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Suggest Treatment For Fatigue, Headaches And Chest Pain
Question: Hello Good morning, 3 days ago I came down with what I thought was the flu however it's was 10 times worse. The best way to describe what I am experiencing is. Firstly a surge of what seems like electric shocks throughout my whole body, then feeling fatigued, headaches, chest pains and goosebumps all over and hair on my body standing up all the time, I have shivers all overs and can't seem to get warm, a loss of my sense of balance it seems like I can stand still without feeling I will tip over. It worsens when I lay down but i feel the need to lay down all the time. It does not seem to be easing off as I thought it would get better as the days goes on, but only seems to be getting worse. Can anyone help me? I am so scared as not sure what to do. Any advice will be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance
Brief Answer:
Several possibilities.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I am sorry about the symptoms that you are experiencing.
I wish you could have provided some more info, starting with your age, gender, race, other medical conditions. It might look like trivial information but you would not believe how often it helps to exclude conditions which are found only in certain ages/genders etc.
Looking at the description that you give, the good news is that it is unlikely for you to have a brain lesion like stroke, tumor, multiple sclerosis etc the distribution of you symptoms and their onset doesn't correspond at all to cerebral pathologies.
Your symptoms I am afraid are not that specific, meaning there is not one straightforward diagnosis for them as there are many possible causes. I wouldn't rule your first suspicion of flu out, a viral infection would be the most probable diagnosis. Usually they are accompanied with fever as well, which you don't describe, but there are exceptions. If that is the case it should be temporary and some rest and plenty of fluids should do the trick.
There can be many other causes though like thyroid dysfunction, glucose or electrolyte disturbances, heart arrhythmias etc.
For that reason, considering the many possible alternatives, since 3 days seem to have passed without improving, I suggest some routine screening blood tests to be taken such as: blood count, erythrosedimentation rate, PCR, glucose, liver and kidney function tests, electrolytes (Na, K, Ca, Mg), creatine kinase, EKG.
If all results normal perhaps another possibility to be evaluated might be anxiety, but that should always be considered last, after other causes have been excluded.
I remain at your disposal for further questions.
Several possibilities.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I am sorry about the symptoms that you are experiencing.
I wish you could have provided some more info, starting with your age, gender, race, other medical conditions. It might look like trivial information but you would not believe how often it helps to exclude conditions which are found only in certain ages/genders etc.
Looking at the description that you give, the good news is that it is unlikely for you to have a brain lesion like stroke, tumor, multiple sclerosis etc the distribution of you symptoms and their onset doesn't correspond at all to cerebral pathologies.
Your symptoms I am afraid are not that specific, meaning there is not one straightforward diagnosis for them as there are many possible causes. I wouldn't rule your first suspicion of flu out, a viral infection would be the most probable diagnosis. Usually they are accompanied with fever as well, which you don't describe, but there are exceptions. If that is the case it should be temporary and some rest and plenty of fluids should do the trick.
There can be many other causes though like thyroid dysfunction, glucose or electrolyte disturbances, heart arrhythmias etc.
For that reason, considering the many possible alternatives, since 3 days seem to have passed without improving, I suggest some routine screening blood tests to be taken such as: blood count, erythrosedimentation rate, PCR, glucose, liver and kidney function tests, electrolytes (Na, K, Ca, Mg), creatine kinase, EKG.
If all results normal perhaps another possibility to be evaluated might be anxiety, but that should always be considered last, after other causes have been excluded.
I remain at your disposal for further questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you Dr Olsi Taka for your prompt reply it is so much appreciated.
I am actual a black female, age 40 years non smoker, non drinker, I am about 40 lbs over weight at the moment current weight is about 180lb so not sure if that is a factor. I don't take any regular medication, I just arrived from the Uk 2 or so months ago and have been assisting my family. Not sure if I have pushed myself too much with work and not as much sleep as I am used to in the Uk. I don't have any medical condition currently, I know that if I drink too much sugar or regular orange juices it causes me to have thrush so I stay away from those. That's is pretty much it
For me. I hope this might be helpful, thank you again in advance.
I am actual a black female, age 40 years non smoker, non drinker, I am about 40 lbs over weight at the moment current weight is about 180lb so not sure if that is a factor. I don't take any regular medication, I just arrived from the Uk 2 or so months ago and have been assisting my family. Not sure if I have pushed myself too much with work and not as much sleep as I am used to in the Uk. I don't have any medical condition currently, I know that if I drink too much sugar or regular orange juices it causes me to have thrush so I stay away from those. That's is pretty much it
For me. I hope this might be helpful, thank you again in advance.
Brief Answer:
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for giving some more info that does make me feel more confident in my opinion indeed.
I remain of my previous opinion, at your age you are not likely to have vascular issues, multiple sclerosis is uncommon in XXXXXXX Americans. (As I said before your symptoms weren't typical either, just trying to make a point how these data could reinforce or put in doubt the first impression).
Of course you are already aware of being overweight, you should work on that, but that is no short term goal naturally, I don't think it's directly related to your current issue considering its quick appearance.
So my recommendations remain the same, try to take some rest for a couple of days, if still not improving some routine tests which I mentioned earlier and a physical exam are recommended.
Just a correction in the suggested tests it's not PCR but CRP (C reactive protein - a test for inflammation), I mistakenly put the acronym for the same test in my native language, my apologies.
Wishing you a speedy recovery.
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for giving some more info that does make me feel more confident in my opinion indeed.
I remain of my previous opinion, at your age you are not likely to have vascular issues, multiple sclerosis is uncommon in XXXXXXX Americans. (As I said before your symptoms weren't typical either, just trying to make a point how these data could reinforce or put in doubt the first impression).
Of course you are already aware of being overweight, you should work on that, but that is no short term goal naturally, I don't think it's directly related to your current issue considering its quick appearance.
So my recommendations remain the same, try to take some rest for a couple of days, if still not improving some routine tests which I mentioned earlier and a physical exam are recommended.
Just a correction in the suggested tests it's not PCR but CRP (C reactive protein - a test for inflammation), I mistakenly put the acronym for the same test in my native language, my apologies.
Wishing you a speedy recovery.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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