Concerns About My Grandfather's Health
Over the past few months, my grandfather has encountered some serious health challenges. At 74 years old, standing at 6 feet and weighing 250 pounds, he experiences episodes of intense shaking and chills accompanied by a high fever. Remarkably, he remains fully conscious during these episodes, which can last anywhere from 20 to 30 minutes. Following these incidents, he often feels breathless and unusually tired for the next day or so. More recently, these occurrences have increased in frequency, particularly during the night, yet they seem to happen without any consistent pattern. His blood pressure has been measured at 94/68, and his hemoglobin levels are within normal ranges. He has a history of kidney stones and has undergone gallbladder removal in the past. Although he has been diagnosed with a fatty liver, he has abstained from alcohol for several years. Despite undergoing various medical evaluations—including blood tests, MRI and CT scans, as well as a sleep study—all results have returned normal. I feel quite helpless and am seeking ways to support him during this difficult time.
Answers (1)
7/15/2025, 4:20:43 PM
OpenHealth AI
I'm sorry to hear about your grandfather's health challenges. His symptoms are concerning, and I understand why you're feeling helpless. Based on what you’ve described, it sounds like he is experiencing episodes that need careful evaluation, especially given his age and medical history.
Main Points:
- Symptoms of Concern: Intense shaking, chills, high fever, breathlessness, and fatigue could suggest several medical conditions that require further exploration.
- Potential Causes: Given that previous tests have returned normal, conditions like infections (including recurrent urinary tract infections), metabolic issues, or other underlying conditions such as autonomic dysfunction might be worth considering.
Explanation:
The episodes of shaking and chills with high fever, along with breathlessness and fatigue afterward, could indicate various issues. These might range from infections (even if tests are normal), metabolic problems possibly related to kidney health or liver function, to other rare conditions that may not readily show on standard scans or blood tests. The fact that they occur more frequently at night may suggest a connection to circadian rhythm or other physiological changes.
Next Steps:
-
Symptom Tracking: Keep a detailed diary of his episodes, noting the time, duration, related activities, and any other symptoms he experiences. This can help in identifying patterns or triggers.
-
Infection Checks: Consider asking about a urinalysis to rule out a urinary tract infection, especially since these can present with shaking and fever without localized pain. Also, monitoring for any signs of respiratory infections could be valuable.
-
Hydration and Nutrition: Ensure he stays well-hydrated and maintains a balanced diet to support his overall health, especially considering his history of kidney stones and fatty liver.
-
Follow-Up: Regular follow-ups with his healthcare provider are essential for managing his symptoms. If he has not already seen a specialist such as a neurologist or infectious disease expert, encourage exploring those options given the complexity of his symptoms.
-
Support and Reassurance: Emotional and physical support from family can be very beneficial. Encourage him to talk about his experiences, and ensure he feels supported during these episodes.
If new symptoms arise — such as changes in mental status, worsening breathlessness, or persistent fevers — seek immediate medical attention. Remember, you're doing an important job advocating for your grandfather's health. Let me know if you have any more specific questions or concerns!
Related Questions
Strange Jelly-Like Substance Observed from Wound
I’m a 21-year-old female living with an auto-inflammatory condition known as hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). Recently, I've experienced a concerning issue with one of my wounds. This particular wound causes significant pain and excessive bleeding. However, whenever I attend to it, I tend to find this unusual jelly-like substance present within it. Interestingly, this phenomenon has only occurred with this one wound and not any of the others I have. The bleeding seems to persist until I manage to remove this jelly substance, after which it typically slows down and comes to a halt completely. I’m seeking insights into what this might signify so that I can effectively discuss it with my healthcare provider.
Understanding Tuberculosis Exposure Risk
A 26-year-old male, who neither drinks alcohol nor smokes, seeks to understand the implications of exposure to tuberculosis (TB). As an anesthesia technician, I became concerned after I encountered a TB-positive patient about a month ago. I had to enter the patient’s room several times to perform blood gas tests. On my first entry, I mistakenly wore my N95 mask incorrectly due to the hectic nature of attending to multiple rooms. From my research, it appears that TB is quite transmissible; direct exposure can pose a serious risk of infection. Transmission usually requires prolonged contact with an infected individual, particularly in a close or face-to-face setting. In this case, the patient was lying face down and appeared to be sleeping when I entered. I have already undergone testing for TB, but I am eager to deepen my understanding of the risks involved in these situations.
