Concerns of Fatigue and Petechiae in an 18-Year-Old
Greetings, I’m an 18-year-old female who typically enjoys good health. Although I am slightly underweight—just about five pounds—it’s not alarming, and my dietary intake is standard. For the past four years, I’ve been prescribed Lexapro and Lamictal. Lately, over the last two months, I have been experiencing significant fatigue along with the emergence of petechiae on my hips, occurring without any obvious explanation. These spots appear to last roughly 1 to 2 weeks before fading, but I notice at least two new patches develop each week, confined solely to my hips. Aside from this fatigue, I generally feel well physically. Should I be worried about these symptoms, or could they be inconsequential?
Answers (1)
6/15/2025, 8:31:00 PM
OpenHealth AI
It’s understandable to be concerned about ongoing fatigue and the appearance of petechiae, especially since these symptoms are new for you. While there can be various explanations, it’s important to recognize that fatigue accompanied by unexplained spots on the skin should not be ignored.
Explanation: Fatigue can arise from a variety of sources, including stress, insufficient sleep, nutritional deficiencies, or potential side effects from medications. Petechiae, which are small, flat purple or red spots on the skin, can indicate bleeding under the skin, which might result from a range of issues from minor to more significant conditions such as blood disorders or medication side effects.
Given that your medications (Lexapro and Lamictal) can have side effects, it’s also worth considering their potential impact. Monitoring these symptoms is crucial, particularly because the petechiae are new and have been appearing consistently over several weeks.
Prioritized Next Steps:
-
Track Your Symptoms: Keep a daily record of your fatigue levels and any new petechiae. Note when they appear, how long they last, and any other changes in your health. This will help identify any patterns.
-
Review Your Medications: Reflect on any changes in your medication or intensity of symptoms. Sometimes, side effects can appear after prolonged use.
-
Focus on Hydration and Nutrition: Ensure you are well-hydrated and eating a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. If you're underweight, aim to gradually increase your caloric intake with nutritious foods.
-
Rest and Self-Care: Prioritize adequate sleep and take breaks throughout your day to reduce fatigue. Consider gentle physical activities like walking or yoga, which can boost energy levels without excessive strain.
-
Seek Support: Share your symptoms with someone close to you for emotional support, as ongoing issues with fatigue can affect mental health.
While these steps are important, if you notice worsening symptoms, such as increased fatigue, additional petechiae, or if you experience symptoms like easy bruising, persistent headaches, or fever, it’s advisable to seek medical advice sooner for a comprehensive evaluation. In the meantime, focusing on self-care and closely monitoring your condition will help you manage your symptoms. Please keep me updated on how things progress.
Related Questions
Concerns About Heart Palpitations
Greetings! I'm a 28-year-old female, standing 5'5" and weighing 130 pounds, and lately, I've been experiencing sporadic heart palpitations. In terms of my medical background, I have been dealing with unspecified white matter disease, iron deficiency anemia, general anxiety disorder (GAD), and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Two months ago, I received new diagnoses of Raynaud's phenomenon and an irregular heart rhythm. Regarding surgeries, my history includes tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy (T&A), the extraction of wisdom teeth, and the insertion of ear tubes. Currently, I do not take any medications, but I do follow a regimen that includes a daily iron supplement of 65 mg as well as a multivitamin designed for women from Vitafusion. I tend to feel heart palpitations sporadically. To describe the sensation, it feels like my heart is fluttering in my chest, almost taking my breath away for a few seconds at a time, and this occurs roughly once every week or two. Tonight, I experienced what I consider to be the most intense palpitation so far. I was simply relaxing on the couch, browsing Instagram reels, completely at ease and not feeling stressed. Suddenly, the palpitation struck, so intense that I had to set my phone aside. Along with the palpitation, I noticed a familiar sensation of breathlessness, but then it escalated to a profound pressure in my head, accompanied by a loud ringing in my ears and blurred vision. This discomfort prompted fear, as I worried I might faint. The episode lasted for approximately ten seconds before gradually subsiding over the next minute or so. How much should I worry about this? I’m reaching out with this question because I currently lack health insurance. Would it be advisable for me to schedule an appointment with my primary care physician? Thank you for taking the time to read my post.
