Medical Help

[TaborMallory]

I'll cut right to the important stuff, so here's a few things I've noticed about my overall health.

Firstly, I've got a bad twitching problem in my wrists and arms.It's bad enough that I can't read a paper I'm holding without support, can't even read my own handwriting on some occasions, and can barely use the computer mouse accurately anymore. It can't be entirely blamed on my gratuitous sugar intake; I've had this problem for about ten years and I've only been consuming extra sugar for about three years.

Secondly, I've been having problems with automatic movement. I have trouble walking up and down stairs, almost as if my legs are forgetting the movement. I also can't balance as well merely standing up. If my mind drifts too far, I'll forget I'm even standing and sometimes stumble or fall.

Thirdly, I've been having crazy bad mood swings. One minute I'll be high on life, and the next I'll be imagining suicide. Again, this can't be entirely blamed on puberty. I've gone through the worst of that four years ago.

Now, I'll admit that I'm not exactly the healthiest guy around. I have a poor diet, poor sleeping habits, and I don't exercise regularly. However, I'm worried this could be something bad.
Are all these problems stemming from my lifestyle, or could it be something serious like Huntington's Disease?

EDIT
Another thing to consider: I might be exaggerating. I'm not sure if I am; all I know is that I'm depressed as hell right now.

 

[dontworryaboutit]

Maybe you had a stroke.

This is a totally uninformed inference.

Get checked out. I am not a doctor.

 

[Glerken]

I'd see a doctor.
We here at the Escapist are smart, but not doctors...

 

[S.H.A.R.P.]

I couldn't say, but I seriously recommend you to see a doctor. Please, just bite the bullet. It's a sucky step, but if you are getting scared of all the signs you'll have to swallow your pride for once. You might be able to get a diagnosis here, but we aren't all doctors and you can't be sure of the accuracy.

 

[Vern]

Well the sugar intake combined with poor overall health and poor sleep, as well as what sounds like loss of muscle control might point to diabetes. It also sounds like a variety of neurological disease, either way if you can't hold a paper or use a mouse due to shaking you should probably see a doctor. That or it might be delerium tremens, but judging by your age I doubt it.

Depression and mood swings are pretty common, especially among younger people, so I don't know if I'd consider that in the diagnosis. Especially since it might simply be stress related due to the other conditions described.

 

[dontworryaboutit]

I'd see a doctor.
We here at the Escapist are smart, but not doctors...

We're smart?

It could be a brain tumor. Really dawg, see a doctor.

IT'S NAHT A TUMAH

 

[MoganFreeman]

I doubt Huntington's wouldn't present this young, but that is definitely something that should be brought to the attention of a doctor, soon.

And, out of curiosity, how many hours of sleep would you say you are getting?

 

[megapenguinx]

See a doctor dude. Seriously, describe to him exactly like you did to us.
Hmm, from my basic medical training it sounds like a neurological problem/chemical imbalance.

 

[TaborMallory]

I doubt Huntington's wouldn't present this young, but that is definitely something that should be brought to the attention of a doctor, soon.

And, out of curiosity, how many hours of sleep would you say you are getting?

I usually sleep for between six and ten hours.
Also, I learned from a guest speaker at my school that she started to show some basic symptoms of Huntington's around the age of 18.

 

[Legion]

A doctor is the only realistic option. Make sure you are honest about your symptoms too.

 

[the_dancy_vagrant]

The lack of coordination and twitching in your arms/hands could be signs of something serious. Go and see a general practice MD and he'll probably recommend that you have a consult with a neurologist if he can't make a diagnosis. Don't sit on this, do what everyone else said and see a doctor.

As for the mood swings, bring those up as well - it may or may not be related to your other symptoms.

 

[Gadzooks]

Huntingtons can start showing up at any age, I believe, but it is more common later on. My uncle has it, and now he is cared for like a child, it's a very tragic thing to happen. Do you have a family history of the disease?

I normally associate mood swings like you said with bi-polar disorder, which often begins to present in late puberty, but from what I know about huntingtons I think it has some mental problems associated, so it sounds as if it could be that instead. I'm unsure of the specifics of how it affects the brain.

But what do I know, I'm not a real doctor but I am a real homicidal cat. Just go to the doctor, it could be something entirely treatable, but doing nothing will get you nowhere, and if it is something along the lines of a tumor then sooner treatment will increase your survival chances.

Best of luck mate.

 

[Ben Jamin]

I year 8 we had a kid who couldnt walk properly and keep falling.
He had a tumor pressing against his spine.
So go see a doctor man coz this could be serious.

 

[theCMNDER]

See a doctor.

 

[sky14kemea]

umm, it could be arthritis...?

it would explain the shaky hands at least >_<

i dont think its anything to do with the sugar, depends, how old are you? because i live a really unhealthy lifestyle with tons o' sugar, and i havent had anything like that happen to me... unless yours is unhealthy beyond reason XD

but yeah... probably should see a doctor

 

[obehave_wan]

Huntington's is genetic, so before you see the doctor, ask your relatives if they know any of your family that has had it. That will be the first thing the doctors ask, but there's also a simple genetic test that can be taken even before you show any symptoms.

 

[sorry user name taken.]

I'll cut right to the important stuff, so here's a few things I've noticed about my overall health.

Firstly, I've got a bad twitching problem in my wrists and arms.It's bad enough that I can't read a paper I'm holding without support, can't even read my own handwriting on some occasions, and can barely use the computer mouse accurately anymore. It can't be entirely blamed on my gratuitous sugar intake; I've had this problem for about ten years and I've only been consuming extra sugar for about three years.

Secondly, I've been having problems with automatic movement. I have trouble walking up and down stairs, almost as if my legs are forgetting the movement. I also can't balance as well merely standing up. If my mind drifts too far, I'll forget I'm even standing and sometimes stumble or fall.

Thirdly, I've been having crazy bad mood swings. One minute I'll be high on life, and the next I'll be imagining suicide. Again, this can't be entirely blamed on puberty. I've gone through the worst of that four years ago.

Now, I'll admit that I'm not exactly the healthiest guy around. I have a poor diet, poor sleeping habits, and I don't exercise regularly. However, I'm worried this could be something bad.
Are all these problems stemming from my lifestyle, or could it be something serious like Huntington's Disease?

EDIT
Another thing to consider: I might be exaggerating. I'm not sure if I am; all I know is that I'm depressed as hell right now.

option 1 - depression

can make your body feel weak and bad mood swings


option 2 - eating

bad eating habits effect mood and your body


option 3 - sleeping

hardly sleeping at all will effect your mind and body.


opition 4 - your body is telling you..

..its had enough and it wants you to stop doing.if this is only happening now it cant be that bad...the warning lights are on that's all.


like all the others are saying I'd see a doctor else you'll just going to keep worrying and you'll make yourself worse.too me it sounds like depression because i went though those same effects.

 

[Lukeje]

It's definitely Lupus.

It's never Lupus.

 

[Daveman]

crazy bad mood swings............a poor diet

it's most likely this, too much sugary foods etc means your blood sugar level is gonna go up and down like a rollercoaster causing mood swings and fatigue. Eat solid carbohydrates like baked potatoes etc and cut down on the fizzy drinks. With how it's making you feel now it could gonna you at risk of diabetes later on.

of course I don't know what you generally eat but I'd still recommend a very varied diet.

Also, in case it is real depression, I'd try going out and fulfilling your life.

 

[Daveman]

I usually sleep for between six and ten hours.
Also, I learned from a guest speaker at my school that she started to show some basic symptoms of Huntington's around the age of 18.

That's plenty of sleep. People say 8-10 but it's really about 6-8 hours needed.
I doubt it's huntingtons if you haven't got any family history of it it's incredibly unlikely.

It's definitely Lupus.

It's never Lupus.

This isn't House!