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I Have Been Experiencing A Progression Of Symptoms Over The

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Posted on Thu, 5 Sep 2019
Question: I have been experiencing a progression of symptoms over the past 6 weeks or so, starting with an ear ache in my left ear. It was dull and persistent, but I carried on. Perhaps 1-2 weeks later I experienced what felt like pinkeye, but there weren't any visible signs -- just some really severe itchiness. That resolved after about a week and then a nasal condition started with a mild-to-moderate sore throat. That evolved into some gastrointestinal discomfort and one weekend of diarrhea (about 7 days ago). The earache has persisted throughout.

Four nights ago, I developed a headache on the top of my head. I have had migraines or cluster headaches before, it was definitely not that and was definitely not a sinus headache. It was a generalized "fire" on the top of my head. Some unknown time later, I noticed what feels like a dent in the top of my skull, from the front center edge of my hairline back about 5 finger-widths. Sometimes it is tender, sometimes it is not.

The next day, I went in to my doctor and talked through as much of this as I could remember. They called for blood and urine workups, a full abdominal ultrasound, and a 2-view chest x-ray to start. All of these tests came back in normal ranges except for the chest x-ray:

Emphysematous changes of lungs noted with hyperlucency, increased interstitial markings, and flattening of the diaphragms. No evidence of consolidation and pneumonia seen. The pleural reflections appear normal. No pleural effusion is present. Cardiac size and contour are normal. Thoracic aorta normal. No hilar or mediastinal enlargement. Osseous structures are normal for age.

That was 3 days ago. About 24 hours after receiving that information, I started feeling shortness of breath that comes and goes but is unrelated to physical exertion. I can walk up and down a hill for half an hour no problem, just like I could a week ago, but if I'm sitting still in a car or on a chair things start to get weird. I am still feeling an occasional sensitivity on the skull ridge as well.

My question: what should I do next? I wouldn't be surprised if anxiety about a possible emphysema diagnosis was causing some stress, but that doesn't speak to all of the other random symptoms. They all seem unrelated, if not for the fact that they're all happening around the same time.
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Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (0 minute later)
I have been experiencing a progression of symptoms over the past 6 weeks or so, starting with an ear ache in my left ear. It was dull and persistent, but I carried on. Perhaps 1-2 weeks later I experienced what felt like pinkeye, but there weren't any visible signs -- just some really severe itchiness. That resolved after about a week and then a nasal condition started with a mild-to-moderate sore throat. That evolved into some gastrointestinal discomfort and one weekend of diarrhea (about 7 days ago). The earache has persisted throughout.

Four nights ago, I developed a headache on the top of my head. I have had migraines or cluster headaches before, it was definitely not that and was definitely not a sinus headache. It was a generalized "fire" on the top of my head. Some unknown time later, I noticed what feels like a dent in the top of my skull, from the front center edge of my hairline back about 5 finger-widths. Sometimes it is tender, sometimes it is not.

The next day, I went in to my doctor and talked through as much of this as I could remember. They called for blood and urine workups, a full abdominal ultrasound, and a 2-view chest x-ray to start. All of these tests came back in normal ranges except for the chest x-ray:

Emphysematous changes of lungs noted with hyperlucency, increased interstitial markings, and flattening of the diaphragms. No evidence of consolidation and pneumonia seen. The pleural reflections appear normal. No pleural effusion is present. Cardiac size and contour are normal. Thoracic aorta normal. No hilar or mediastinal enlargement. Osseous structures are normal for age.

That was 3 days ago. About 24 hours after receiving that information, I started feeling shortness of breath that comes and goes but is unrelated to physical exertion. I can walk up and down a hill for half an hour no problem, just like I could a week ago, but if I'm sitting still in a car or on a chair things start to get weird. I am still feeling an occasional sensitivity on the skull ridge as well.

