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Undiagnosed Symptoms (Expert Forum)
Severe Infections, Pain, Cognative Problems
Answered by
Kevin Pho, MD - Internal Medicine
Kevin Pho, MD
Boston - MA
Questions in the Undiagnosed Symptoms forum are answered by Dr. Kevin Pho. Topics covered include breathing difficulties, feeling cold, cough, diarrhea, dizziness, fainting, fever, indigestion, itching, nausea, numbness, pain (chronic), paralysis, rash, sweating, swelling, urination problems, and vomiting.
Severe Infections, Pain, Cognative Problems
by Triantiums, May 17, 2007 12:00AM
Ok, so I have had this thought in the back of my mind that there is something wrong causing all of my goofy symptoms; I have had a hard time telling my Doctor how worried I am.
HISTORY: I think this is important; I was born to a drug addict and raised in a filthy environment for my first 9 years. I have a childhood history of sepsis, osteomyelitis, and severe ear infections that went untreated. I got septic hip when I was about 3. I was adopted when I was 9. My leg (the one that had septic hip) stopped growing. I had a leg lenthening surgery (Dont remember the name, but I was the 14th person in the world to have it :P ) I get sepsis and osteomeyelitis again at about age 10 from this set of leg surgeries. The structures of my knee (same leg) start to deteriorate, the Dr. said they never fully developed). I have had 4 knee surgeries and am due for one more. I due pretty well until about age 17. I have this horrifying experience with memory loss, and I mean bad bad memory loss, mostly short term. I saw a commercial and thought it was from taking ambien (Sleep issues due to ptsd from early childhood trauma). I stopped taking the ambien and after about 6 months I felt much better but not completely. Shortly after this I start experiencing leg pains, I have recently discovered the pain is in my tendons, some kind of all over inflamation. Around the same time as the memory loss I started having trouble with remembering or spelling words. I am now 22 and it seems to be getting worse. I am in college and write all the time, but I have to correct atleast one mispelled word in a sentence and I can't speak for more then 3 minutes without forgetting a word. Also, lately words look funny to me, like I don't recognize them, difficult to explain. (No learning disorders here, I have a 4.0). In the last year I have had several bouts with MRSA Staph (the same staph I got in my femur and blood when I was 10) several times, this has been frustrating. The Dr. took a blood test all seemed normal but my ANA was 1/640 or something, it was higher then normal. She said we'd retest in 6 months. I have low blood pressure (90/60) fast pulse (90-110). Im healthy and athletic (as much as my leg allows me to be). Anyways, I think there are more symptoms but I am running out of room, I think I covered the most obvious ones. I just have this gut feeling that sooner or later Im going to find out that something more serious is causing all of this, Im kind of scared to find out, but my husband is driving me nuts, so please give me any ideas and what I should ask my dr. and antyhing else you can help with.
-Thanks
HISTORY: I think this is important; I was born to a drug addict and raised in a filthy environment for my first 9 years. I have a childhood history of sepsis, osteomyelitis, and severe ear infections that went untreated. I got septic hip when I was about 3. I was adopted when I was 9. My leg (the one that had septic hip) stopped growing. I had a leg lenthening surgery (Dont remember the name, but I was the 14th person in the world to have it :P ) I get sepsis and osteomeyelitis again at about age 10 from this set of leg surgeries. The structures of my knee (same leg) start to deteriorate, the Dr. said they never fully developed). I have had 4 knee surgeries and am due for one more. I due pretty well until about age 17. I have this horrifying experience with memory loss, and I mean bad bad memory loss, mostly short term. I saw a commercial and thought it was from taking ambien (Sleep issues due to ptsd from early childhood trauma). I stopped taking the ambien and after about 6 months I felt much better but not completely. Shortly after this I start experiencing leg pains, I have recently discovered the pain is in my tendons, some kind of all over inflamation. Around the same time as the memory loss I started having trouble with remembering or spelling words. I am now 22 and it seems to be getting worse. I am in college and write all the time, but I have to correct atleast one mispelled word in a sentence and I can't speak for more then 3 minutes without forgetting a word. Also, lately words look funny to me, like I don't recognize them, difficult to explain. (No learning disorders here, I have a 4.0). In the last year I have had several bouts with MRSA Staph (the same staph I got in my femur and blood when I was 10) several times, this has been frustrating. The Dr. took a blood test all seemed normal but my ANA was 1/640 or something, it was higher then normal. She said we'd retest in 6 months. I have low blood pressure (90/60) fast pulse (90-110). Im healthy and athletic (as much as my leg allows me to be). Anyways, I think there are more symptoms but I am running out of room, I think I covered the most obvious ones. I just have this gut feeling that sooner or later Im going to find out that something more serious is causing all of this, Im kind of scared to find out, but my husband is driving me nuts, so please give me any ideas and what I should ask my dr. and antyhing else you can help with.
-Thanks
Doctor's Answer
by Kevin Pho, MD, May 17, 2007 12:00AM
, May 17, 2007 12:00AM
Regarding the pains, this can be due to a variety of causes. Since the symptoms appear to be widespread, testing for various types of rheumatologic disease can be considered. With an elevated ANA, this may be suggestive of lupus or rheumatoid arthritis. Another rheumatological opinion can be sought if the symptoms continue. If this avenue is non-revealing, a physiatrist can be consulted to look for possible rehabilitation options.
Regarding the memory troubles, a neurology referral can be obtained. Brain imaging can be considered as an initial evaluation, as well as blood tests looking at the blood count, metabolic panel, thyroid function and vitamin B12 level.
These options can be discussed with your personal physician.
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 memory troubles, a neurology referral can be obtained. Brain imaging can be considered as an initial evaluation, as well as blood tests looking at the blood count, metabolic panel, thyroid function and vitamin B12 level.
These options can be discussed with your personal physician.
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_
