Dizzy, Stiff Neck, Stiff Scalp, Tension Headache. Why Does Tuna Relieve The Symptoms? History Of Glandular Fever

Posted on Sat, 15 Oct 2011

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sat, 15 Oct 2011 Answered on

Sun, 10 Jun 2012 Last reviewed on

Question : I'm 38yrs 6ft, Vegan diet, history of XXXXXXX river fever, Glandular fever then CMV virus, platelets were slightly low last blood test. My spleen always goes up and down, has done for years, but getting worse and more often nowadays. When it is inflamed white blood cells multiply, i become dizzy, experience stiff neck and stiff scalp area headache similar to a tension headache. The worst part is I can't breath much, my lungs and head feel as though I am starving for air, I get very pale looking in the face and loose function with walking and moving, also pins and needles. Over the years I have figured out for myself to have a little Tuna or even red meat when this happens and it seems to (after 20min) help put oxygen back into my body some how and alleviate this temporarily to get me by. During this 20min interval my lower back (between the hips area...pancreas maybe?) feels aching and stiff as well. It's right after this is when I start to feel a lot more relieved. Sounds crazy I know but true. Any ideas of why the tuna might be doing this to help me? And is there anything I can do to help reduce the spleens size and the effects on my body in these hard times? I need to look after my spleen somehow as well. Any suggestions for some type of immune/spleen boosting or protecting foods and medications? Also lately I've noticed that if eat a 'whole' cooked steak or 'whole' cooked fish(meats only) I've noticed my left pupil gets very large and the right goes really small. But only with meat. Does this tye in at all to the spleen? Thank you for your time Dr..........Kind regards, XXXXXXX YYYY@YYYY

Answered by Dr. Robert Galamaga (2 hours later)

Hello and thanks for the query.

You have described a collection of symptoms which are certainly peculiar. I will need more information from you regarding testing which has been performed in the past. You can send copies of these to my attention at doctor@healthcare WWW.WWWW.WW Specifically I am interested in laboratory testing such as CBC, metabolic panels, liver function analysis, ultrasound studies of the abdomen, CT scans of the abdomen or pelvis or brain, any autoimmune studies which may have been requested. This will be helpful i putting together the symptoms you have. By the way - nothing you say is crazy. The human body continues to amaze and challenge me as a physician and while I am puzzled by your symptoms I am not thinking at all that it is crazy.

Regarding the intake of meat or tuna - there is no physiologic mechanism which I know of which would explain how the meat or fish would be metabolized within 20 minutes to have an effect on your body. One thought which comes to mind is that perhaps you have some degree of amino acid deficiency which could be diet related and this responds to protein intake. If not diet related it could be due to a degree of malabsorption.

I do have some ideas about foods or supplements which may help but first I would like to gather more information from you before making these recommendations. If you could send these reports at your earliest convenience I will review them.

I thank you gain for the query and hope this will serve to be an informative experience for you. If there are any additional thoughts plese do share them with me.

Sincerely,

Dr. Galamaga

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T