My question: what should I do next? I wouldn't be surprised if anxiety about a possible emphysema diagnosis was causing some stress, but that doesn't speak to all of the other random symptoms. They all seem unrelated, if not for the fact that they're all happening around the same time.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (25 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Yes, possibility of anxiety related symptoms is more likely.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question on Ask a doctor forum.
I can understand your concern.
I have gone through the reports and detailed history you have given.
In my opinion, your respiratory symptoms are because of anxiety only.
On earlier symptoms might be due to viral infection since your all blood work up is normal.
So in my opinion, no need to worry much.
According to me, your next step should be to consult a neurologist and get done clinical examination and MRI brain
If these are normal then no need to worry much.
Please let me know
1. Do you smoke?
2. Do you have any allergies?
And yes do get done PFT because your chest x ray is suggestive of emphysema.
Please reply me answers of above asked questions, so that I can guide you better. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
doctor
doctor
Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (0 minute later)
Brief Answer:
Yes, possibility of anxiety related symptoms is more likely.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question on Ask a doctor forum.
I can understand your concern.
I have gone through the reports and detailed history you have given.
In my opinion, your respiratory symptoms are because of anxiety only.
On earlier symptoms might be due to viral infection since your all blood work up is normal.
So in my opinion, no need to worry much.
According to me, your next step should be to consult a neurologist and get done clinical examination and MRI brain
If these are normal then no need to worry much.
Please let me know
1. Do you smoke?
2. Do you have any allergies?
And yes do get done PFT because your chest x ray is suggestive of emphysema.
Please reply me answers of above asked questions, so that I can guide you better. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (6 hours later)
Thank you for the fast response. In answer to your questions, I am not a smoker and have never smoked before. I don’t have any known allergies, though we did adopt a pet cat earlier this year. I haven’t noticed any personal reaction to it.

Writing this in the middle of the night because I just woke up with night sweats and my calf muscles are feeling tender. If this is all anxiety, then the mind is a powerful thing!
default
Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (0 minute later)
Thank you for the fast response. In answer to your questions, I am not a smoker and have never smoked before. I don’t have any known allergies, though we did adopt a pet cat earlier this year. I haven’t noticed any personal reaction to it.

Writing this in the middle of the night because I just woke up with night sweats and my calf muscles are feeling tender. If this is all anxiety, then the mind is a powerful thing!
doctor
Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (23 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Yes, human brain is a power house.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Ask a doctor forum.
First of all sorry for late reply as I was busy.
In my opinion, you should definitely consult psychiatrist and get done counselling sessions.
Try to identify stressor in your life and start working on its solution.
And yes, human brain is a power house.
Please let me know if you have consulted psychiatrist before.
I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
doctor
doctor
Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (0 minute later)
Brief Answer:
Yes, human brain is a power house.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Ask a doctor forum.
First of all sorry for late reply as I was busy.
In my opinion, you should definitely consult psychiatrist and get done counselling sessions.
Try to identify stressor in your life and start working on its solution.
And yes, human brain is a power house.
Please let me know if you have consulted psychiatrist before.
I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Drkaushal85

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Practicing since :2008

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I Have Been Experiencing A Progression Of Symptoms Over The

I have been experiencing a progression of symptoms over the past 6 weeks or so, starting with an ear ache in my left ear. It was dull and persistent, but I carried on. Perhaps 1-2 weeks later I experienced what felt like pinkeye, but there weren't any visible signs -- just some really severe itchiness. That resolved after about a week and then a nasal condition started with a mild-to-moderate sore throat. That evolved into some gastrointestinal discomfort and one weekend of diarrhea (about 7 days ago). The earache has persisted throughout. Four nights ago, I developed a headache on the top of my head. I have had migraines or cluster headaches before, it was definitely not that and was definitely not a sinus headache. It was a generalized "fire" on the top of my head. Some unknown time later, I noticed what feels like a dent in the top of my skull, from the front center edge of my hairline back about 5 finger-widths. Sometimes it is tender, sometimes it is not. The next day, I went in to my doctor and talked through as much of this as I could remember. They called for blood and urine workups, a full abdominal ultrasound, and a 2-view chest x-ray to start. All of these tests came back in normal ranges except for the chest x-ray: Emphysematous changes of lungs noted with hyperlucency, increased interstitial markings, and flattening of the diaphragms. No evidence of consolidation and pneumonia seen. The pleural reflections appear normal. No pleural effusion is present. Cardiac size and contour are normal. Thoracic aorta normal. No hilar or mediastinal enlargement. Osseous structures are normal for age. That was 3 days ago. About 24 hours after receiving that information, I started feeling shortness of breath that comes and goes but is unrelated to physical exertion. I can walk up and down a hill for half an hour no problem, just like I could a week ago, but if I'm sitting still in a car or on a chair things start to get weird. I am still feeling an occasional sensitivity on the skull ridge as well. My question: what should I do next? I wouldn't be surprised if anxiety about a possible emphysema diagnosis was causing some stress, but that doesn't speak to all of the other random symptoms. They all seem unrelated, if not for the fact that they're all happening around the same time.