Aa
Not sure what's wrong with me
About 2 months ago, i experienced severe flu-like symptoms. I went to my GP and a slight reddening of the tonsils. I had a CBC done and it showed a low WBC of 3.50 (range is 4.60 - 6.20). Another noticeable value was the lymphocyte count, which was 0.23 (range is 0.22 to 0.40). The remainder of the blood test results were unremarkable. I was prescribed paracetamol and pain medications, and was told to monitor my temperature.
After two days, the flu symptoms worsened.I came back to my GP and a little pus was detected on my tonsils. I did not feel throat pains. A CBC was ordered again. WBC level got even lower with 2.90 and lymphocyte level was 0.34. The dengue test came back negative. I was prescribed antibiotics for my throat. I had diarrhea for about three days and my BM immediately went back to normal.
I felt better after a few days. However, from that moment on, I felt a constant itch on my throat. No pain, no cough, just slight discomfort of itch. I've also been feeling fatigued and has bouts of shortness of breath upon exertion. The general feeling of malaise also lingered and frequent intense, stabbing headaches. I've also developed some sort of allergic skin reaction. I have skin asthma and the itch and look of the rash was familiar except that it was like five times the coverage, intensity and frequency of a regular skin asthma attack. I had no idea what triggered it.
For a month, I experienced these and i would have attacks of low grade fever (the highest temp i recorded was 37.9 celsius). These are short bursts of low fever that would last for minutes and then my temperature would go back to normal. I had these fevers, on the average, twice a week.
Two weeks after the initial severe flu attack, i felt small stabbing pains that seem to be moving around my lower abdomen. The pain would become so intense that it would radiate to may back, pelvis and the back of my upper thighs. Headaches worsen and I begin to feel pain in my ears.
When I couldn't take it anymore and paracetamol didn't work, I went back to my GP. Blood tests came back normal. I was told that my skin issue was result of hypersensitivity. I was prescribed a antihistamine and was referred to an ENT. The ENT found out that my throat is irritated but not necessarily infected by anything. I was treated for impacted ear wax as well. The ENT prescribed me a antihistamine, which happened to be the same as the one recommended by my GP.
The medication worked wonders for my skin allergies and itchy throat. But the feeling of some sort of throat discomfort was still there. No pain, just feel some sort of fullness. I was rid of only those two things. The abdominal and lower back pain worsened.
In fact, it got so bad that i had to go to the emergency room. I was tested negative for UTI, ulcers and dehydration. The blood test did show an increase in lymphocyte level at 0.46 (normal range 0.22 to 0.40). ER doctor dismissed my fatigue, malaise and pains as a minor viral infection due to this. I was not given any antibiotics this time. Instead, i was prescribed motilium, pain med, and a strong paracetamol. I was also referred to a gastro doctor.
The gastro doctor ordered a CT scan of the abdomen. And nothing out of the ordinary was detected. There is, however, a slight enlargement of the prostate. The gastro then referred me to a urologist. As I was waiting to be called in by the urologist. I was struck by a stabbing pain on my left side, right on the rib. It was as if a blunt object was being forced through my ribs. It was so painful that I could not move for a full 30 minutes. I was able to see my urologist, though. My prostate was examined via a rectal exam and I was told that the enlargement is very minute and nothing to be concerned about.
As I walk out of the uroligist's office, I felt that i couldnt take the rib pain anymore and ran to the ER since I was in the hospital already. To cut the ER story short, I was found out to have acid reflux. The ER doctor explained that it maybe what's causing the throat discomfort. Again, blood tests came back all normal. I was again prescibed motilium and a load of antacids and pain relievers.
This takes us to the present, still there's a bit of the malaise left and i would feel warm every now and then but the thermometer would show no fever. I also still feel fatigued and feel short of breath whenever i exert myself. I can't tell if i;ve lost my appetite because i'm the kind of person who still eats regardless. My headaches are just getting worse and now I have developed an occasional pain in the pelvis. Every now and then i my neck and armpits would hurt but thee would be no swelling.
I don't know what to do anymore. I fear the following:
brain aneurysm
cancer
HIV
If someone could at least give me an idea. i would appreciate it. Thanks.
After two days, the flu symptoms worsened.I came back to my GP and a little pus was detected on my tonsils. I did not feel throat pains. A CBC was ordered again. WBC level got even lower with 2.90 and lymphocyte level was 0.34. The dengue test came back negative. I was prescribed antibiotics for my throat. I had diarrhea for about three days and my BM immediately went back to normal.
