dizziness, chest pain, rapid pulse

[sickkid1990]

My 18 year old daughter got sick about two months ago. It started with a severe headache and nausea. It then progressed to stiff neck and fever. She then saw a doctor who did a strep test and it was negative. She didn't get well so she went back and they put her on an antibiotic based on her blood work they said she'd had recent strep. She did not get well but developed chest pain. It started all around her rib cage on both sides. The doctor said she had pleurisy and costrocondritis. He put her on prednisone and a ventolin inhaler. She then developed dizziness, chest pain on her left side, numbness in her limbs, and her heart rate climbs to over 100 every time she stands up. She has had a ct scan of her abdomin, and chest, bloodwork, a mri of her head, and is awaiting test results from a cardiologist. All tests have come back normal including thyriod and cortisol blood levels. She has episodes where she breaks out in cold sweats, her chest, arm and jaw hurt and she feels like she is going to pass out. This is very scary because she is alone most of the day. I am afraid that her inactivity will make her weaker and without a diagnosis I  am really worried. I would welcome any suggestions.  

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi

The good thing is that your daughter is improving. We can do nothing now, except wait for the results of the test. Please keep me posted.

[sickkid1990]

the doctor said we have to wait for the tests from the cardiologist to come back before we can do anything else. he did do some bloodwork though. still no diagnosis but I think she is slightly better, not getting worse any way.

[sickkid1990]

Thanks! I will let you know what the doctor says monday. I appreciate your help!

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi

Since you mentioned scratch by a stray cat, I am providing you with some options that are possible due to a cat scratch.
‘Feral cats are animals that are no longer under human control, but live and reproduce in the wild, usually in close association with humans. Humans have neglected these animals, which live exposed to disease, hunger, weather and attack from dogs, humans or other cats and animals. Some of these cats may survive for several years before succumbing to starvation, disease, dogs, other animals or motor vehicles. Failure to prevent or control a feral cat population amounts to inhumane treatment of animals.
Feral cats can also harbor and transmit fatal and non-fatal diseases to humans. These include rabies, plague, ringworm, internal and external parasites, toxoplasmosis, bartonellosis (formerly known as cat scratch fever), allergies to cat hair, and secondary bacterial infections from cat scratches and bites.

(refer: http://www.afpmb.org/pubs/tims/tim37.htm#purpose)

Please let me know what your doctors think about meningitis and please keep me posted. Let me know if there is anything else.

[sickkid1990]

Thank you for your response! I think meningits is a very good possibility since she also had a rash that looked like petechiae but the nurse practitioner said it looked like the rash one gets with mono. I will definately bring up meningitis at her doctors appointment monday. I am also going to ask for a cortisol suppression test, toxin and vitamin defiency tests. One other thing we remembered is that she got scratched by a stray cat a few days before her illness. Thanks for your time.

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi

Based entirely on her starting symptoms I think she had meningitis to begin with that got complicated. A spinal tap or lumbar puncture is most conclusive in diagnosis. Your daughter already had a MRI of the brain and so if there is no mass (such as a hemorrhage, tumor, or abscess), which may increase pressure within the skull, a lumbar puncture should be done. Cold sweats are a sign of infection. Other chest infection could be due to infection in the system. Please read through this link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meningitis

Please consult this possibility with your doctor. Hope this helps. If you need more help, please feel free to contact. I’ll be happy to answer your queries. Please keep me posted.