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What Causes Vertigo, Headache And Pain Behind Left Breast Bone?
Question: Hi, I am hoping you can guide me to the next step in solving my symptoms, which to date have been diagnosed as a viral infection. The most intense symptoms are severe vertigo, headache, and a constant cramping pain behind my left breast bone. Lesser symptoms are aches and pains throughout my body that move around, sometimes lower pelvic cramps or leg cramps or arm cramps and I urinate frequently, yet i do drink a lot of water. My doctor prescribed vertigo pills and parcetomol and bed rest. It's six days later and the same level of pain exits even on the meds. I had all same symptoms one year ago, ended up in hospital for 3 days and was sent home told its a mystery and probably was a virus. What type of tests should I consider next to help solve the mystery please?
Brief Answer:
Consideration
Detailed Answer:
thank you for sending the question.
I can appreciate that having these symptoms is very worrisome. I will do my best to provide him with some considerations.
One of the most common causes of this type of symptom is anxiety. I'm not sure that this is the case for you but it is something that we should consider. If you have significant stress in your life and you feel this might be affecting you then we should consider that as a possibility.
other possibilities which are considered include cardiac causes of chest discomfort. This could include coronary artery disease which generally does not occur in younger patients. However some patients can have cardiac issues including structural abnormalities or electrical abnormalities of the heart. For this type of thing generally a stress test and maybe echocardiogram would be reasonable in addition to an electrocardiogram.
I think if you have not had a thorough assessment of your heart that this would be the next step. You might ask your doctor for a referral to a cardiologist who specializes in cardiac issues.
Other possibilities include acid reflux. Increased acid reflux can cause symptoms of chest discomfort. Sometimes he could even cause you to feel somewhat dizzy depending on the severity. For this type of thing doctors might consider prescribing you a medication to decrease the acid secretions of your stomach.
you also might want to consider looking at your diet. We want to make sure you're eating a very healthy well-balanced diet with low fat and low cholesterol. Also it is extremely important that you exercise at least three or four days per week. This is good for both your mental and physical health.
At this point I doubt that there is a virus but I suppose that is a remote possibility.
Thanks again for sending your question. I hope these considerations are helpful.
Sincerely,
Dr. Galamaga
Consideration
Detailed Answer:
thank you for sending the question.
I can appreciate that having these symptoms is very worrisome. I will do my best to provide him with some considerations.
One of the most common causes of this type of symptom is anxiety. I'm not sure that this is the case for you but it is something that we should consider. If you have significant stress in your life and you feel this might be affecting you then we should consider that as a possibility.
other possibilities which are considered include cardiac causes of chest discomfort. This could include coronary artery disease which generally does not occur in younger patients. However some patients can have cardiac issues including structural abnormalities or electrical abnormalities of the heart. For this type of thing generally a stress test and maybe echocardiogram would be reasonable in addition to an electrocardiogram.
I think if you have not had a thorough assessment of your heart that this would be the next step. You might ask your doctor for a referral to a cardiologist who specializes in cardiac issues.
Other possibilities include acid reflux. Increased acid reflux can cause symptoms of chest discomfort. Sometimes he could even cause you to feel somewhat dizzy depending on the severity. For this type of thing doctors might consider prescribing you a medication to decrease the acid secretions of your stomach.
you also might want to consider looking at your diet. We want to make sure you're eating a very healthy well-balanced diet with low fat and low cholesterol. Also it is extremely important that you exercise at least three or four days per week. This is good for both your mental and physical health.
At this point I doubt that there is a virus but I suppose that is a remote possibility.
Thanks again for sending your question. I hope these considerations are helpful.
Sincerely,
Dr. Galamaga
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hi Dr XXXXXXX thank you for your suggestions. A few follow up questions, should i have blood tests to rule out possibilities such as a mono flare up which could be an enlarged spleen under the left rib cage? I had mono at 21. Or could an obstruction of a duct from liver be a possibility? I do have gallstones which i have been managing through diet and i was recently diagnosed with high blood pressure, monitored for 24 hours and immediately put on blood pressure medicine, as it was 159 over 112. I have been taking the valsartan for 5 weeks. As history, i have hachimoto thyroid disease for 24 years and take eltroxin daily. I appreciate that ive been working with my gp and this weeks flare up could be anxiety, but in my bones, i feel its not. Which type of specialist should i ask my gp to refer me to in order to further explore root cause please?
Brief Answer:
Consideration
Detailed Answer:
thanks for the follow up.
I don't think this is a case of mononucleosis. I was seriously doubt this.
Your blood pressure is significantly elevated and your doctor might need to increase the dose of your medication or possibly add additional medications to help slowly bring it down.
It's possible this could be related to gallbladder issues but again that's lower on my list. Your doctor could request and ultrasound of the gallbladder to see if this is the case or if there are any stones that might be causing a problem.
I think if you visit with your doctor you might ask for a referral to a cardiologist for a complete cardiovascular workup.
Sincerely,
Dr. Galamaga
Consideration
Detailed Answer:
thanks for the follow up.
I don't think this is a case of mononucleosis. I was seriously doubt this.
Your blood pressure is significantly elevated and your doctor might need to increase the dose of your medication or possibly add additional medications to help slowly bring it down.
It's possible this could be related to gallbladder issues but again that's lower on my list. Your doctor could request and ultrasound of the gallbladder to see if this is the case or if there are any stones that might be causing a problem.
I think if you visit with your doctor you might ask for a referral to a cardiologist for a complete cardiovascular workup.
Sincerely,
Dr. Galamaga
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Ok will do. Thank you.
Brief Answer:
Follow up
Detailed Answer:
thanks again and I wish you all the best and continued good health.
Sincerely,
Dr. Galamaga
Follow up
Detailed Answer:
thanks again and I wish you all the best and continued good health.
Sincerely,
Dr. Galamaga
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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