Mysterious Symptoms
What causes bee sting level stabbing pain in the left arm funny bone with no visible injury every 6 to 26 minutes for three hours? I’ve also been experiencing flu-like feelings in my muscles for over a week. In the last two days, I’ve felt feverish, but my body temperature is actually lower than normal. This went on for about three hours and faded when I did about an hour of vigourous walking after applying some 5% lidocane numbing creme to my elbow.
The Healthcare Experience
The official medical answer is frustratingly vague: “Sorry, we don’t know. We can leave a note for your doctor to make an appointment.” This appointment will likely result in the doctor admitting uncertainty and suggesting following up with Neurology, which would likely also express uncertainty. On a Sunday, there are limited options for seeking medical help. The emergency room is available but expensive, and they might not find anything conclusive. The available doctor provided no clear answers, suggesting Central Sensitization or a viral cause, and recommended managing symptoms. Strangely, he advised against trying to determine the cause of this illness.
Doctor’s Perspective
The doctor seemed to imply that I should accept illness, pain, and suffering if my current doctors don’t have an answer. This premise is flawed, as there are many different doctors and tests available worldwide. Each doctor possesses different pieces of the puzzle. While my HMO doctors may give up, I refuse to do so. I expressed concern that not referring a patient to another doctor when unable to solve the problem appears unethical. In response, the doctor shared an anecdote about how more testing in one study led to more people being injured. While this makes sense (many tests have risks, and there are errors as well), seemingly attempting to discourage my further medical exploration did not. Four days later with a 99.4 F fever for the last few days and something in my lungs, I learned that Neurology put in a referral, but the doctor’s referral was denied, because the chosen location does not do testing beyond what was already done for me. That puzzles me. Surely small fiber neuropathy is not some top secret forbiden thing no one is allowed to test for now?
Tests for Small Fiber Neuropathy
No, small fiber neuropathy (SFN) is not a secret or forbidden condition that cannot be tested for. In fact, it is a recognized neurological disorder that can be diagnosed through various methods. Here are some key points about testing for SFN:
1. Diagnostic criteria: While there is no single definitive test, several diagnostic approaches are used to identify SFN[17][19].
2. Skin biopsy: This is considered one of the most reliable tests for SFN. It involves measuring the intraepidermal nerve fiber density (IENFD)[20][21]. Just don’t let them use lidocane when they do it if the plan is to check for spirochetes, as this numbing agent (at 0.5%) kills lyme bacteria in the skin for up to 7 days. Cold spray is a non-pharmacological option that uses rapid cooling to numb the area briefly. Skin biopsy is considered the gold standard test for diagnosing SFN. The procedure involves: Taking 3-mm punch biopsies, typically from the distal leg and thigh, Examining the samples under a microscope to quantify intraepidermal nerve fiber density (IENFD), Comparing IENFD to age- and sex-adjusted normative values and Diagnosing SFN if IENFD is reduced below normal levels. This test has a sensitivity of about 88% for diagnosing SFN[29].
3. Quantitative sensory testing (QST): This method assesses small fiber function by measuring sensory thresholds, though it has some limitations[20].
4. Clinical examination: Doctors look for specific signs and symptoms associated with small fiber damage[19][21]. They typically assess for reduced sensitivity to temperature and pain in the extremities, particularly the feet and hands[25][28]. Physicians may test for abnormal or reduced sweating patterns and changes in skin color or texture[26]. They also evaluate autonomic functions like heart rate, blood pressure responses (especially when changing positions), and gastrointestinal symptoms[25][27]. Doctors may check for dry eyes and mouth, as well as sexual dysfunction[26]. Additionally, they look for signs of allodynia (pain from normally non-painful stimuli) and hyperalgesia (increased sensitivity to pain)[28]. The clinical examination may also involve assessing gait and balance, as small fiber neuropathy can affect a person’s ability to sense the position of their feet[25].
5. Nerve conduction studies: These are performed to rule out large fiber neuropathy, as SFN typically shows normal results on these tests[20].
6. Autonomic testing: For patients with autonomic symptoms, tests like the quantitative sudomotor axon reflex test (QSART) can be helpful[20]. Autonomic nervous system damage can be correlated with small fiber neuropathy, so you can test for posterural orthostatic tachycardia and blood pressure changes that are abnormal. I thought of this in my case when my resting heart rate did not come down for a whole night after exercising.
7. Combination approach: Many experts recommend using a combination of clinical examination, functional tests (like QST), and structural assessment (skin biopsy) for the most accurate diagnosis[17][19].
While diagnosing SFN can be challenging due to the limitations of individual tests, it is an active area of clinical practice and research. Healthcare providers can and do test for SFN when symptoms suggest its presence.
Current Situation
At this point, all I can do is monitor the frequency of the stabbing pains in my left elbow. These pains feel as strong as a bee sting and are quite disorienting. One had me seeing stars. I’ve experienced about 10 of these in the same spot over the last two hours. Similar, though less intense, pains are occurring in my right index finger (outer end digit), left middle toe, and top of the head. After three hours, the pains are now occurring about 16 to 20 minutes apart, but my elbow pain riot continues. There are now also shooting electric feelings going up the forearm to the left palm, and burning feelings in my feet.
Possible Explanations
Absent any physical visible injury this may be :
Atypical Flu Presentation
Some flu strains can cause atypical symptoms, including:
– Lower than normal body temperature instead of fever[1]
– Neurological symptoms like tingling or nerve pain[3]
However, the stabbing elbow and finger pains are not typical flu symptoms.
Peripheral Neuropathy
The stabbing pains in the elbow and finger could potentially indicate peripheral neuropathy – damage or dysfunction of peripheral nerves[4]. This can cause sharp, burning or tingling sensations. Many conditions can lead to neuropathy, including infections, autoimmune disorders, and vitamin deficiencies.
Central Sensitization
The doctor’s suggestion of central sensitization is worth considering. This involves heightened nervous system sensitivity, leading to amplified pain signals[5]. It can cause widespread, variable pain symptoms. Is it a real condition, or is it merely a description of the damage done by an underlying cause?
Lyme Neuroborreliosis and Misdiagnosis
It appears to some doctors who have spoken candidly that some healthcare systems, including Kaiser, may be misclassifying or overlooking Lyme neuroborreliosis cases. This can happen for several reasons:
Diagnostic Challenges
– Standard tests like the Western Blot often produce false negatives, especially in early stages of infection[9][10].
– Symptoms of Lyme neuroborreliosis can be non-specific and mimic other conditions[10].
Misclassification
– Some healthcare providers may attribute symptoms to other conditions like central sensitization syndrome when Lyme is the actual cause[9].
Consequences
– Misdiagnosis can lead to delayed or inappropriate treatment[9][12].
– Patients may suffer unnecessarily and face financial burdens seeking answers[12].
Improving Diagnosis
– More sensitive tests, like those from IGeneX, may be necessary to confirm Lyme disease[9].
– A thorough patient history, including potential tick exposure, is crucial[10].
– Healthcare providers should consider Lyme disease in patients with unexplained neurological symptoms, especially in endemic areas[10].
Political Reasons
– Late stage Lyme seems to be a forbidden disease at some HMOs where they try very hard to ignore it and supress the fact that it exists. You end up with a bunch of Lyme symptoms that are looked at separately and are given diagnsoese which only describe symptoms, not causes.
Discovery of Borrelia burgdorferi
Borrelia burgdorferi is named after Willy Burgdorfer, who discovered the bacterium, not because he created it. The disease first broke out in Lyme, Connecticut, which is notably close to a biological research facility. While Plum Island did conduct biological warfare research in the 1950s and 60s, its focus was primarily on livestock diseases. This could potentially include Lyme disease, as it also infects livestock.
Investigations into Biolab Involvement
In 2019, the U.S. Congress passed an amendment requiring an investigation into possible biolab involvement in tick weaponization. This investigation was partly prompted by claims made in Kris Newby’s book “Bitten,” which alleged that Willy Burgdorfer had previously developed bioweapons for a branch of the US the government. Although the amendment does not have a specific name, it is commonly referred to as the Lyme disease investigation amendment or the tick bioweapons investigation amendment to the 2019 defense spending bill.
Allegations and Interviews
As evidence for her claims, Newby cites an interview she conducted with Dr. Willy Burgdorfer shortly before his death. In this interview, he allegedly stated that he had been instructed to keep his research into a possible cause for Lyme disease a secret. Burgdorfer passed away on November 17, 2014, at the age of 89 in Hamilton, Montana. The reported cause of death was complications from Parkinson’s disease, which may be linked to immune system damage as it attacks infections in the brain and nerves or possibly due to antibiotic damage to nerve cell mitochondria.
Current Status of Investigations
As of 2024, no conclusive results or reports from these investigations have been made public. Genetic studies of B. burgdorferi generally show natural evolution rather than engineered changes; however, specific genomic regions that might suggest otherwise are not detailed.
Burgdorfer’s Contributions
Willy Burgdorfer’s discovery of the Lyme spirochete in 1981 was serendipitous, occurring while he was studying ticks for Rocky Mountain spotted fever. His expertise in spirochetes and relapsing fever enabled him to recognize the potential link to Lyme arthritis, culminating in his landmark 1982 paper. Throughout his career at Rocky Mountain Laboratories (RML) in Montana from 1951 until his retirement in 1986, he built a global reputation for his knowledge of Rickettsia and Borrelia bacteria.
