What Causes Weakness,body Aches,shortness Of Breath After Throat Infection?

Posted on Wed, 8 Jan 2014

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

Wed, 8 Jan 2014 Answered on

Wed, 12 Feb 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : About 5 weeks ago had a sore throat, went to Dr and was diagnosed with Strep and took medication for it. After 2 weeks still tightness in throat. Started getting tinglingin my fingers and toes. About a week later stiffness in jaw, difficulty opening jaw wide, tingling in face. This week my legs mainly my thighs have been sore and my legs feel really heavy when i walk. Also my back has gotten sore as if I have difficulty standing up straight. Also I feel shortness of breath with minimal physical activity.I'm at my desk now feeling like i'm breathing hard. just sitting at my desk. I walked up the street today and could barely breath. I've been to Dr and had EKG, Chest X-Ray, Blood tests to rule out vitamin difficiencies and other common illnisses. Gone to ENT and they put a camera in my throat and didn't find anything. Suggusted it could be related to heartburn but I've never had it before and I am not convinced of this being the answer. The past two days extremely weak and feels difficult to take a full breath. If I run even a block I feel extremely winded.

Answered by Dr. Shashi Dangwal (34 hours later)

Brief Answer: It`s an attack of Upper Respiratory Infection(URTI Detailed Answer: Hello XXXX I have gone through your query in detail. I`m of the opinion that you had a bad attack of URTI ie sore throat, most probably viral in nature. This is causing all your other symptoms like extreme weakness, genralized body ache, shortness of breath etc. You will very soon recover from this as body has a remarkable capacity to heal itself and bounce back. However, i`m concerned about one symptom that you have mentioned-difficulty in walking and standing straight. If it persists or if you feel that it is more than what is expected with a viral, you must consult your PCP or a neurophysician. In the meanwhile, i suggest you take a course of antibiotics(if not taken already), some pain killer and a vitamin supplement. You may take nebulization for shortness of breath. Take good nourishing diet with plenty of warm liquids. Take adequate rest and have a good night sleep. Very soon you will be done with this and on the road to recovery.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Shashi Dangwal (9 hours later)

Thanks, I'll check back with my dr. Looking up online symptoms sound possibly like gullian-barre syndrome is this possible?Woke up last two nights feeling like I'm hyperventilating. Is this most likely due to anxiety issues? Blood pressure and pulse are normal but feeling very "lightheaded" and dizzy at times after slight physical exercise.

Answered by Dr. Shashi Dangwal (33 hours later)

Brief Answer: Yes, even i had Gullian Barre syndrome in mind . Detailed Answer: Yes, even i had Gullian Barre syndrome in mind when i suggested that you see a neurophysician. Though it seems unlikely but do not neglect the symptoms that i mentioned earlier. You could be hyperventilating because of anxiety and lightheadedness and dizziness is a result of hyperventilation. However, do take nebulization because sometimes after an infection airways become hypereactive causing shortness of breath.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Shashi Dangwal (42 hours later)

I was given an inhailer to use by my ENT. I'v tried it a few times but it doesn't seem to help much. Off/on i'll be just walking down the street and feel extremely winded like i'm about to pass out. My doctor got me in with an appointment with a pulmonologist on Friday to check this out. Its very scary because some times at night I've woken up like i'm hyperventalating and unable to breathe. It feels like I'm unable to take a complete breath. Taking my pulse throughout the day its around an average of 90-95 BPM and my blood pressure has been around 135/97 whereas I'm usually in around 120/85 or so. Can anxiety cause my heart rate and blood presure to jump so rapidly?I was in urgent care Saturday night for the shortness of breath, they ran a number of tests and didn't find anything but did give a referral. Symptoms appear to be getting worse but it may all be in my mind. I'm hoping I can make it until Friday without having to go back to ER or urgent care.

Answered by Dr. Shashi Dangwal (14 hours later)

Brief Answer: Your airways may have become sensitive. Detailed Answer: From your description, i understand that your main problem at present is breathing difficulty. You have mantioned that you have no known allergies. I would like to tell you that at times airways become hypereactive after a bout of chest infection. This may cause shortness of brearh. That may be the case with you. I suggest you either take nebulization with levolin and budecort or take inhalers like aerocort or seroflo regularly for some time. You may add a telekast and levocetrizine. Take these after consulting your PCP for appropriate dosage and mechanism. You should recover soon with above but if symptoms persists, you may have to go for a complete check up which should include routine blood tests, x ray chest, PFT and if required, even a CT chest to establish or rule out any underlying problem.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Shashi Dangwal (28 hours later)

I've been referred to a Pulmonologist by urgent care does this sound like the best course of action or should I follow back up with PCP?

Answered by Dr. Shashi Dangwal (17 hours later)

Brief Answer: You should go to a pulmonologist. Detailed Answer: Since your symptoms are prolonged and breathlessness is an issue, it`s better to consult a pulmonologist.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Shashi Dangwal (9 hours later)

Do you think its urgent to take the swallow study as this started as a swallowing issue or should I hold off and go to pulmonologist first?

Answered by Dr. Shashi Dangwal (15 hours later)

Brief Answer: Go to the pulmonologist first. Detailed Answer: I suggest you go to the pulmonologist first as he can examine you in detail and suggest the best course of action.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Shashi Dangwal (37 hours later)

I saw the pulmonologist who ordered pft testing... waiting on this thanks

Answered by Dr. Shashi Dangwal (3 hours later)

Brief Answer: Let`s wait for the PFT report. Detailed Answer: Let`s wait for the PFT report. You may upload it on XXXXXXX also and i`ll also have a look.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Shashi Dangwal (2 days later)

Ok, thanks again, test is scheduled for this Friday. I'll upload the results once I get them and post here.

Answered by Dr. Shashi Dangwal (21 hours later)

Brief Answer: Thank you. Detailed Answer: Thank you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Shashi Dangwal (13 minutes later)

The past few days my legs have been feeling extremely weak, I can walk but it feels like weights and immense pain in them since monday. Still breathing seems to be getting worse. I tried to run a little, I was able to make it like a block and then my legs were painfully sore. I'm still able to walk and the leg pains have been going on for about 3 weeks. I went to my PCP and he does not think neuro is necessary, he tested my leg strength and reflexes and said everything looked ok, to wait and see. Is it possible that this is all caused by my anxiety? I have had anxiety in the past and nervous breakdowns. I almost went to ER/Urgent care last night again, but I'm not sure what they will do if anything. The last time I went they just checked my blood pressure and ran blood tests and said that everything was fine. I'm not sure my Dr or the urgent care clinic/ER will do anything at this point.

Answered by Dr. Shashi Dangwal (22 hours later)

Brief Answer: You seem to be very anxious. Detailed Answer: It does seem that you are very anxious because your symptoms do not point to any major illness and their appears to be a functional element to it. If your PCP has seen you and has not found anything amiss, i suggest you do not worry unnecessarily. However you may post the pft report if you have got it done. You may consult a psychiatrist for the anxiety.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Shashi Dangwal (35 minutes later)

Thanks, I'm scheduled for the PFT testing tomorrow. I"ll post the report, hoping I am able to get it back right after the testing. I'm already seeing a psychiatrist for the Anxiety. Thanks again and sorry for so many questions.

Answered by Dr. Shashi Dangwal (12 minutes later)

Brief Answer: Thank you. Detailed Answer: Take care. Thank you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar