A Bit Anxious After Recent Health Issues
I am a 62-year-old woman weighing 135 pounds. Currently, I am in recovery from a combination of gastritis, esophagitis, and an ulcer. Additionally, I've been diagnosed with Barrett’s esophagus, a hiatal hernia, and severe gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). In the past fortnight, following my return from a trip across Europe, I have been experiencing laryngitis, fatigue, excessive sweating after physical activity, and an overall sense of malaise. I’ve tested negative for COVID-19. I’m prescribed 40 milligrams of pantoprazole twice daily, but it tends to make me feel sluggish despite my doctor's reassurances. I visited the emergency room yesterday to have my chest discomfort evaluated. While I understand that severe GERD can lead to such symptoms, my anxiety was heightened. Fortunately, all tests came back normal, alleviating my fears, but it also strengthened my resolve to adhere strictly to my dietary restrictions. However, I received mixed information from the tests, making me wonder about the significance of the findings. I plan to follow up with my primary care physician next week for more clarity. As part of my evaluation, I underwent chest X-rays that included both frontal and lateral views. The report indicated a mild opacity in the left basilar area, suggesting potential atelectasis (I hope I spelled that correctly). Any advice or insights would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
Answers (1)
12/13/2025, 3:40:37 PM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you are dealing with multiple health concerns, and it's understandable to feel anxious about your symptoms and the results of your recent tests. Let's break down your situation to help provide clarity and actionable next steps.
Key Points:
- You are recovering from several gastrointestinal issues and have new symptoms such as laryngitis and fatigue.
- Normal test results can sometimes lead to more questions than answers, contributing to anxiety.
- Focus on managing your symptoms and supporting your recovery while awaiting your follow-up appointment.
Explanation:
Your history of gastritis, esophagitis, ulcers, Barrett’s esophagus, a hiatal hernia, and GERD can certainly lead to overlapping symptoms, including chest discomfort and laryngitis. The mild opacity noted on your chest X-ray might indicate a condition like atelectasis, which is the collapse or incomplete expansion of a part of the lung. This could contribute to feelings of malaise and might be related to your recent respiratory symptoms. However, since your other tests were normal, there may not be an immediate cause for alarm.
Next Steps:
-
Symptom Management:
- Hydration: Ensure you’re staying well-hydrated, especially if you’re experiencing fatigue.
- Rest: Prioritize adequate sleep and recovery time as your body is healing.
- Dietary Adherence: Maintain your prescribed dietary restrictions to manage GERD effectively. Avoid foods known to trigger symptoms, such as fatty or spicy foods, caffeine, and chocolate.
-
Monitoring Symptoms:
- Keep a journal of any new or worsening symptoms, noting when they occur and any possible triggers. This will be helpful for your upcoming follow-up appointment.
-
Communicate with Your Doctor:
- Share your concerns regarding the pantoprazole and the feeling of sluggishness with your doctor at your next appointment. There might be alternative medications or adjustments that can better support your recovery without unwanted side effects.
-
Focus on Anxiety Reduction:
- Consider relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, or gentle yoga to help manage anxiety around your health. If persistent anxiety is affecting your quality of life, discussing these feelings with your doctor may be beneficial.
As you await your follow-up, remember that your symptoms could be interconnected with your existing conditions, and addressing them collectively can support your overall well-being. You're taking a proactive approach by following up with your healthcare provider, which is vital in managing your health. Please take care, and let me know if you need further assistance or clarification.
Related Questions
Experiencing Clear Fluid from Ear with No Discomfort: Should I Wait for My Appointment?
I am a healthy 57-year-old female, weighing 120 pounds and standing 5 feet 5 inches tall. My daily medications include 100 mg of Losartan for effectively managed high blood pressure, 200 mg of Lyrica taken twice daily for post-herpetic neuralgia, 100 mg of Synthroid following treatment for thyroid cancer, and a combination hormone replacement therapy patch. Additionally, I take Zyrtec and Flonase every day to combat allergies. Since October, I have been dealing with persistent tinnitus in my right ear, accompanied by some pressure and a muffled sensation. Recently, I've noticed that when I speak, it feels akin to the sensation I experience when my ears clear during a flight after chewing gum—my voice sounds amplified in my head. I've scheduled an appointment with a physician's assistant in an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) office for the end of March due to my worries about the tinnitus and any potential hearing impairment. Yesterday, I noticed that my ear emitted a clear fluid. Thankfully, there was no associated pain. The fluid was somewhat thicker than water, completely odorless—unlike the unpleasant discharge I recall from my daughter's ear infections—and there was no sign of blood. Could this indicate a perforated eardrum? I suspect this might be the case, but can this occur without an underlying infection? Should I seek attention sooner than my appointment in March? I would prefer to avoid urgent care during flu season; however, if this situation is serious, I am prepared to take precautions and visit.
Assessing My Health Concerns: How Anxious Should I Be?