Lyme as Bioweapon Conclusion
While the theory suggesting that Lyme disease may be linked to bioweapons persists, there is currently no conclusive evidence supporting this claim. The scientific consensus attributes the emergence and spread of Lyme disease to natural processes and ecological changes.
The bottom line is that none of this speculation may amount to anything definitive, or it could potentially be the key to understanding this complex medical mystery surrounding Lyme disease.
It’s important for patients to advocate for themselves and seek second opinions if they suspect Lyme disease, particularly if they have a history of tick exposure and unexplained symptoms.
Exploring Another Fringe Possibility: EMF Signals
What is interesting about these stong pains is that they started happening on a regular schedule, with a bit of flexibility. This is the type of thing you’d expect from an electronic device, but I still had them with my phone off and in a metal box and with my statellite dish powered off.
I note that there is very thick fog right now, and as a result, some EMF pulses may be being sent out at extremely hight powers in order to maintain service.
I’m Right Side Electric 52 V/m ?
My EMF-390 meter seemed to show that my right hand is emitting about 52 V/m continuous (not static discharge) and my left hand is not emitting much of anything. This test was done keeping the device in the same place, both feet in contact with the floor wearing shoes, and shifting my body to test different hands. What I discovered on further tests, however, is that I was rotating the meter slightly to hold it with one hand then the. other. In one direction, there is a registered current, in the other, in the same place, there is not. This unltimately had to do with the proximity to the laptop and not the device’s orientation. This shows how easy it is to mis-read data. At this time, It has been 16 minutes without a stabbing elbow pain, OUCH, there it is. 16 minutes 49 seconds, a new record. Clearly it is time to get far away from where I am to rule out location effects.
Recommendations
Given the complexity and persistence of your symptoms, I suggest:
1. Keeping a detailed symptom journal to track patterns
2. Seeking a second opinion, potentially from a neurologist
3. Asking about tests to rule out underlying conditions (blood work, nerve conduction studies, etc.)
4. Exploring pain management options for symptom relief
My own recommendation for myself that I have followed is to take some more Omega 3 fatty acids and to get an hour long walk in. This may have contributed to the problem resolving, for now!
Another Bizzare Symptom: Temporary Resting Heart Rate Increase for Hours
Last night, the night of the stabbing pains, after an hour walk my resting heart rate (RHR) stayed up. It was about 10 beats a minute faster than normal all night. My resting heart rate is in the 50s and it was in the 60s all night for some reason after my walk. It felt like it was racing, but it was actually “normal” non-bradycardia for the first time in years. I’d gone to bed earlly and by the time I woke up it was back into the 50s.
Along with this suddenly normal heart rate, the top edge of my bottom front teeth were painful with a dull toothache type pain.
While being a medical mystgery can be frustrating, continuing to advocate for yourself and to seek answers is important. I hope to find clarity and relief one day soon.
Read More
[1] https://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/adult-flu-symptoms
[2] https://www.msdmanuals.com/home/infections/respiratory-viruses/influenza-flu
[3] https://www.healthline.com/health/flu-symptoms
[4] https://www.healthline.com/health/cold-flu/early-flu-symptoms
[5] https://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/ss/slideshow-cold-something-else
[6] https://www.meningitisnow.org/meningitis-explained/signs-and-symptoms/
[7] https://www.uclahealth.org/news/article/why-your-whole-body-aches-when-youre-sick-and-what-you-can-do-about-it
[8] https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319985
[9] https://www.oaklandmagazine.com/the-tick-that-took-me-out/
[10] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4543842/
[11] https://www.amenclinics.com/blog/the-cdc-reveals-the-truth-about-lyme-disease/
[12] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8226969/
[13] https://www.physio-pedia.com/Central_Sensitisation
[14] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4728142/
[15] https://www.ccjm.org/content/90/4/245
[16] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK553027/
[17] https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/neurology/articles/10.3389/fneur.2020.00342/full
[18] https://news.mayocliniclabs.com/2022/04/13/small-fiber-neuropathy/
[19] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6906595/
[20] https://practicalneurology.com/articles/2021-july-aug/small-fiber-neuropathy
[21] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2442424/
[22] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1555415523000107
[23] https://www.cnn.com/2024/10/09/science/comet-tsuchinshan-atlas-earth/index.html
[24] https://www.businessinsider.com/comet-a3-visibility-when-where-how-see-tsuchinshan-atlas-2024-9
[25] https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17479-small-fiber-neuropathy
[26] https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/small-fiber-neuropathy
[27] https://www.webmd.com/brain/what-is-small-fiber-sensory-neuropathy
[28] https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/the-big-pain-of-small-fiber-neuropathy
[29] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK582147/