I felt better after a few days. However, from that moment on, I felt a constant itch on my throat. No pain, no cough, just slight discomfort of itch. I've also been feeling fatigued and has bouts of shortness of breath upon exertion. The general feeling of malaise also lingered and frequent intense, stabbing headaches. I've also developed some sort of allergic skin reaction. I have skin asthma and the itch and look of the rash was familiar except that it was like five times the coverage, intensity and frequency of a regular skin asthma attack. I had no idea what triggered it.
For a month, I experienced these and i would have attacks of low grade fever (the highest temp i recorded was 37.9 celsius). These are short bursts of low fever that would last for minutes and then my temperature would go back to normal. I had these fevers, on the average, twice a week.
Two weeks after the initial severe flu attack, i felt small stabbing pains that seem to be moving around my lower abdomen. The pain would become so intense that it would radiate to may back, pelvis and the back of my upper thighs. Headaches worsen and I begin to feel pain in my ears.
When I couldn't take it anymore and paracetamol didn't work, I went back to my GP. Blood tests came back normal. I was told that my skin issue was result of hypersensitivity. I was prescribed a antihistamine and was referred to an ENT. The ENT found out that my throat is irritated but not necessarily infected by anything. I was treated for impacted ear wax as well. The ENT prescribed me a antihistamine, which happened to be the same as the one recommended by my GP.
The medication worked wonders for my skin allergies and itchy throat. But the feeling of some sort of throat discomfort was still there. No pain, just feel some sort of fullness. I was rid of only those two things. The abdominal and lower back pain worsened.
In fact, it got so bad that i had to go to the emergency room. I was tested negative for UTI, ulcers and dehydration. The blood test did show an increase in lymphocyte level at 0.46 (normal range 0.22 to 0.40). ER doctor dismissed my fatigue, malaise and pains as a minor viral infection due to this. I was not given any antibiotics this time. Instead, i was prescribed motilium, pain med, and a strong paracetamol. I was also referred to a gastro doctor.
The gastro doctor ordered a CT scan of the abdomen. And nothing out of the ordinary was detected. There is, however, a slight enlargement of the prostate. The gastro then referred me to a urologist. As I was waiting to be called in by the urologist. I was struck by a stabbing pain on my left side, right on the rib. It was as if a blunt object was being forced through my ribs. It was so painful that I could not move for a full 30 minutes. I was able to see my urologist, though. My prostate was examined via a rectal exam and I was told that the enlargement is very minute and nothing to be concerned about.
As I walk out of the uroligist's office, I felt that i couldnt take the rib pain anymore and ran to the ER since I was in the hospital already. To cut the ER story short, I was found out to have acid reflux. The ER doctor explained that it maybe what's causing the throat discomfort. Again, blood tests came back all normal. I was again prescibed motilium and a load of antacids and pain relievers.
This takes us to the present, still there's a bit of the malaise left and i would feel warm every now and then but the thermometer would show no fever. I also still feel fatigued and feel short of breath whenever i exert myself. I can't tell if i;ve lost my appetite because i'm the kind of person who still eats regardless. My headaches are just getting worse and now I have developed an occasional pain in the pelvis. Every now and then i my neck and armpits would hurt but thee would be no swelling.
I don't know what to do anymore. I fear the following:
brain aneurysm
cancer
HIV
If someone could at least give me an idea. i would appreciate it. Thanks.
Sometimes the key to having a doctor address a particular concern- like the headache that is so bad, is to hone in like a laser beam on that one issue- you might try that. Making a separate appointment at a later time for bringing up other medical issues, after you have an appointment solely dedicated to addressing the headache situation. That way they will have to focus on the headache issue and not forget/ignore it.
Hopefully, the doctor at the ER did not give you non-steroidal anti-inflammatory pain medication, as that kind can aggravate the lining of the stomach. They likely gave you something they gave me before when my acid reflux was out of control one night- a GI cocktail, to drink? If so, it has a mixture of medications, which I think includes lidocaine to numb the pain.
In answer to your question, yes, anxiety can cause skin rashes (see private message for more info).
Hormonal imbalances, for instance of the thyroid, can cause a person to have emotional disturbances- have you had any endocrinological testing?
That's great news that your lymphocytes were back to normal in more recent testing! And the fact you now have a track record of lymphocytes being normal on a consistent basis for possibly three tests is a reason you can feel things have stabilized and are normal now.
Sometimes, you can make lifestyle changes that can reverse type two diabetes and even naturally lower your blood pressure... has your family physician discussed what you can do to be pro-active in improving your physical health?
