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Family Medicine (Expert Forum)
Is my son okay
Answered by
Kevin Pho, MD - Internal Medicine
Kevin Pho, MD
Boston - MA
Questions in the Family Medicine forum are answered by Dr. J.M. Keyes. Topics covered include general health issues, adolescence, babies, child health, eating disorders, fitness, immunizations and vaccines, infectious diseases, medical tests and procedures, and senior health.
Is my son okay
by bernicorb, Feb 19, 2007 12:00AM
My 17yrold son has been complaining of the following syptoms for about the last 4mo:Dizzy/lightheadedness-no specific time;Easily forget words/train of thought;Difficulty breathing-no specific times;Difficulty swallowing;Mood swings,mostly an increase in anger& easily agitated;Really tired/exhausted all the time,even when he has a good nights sleep;Feels like his heart is racing at times,even when he is not exerting himself;Heart pain/ tightness/heaviness at times;High blood pressure on/off,I think it is somewhat related to stress/anxiety;Vision problems-blurred &difficulties reading.I just had his eyes checked &they are fine;Discomfort in his throat area;He also says there is a lump on the side of his neck.It is small and kind of feels like a fatty mass.He has been to Drs several times.He did have a lung infection around Oct/Nov that was treated with antibiotics.I also found out that there was 1night that he drank ETOH heavily, & was sick for at least 2-3days afterwards,& says that his symptoms have gotton worse since.He had some blood work done& it did not show any signif. problems,just slightly high sugar/ cholestoral,but Dr. was not worried.He is upset because he thinks that I do not believe him,but the Drs thus far have not found anything signif. wrong with him.He thinks maybe he has a brain tumor,but from the research I did,his symptoms are not really indicative of a tumor.I am going to take him back to the Dr again for a full work up,and bring the list of symptoms that I asked him to develop.Any thoughts, suggestions,ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Doctor's Answer
by Kevin Pho, MD, Feb 20, 2007 12:00AM
, Feb 20, 2007 12:00AM
These are a wide variety of symptoms that can be caused by any number of diseases.
Regarding the fatigue, basic bloodwork should be done - including a blood count (looking for anemia), B-12 level, thyroid level and metabolic panel.
Chest pain and racing should be evaluated for cardiac causes. An echocardiogram can be considered to image the heart for any structural abnormalities. Regarding the heart racing, a Holter monitor or event monitor can be considered to determine if any arrhythmias are present.
Regarding the neurological symptoms, brain imaging can be considered to rule out a mass or tumor. Otherwise, a neurology referral or neuropsychological testing should be considered to further work this up.
These options can be discussed with your personal physician, or in conjunction with the appropriate specialist.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Kevin, M.D.
kevinmd_
Regarding the fatigue, basic bloodwork should be done - including a blood count (looking for anemia), B-12 level, thyroid level and metabolic panel.
Chest pain and racing should be evaluated for cardiac causes. An echocardiogram can be considered to image the heart for any structural abnormalities. Regarding the heart racing, a Holter monitor or event monitor can be considered to determine if any arrhythmias are present.
Regarding the neurological symptoms, brain imaging can be considered to rule out a mass or tumor. Otherwise, a neurology referral or neuropsychological testing should be considered to further work this up.
These options can be discussed with your personal physician, or in conjunction with the appropriate specialist.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Kevin, M.D.
kevinmd_
