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What Causes Muscle Spasm, Fever And Dizziness?
Question: Hi i have been progressively been getting more poorly over last two months it started with muscle spasm and fever dizziness could this be viral meningitis.
Brief Answer:
Can you describe the problem a bit more?
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX Thanks for coming to HealthCareMagic. My name is Vinay.
Based on what you have described I cannot be sure IT IS Meningitis or that IT IS NOT. There are many other diseases out there with these symptoms. So I need you to give me a bit more information.
Can you tell me when the fever started? Does it come and go? What time of day is it the worst? Do you have any headaches or nausea and vomiting
The muscle spasm? Is that in the neck (stiff neck)?
When you look at bright lights do your eyes hurt?
How is your appetite? Are you feeling hungry and eating normally?
Also a very important question is prior antibiotic use. Have you been on a course of Antibiotics recently?
I need this information as well as anything else you can give me before I can decide if this looks like Viral Meningitis or not.
If these symptoms worsen, it may not be worth it for you to try and diagnose over the internet through our service. If the muscle spasm is worsening, please get to the doctor right away. They will do a small test called a Lumbar Puncture (Spinal Tap) where they take a tiny needle and take some of the fluid that circulates around the brain. They can test that and arrive at a diagnosis quickly.
I hope this information helps. Feel free to follow-up with me here at HealthCareMagic.com.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
Hi there i had a course of doxycycline about 2 months ago but had this awfull spasms in chest and neck start prior this. I had blood done for bacterial infections which was negative. The fever cones on before spasms start and they start in chest and neck area. Then they progressed to my liwer back and head. I have been taking paracetamol and ibroprufen for 2 months. I went to see neurologist who ordered a mri brain scan i had tuesday this week im waiting for results. I feel very weak and the slightest thing im doung is exhausting me. I also can walk for long due to the dizziness off bslance feeling like im swaying. Even when the spasms ease of i can feel it dull until it triggers of again. Would a mri show menigitis? And do you think based on this duration of time ive had the symptoms progressing it could be viral menigitis as i had blood cultures for bacterial that showed negative .
Brief Answer:
Doxy can interfere with cultures
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX Thanks for following up. I must admit, at least the way it sounds there is a possibility that you have Viral Meningitis, or a bacterial meningitis that has been partially treated by the doxycycline. Sometimes the Doxy can interfere with the culture results and give you a false negative.
An MRI is a very good first step in the diagnosis of Meningitis and it will help your doctor come to a diagnosis quickly. The Lumbar puncture is a more traditional method that may be done next if the imaging turns out to be non-diagnostic or confusing.
What I would suggest is that you upload the results of the MRI when you get them and we can discuss them in detail. Do you think that would help?
In the mean time, keep hydrating well and take your OTC pain meds for the headaches and the stiffness. Get plenty of rest.
I certainly hope this helps. Let me know how this goes and thanks again for coming to HealthCareMagic
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
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