2 ms·

You don't mention your height and weight or BMI. You also don't mention exercise. Sleep apnea is common among people who are overweight as are many of the other

You don't mention your height and weight or BMI. You also don't mention exercise. Sleep apnea is common among people who are overweight as are many of the other symptoms you describe. Are you? Your symptoms started when you were 20 which is when many people start gaining weight. You also seem to have had massive exposure to a wide array of chemicals. "...but after a year of treatment with every antibiotic imaginable...". Please remember that FDA approval does not make a substance safe and the FDA does not do drug interaction testing. I'm assuming you're American. I moved to the USA in 2005 when I was 31. After a lifetime of perfect health my digestive system played havoc for a few years. Only after paying careful attention to my diet did I regain my physical well-being. Remember: Gatorade is not water, Corn fed beef is 10 times fattier than grass fed, 90% of bread contains a huge amount of sugar and has very little fiber etc. Take an interest in your diet and it will change your life for the better. The American medical system can be the worst thing for your health. This is the only country where I've seen post-operative pain medication used for pain maintenance, teenage boys prescribed prozac due to exam stress and so on. It is designed to extract every last penny from you while keeping you healthy enough to perceive benefits and avoid lawsuits. Understand that you will always find a sympathetic ear and an easy prescription. One last thing: Have you moved house since you were 20? Or did you stay in one place for a long time? Chemical exposure through air, water, diet or skin contact could be a cause. Radioactivity through radon exposure or another source is also a possibility you should consider. Best of luck!

mistermann 16y ago
I agree. For a situation this serious, you really should update your post with more thorough details. Also, I noticed earlier you eat a lot of processed meals (but the healthier ones). Really, if you haven't tried purely basic healthy eating and exercise and monitoring the results daily, not to be rude, but one has to wonder how hard you're trying.
jrockway 16y ago
You're right about the exercise. The rest is a bit FUD-ish. It's true that typical "American" foods are unhealthy, but this guy is more than unhealthy. Millions of people eat like crap and feel fine (until they die of hypertension at age 50). Something else is wrong with the OP. The rant about the health system is largely false. The American medical system has access to a lot of very expensive technology that may or may not help. The best we can do is try. Everyone wants you to get better; your family, your doctor, even your insurance company. All I can say is that my experience with the system is not like yours at all. I have allergies. I didn't believe the first doctor when he told me that, so I went somewhere else. They did a blood test and prescribed a drug that was more effective than antihistamines. Then I started getting allergy shots. The total cost out of pocket for that? $20. The system is not trying to screw you. The reality is that medicine is a very difficult field that we know very little about.
- mmaunder 16y ago
  I've experienced living in 2 other countries and IMHO the intent is not as honorable here as you suggest. For example, maintenance drugs like Lipitor are extremely profitable and provide long term recurring revenue. There's a strong incentive (at best) for doctors to recommend a lifetime prescription over diet and exercise. Prostate cancer detection and surgery is another controversial area. Read this: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/10/opinion/10Ablin.html http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/10/opinion/10Ablin.html On a tangental note, you should see if you can find the podcast of "My Lobotomy". The history of Dr Freeman and the story of Howard Dully. It's a great lesson on why a healthy suspicion of the medical profession is a good thing. Here's a transcript: http://www.npr.org/templates/transcript/transcript.php?storyId=5014080 http://www.npr.org/templates/transcript/transcript.php?story... I get allergies too. Horrible damned affliction!
  - jrockway 16y ago
    I get allergies too. Horrible damned affliction! But fortunately, with a well-tested cure.

mistermann 16y ago

I agree. For a situation this serious, you really should update your post with more thorough details. Also, I noticed earlier you eat a lot of processed meals (but the healthier ones). Really, if you haven't tried purely basic healthy eating and exercise and monitoring the results daily, not to be rude, but one has to wonder how hard you're trying.

jrockway 16y ago

You're right about the exercise. The rest is a bit FUD-ish. It's true that typical "American" foods are unhealthy, but this guy is more than unhealthy. Millions of people eat like crap and feel fine (until they die of hypertension at age 50). Something else is wrong with the OP. The rant about the health system is largely false. The American medical system has access to a lot of very expensive technology that may or may not help. The best we can do is try. Everyone wants you to get better; your family, your doctor, even your insurance company. All I can say is that my experience with the system is not like yours at all. I have allergies. I didn't believe the first doctor when he told me that, so I went somewhere else. They did a blood test and prescribed a drug that was more effective than antihistamines. Then I started getting allergy shots. The total cost out of pocket for that? $20. The system is not trying to screw you. The reality is that medicine is a very difficult field that we know very little about.

mmaunder 16y ago
I've experienced living in 2 other countries and IMHO the intent is not as honorable here as you suggest. For example, maintenance drugs like Lipitor are extremely profitable and provide long term recurring revenue. There's a strong incentive (at best) for doctors to recommend a lifetime prescription over diet and exercise. Prostate cancer detection and surgery is another controversial area. Read this: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/10/opinion/10Ablin.html http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/10/opinion/10Ablin.html On a tangental note, you should see if you can find the podcast of "My Lobotomy". The history of Dr Freeman and the story of Howard Dully. It's a great lesson on why a healthy suspicion of the medical profession is a good thing. Here's a transcript: http://www.npr.org/templates/transcript/transcript.php?storyId=5014080 http://www.npr.org/templates/transcript/transcript.php?story... I get allergies too. Horrible damned affliction!
- jrockway 16y ago
  I get allergies too. Horrible damned affliction! But fortunately, with a well-tested cure.