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Suggest Treatment For Swelling In The Face And Nasal Congestion

Posted on Tue, 6 Dec 2016

Question: Hi, my son who is 27 has been experiecing swelling in his face and around at least one of his eyes for about a year. He saw a dr has been treated with prednisone but had some stomach and sleep issues with that. He was told that he had a high level of cortisol in his blood. He also has issues with nasal congestion that was pretty bad last winter. He was told today that he has a very low red and white blood count and anemia. He has been prescribed neupogen, prokine and Leukin. I believe that he is to go back next week for a re-check. I don't have the exact numbers for al the blood work but he said he will call and get the numbers tommorow. Any advice would be appreciated--he lives an hour and a half away from me and isn't crazy about getting his mom involved. Thanks

Answered by Dr. Geeta Sundar (25 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Hi welcome to HCM, Let me analyse things for you.

Detailed Answer:
Hi welcome to HCM, Let me analyse things for you.
Can you tell me if the swelling around the eyes is constant or comes and goes?
Swelling around eyes can be due to allergies, thyroid deficiency, anaemia, a kidney problem or Cushing's disease (high cortisol).
But if there is high Cortisol I am wondering why prednisone was given. Maybe it was before seeing the high cortisol level.
He does have nasal congestion which could be due to allergy, anaemia and a high cortisol.
The re-check will enlighten us better especially whether the cortisol levels have come to normal now.
Awaiting your response. Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Geeta Sundar (52 minutes later)

Thanks for your reply! I said prednisone but he may have just said "steroid". As for the swelling, it comes and goes. I got really concerned about the low red and white blood cell counts. He told me tonight that this info came from a hematologist. Didn't realize that was who he had been referred to. Also when I looked up the meds he was prescribed, they all look as if they are normally injected but he got prescriptions for them. Of course I am concerned about something serious such as cancer. What should I do?

Answered by Dr. Geeta Sundar (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Hi, I am sure it will not be cancer, and something easily manageable.

Detailed Answer:
Hi, I am sure it will not be cancer, and something easily manageable. Low counts do not mean cancer. High counts do. Please relax. He will be fine. And since the swelling is coming and going, again I do not think it is serious. It is probably due to anemia and will improve. Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng