Seeking a Second Opinion on Health Concerns
I’m a 49-year-old male, non-drinker, and non-smoker. My medical history includes a tonsillectomy at the age of eight, kidney stones two decades ago, and a few older surgeries on my shoulders. I maintain a mildly elevated blood pressure, averaging around 125/75 while under medication, and I also have elevated cholesterol levels. For management, I have been prescribed amlodipine, rosuvastatin, and olmesartan potassium for my blood pressure and cholesterol, in addition to low doses of minoxidil and finasteride for hair retention — a regimen I have adhered to for several years. Generally, I consider myself to be in good health, but about three weeks ago, I started experiencing fever and a general feeling of unwellness. My only notable symptoms are persistent tiredness and a low-grade fever averaging around 99.8°F, which has lingered for weeks. Interestingly, this fever typically begins in the late morning, around 10 a.m., and persists throughout the day, usually subsiding by bedtime. I observed that I rarely have a fever at night. Yesterday, I consulted a doctor, who conducted a complete blood count (CBC) along with tests for Epstein-Barr virus, influenza, and COVID-19, all of which returned negative results. I had mono 25 years ago, and my current symptoms seem reminiscent of that experience. The CBC indicated that most values were within normal ranges, but my granulocyte percentage (GRA%) was elevated while my lymphocyte percentage (LYM%) was low. The physician mentioned that these findings suggest I might be combating a bacterial infection rather than a viral one, although they expressed doubts about it being Epstein-Barr pending further test results. My white blood cell count (WBC) was normal. I was prescribed Levaquin and Flagyl, with the aim of addressing potential bacterial causes. Is this treatment approach reasonable? I find it peculiar that I am evidently dealing with an infection, yet my WBC is within normal limits. Do you have any suggestions, or should I simply allow the antibiotics time to take effect? It’s been only two days since I started the medication, and I feel worse today than I have in the past three weeks, although I understand this can be a common occurrence during treatment. Any insights would be greatly appreciated. Here are my CBC results: WBC: 7 GRA%: 82.1 MID%: 4.4 LYM%: 13.5 LYM: 0.9 MID: 0.3 GRAN: 5.8 RBC: 5.11 HGB: 14.4 HCT: 41.2 MCV: 80.5 MCH: 28.3 MCHC: 35.1 RDW%: 13.2 PLT: 352 MPV: 7.8
Answers (1)
7/8/2025, 4:21:05 PM
OpenHealth AI
It’s understandable to feel concerned about your ongoing symptoms and the recent blood test results. The fact that you've had a fever and persistent tiredness for three weeks warrants attention, and it’s good that you’ve consulted a doctor and are now on antibiotics.
Key Points:
- Your symptoms and lab results suggest that you might be dealing with a bacterial infection, even if your WBC count is normal.
- Feeling worse after starting antibiotics can happen as the body reacts to the treatment and the underlying infection.
- Monitoring your symptoms closely is crucial during this time.
Explanation:
Your history shows that you have been generally healthy, but the recent fever and tiredness indicate something is off. It’s important to note that a normal white blood cell count does not rule out infection; it can sometimes happen during specific types of infections, especially early on. The elevated granulocyte percentage could indicate your body is mounting a response to a bacterial problem, which is why antibiotics (Levaquin and Flagyl) have been prescribed.
It's also common for symptoms to fluctuate when starting antibiotics. Some people initially feel worse before they start to improve, as the body reacts to the infection and the treatment.
Next Steps:
- Continue Medication: Stick with the antibiotics as prescribed and complete the full course, even if you feel worse initially.
- Monitor Symptoms: Keep a detailed record of your symptoms, including the intensity of your fever and any additional symptoms that arise (like changes in appetite, sleep patterns, or new pains).
- Stay Hydrated and Rested: Make sure to drink plenty of fluids and take time to rest. This can help your body fight off the infection effectively.
- Follow Up: If your symptoms do not improve within a few days of starting the antibiotics, or if you experience any worsening symptoms (like difficulty breathing, severe fatigue, persistent high fever), consider reaching out to your doctor for further evaluation.
- Evaluate Ongoing Effects: After a week on antibiotics, reassess how you feel. It's essential to communicate any concerns or lack of improvement to your healthcare provider.