Exploring Causes of Chronic Fatigue and Low Metabolism
A man in his late twenties has been grappling with a persistent illness characterized by profound fatigue and a significant lack of motivation that has reached a debilitating level. Initially triggered by intense stress, this condition has since morphed into a seemingly permanent state of energy depletion, defying recovery efforts despite various interventions. While he manages to engage in daily activities, he continues to face overwhelming feelings of depression and diminished cognitive function. Importantly, this issue does not stem from psychiatric origins, as he has already tried multiple antidepressants without any positive effect—often exacerbating his condition instead. The symptoms he experiences are nonspecific, encompassing challenges such as difficulty concentrating, a pervasive sense of physical exhaustion, and an overall hypo-metabolic state where all sensory perceptions feel dulled. Routine medical tests, including blood work and brain imaging, have yielded normal results. He did find some respite from fatigue and irritability while on prednisolone, which significantly alleviated some of the prior symptoms. However, he is still in search of an energizing intervention, as it seems that many of his physiological processes remain suppressed and unable to 'wake up' from this diminished metabolic condition. Confused and unsure of the next steps, he seeks recommendations on potential specialists who could help him understand this condition and its underlying nature. Any insights on suitable healthcare professionals or insights about this illness would be greatly appreciated.
Seeking Relief from Persistent Nausea and Vomiting
Greetings, I am a 29-year-old female who has been grappling with ongoing nausea and vomiting for half a year now. Unfortunately, common remedies like Dramamine and Pepto Bismol have provided no relief. The symptoms tend to intensify when I am in situations that provoke motion sickness, such as traveling in a vehicle, or when I experience stress, particularly at my workplace. I suspect that my birth control method, Depo Provera, might be contributing to these issues due to its hormonal effects. As I await my upcoming doctor's appointment, which seems increasingly urgent given the deterioration of my condition, I am eager for suggestions on how to alleviate these symptoms. Are there any over-the-counter options that could help manage this persistent discomfort?
Endless Sleep: What's Going On?
I am a 16-year-old weighing 112 pounds, not currently on any medication, do not smoke, and have no known health issues. A few months back, I noticed a significant increase in my sleep duration, averaging around 12 hours per night—an increase from my usual 8 hours. Initially, I didn't pay much attention to this change, but it has progressively worsened. Currently, I find myself sleeping anywhere from 17 to 20 hours each day, perpetually fatigued and battling overwhelming drowsiness. In addition, I'm plagued by headaches and occasional bouts of dizziness. This relentless tiredness is making it impossible for me to perform my daily tasks as I frequently feel drained. Recently, I find myself spending entire days in bed without accomplishing anything. What could be causing this situation?
Experiencing Oxygen Levels Below 80: A Request for Guidance
A 42-year-old woman, weighing 120 kg and of British descent, is seeking assistance regarding her health concerns. She uses a wheelchair for mobility due to a series of medical conditions, including Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), and a history of tongue cancer, which resulted in a hemiglossectomy along with a neck dissection performed in 2013. Additionally, she has been diagnosed with complex PTSD and underwent the removal of a subarachnoid spinal cyst in 2012, with tethering identified at spinal levels T4/T5 and T6/T7. Importantly, she does not suffer from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or sleep apnea, and there are no known issues concerning her heart or lungs. The reason she is reaching out for help is that she feels overwhelmingly fatigued. Even the most basic actions, such as getting up to answer the door, cause her heart rate to escalate from a resting rate of 70-80 beats per minute to as high as 170 beats per minute. While her oxygen saturation at rest is generally between 97-99%, it sometimes plummets into the low 80s. Fortunately, it recovers after a period of rest, once her heart rate stabilizes. Despite her attempts to push through these challenging episodes, she frequently wakes up having lost consciousness. She notes that the symptoms associated with POTS should not typically cause such drops in oxygen levels. Recent medical imaging, including a full spine MRI and abdominal and chest CT scans, revealed no clots. However, her blood test results have been deteriorating, and while her doctor acknowledges the troubling trends, no action is being taken. She has shared a link to her blood test results for reference but is unable to include images here. Despite her reliance on a wheelchair, her primary focus remains on maintaining her conscious awareness and ensuring proper breathing. She is open to any suggestions or advice that could help improve her situation.