Where do we go from here?

My 16 year old daughter has swollen lymph nodes in her neck.  Was diagnosed by ER doctor a week ago with tonsilitis.  We were doubtful.  Pain developed in her abdomen, and a trip to the doctor two days ago told us her spleen is now enlarged, she has an upper respiratory infection, is anemic and calcium deficient.  This child drinks more than a gallon of milk a week!  Something tells me there is something more going on.  Suggestions would be most welcome.

[SickbutEmpowered]

Have they checked her for MonoNucleosis? Also have her kidneys, liver function, and a CBC done to see how her basic system functions are doing. She could be calcium deficient from any number of things, there are disorders where you can waste elements, minerals, vitamins that are necessary for daily living. Please get them to run all her electrolytes. Hope this helps. HUGS
Chelle

[motherfirst]

Thank you so much for responding.  They checked and said she did not have mono.  I have been doing some research on the calcium deficiency thing....  seems to me that something is causing her to waste it, as you said.  I will take her back this week and ask for them to run her electrolytes.  Thanks for the suggestion.  She is just not feeling well.  Vomiting some yesterday.  I'm worried....  Thanks for the hugs!  -Donna

[chrisneedshelp]

What tests have been done what have they ruled out? Is she sexually active? Has she been check for hepatitis or any STD's

[motherfirst]

Only thing they ruled out was mono.  Although they did two rounds of blood work up.... only thing they saw was anemia and calcium deficiency.  Not sexually active... yet.  She did have a yeast infecion (infection) on top of all this from the penicillin.  Today is first day she says she feels a bit better.  I'm not a worrier, but something is nagging at me.

[chrisneedshelp]

Sorry about the questions just wanted to make sure she was not sexually active because there are allot of symptoms of HIV that you listed. of course those symptoms could be hundreds of other things too. If you ask me I would say it does sound viral have them check for lyme maybe a sed rate and ANA test for autoimmune diseases maybe check for other viruses like cmv and HTLV 1 and 2 was all the other blood work normal except for the anemia. also anemia itself can cause allot of problems too I would have them check all her vitamins and minerals check b-12 and free testosterone and if your DR;s don't want to get a new one it is obvious there is something going on. Also have her kidneys, liver function done The yeast is not oral is it? oral yeast or thrush is seen as a immune system problem otherwise just antibiotics probably    

[clintnkari]

what did they say about her spleen being swollen? has it gone down, if not that is a sighn of very serious conditions, i would take her scans into a internal medicine doctor and have a cbc done as soon as possible so they can get her where she needs to be .

[motherfirst]

Wow....  it's overwhelming!  I do think she should be seen again.  Definitely.  You have all made me feel sane... and not ridiculous!  When something is nagging at you... you should follow your gut instinct.  She says she is "feeling better", but still terribly tired, achey (achy), stomach achey (achy), etc.  Not much of an appetite.  Just all kinds of stuff.  I will consult with our doctor again and let you all know.  Thank you all so much for your kindness.

[chrisneedshelp]

I hope you get to the bottom of it soon I know how frantic it all seems when your kids are involved try not to get to worked up over it. Just get some more testing to make sure everything is OK, as I am sure it will be when you figure it out

[darlingdivatx]

You may want to have her STOP drinking milk. It's fortied with Vitamin D. This was done years ago to prevent rickets. If she's getting too much D it could drop her calcium. There may be an underlying condition going on like hypoPARAthyrodism. Drinking milk may mask these problems.

There may be two things going on with her and they are just presenting at the same time. Many of her symptoms make since with the tonsillitis. That's often a strep infection which can just knock you off your feet. I know from personal experience. If she's fighting an infection an enlarged spleen would does make sense. The spleen's function is to help fight infection. If it remains enlarged I would see a gastro doc. The spleen gets rid of old red blood cells. If it is killing them quicker than her body can make new ones, she'll be anemic. You need to find out what type of anemia she has. There are many and each means something different.

Since her calcium is low you NEED to have her vitamin D25 and PTH (parathyroid) tested, WITHOUT QUESTION. Check out www.parathyroid.com. This doc mainly deals with a HYPER active parathyroid, but he does have a page on HYPO parathyroid (low calcium). He is the leadind doc in the country on parathyroid and knows more than anyone about. Even if her calcium comes back normal, it needs to be checked multiple times, because it can bounce around. Just because it tests "normal" the next time doesn't mean it is. You have to look at the range. According to Dr. Norman people with normal calcium will always have a calcium that has a narrow range like from 9.1 to 9.4. If your daughter tests normal and abnormal sometimes or if  the range is greater like from 8.9 to 9.4 then there is a greater likelihood that something is WRONG! Good luck and keep us posted.

Also when they tested her calcium it was probably "serum calcium". They also need to check her "ionized calcium".

Hope this helps. Good luck and keep us posted.

[motherfirst]

You are so knowledgable!!!  Thank you!  I came across the parathyroid issue in my research.  I will check out the website you sent.  I thought the same thing about her spleen, since she did have an infection.  

The one thing that bothers me is they doctors don't really tell you anything.  Like what numbers are normal, where her's lie, etc.  And yes, I know we have to be proactive.  Ask, ask, ask.  I will be doing much more of that now.

You have sent me in a great direction.  Thank you so much!

[motherfirst]

You are right!  Get the testing done and then we'll know something either way for sure.  I'll let you all know what we find out.  Thanks