I can relate to being easily stressed. I think I'd be a total basket case if I didn't know I belonged to the One in control of every aspect of my life and weren't able to cast my cares on Him. He numbered all my days before there was yet one of them and I will not die one day before that number is complete.
Hopefully, the doctor at the ER did not give you non-steroidal anti-inflammatory pain medication, as that kind can aggravate the lining of the stomach. They likely gave you something they gave me before when my acid reflux was out of control one night- a GI cocktail, to drink? If so, it has a mixture of medications, which I think includes lidocaine to numb the pain.
In answer to your question, yes, anxiety can cause skin rashes (see private message for more info).
Hormonal imbalances, for instance of the thyroid, can cause a person to have emotional disturbances- have you had any endocrinological testing?
That's great news that your lymphocytes were back to normal in more recent testing! And the fact you now have a track record of lymphocytes being normal on a consistent basis for possibly three tests is a reason you can feel things have stabilized and are normal now.
Sometimes, you can make lifestyle changes that can reverse type two diabetes and even naturally lower your blood pressure... has your family physician discussed what you can do to be pro-active in improving your physical health?
I can relate to being easily stressed. I think I'd be a total basket case if I didn't know I belonged to the One in control of every aspect of my life and weren't able to cast my cares on Him. He numbered all my days before there was yet one of them and I will not die one day before that number is complete.
Hey thanks for your response.
How about the lymphocytes on my first two blood tests? Is that something to be alarmed about? My levels registered at 0.23 and 0.34 on the first and second test, which was two days after the first one.
Is it something to be concerned about?
The CBC after that gave normal values of lymphocytes. Then the one after that showed an elevation at 0.46. It's the only abnormal value in that particular test. Then my lymphocyte level in all of my CBCs (i think 3 tests) following that returned normal values in all fields. This is all in the span of about 2 months.
is there a pattern here that i should be concerned about? Or am I just going crazy over nothing?
How about the lymphocytes on my first two blood tests? Is that something to be alarmed about? My levels registered at 0.23 and 0.34 on the first and second test, which was two days after the first one.
Is it something to be concerned about?
The CBC after that gave normal values of lymphocytes. Then the one after that showed an elevation at 0.46. It's the only abnormal value in that particular test. Then my lymphocyte level in all of my CBCs (i think 3 tests) following that returned normal values in all fields. This is all in the span of about 2 months.
is there a pattern here that i should be concerned about? Or am I just going crazy over nothing?
Thank you for your comment.
Yes, this headache is on a whole new level. It's the worst I have ever had. I did tell every doctor about this symptom but they seemed fixated at my other symptoms. The most recent blood tests i had did include lymphocyte levels and they were normal.
I understand that it may just be anxiety that's causing all of these. Can anxiety cause skin rashes? But i'm normally easily stressed. I am not laid back at all. At 21 years old I was diagnosed with hypertension and type 2 diabetes and that just changed everything for me. I am 26 now and I feel like i'm in my 40s. I am quite certain that I will not reach the age of 30 for some odd reason.
I am, by rite, an Independent Catholic, but an agnostic by practice. I have strong Christian roots, though. I appreciate the peace and tranquility that nature offers when I can.
Thanks again for the advice.
Yes, this headache is on a whole new level. It's the worst I have ever had. I did tell every doctor about this symptom but they seemed fixated at my other symptoms. The most recent blood tests i had did include lymphocyte levels and they were normal.
I understand that it may just be anxiety that's causing all of these. Can anxiety cause skin rashes? But i'm normally easily stressed. I am not laid back at all. At 21 years old I was diagnosed with hypertension and type 2 diabetes and that just changed everything for me. I am 26 now and I feel like i'm in my 40s. I am quite certain that I will not reach the age of 30 for some odd reason.
I am, by rite, an Independent Catholic, but an agnostic by practice. I have strong Christian roots, though. I appreciate the peace and tranquility that nature offers when I can.
Thanks again for the advice.
There are two types of white cells (white cells protect you against infections). Neutrophils and lymphocytes. Neutrophils protect you against BACTERIAL infections and lymphocytes protect you against VIRAL infections.
In other words, if you'd had a bacterial infection in your throat then your neutrophils would have been elevated. If you'd had a viral infection, then your lymphocytes would be high. Plus your white cells would have been high and they weren't. Your reading of 3.5 and 2.9 do not correlate with having an infection.
I agree with the doctor that told you it was acid reflux. That can certainly cause all the symptoms you're having. Here's some info on acid reflux that will explain what to do about it....
