[22F] Experiencing seizures, stomach pain, vomiting, and other symptoms
Patient Description
A 22-year-old female has been experiencing a range of severe symptoms for about a week, including what appear to be absent or focal seizures affecting her whole body, particularly noticeable on her face, rated 10/10 in severity. She reports stomach pain described as dull, intermittent, with nausea and cramping, rated 7/10. Additionally, she has been vomiting frequently, over 10 times in the past 24 hours, causing esophageal damage. She also suffers from nerve pain that started in her left arm but now affects her whole body, accompanied by numbness, rated 10/10. Headaches have been constant for two weeks, described as heavy pressure all over her head, exacerbated by vomiting, crying, and seizure episodes, rated 8/10. She also reports anal bleeding. She has difficulty hearing and understanding others, following plot lines, and holding conversations. Her medical history includes mental health diagnoses and a family history of epilepsy. She is currently taking multiple medications including Metroprolol, Depecote, Zofran as needed, ibuprofen, cymbalta, and Prozosin.
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Arora's Assessment
What might be happening
Based on the information you provided, there are several possibilities:
- Seizure Disorder: Given your family history of epilepsy and your description of whole-body seizures, it's possible you could be experiencing a similar condition. Seizures can sometimes be misdiagnosed as psychological conditions, especially in the case of non-convulsive or "absence" seizures. However, a formal diagnosis would require an EEG test.
- Gastrointestinal Issues: Your symptoms of stomach pain, vomiting, and rectal bleeding could point to a number of gastrointestinal issues, such as gastritis, peptic ulcers, or even inflammatory bowel disease. These conditions can cause pain, nausea, and bleeding in the digestive tract.
- Migraines or Tension Headaches: Your description of a constant, pressure-like headache could be indicative of chronic migraines or tension headaches. These can be exacerbated by physical and emotional stress.
- Neuropathic Pain: The nerve pain and numbness you described could be due to a condition called neuropathy, which is damage to the nerves outside of the brain and spinal cord.
- Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS): Some of your symptoms, such as difficulty hearing and understanding others, could potentially be related to POTS, a condition that affects circulation and can cause a variety of neurological symptoms.
What you can do
- Seek immediate medical attention: Given the severity and variety of your symptoms, it's crucial to seek medical help as soon as possible. If you're unable to get help from your current doctors, consider seeking a second opinion or going to an emergency room.
- Keep a symptom diary: Documenting your symptoms, their severity, and when they occur can help doctors understand your condition better.
- Stay hydrated and eat a balanced diet: This can help manage your gastrointestinal symptoms and overall health.
- Rest and manage stress: Stress and lack of sleep can exacerbate many of the symptoms you described.
What you should look out for
- Worsening of symptoms: If your symptoms get worse or if you develop new symptoms, seek medical help immediately.
- Signs of severe dehydration: If you're vomiting frequently, you could become dehydrated. Signs include extreme thirst, dark-colored urine, and fatigue.
- Severe abdominal or rectal pain: This could indicate a serious gastrointestinal issue that needs immediate attention.
Please remember that this advice is based on the information you provided and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. It's important to consult with a healthcare provider for an accurate diagnosis and treatment.
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7 mo ago