyebrows, noticed receeding hairline and also a thin patch on top of head. Skin discoloration (hyperpigmentation)

Hi Michal, thank you so much for getting back to me. It took me a while to get a phlebotomist in my area, and delivery was delayed due to bank holiday. I've got a mobile phlebotomist coming to my apartment today to take it and I'll UPS it today also, and it should be with them by end of week, and turn around time is up to 12 working days so may have to wait a bit of time. I've took the DAO test today also, they're currently sitting drying on the cards and I'll be mailing them today also. My GP ordered a fasting blood test that I did this morning at 8.30. It was testing for cortisol, SHBG/Testosterone (told her about my other test), adrenal stuff, thyroid recheck. I'll be probably taking a sublingual b12 supp soon but I'm anxious about starting it before I've finished all my blood tests just in case it impacts it and also concerned always about side effects of high dose supps. Will see what happens then. So yeah, lots of testing going on lol. As part of my IgG food intolerance test (sceptical) and IgE allergy test, I had a free consultation with a nutritional therapist yesterday, she advised to try and get my b12 levels above 500, and also to look into - Cortisol dysregulation - Cortisol saliva test (was considering this but will see what the GP test comes back at first). Research HPA Axis etc.

I've noticed my sleep has been disturbed and not always satisfying, but not always too bad, I wouldn't say I have low energy. I have had thinning hair for a couple of years and notice the outside parts of my eyebrows are thinning. I've had dry eyes for a while. I did notice in the very early stages of my symptoms that I had cold hands, but that hasn't happened for a while now and I notice the more I exercise, the worse my symptoms get. I don't get colds, but very infrequently noticed a sensitivity to it, but that rarely happens.

Sorry to hear you're suffering my friend. You're suffering with horrible panic attacks, you've survived a year of difficult time, so you're not weak. I myself I have had suicidal ideation over the last 6 months. If you've not been happy for a long time it can be difficult to find a way out. May I ask what you've done to try and get better? Do you really believe you've exhausted all of your options.

Did they force you to take drugs?

I've had my thyroid checked previously, but almost all tests show I'm normal, although my doc is doing another thyroid test soon, although I did have a test done years ago which showed signs of subclinical hypo, but all tests since show no signs, but you never know. So you self-diagnosed? Have you gotten blood tests to confirm? Also would like to hear your stories. I don't know if you've seen my exercise issue I'm having right now. All physical exertion is triggering a stress response in me and physical symptoms. Cannot really exercise right now at all besides shorter walks.

@undeather @Michael569 @Leo Gura Yo guys. Do you guys have any advice on these two things I'm considering? - 1. Taking an Anti-histamine. I've ordered a DAO test offline, I know some people don't agree with it, but I'll see what it says. I'm not gonna do a low histamine or elimination diet yet, especially not without consulting a doctor after getting some indication it is a histamine issue, but do you reckon taking an AH would be a decent indicator? Any potential negatives/side effects to taking an AH if I have no histamine issues? 2. Fasting. I was considering a fast to see if it changes anything. I have seen a success story where someone literally got rid of their Long Covid symptoms 90% with a fast and then did Keto immediately after. It seems to have had massive benefits for them. Any advice on fasting? Thanks guys,

I resonate with this. Although I've pushed for a lot of different tests to be done, it's difficult not to procrastinate when you literally don't know what else to do. You feel you're taking a stab in the dark. I envy that you've at least got your diagnosis. I feel I've tried a lot of things to get better but am getting no where, and despite being 32 and realising how important it is to try, I have days when I'm productive and have found different things to try and days where I stay fall into the trap of procrastination.

just fucking lol at all of you.

You mean a ophthalmologist? But they seem to deal specifically with the eyes themselves, not skin irritation issues, that sounds more like a dermatologist I need.

Although it does get irritated by heaters, dust etc, even if I dust my entire apartment and keep it well ventilated... this helps, but I still can't get rid of it completely. Is there any way this could be dietary related at all? Any advice? It's like dry eye lids/space around the eyes, it's lead to bad dehydration lines which make part of my face look like a 60 year old. I've tried moisturisers but they often just do nothing or burn me.