24M | Unexplained Fainting Incident
**Note:** I previously shared this story, but it was inexplicably removed. I’m a 24-year-old male without any medical diagnosis or prescription medications. While I do consume alcohol occasionally, I hadn’t been drinking before this happened. Around 3 a.m., I got up from bed to use the restroom. As soon as I began to urinate, I suddenly felt a wave of dizziness. The next moment I was aware of was regaining consciousness in the bathtub, startled awake by the sensation of something dripping on me—only to discover it was my own blood. This was my first experience with fainting. When I came to, confusion set in. I was disoriented and couldn’t comprehend why I was being dripped on while in what I thought was my “bed.” Strangely, I also imagined that I was lying on a collection of marbles (which I actually don’t own)—this turned out to be the shattered glass of my shower door lying around me. I’m uncertain whether I lost consciousness first and then fell, or if the fall caused my brief blackout. It took me a few moments to understand why I was in the bathroom at all. I’m not sure how long I was out; I only remember it was around 3 in the morning when I initially got up, and about the same time when I regained consciousness. I dialed 911, and the ambulance arrived promptly. They checked my vitals, performed an EKG and measured my blood sugar, finding nothing unusual. At the emergency room, they repeated the vital checks, conducted a CT scan, drew blood, and took x-rays—yet still no abnormalities were detected. I had several cuts on my face and left arm (curiously, this is the arm that would have been turned away from the door), along with bruising around my ribs. Since the incident, I’ve been suffering from headaches and pain in my ribs. I received stitches on both my face and arm. The nurse suggested I could have stronger pain relief, but I opted for just Toradol. They eventually discharged me, stating, "We’re unsure what caused this, but return if it happens again." What might have triggered such an incident? How can I safeguard against it reoccurring if they remain uncertain about the cause?
Healing Progress Post-GBS: Toe Concerns
I am a 28-year-old male, measuring 5 feet 10 inches and weighing 131 pounds. My current medications include Fomadatine and Zyrtec, prescribed due to my ongoing battle with Chronic Gastritis and SIBO. I maintain a healthy lifestyle, abstaining from both smoking and alcohol. My health concern revolves around the toe adjacent to my pinky toe on my left foot, as well as my pinky toe on the right foot. Since August of last year, I have been on the mend from Guillain Barre Syndrome. Recently, I've noticed that at night, the skin on my feet tends to turn a reddish pink, although this usually improves after I walk around. However, two of my toes have remained red, with one appearing slightly swollen. Generally, my pinky toes are quite thick, but the condition of my left foot's toe is worrisome for me. It seems that I'm unable to upload an image to illustrate my issue.
Seeking Insights: My Journey with Undiagnosed Neurological Symptoms
Hello everyone, I'm a 34-year-old female grappling with neurological symptoms that first appeared in October, and I’m eager to hear from anyone who might have faced similar challenges. My journey began with unexpected migraines, blurred vision, and an ongoing sensation of being off-balance or intoxicated. Gradually, I began experiencing mainly sensory-related symptoms, such as tingling and burning sensations, feelings of extreme heat and cold, sharp pains radiating in my arms and back, as well as discomfort in my hands and toes, alongside intermittent numbness. I also endure varying degrees of weakness and heaviness in my right side, specifically my arm and leg, although I haven’t suffered complete functional loss. The nature of my symptoms is erratic; they fluctuate rather than consistently deteriorate. An MRI revealed mild, scattered lesions in the white matter, which were deemed nonspecific. Further tests from a lumbar puncture returned normal results, showing no markers of inflammation, and the oligoclonal bands were not present. A thorough range of lab tests yielded no significant findings. After evaluating my case, the neurology team suggested a possible diagnosis of MS and administered a three-day course of intravenous steroids. While I noticed a slight improvement in some sensory pain, my symptoms persist and continue to vary day by day. I still experience headaches and pressure in my head along with episodes of blurred vision, but there have been no new deficits since treatment. I am reaching out to connect with others who have had similar experiences. I would like to learn about the insights or diagnoses you encountered and what treatments proved beneficial (such as those related to migraine disorders, dysautonomia, or sensory neuropathy, for example). If you have navigated a similar path, I would greatly appreciate your sharing your story. Thank you!