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What Causes Dizziness And Numbness In The Chest Along With Sinus Infection?

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Posted on Mon, 3 Jul 2017
Question: Hi, to start I am 18 years old, am 5'8, and weigh 228lbs. Last year around october-november i started having dizzy spells along with slight lightheadedness after physical activity, eating, or just out of the blue. Early this year I started to develop chest pain and numbness along with nasal pain. Every time that I went to the ER I was always told that it was anxiety but I had a feeling it was something more serious so this past April I requested to my PCP to have an MRI done and was told to meet with a cardiologist as well. I had an echo done and the cardiologist told me that my heart sounded very healthy but my MRI results showed that there was an inflammation in my brain so i went to a neurologist to see what it exactly was. My neurologist ordered blood work for lymes disease, an EEG, and a spinal tap. All came back normal and there was no apparent inflammation after receiving the spinal tap results. He wanted to do another spinal tap for MS but I refused due to the pain and I was barely recovering from a blood patch. So from there I decided to order a sleep study and setup an appointment with an ENT. Around this point I was having a lot of nasal pain, forehead pain, slight phlegm, ear tightness, dizziness/brain fog, seeing lights/ lines, along with slight leg numbness. The ENT examined my nose and found that I had a sinus infection and that I had a deviated septum which was causing nose tightness that I had complained about for months. He prescribed prednisone 20mg and augmentin for two weeks which I just finished. I had the sleep study done and the results showed that I had moderate sleep apnea but was almost borderline to being severe. I received the cpap two days ago and its pressure is programmed to 12. My nasal pain is gone from what I can tell along with my forehead headache but I do still have slight phlegm and still feel dizzy/brain fog at times and my leg/arm numbness still continues. My vision problems having gotten better but still come out of nowhere from time to time. My chest numbness is gone but has switched over to hurting and have been dealing with needle poking feeling along with air bubble feeling in middle left side of chest but almost all the time after eating. I have been taking omperazole 20mg once daily and ranitidine 150mg twice daily but the pain and bubble feeling is still persistent after eating or laying down. Another alarming thing that I started to notice last month is that I have started to get blood splotches/marks on the side and back of both thighs.. They have been slowly getting wider and more faint but I have been getting more. What could this be?? I have been unactive for quite a time due to the dizziness/brain fog so I tend to be sitting or laying down most of the day. I plan to ask to see a GI coming up and also am having a CT scan of my sinuses along with allergy testing this next week.. Am I on the right track? Could the dizziness/brain frog be the effects of sleep apnea?? What about leg numbness and the blood mark on my thighs? Could the vision problems be a result of the sinus infection/sleep apnea I am recovering from? forgot to mention that I went to my eye doctor as well and he said there was no change in my eyes from previous years.. Thanks in advance
doctor
Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Multiple sclerosis (MS) could explain multiple complaints. Get evaluated.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.

I have gone carefully through your query and understand your concerns. However, I would insist you to get evaluated for MS as that could indeed be an important cause to rule out. MS could explain multiple complaints including the visual problems, the dizziness or the numbness. However, sleep apnea could also contribute to the dizziness. Regarding the blood marks on your thighs, I would insist you to upload an image of the area and I would guide you further.

Let me know if I could help further.

Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (48 minutes later)
I have attached three images to the report section of the areas where I have the spots. Thank you for your advice and I definitely will get checked for MS if my symptoms don't get better in a month. All my symptoms of leg and arm numbing, acid reflux got worse after I had the LP done. I forgot to add that I have been dealing with a bit high blood pressure probably since I have been under much stress and dealing with anxiety. I have been feeling better with the cpap machine in terms of brain fog and my vision has gotten much better than before. My biggest issue right now is the acid reflux, blood pressure, and leg numbing. My guess would be poor circulation due to my lack of activity or vitamin deficiency but I will be speaking to my PCP tomorrow about it tomorrow
doctor
Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (6 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Lifestyle modifications needed

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back. I have checked the attached images. I would need to ask you if you are a diabetic. Deficiency of Vitamin B12 could also give rise to the numbness. Taking methylcobalamine (Vitamin B12) 1500 mcg supplement per day for at least a couple of weeks should help in improving the situation.

Regarding the acid reflux, in order to relieve yourself, you need to do the following:
* Avoid spicy food. Take small but frequent meals. Avoid long gaps between meals.
* Avoid alcohol intake (if it a part of your habit).
* Take Prilosec (omeprazole) once daily before breakfast.
* Take plenty of green leafy vegetables as well as other sources of dietary fibers. Take fiber supplements like isabgol/psyllium husk or senna. I would insist you to increase your dietary fiber intake.
* Regular morning walk and exercise to keep the bowel movements proper.
* If I had a patient like you I would perhaps have suggested Prodep (fluoxetine) 20 mg tablet (long term anxiolytic and a prescription drug) once daily for at least 2 months (it may take time for the action to set in). Discuss about this with your treating physician.
* Take curd or yogurt on daily basis. It contains beneficial bacteria and should help.
* Stress reduction has a very important role to play. Yoga and meditation should help.

You need to cut down your salt intake in order to control your blood pressure.

Hopefully that should help.

Let me know if I could help further.

Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (11 hours later)
No I am not a diabetic, I actually had glucose testing done not too long ago because that what I suspected was the issue but everything came back normal. What could be causing the marks then? They dont hurt or itch and they are flat. Like I said they seem to be getting wider and fading away but the ones at the bottom of my thigh have been fading and getting redder from time to time. I didn't even notice them until I started inspecting my legs one day and was alarmed. I often feel twitching like movement inside my legs and thighs with occasional tightness/pressure but Usually when I lay down.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (8 hours later)
Brief Answer:
You can get a neurological opinion

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back. It is good to know that you do not have diabetes. I had asked this as diabetes could lead to peripheral neuropathy which could be the cause of the numbness. I am not sure of the cause of the marks but they could be an association with certain neurological conditions. I would not like to unnecessarily frighten you with technical jargon and a myriad array of probabilites. Rather, I would insist you to go for a neurological opinion.

Regarding the tightness of muscles, stretching exercises should help. A physical therapist would be able to demonstrate the suitable exercises to you.

Regards
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1954

Answered : 4467 Questions

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What Causes Dizziness And Numbness In The Chest Along With Sinus Infection?

Brief Answer: Multiple sclerosis (MS) could explain multiple complaints. Get evaluated. Detailed Answer: Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic. I have gone carefully through your query and understand your concerns. However, I would insist you to get evaluated for MS as that could indeed be an important cause to rule out. MS could explain multiple complaints including the visual problems, the dizziness or the numbness. However, sleep apnea could also contribute to the dizziness. Regarding the blood marks on your thighs, I would insist you to upload an image of the area and I would guide you further. Let me know if I could help further. Regards