Afraid of the symptoms

[gigglegirl007]

My son just turned 19, has an extensive med  hx due to prematurity so ill health is not a new experience for him...hx of BPD, RSV, repeated pneumonias, severe asthma, surgeries, GERDS, tx for ulcers x 3, bowel polyps, meningitis, mononucleosis and last year an unexplained illness w/5 day hospital admission. He had high temps, enlarged spleen, liver, pancreas and a platelet count of 30,000. never a definitive dx. Ironically that was his 4th episode of ITP, last one being at age 18. In the past week he has areas of petechia again, fatigue, pain and fullness in ULQ and as of yesterday, a rather large and tender swollen gland in right neck. No fever that weve noticed but intermittant chills w/joint pain, no sore throat or headache, eats very small amts of food due to full feeling in abdo. He has no healthcare coverage which is terrifying w/his health hx! He felt ill enough 3 days ago to ask to go to the ER and we sat for 5 hours unattended and left because he felt too poorly. Obviously we must find a way to have him evaluated but in the meantime, any thoughts? P.S. Wonder what happened to all those big promises of healthcare for everyone?!

[gigglegirl007]

We finally were able to get him to a local clinic for the uninsured. I feel so worried because we saw a FNP who seemed very kind and concerned but clueless. His platelets are normal now at 172 and the petechial rash has stopped. Still has ULQ tenderness/fullness which she said she had no idea why. Has a huge swollen lymph node at the angle of his left jaw. The area has some pinkness over the surface of swelling, still with extreme fatigue, bilat. hip and knee pain, loss of appetite, an occasional degree of fever but nothing over 100f. The FNP decided to try a round of abx...amoxil...to see if it helps?! I dont feel any peace to be honest but I guess for now its all I can do. An abdo. US wouldve been great, further blood work....something! Anywho, thanks for the concern. Keep us in your thoughts. I have a nagging bad feeling that I am trying to ignore. Will keep you posted.

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi
Welcome to the forum!
I am really sorry to hear about your son. Since he has petechiae and fever with chills and joint pain, apart from ITP other  autoimmune disorders such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, bone marrow disorders such as leukemia, inflammation of the veins, side effect of certain medications, viral infections such as EBV and septicemia or infection in blood should be ruled out. Please consult an internal medicine specialist ASAP for a complete evaluation. Please let me know if there is any thing else and do keep me posted. Take care!