Seeking Insights on My Daughter's Health Concerns
To provide some background, my daughter, who is 1.5 years old, weighs 25 pounds, and I’m uncertain about her height, has not been ill lately. We visited the physician because she has been sleeping excessively and tires quickly. Additionally, she has been experiencing frequent bruising and some bouts of unexpected vomiting over the last three months. All her blood tests returned normal results, with a few exceptions that I'll detail below, yet her doctor has not reviewed these results yet. I want to ensure I'm being a strong advocate for my daughter without being overly insistent if it turns out to be nothing significant. The following lab results were flagged as abnormal: - MPV: 8.6 (just outside the normal range) - Neutrophils: 16.2% - Lymphocytes: 76.3% - Eosinophils: 0.3% - Absolute Lymphocyte Count: 8.5 - Absolute Immature Granulocytes: 0.09 - IG: 0.80 What are your thoughts on this? In an update, we had her blood tested again, and the results were similar. Her SED rate was normal, but her doctor referred us to the emergency room due to new balance issues that arose over the last three days. They performed a CT scan of her head despite her being quite active, which they reported as clear. The diagnosis given was toxic synovitis; however, based on my observations, her walking doesn't align with this diagnosis. They did not conduct any imaging to examine her hips, which leaves me puzzled about the conclusion they reached. She doesn’t seem to indicate any pain in her legs or hips; rather, her gait resembles that of someone who is slightly unsteady, similar to being intoxicated. I'm beginning to wonder if we might be overreacting, but several people have noted these concerning symptoms. Does anyone have any insights into what might be happening?
Answers (1)
9/4/2025, 12:02:54 AM
OpenHealth AI
It’s understandable to feel concerned about your daughter's health, especially with the symptoms you’ve described. The combination of excessive sleeping, fatigue, frequent bruising, unexpected vomiting, and balance issues requires careful attention. Here’s a breakdown and some steps you can take to advocate for her health.
Overview of Your Daughter's Symptoms
-
Excessive Sleeping and Fatigue: While some variability in sleep patterns is normal in toddlers, significant changes can indicate underlying issues.
-
Frequent Bruising: This could be due to a variety of factors, including potential hematologic or clotting issues, though some children may bruise more easily than others without serious harm.
-
Unexpected Vomiting: This could be due to dietary reasons, infections, or other gastrointestinal issues.
-
Balance Issues: The description of her gait as unsteady may indicate neurological or muscular concerns, highlighting the need for thorough examination.
Understanding Test Results
-
Your daughter's blood tests generally indicate she’s likely fighting an infection or may have a viral illness, given the elevated lymphocytes and neutrophils. Toxic synovitis is often a diagnosis of exclusion, meaning it's considered when other causes have been ruled out.
-
Despite the CT scan being clear, it’s important to understand the doctor's reasoning behind the toxic synovitis diagnosis. This usually involves an inflammatory process affecting the joints, but it may not always be visible in imaging.
Next Steps to Take
-
Monitor Symptoms: Keep a detailed record of her symptoms, especially focusing on her activity levels, any signs of pain or discomfort, and changes in her sleeping or eating patterns. Also, note when the balance issues occur and their severity.
-
Follow-Up with the Doctor: Given your concerns, re-engage with her pediatrician or the specialist. Ask for clarification on the toxic synovitis diagnosis and express your need for a comprehensive evaluation, including possible imaging of her hips, if balance issues persist.
-
Consider a Second Opinion: If you’re feeling uncertain about the current diagnosis, consider seeking a second opinion from a pediatric rheumatologist or neurologist to explore other potential conditions that could explain her symptoms.
-
Stay Informed: Continue to research and stay informed about her symptoms and conditions associated with those symptoms. Having knowledge will empower you in discussions with healthcare providers.
-
Emotional Support: It’s important for you to care for your own mental well-being during this time. Reach out to family or friends for support or talk to a counselor if feeling overwhelmed.
Conclusion
Your concerns for your daughter are valid, and it's good to be observant and proactive. Keep advocating for her health needs by staying focused on monitoring her condition and communicating with her healthcare team. With ongoing observation and consultation, you’ll help ensure that any potential issues are addressed appropriately. If you have further questions or updates, feel free to share.
Related Questions
Liver Mass Assessment
Patient Profile: - Age: 61 years - Height: 5'9" - Weight: 240 lbs - Gender: Female - Lifestyle: Non-drinker, non-smoker, no illicit drugs Current Medications: - Atenolol 10mg (morning and evening) - Rosuvastatin 40mg (evening) - Duloxetine 60mg (evening) - Spironolactone 25mg (recently added) - Jardiance 10mg (recently added) Medical History: The patient has a notable history of multiple pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas, having undergone surgery on eight occasions. According to scans performed three years ago, two subcentimeter retroperitoneal masses were identified, suggestive of potential paraganglioma. Additionally, she suffers from secondary polycythemia and possesses the PHD1 gene mutation. Previously, she received treatment at a prominent research institution in the United States. However, her endocrinologist has since retired and returned to their home country. Current Condition: At present, she is mostly asymptomatic. However, in January 2026, she experienced a concerning event requiring an ambulance transport to a local emergency room, where her oxygen levels registered at 88-89%. This incident was unsettling, given her extensive medical history. The emergency physician initially diagnosed her with congestive heart failure (CHF), but upon discharge, her family medicine doctor suggested pneumonia. During her hospital stay, a cardiologist—who has never managed a pheochromocytoma patient—recommended a chemical stress test. A CT scan performed on her chest revealed a 3.2 x 2.5 cm mass located in the left lobe of her liver. Her blood tests typically show elevated levels related to pheochromocytomas; however, the laboratory does not conduct resting catecholamine testing, which leads to unreliable results, despite them being consistent over time. Furthermore, she has received care at major hospitals in Minnesota and both leading hospitals in Cleveland, Ohio. Unfortunately, when she required her last surgery, the tumor board declined her case, citing an unfavorable risk-benefit ratio. This leaves her without a specialist in pheochromocytomas. Request for Guidance: The patient is seeking advice or recommendations for her current health situation and management of her conditions.
Concerns About My Daughter's Morning Health Issues
My 17-year-old daughter experiences troubling symptoms each morning, particularly on days when she needs to rise early for school or work. She often wakes up feeling dizzy and nauseated, accompanied by a rapid heartbeat exceeding 100 beats per minute. This situation prevents her from being able to eat and may persist for several hours, or in some cases, throughout the entire day. Standing at 5 feet 8 inches tall (172 cm) and weighing 121 pounds (55 kg), her physical health otherwise seems fine. I have a personal history of inappropriate sinus tachycardia (IST), which is why I take beta-blockers for management. A few years ago, she consulted a cardiologist regarding her frequent episodes of near-fainting, who recommended increasing her water intake and adding more salt to her meals. Given the persistent nature of her symptoms, I am contemplating whether a follow-up appointment with the cardiologist is warranted, especially since all previous tests, including ECG and ultrasound, came back normal. This situation significantly affects her daily life, restricting her ability to engage fully in school and work. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Concerns Regarding Neurological Health
Hello! I received an epilepsy diagnosis back in 2008, and throughout this time, various MRI and CT imaging studies have indicated issues related to cerebral function and encephalopathy. Despite consulting multiple neurologists over the years, I’ve found that none of them appear worried about the encephalopathy aspect. Shouldn’t this be something to take more seriously? My cognitive abilities, including memory and vision, have noticeably deteriorated as time has passed. I’m feeling lost since my previous neurologists have not acknowledged my concerns adequately. If anyone could offer guidance or suggest resources, I would greatly appreciate it. In addition to epilepsy, my other medical conditions include Narcolepsy, Lynch Syndrome, Migraines, a mutation associated with HLA-B27, and Hashimoto's disease, along with others that escape me for the moment. Currently, I’m on a medication regimen that includes Lamictal, Xcopri, Hydroxyzine, Solifenacin, Zoloft, Wellbutrin, Sunosi, Aimovig, and Famotidine.
Understanding My Experience with Overdose-Related Symptoms and Behavior
25 years old, 165 cm tall, and weighing 70 kg. Summary: After sharing a complaint about my interactions with paramedics, I've taken a moment to reflect on their feedback and review the situation through the footage. I recognize that my conduct during those moments was inappropriate, and I am filled with remorse. Subsequently, I have retracted my complaint and am now seeking mental health support. I desire to clarify certain aspects since my medical records do not completely align with what I went through. Below, I detail my symptoms. Yesterday, I made a post on the AskDoctors forum, hoping for insights regarding my condition. The advice I received prompted a self-realization that had evaded me until now. Initially, I was outlining a grievance against paramedics who doubted the legitimacy of my seizures and accused me of feigning the experience. My response was not only disproportionate but also hostile—I yelled, wept, and labeled them as heartless. Such reactions were completely unwarranted and unjustifiable. Ultimately, I was physically stable, with vital signs indicating no critical issues; there were only temporary fluctuations in my blood work, which shouldn’t have raised alarms. I feel profound regret over my conduct during that encounter. Watching the footage incites feelings of self-disgust. I’ve decided to withdraw my complaints and am committed to mental health resources. I opted to delete my previous post since it contained sensitive information about my professional and educational background; I was worried it might provoke disciplinary action from my university, which I cherish as my career gives my life meaning. I admit to feeling cowardly in this respect. The initial reason for my inquiry was a desperate need for clarity about the symptoms I experienced, as my discharge documentation omits much of what transpired in the hospital and the subsequent three days. I greatly value the input I’ve received and hope to gather more perspectives. I fully acknowledge my wrongdoings and find my previous behavior abhorrent. I understand how challenging it is for emergency personnel to fulfill their duties when faced with such a situation. I’ve discussed with family and friends the importance of exercising discretion when contacting emergency services and ensuring it’s truly necessary. I regret taking up valuable resources that could have been reserved for individuals in genuine need of urgent care. My actions were shameful, not just for me but also for my colleagues who work in emergency services; I genuinely believe the clinicians should have distanced themselves from my case entirely. I've canceled my appointment with the neurologist, but I would genuinely appreciate insights from others on this subject. Could excessive doses of sertraline, propranolol, promethazine, and alcohol induce psychological seizures? Is it possible for these seizures to recur? Were my hallucinations indicative of some kind of psychosis? During the episodes, I saw hair-like formations everywhere and everything seemed to emit a blue glow. In the hospital, I consistently perceived doctors passing by. At home, the LED lights appeared to move, and I often caught glimpses of faces in my peripheral vision. There were also auditory experiences, such as hearing things that weren’t present, as confirmed by my friend. Initially at home, I was unaware I was having seizures, although I did hear police officers numbering them and acknowledging them as such. I had three episodes where I was placed in the recovery position. In my medical notes, I mentioned experiencing ten seizures throughout the night, though I can’t verify this. I was seemingly in a continuous cycle of them. I recall at least once drooling uncontrollably and my hands looked peculiar; on one occasion, I screamed when I regained consciousness due to an awkward hand position. I also experienced significant neck pain and discomfort in my feet. I know I fell twice while hospitalized; fortunately, my mother was there to catch me each time, so I avoided serious injury. I was never alone in the facility. Everything seemed to settle down after approximately three days, right around my third visit. I recall a persistent ache at the nape of my neck that left me feeling drowsy, often drifting in and out of consciousness and repeatedly asking for the time. It was a never-ending ordeal, and although I had little appetite, I did not vomit at all. Reflecting on this whole episode leaves me feeling as if it were entirely fabricated. I struggle to articulate it. Conversations about care options unfolded around me, yet I grasped little of what was being discussed. I often replied with “yes” or sought validation from my mother. I remember thinking it was remarkable that my mum had glasses with water in them; I even imagined one of my cats perched on my aunt’s shoulder. Overall, it felt akin to a terrifying drug experience. I do have videos capturing my behavior at home, though I cannot recall anything from the hospital. I often awakened with either my mother, aunt, or medical staff restraining me. Could it all stem from psychological causes? Is it possible that the medications led to a psychotic episode where I convinced myself I was experiencing seizures and on the brink of death? After they subsided, I felt like an automaton for weeks, plagued by involuntary muscle jerks—primarily in my legs and neck. I sincerely hope these symptoms do not return. I intend to avoid emergency care unless it’s absolutely necessary. I seek nothing more than to comprehend what transpired. Thank you for your thoughts.
A Mysterious Illness That Resembles Strep Throat
As an 18-year-old college student, standing at 5'4" and weighing 140 pounds, I maintain an active lifestyle. I do not smoke or have any preexisting health issues, aside from the vitamins and supplements I take daily. Approximately five days ago, I began to feel unusually fatigued and achy. Within just a day, my symptoms escalated to include a high fever reaching between 101°F and 102°F that ibuprofen couldn’t seem to alleviate. I experienced extreme tiredness that kept me bedridden all day, along with a persistent headache and intense throat pain, which was compounded by swollen lymph nodes and the familiar white patches often associated with strep throat. Having dealt with strep throat before, I recognized a need for antibiotics. Two days into feeling unwell, I visited an urgent care facility for an assessment and received a rapid strep test, which unfortunately came back negative. I recalled a previous incident where my rapid strep test also indicated a false negative, only for the culture sent for further testing to confirm the presence of strep bacteria. Given my symptoms and the findings from the examination, the healthcare provider prescribed Cefdinir, as I am allergic to amoxicillin, despite the negative rapid test results. The antibiotics proved effective, and I felt nearly back to normal, leading me to believe that my culture results would also come back positive for strep, suggesting a recurrence of my previous infection. However, I received the culture results yesterday, and to my surprise, they came back negative for strep. While I lack medical expertise, I’ve been led to believe that false negatives in cultures are exceedingly rare. Now, I find myself puzzled about what kind of bacterial infection I might have had if it wasn’t strep. Any insights or information regarding my situation would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!