I’m a 32-year-old woman, weighing 124 pounds and standing at 5 feet 6 inches tall. For over a year, I have been experiencing bright red rectal bleeding. Initially, I attributed this issue to hemorrhoids that developed during my pregnancy two years ago. The bleeding occurs with most of my bowel movements, sometimes happens without one, and on a few occasions, has been enough to stain the toilet bowl significantly. The color of the blood is typically darker than what I observe during a hemorrhoid flare-up. There is a notable family history of bowel cancer on both sides; one family member was diagnosed at age 45, and another at 60. In the past six months, I have encountered several episodes of severe abdominal pain—3 to 4 instances—intense enough to consider a trip to the emergency room. However, the pain usually subsides within about an hour. It’s unusual for me to experience such acute pain, given my high tolerance for discomfort; for example, I once played rugby shortly after dislocating and fracturing my finger. Recently, I mustered the courage to consult with my doctor, who recommended a FIT test, which returned a positive result (30.1). Additionally, I underwent a complete blood test, and aside from having low ferritin levels (7 µg/L), all other results were normal. I have since been referred for a colonoscopy on a two-week waiting list to rule out any possible bowel cancer. Given these circumstances, how concerned should I be? Thank you for your input.
Understanding Possible Seizure Triggers and Recurrence Risks
Health Background: I am a 21-year-old female, standing at 169 cm and weighing 65 kg. Over the past three years, I have been using oral contraceptives. As of this morning, I started taking 25 mcg of levothyroxine along with a weekly vitamin D supplement of 0.266 mg. Recently, I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism and found to have a vitamin D deficiency that I suspect has existed for the last three years. I do not consume alcohol or smoke, and I can confirm I am not pregnant. Two years ago, I experienced a mild concussion. I currently reside in Spain. A couple of months back, in mid-December, I blacked out twice. The second occurrence took place while I was at the doctor’s office after seeking urgent medical care for the initial incident. Following the second episode, I underwent a CT scan and an EKG, both of which returned normal results. Further tests, as directed by my physician, revealed a critical vitamin D deficiency and hypothyroidism; however, he expressed doubt that either of these conditions led to my loss of consciousness. I was then referred to a neurologist, and I am presently awaiting an appointment. Although the waiting period is lengthy, my doctor indicated that I should receive priority for scheduling, although the exact timeframe remains uncertain. The referral document summarized my events, labeling the second episode (which the physician witnessed) as a potential seizure devoid of tonic-clonic movements—a revelation that took me by surprise. After regaining consciousness, I felt extremely disoriented and terrified, struggling to process what was happening. I have no prior history of seizures, epilepsy, or any related conditions, and there is no known family history of these issues. If this indeed was a seizure, what might have triggered it? Additionally, what is the likelihood of experiencing another one? Since that time, I have not had any further incidents, but I have experienced moments where I felt a sense of impending doom, which I managed to overcome. I intend to wait for the neurologist's evaluation, but the uncertainty surrounding a possible neurological condition is quite distressing. Thank you for any insight you can provide!
Understanding EEG Results for My 22-Month-Old Son: Insights Needed
Could someone help clarify this for me? My son, who is just 22 months old, hasn’t started walking yet, becomes tired easily, and has been experiencing behavioral outbursts. He had a febrile seizure in February 2025, followed by another unexplained seizure in April 2025, which led us to consult a neurologist. Since he was 3 months old, he has been receiving therapy from a physical therapist for torticollis. At birth, he spent five days in the NICU due to issues with meconium aspiration. A recent MRI showed normal results, and he also had a follow-up EEG after one conducted in July 2025. The results from this recent EEG were abnormal for a pediatric patient in awake, drowsy, and sleeping states. Notably, there were brief episodes of left frontotemporal delta slowing, which occurred mainly when he was awake and drowsy. There were no signs of epileptiform activity detected. In contrast, the EEG performed back on July 3, 2025, was deemed normal for both awake and drowsy states, again with no evidence of epileptiform irregularities, although it did not capture any sleep data. This examination was prompted by the child's existing history of febrile seizures. Importantly, he is not currently on any anti-seizure medications. The EEG procedure used standard electrode placements per the 10-20 system, conducted a single-lead EKG, and included continuous video monitoring. During the analysis, the background activity was symmetric, indicating some anterior-posterior (AP) organization, with a dominant rhythm of 50-80 microvolts at 7 Hz. His drowsy state was marked by a reduced amount of eye blink activity, less breathing motion interference, and a generalized slowing in theta/delta frequencies. Stage II sleep exhibited spindles and vertex waves patterns. Additionally, there were intermittent bursts of 250-300 microvolts in the left frontotemporal region with semi-rhythmic activity of 2-4 Hz, mostly observed during wakefulness and drowsiness. No definitive epileptiform discharge was noted. Photic stimulation during the test did not elicit a strong response, and hyperventilation was not conducted during this session.
INTENSE Spine Discomfort, Breathing Difficulties, Muscle Twitches, and Sweating
To elaborate on the situation mentioned in the title, I’ve been experiencing unusual muscle twitches and spasms for the past few days, along with some discomfort in my back. However, today, I felt an unexpected sharp pain shoot through my spine, which has left my legs feeling numb and made it impossible for me to sit up straight. Additionally, I’ve been dealing with cold sweats for the last hour and struggling to breathe properly. Perhaps I’m just overanalyzing things and it’s a common occurrence, but the intensity of the pain is overwhelming—it's truly unbearable. I’m shaking quite a bit, and unfortunately, my parents aren’t responding to my attempts to reach them for help. I have a history of a chronic heart condition and arthritis, yet I’ve never experienced pain this severe, especially in my spine. For context, I am nearly 15 years old and female. My current medications include pain relievers, anxiety medication, beta blockers, and some vitamins, though those specifics may not be particularly relevant. I don’t smoke; however, I have tried vaping a few times, which might not matter much, but I thought it was worth mentioning as it was requested.