Well I've been on nofap for several years. I'm not saying I've never jerked off since then, but I've not jerked off to any porn in about 5 months now. And when I do do it, it's usually just several times in the space of 1-2 days, then I stop and I'm done for another several months. I have noticed that for about 7-8 years whenever I jerk off my mood is fucked for about a week, but that was it, just my mood. I didn't feel sick/ill or anything. But these symptoms with exercise and my newest symptoms have only been here for about 7 months now. I've eaten a healthy diet for a long time now. My tests show no obvious deficiencies. I'm eating eggs, cows milk, fish, chicken etc. The weird thing is I do get mental and physical symptoms after physical activity, but I don't feel flu like symptoms and I don't feel that fatigued. It's more like an exaggerated stress response to physical activity and stimuli.

I am getting air purifiers soon, better bedding, hoover with a Hepa 13 filter. Hopefully this works. I'll mention it to my GP.

@Michael569 @undeather Hi. I've been continuing to look for answers, I've come across a potential answer here - Histamine Intolerance/Response. For about 10 years now I've had issues with my sense of smell/blocked noses even though I don't have a cold or anything and feeling otherwise fine. I do get rashes on my arms that go up and down. Stingy/red eyelids I know that exercise releases Histamines. Is it possible this could be an issue with histamine intolerance/response? Could this issue I've had with exercise be because of this? I've got a doc appt on monday, I'm mentioning the possibility of long covid, omega 3, SHBG to them, but could docs do a test for histamines? Also Michal, I'm considering that test you told me about, I'm emailing my local phlebotomist, to see if they can do the test, will get back to you on that.

@Leo Gura @Michael569 It's more so the skin around the eyes, rather than eye balls themselves. They get a dry, red flakiness to them. I've also noticed that for a while I've had a diminished sense of smell and a poor appetite which I've had to manage through consuming things like nuts and medjool dates to bulk up my calories, to make sure I'm getting enough as my appetite is inconsistent. Exercising helps a bit with this, but I remember times where I'd not be hungry much at all throughout my day, but wake up at like 4.30am considerably hungry. I mention stuff like this to the doc but they just sometimes focus on a couple of the things I mention and don't consider the others, or just say it could be depression or stress lol.

The more and more I pay attention to my symptoms, the more I see my brain is responding to stimulating activities in a negative way. I think I'm experiencing an exaggerated stress response from physical activity and other things now. It's been happening for 7 months, and nothing I try makes a difference. These symptoms are so strange. I don't feel physically unwell, and I think my lightheadedness literally just comes from heightened levels of bodily stress as I noticed harder days at work leave me feeling more lightheaded, but specifically the more walking I do, the more the lightheadedness comes, as well as the tinnitus. I have another appointment with my GP that I made through e-consult, and have also advised them of my Omega 3 test and SHBG test and I will see if they do anything with those.

The food intolerance test is Igg Alergy test is IGE. They didn't charge extra for the nutritional therapist, that came as part of the deal. https://www.yorktest.com/products/food-allergy-test/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI5rnpzsuPhQMVtZBQBh3ujAxsEAAYASAAEgKP6fD_BwE

So some of you may be aware of my issues and I've had tonnes of tests done, I decided to get food intolerance/allergy test done. My NHS told me that it's basically bullshit and not based on science, but I did it anyway. I remember a month before I took the test, I had my last handful of almonds. I coughed for 30 minutes after eating them and remember my throat feeling itchy. May just be coincidence but I thought may it's worth getting a test done, and I stopped eating almonds out of fear because of my last experience eating them. lo and behold, the biggest allergy I have is to almonds, according to this test anyway, despite eating them daily for many years. I am giving being gluten free another shot, I am also giving up nuts of any kind during this time, and my doc advised 6-8 weeks is sometimes a necessary timescale to notice any changes. This company that I did the tests with also offers an appointment with a nutritional therapist as part of the deal. I am going to go to the apt with an open mind and see what happens. Allergy test - Food intolerance.

https://www.holistichelp.net/blog/autonomic-nervous-system-dysfunction/ Also the issue with this is that so many of these conditions have so many related symptoms that are associated with other conditions there's just no way to know or test that you have this. There are literally thousands of conditions that have the same symptoms.