Your situation is unique, and continuing open communication with your doctor will be key to finding the right resolution. If you have any more concerns or specific clarifications you need, feel free to reach out. Take care of yourself during this recovery process!
Related Questions
Visual Disturbances: Seeking Guidance
Overview: I’ve been experiencing some ongoing visual disturbances that have prompted me to seek advice. To provide some background, I am a 21-year-old white male in the United States, standing at 5 feet 8 inches and weighing slightly over 170 pounds (though I’m not sure about the precise figure, I know it’s no more than 180). For about seven years, I neglected the need for corrective lenses and found myself spending excessive time in front of screens. Given these circumstances, I’m wondering whether I should consult an optometrist, an ophthalmologist, or my general practitioner. What could be the potential causes of these symptoms? They have persisted for quite a while, possibly even years.
Prolonged Exposure to Magnets: A Query about Safety
Hello everyone, I’m a 26-year-old male and I have a question regarding my work habits. I habitually carried a magnet attached to my hard hat to pick up metal shavings and manage wiring diagrams. Given that these magnets are positioned close to my head, I’m wondering about the safety implications. Are there any research findings related to long-term exposure and potential harm? I can't help but notice that when I carried the magnets, I experienced more intense headaches, though it coincided with the hot summer months, leading me to think dehydration might have played a role. I also do not have any medical implants or serious injuries, apart from a previously torn ACL. I'm intrigued about the matter, particularly since my current magnets are quite weak, and I'm considering upgrading to more powerful ones.
Should I Be Concerned?
Greetings everyone. I’m a 22-year-old woman seeking some guidance. For as long as I can recall, I have noticed these "lumps" on my scalp. They generally match my skin tone and appear stable, showing no signs of growth or change in size. Their height ranges from approximately 1/32 to 1/16 of an inch, if measured generously. I’m curious to know if these should raise any red flags for me. Thank you for your input!
Inquiry About Childhood Chiropractic Experience
Hello Reddit! I’m reaching out to seek insights regarding an experience from my adolescent years, roughly between the ages of 12 and 14. I’m currently 25 years old (female). To give you a bit of context, I encountered a troubling incident while bending down to access my locker; suddenly, my neck locked in a position to the side, rendering it completely immobile. The pain was unbearable. In response, my father thought it best to take me to a chiropractor, which seemed to provide some relief, yet I continued to endure significant pain and noticed an unusual odor that lingered for nearly a week. Unfortunately, this episode recurred a few months later, and I underwent the same routine; once again, I experienced that odd smell and extreme discomfort. Since those two occurrences, I have faced similar issues on only a couple of occasions, during which I opted for hospital care instead of chiropractic treatment. The medical professionals provided muscle relaxants, which effectively alleviated my pain without any bizarre lingering odor. Since those formative experiences, I have been left with a constant discomfort in my right shoulder, which feels strained frequently, and I find that my head tends to tilt towards one side. What could have caused this neck locking issue during my youth, and could my decision to visit a chiropractor instead of a physician have led to ongoing complications? I'm eager to understand what happened during those situations!
Frustration Over Medical Error: My Child's X-Rays Were of the Wrong Foot
[Patient: A healthy 2.5-year-old boy, average height and weight] I could really use some support right now. A couple of days ago, my toddler injured his foot while playing on a slide at the park. Since then, he hasn't been able to walk without pain or put weight on that foot, only managing to take a few steps at best. We visited his pediatrician, who performed an examination and concluded that the issue was with his left foot. She requested x-rays for that specific foot. After the x-rays were taken, the results indicated no fractures, merely suggesting a soft tissue injury that would require rest. However, after watching him struggle to move today, I've realized that he's actually favoring his left foot, while it’s his right foot that he's avoiding! They took x-rays of the wrong foot! 🤦♀️ As a parent, I feel absolutely devastated that this error occurred. I find myself overwhelmed with guilt for putting him through unnecessary radiation exposure. They captured around eight pictures of a foot that isn’t injured at all. The financial aspect—having spent $600 on those x-rays—feels secondary to the worry about the radiation and the continued uncertainty regarding whether there’s an actual injury. I'm feeling extremely upset and incompetent as a mother. Maybe someone could help me understand the radiation risk better? I’m really struggling with this situation.