I just wanted to put this out here because there are so many knowledgeable people on this list.

For the past 5 years my brother has been suffering from some condition that so far has gone undiagnosed despite every possible test including MRI's and CAT Scans. His symptoms (which tend to flare up and then settle down at various times) are as follows: localized muscle weakness and pain, shakiness, extreme fatigue. If he taxes a muscle, by the end of the day it's so weak that it shakes and sags and won't respond. Example: He sells commercial insurance. If he has a lot of appointments in a day or talks a lot on the phone in a day - therefore, if he moves his jaw a lot during a day, by evening the muscles in my face sag and twitch and he actually slurs his words a little because the muscles don't respond. If he does much walking during a day (like if he takes a client for 9 holes of golf, even if he has a power cart), then he can't navigate the stairs in his house by evening because the muscles in his legs are so weak.

Back when his problems first started he started going to doctors and naturopaths and he was told he was infested with Candida and he went on de-tox and a very strict diet similar to Atkins but much stricter than that. His condition did seem to improve somewhat and of course he lost all his excess weight which he has kept off, he's very trim. After he lost his weight he then altered the strict diet to eating basically whatever he wanted during the weekends and adhering to the diet on week days. He believed that was working for him but his condition has gotten much worse. (I would tell him that he's shooting himself in the foot doing that but he doesn't want to discuss it, he's very touchy). His condition seems to flare up quite badly in the spring and fall seasons.

Now his diet is slipping more and more and he's eating higher glycemic foods throughout the week now. His wife is an angel from heaven and she serves what he wants and tries to make it as healthy as possible.

The first thought on everyone's mind was MS or possibly severe fibromyalgia or Rheumatoid Arthritis or Chronic Fatigue Symdrome but he has tested negative for everything. Does any of this ring any bells for anyone?

My Mom and Sister-in-law and I all think it's some toxin that he's exposed to and that he's allergic to and I can't help but think that diet would really help him with his symptoms but he's kind of unapproachable. He's currently trying some gadget called the Zapper which is supposed to help everything under the sun.

I am so worried about him. It really sucks that he's in the prime of his life (38) and he can't even mow the lawn or run around with his kids. It puts an extreme burden on his wife and on their marriage (although as far as I know their marriage is fine). They're planning on selling their home, which they love, because it's a four level split and it has a swimming pool and Ted can't manage the stairs or maintain the pool anymore. Last time I talked to Cori she actually talked about a place that was wheelchair friendly, I can't believe it's come to that.

Any information would be much appreciated.

I'm so sorry to read that your family is facing this. I hate to mention this one but has Parkinson's been ruled out? Fatigue of muscle groups that have been overworked is one symptom.
Try this page http://members.aol.com/apdaypd/young/fatigue.htm

I would think a toxin would be detectable in blood work. Has your brother been to a large teaching hospital yet? They are often more away of unfamiliar diseases than in other hospital settings.

Hope you find an answer soon.

I don't know if Parkinson's has been considered, I have a sick feeling just reading about it. But diagnosis is so important, everyone feels so helpless and hopeless not knowing what's happening. What I just read on that link it right on the money for what he feels. He definitely has the sleep disturbances too, I forgot to mention that.

I'm so sorry your brother is having these health problems. My boyfriend has occular myastenia gravis which affects the muscles in the eyes and eyelids. However, generalized MG affects other parts of the body. Here's an article I hope you find helpful:

http://www.myasthenia.org/information/practical.htm

There are many other informational articles about MG on the internet. If you think MG might be a possibility, just do a search for it.

I wish your brother (and your entire family) all the best and hope you get a diagnosis and some helpful treatment soon.

God Bless!

Oh, another horrifying sounding condition. Thank you for the information. BTW, I should have mentioned that my brother also has adult onset asthma for which he takes med via an inhaler but I don't know what the med is. My Mom and I suspect that it's causing some problem too. Also, Ted has chronic hypertension for which he has been on meds since his early 20's.

Has ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) been ruled out?

http://www.alsa.org/als/symptoms.cfm

Sorry to hear about your brothers health. I have a suggestion or rather a place for you to visit on the web. www.Iknowthecause.com The candida I know is caused by a fungal infection in your brothers body. The wondereful people at Doug Kaufmanns site will help you in the chat room. They have helped me and alot of other people with similar problems. And I am quite sure they could give you great suggestions as to what it is your brother and you should do. I hope this helps.

Well, my first thought was Parkinsons as well. There is no real test, per say, just a check my a Neurologist. It used to be that it was an old persons desease, no more for years younger people, even in the 20's have been struck by it.
My husband has known he's had it for over 10 years now, they figure it most likely started in his early 40's, as most often, you have it for years without knowing it. It might be something to at least ask about anyways. It is a nasty thing, but, there is much worst out there, thats for sure.

I sure wish him luck, Kathy

If he does have candidia his weekend binge could be making it worse. Basicaly he's feeding it for two days and having it grow, then during the week he starts to kill it, and suffers through the die off symptoms over and over again.

Thanks for all the information everyone, I really appreciate it, keep it coming! I've been browsing at Iknowthecause.com and it's an interesting site, thanks! I posted my question about my brother there too.

This might be a REALLY far out guess, but...

I actually had similar symptoms about 10 years ago. It turned out to be Lyme disease. I was on IV antibiotics for awhile, but I'm completely fine now. Has he been tested for Lyme?

Jeannie

It must be so frustrating to see such pain and debilitation in family, in the prime of his life. He is blessed to have you and other supportive family members.

You will get all kinds of advice and it is all well-meaning. You mentioned he saw physicians and naturopaths. Now here is what I suggest: Ask for a full neurological exam.

Yes, continue to search the internet for ideas. But those neurosurgeons haven't invested 16 years of school for nothing. Give it a try and please keep encouraging him. It is harder on him than he's probably letting on.

Hugs, Annie-Pie

To me, it definitely sounds like his diet. His doctors gave him the right treatment since it honestly helped his problem. If he would listen to you, he should go back to the old diet but this time gradually increase his carbs until the problems return, then lower them gradually until symptoms vanish.

definitely get him to go see a neurologist. i don't have any experience with candida. i know symptoms for ms can vary from person to person and may not show up on a mri. parkinson's and ALS are probably as frustrating to diagnose. if he does have a neurological condition, the sooner he gets diagnosed and starts some form of treatment, the better the prognosis. if the changes he's made in his diet (the weekend) haven't had a good impact, he should consider going back to doing the diet 24/7. his symptoms sound pretty serious, especially since they are selling their house to accomodate them. good luck, and i hope everything works out.

amy

What I am wondering about is the observation of spring and fall being the worst for him. Could a process off elimination bring out possible sever allergies ?

Spring and fall windows open for instance, or is that the time he is trying to be more active. Find out what changes in those seasons compared to the other 2.
May help establish a pattern of evidence to take to a teaching hospital. They are eager to find cures and such there....go for it. Poor guy I wish you lots of success in finding whats wrong here.

Bubu