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001311/
Co
P.S. By the way, when you went to the ER and they gave you stomach meds, they also gave you pain pills and pain pills can cause acid reflux.
In other words, if you'd had a bacterial infection in your throat then your neutrophils would have been elevated. If you'd had a viral infection, then your lymphocytes would be high. Plus your white cells would have been high and they weren't. Your reading of 3.5 and 2.9 do not correlate with having an infection.
I agree with the doctor that told you it was acid reflux. That can certainly cause all the symptoms you're having. Here's some info on acid reflux that will explain what to do about it....
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001311/
Co
P.S. By the way, when you went to the ER and they gave you stomach meds, they also gave you pain pills and pain pills can cause acid reflux.
Have you asked the doctor to test to see if you have HIV?
In the past, I had a lowered white blood count, but learned that can sometimes be caused by a virus and I had some kind of bug at the time of the test.
In the most recent normal testing that came back, did they check lymphocytes?If not and you learn with another blood test that your lymphocytes are still elevated, might I suggest you find the best hematologist in your area and ask your doctor for a referral to that specialist?
With your worsening headaches, if this is a new kind of headache for you, they ordinarily should order a brain scan to rule out things like tumors or aneurysms... have you had an MRA/MRV of your head done since you are wondering about an aneurysm?
I can discern you are very anxious, which can add to/cause many real physical symptoms... it can compromise your immunity system, making it take longer to get well when you are ill, and it does not help with acid reflux because your stomach has more acid produced in it when you are anxious, you can get tension headaches from anxiety, you can have trouble breathing, and feeling stressed can make you feel tired- if you are a Christian, are you casting these cares on the Lord whenever the fear wells up inside you and have you sought assistance from a Bible-believing pastor/counselor?
While you are trying to learn if there are serious medical issues in your life or not, since you are feeling very stressed by all of this, may I suggest some things?
You might ask your doctor if he would prescribe for temporary use some mild tranquilizer pills. Hopefully, you can also find things to distract you, enjoy the beauty of God's creation, listen to soothing type music you like, take some deep breaths, get those endorphines going with things like exercise, laughter, and giving a hug to your wife or family member, and eat foods rich in mood lifting omega fatty acids, like macadamia nuts, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, salmon or other fresh water fish, and flaxseed meal (or you might want to take enteric coated fish oil or flaxseed oil capsules or Naturemade brand of Sam-E). Almonds, pistachios and cashews I believe are what medhelp recently recommended, as well as de-cluttering for a more calming effect and aroma therapy (I like smelling cinnamon and cloves in hot water), but chamomile and lavendar are supposed to be soothing.
In the past, I had a lowered white blood count, but learned that can sometimes be caused by a virus and I had some kind of bug at the time of the test.
In the most recent normal testing that came back, did they check lymphocytes?If not and you learn with another blood test that your lymphocytes are still elevated, might I suggest you find the best hematologist in your area and ask your doctor for a referral to that specialist?
With your worsening headaches, if this is a new kind of headache for you, they ordinarily should order a brain scan to rule out things like tumors or aneurysms... have you had an MRA/MRV of your head done since you are wondering about an aneurysm?
I can discern you are very anxious, which can add to/cause many real physical symptoms... it can compromise your immunity system, making it take longer to get well when you are ill, and it does not help with acid reflux because your stomach has more acid produced in it when you are anxious, you can get tension headaches from anxiety, you can have trouble breathing, and feeling stressed can make you feel tired- if you are a Christian, are you casting these cares on the Lord whenever the fear wells up inside you and have you sought assistance from a Bible-believing pastor/counselor?
While you are trying to learn if there are serious medical issues in your life or not, since you are feeling very stressed by all of this, may I suggest some things?
You might ask your doctor if he would prescribe for temporary use some mild tranquilizer pills. Hopefully, you can also find things to distract you, enjoy the beauty of God's creation, listen to soothing type music you like, take some deep breaths, get those endorphines going with things like exercise, laughter, and giving a hug to your wife or family member, and eat foods rich in mood lifting omega fatty acids, like macadamia nuts, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, salmon or other fresh water fish, and flaxseed meal (or you might want to take enteric coated fish oil or flaxseed oil capsules or Naturemade brand of Sam-E). Almonds, pistachios and cashews I believe are what medhelp recently recommended, as well as de-cluttering for a more calming effect and aroma therapy (I like smelling cinnamon and cloves in hot water), but chamomile and lavendar are supposed to be soothing.
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