OpenHealth Q&A

Seeking Clarity on Unresolved Health Issues

My sister, a 28-year-old woman standing at 5'6" with no prior health complications, has been suffering from an unexplained illness for the last few months, leaving doctors puzzled about her condition. **Chronology of Her Symptoms:** - **April 18:** While traveling abroad, she suffered from food poisoning along with diarrhea, an issue that affected numerous travelers. In a mix-up, she ingested two Flagyl tablets instead of Imodium. - Shortly thereafter, she began to feel tingling sensations in her hands and noticed irregularities in her breathing. --- - **April 20 (Sunday):** At around 1 PM, she experienced a rapid heartbeat accompanied by shortness of breath, with an episode lasting approximately an hour. Similar episodes recurred every two days thereafter. - **April 25 (Sunday):** At 7 PM, the same symptoms returned, reaching about 80% of the intensity experienced during her most severe episode. - **April 26 (Saturday, during layover in Qatar):** Early at 6 AM on her final flight segment, she felt a tightness in her chest and struggled to get enough oxygen, rendering her unable to drink water. Paramedics who evaluated her found all vital signs normal aside from mildly elevated blood pressure. - **April 27 (UK time, Sunday):** At 2 AM, she awoke with similar symptoms again and was unable to drink water. By 3 PM, these symptoms intensified, now combined with head pressure, breathlessness, and feelings of light-headedness. - **April 28 (Monday):** Persistent symptoms continued. She found it incredibly hard to speak or take even ten steps without feeling faint. She expressed that her body seemed to be slowing down considerably. --- Since that time, her symptoms have remained unrelenting for months. Initially, her GP suspected a viral infection and suggested she wait two weeks. When her condition did not improve, they shifted to a diagnosis of anxiety. Although she is a psychologist familiar with the nuances of anxiety, she insists this isn’t just anxiety—there have been no stressors, and panic attacks do not linger for long periods. Despite following through with recommendations and collaborating with workplace psychiatrists, there has been no reversal of her symptoms. In recent weeks, her condition degenerated, prompting her to call for an ambulance three times over three months during severe episodes. Each time, preliminary examinations showed normal ECG and vital signs. Eventually, she opted to weather the episodes instead of calling for assistance. **In early July:** - The heat wave in London appeared to exacerbate her symptoms. Whereas she previously experienced a mix of good and bad days, she has faced a streak of consecutive bad days over the past 8-9 days. - She has difficulty breathing while lying on her left side and back. - Any physical activity or eating sends her symptoms spiraling—tightness in her chest, shallow breathing, and persistent dizziness that gives her the sensation of imminent fainting. - After calling 999, she was transported to A&E, where a blood test was conducted to check cardiac markers. Results revealed slightly elevated white and red blood cell counts but were deemed not clinically significant. Her hemoglobin levels were normal, and she has been taking iron supplements since her initial GP visit following her return. She was discharged with no further recommendations. In addition, she underwent a private Holter monitor test over seven days, with results expected shortly. Two days post-A&E visit (July 5): - She noticed swelling in her neck, which felt soft and visibly enlarged. - Intense jaw pain had developed over the previous days. - After reaching out to the health hotline again, she was referred back to A&E. Doctors diagnosed her with sinusitis and prescribed a regimen of penicillin four times a day. **Important Note:** Beyond this, she hasn't experienced any mucus production or cough; only pressure has been felt around her forehead and the sides of her nose. She is currently on her fourth dose of the antibiotics but hasn’t felt any improvement yet, recognizing that effects may take time to manifest. Additionally, it’s worth mentioning that about two weeks prior to the onset of her issues, she had a severe allergic reaction after taking an acne relief supplement which contained burdock root—an ingredient noted for potentially triggering severe allergic reactions. Following the administration of an antihistamine, she recovered without any lasting effects. We are seeking guidance and would greatly appreciate any insights or leads. Our search for answers continues.

Answers (1)

7/8/2025, 10:40:51 PM

OpenHealth AI

I'm sorry to hear about your sister's ongoing health challenges. Given the complexity of her symptoms and the duration of her illness, it’s understandable to seek clarity and further direction. Let’s summarize the key points and outline some potential steps.

Summary of Key Points

Your sister has been experiencing a variety of distressing symptoms for several months, starting after a food poisoning incident. These include:

• Rapid heartbeat and shortness of breath.
• Difficulty breathing, especially when lying down.
• Persistent dizziness, weakness, and light-headedness.
• Recent developments of neck swelling and jaw pain.
• Diagnosis of sinusitis and prescription for antibiotics.

Explanation

Her symptoms could stem from multiple sources, including physical health issues or stress responses. The initial food poisoning could have triggered a range of effects on her body, including digestive system impacts and potential allergic reactions noted from prior supplements. Sinusitis can contribute to symptoms like pressure and possibly affect breathing. However, given her described episodes, it is crucial to consider any underlying factors or behavioral health aspects as well.

The elevated white blood cell count might indicate some inflammatory process, but since these counts were deemed not clinically significant, it’s important to contextualize them with her ongoing symptoms. Stress and anxiety can exacerbate physical symptoms but are less likely the sole cause if there were no identified stressors.

Prioritized Next Steps

1. Monitor Symptoms: Keep a daily symptom diary that tracks her physical experiences, including potential triggers (food, activities, environments) and other factors (stress levels, sleep quality). This may help identify patterns or correlations.

2. Follow Up on Holter Monitor Results: Once she receives the results, this information can inform whether there are any irregularities in her heart rhythm that need to be addressed.

3. Seek a Second Opinion: Given the complexity and duration of your sister’s symptoms, consider consulting with a specialist. A pulmonologist (to evaluate lung function and breathing) or a neurologist (to assess neurological symptoms) may provide further insights.

4. Evaluate for Allergies and Autoimmune Disorders: Since she had a prior severe allergic reaction and has lingering symptoms, testing for allergies or autoimmune conditions through appropriate panels may be beneficial.

5. Continue Managing Symptoms: Encourage her to stay hydrated and rest as much as possible. Avoid strenuous activities until her condition stabilizes, and consider relaxation techniques or gentle practices (like breathing exercises) to help manage anxiety that may occur alongside her physical symptoms.

6. Consider Dietary Adjustments: Keep her diet simple and bland until her gastrointestinal symptoms improve, as digestive issues can exacerbate overall health concerns.

7. Stay Proactive About Education: Research potential conditions linked to her symptoms, like chronic fatigue syndrome or other post-viral syndromes, to better advocate for her needs with healthcare providers.

Please remember that while this information may assist in guiding you, working closely with healthcare providers is essential for an accurate diagnosis and tailored treatment plan. Your sister's case is intricate, and continuous dialogue with health professionals is critical as new symptoms develop.