[23F] Experiencing multiple symptoms including elevated heart rate, shortness of breath, and abdominal pain

Question

I basically listed most of the things that I’ve had issues with over the past few days and a few things that have been over the past few years. If anyone sees a correlation, please let me know. I don’t have insurance right now, and I’m scared to go to the hospital because I am afraid to bury myself in debt for the rest of my life. I already have enough student debt. If anyone has an idea or similar experience please tell me

Patient Description

A 23-year-old female has been experiencing a constellation of symptoms for several months, including an elevated heart rate particularly when lying down to sleep, moderate dry cough, shortness of breath rated 7/10 in severity, and tingling sensations in the feet, hands, and face. She also reports fluid accumulation in her legs, chest discomfort, and episodes of lightheadedness and dizziness. Additionally, she feels weakness in her legs, which has become more severe in the past two days, and has noticed a lump under the skin of her left forearm present for about a month. The patient also experiences sharp abdominal pain near the middle of her abdomen at the bottom of the left rib cage, described as a sharp piercing or pinching pain, rated 9/10 in severity, occurring for about a year. She was diagnosed with hydradenitis suppurativa in 2019. There is a family history of arthritis and cancer. Currently, she is not on any medications and has no known allergies.

Arora's Assessment

What might be happening

Based on the information you have provided, possible unifying diagnoses include:

Heart-related conditions: Your symptoms of fast heart rate, shortness of breath, chest discomfort, and lightheadedness could be related to a heart condition such as arrhythmia (irregular heart rhythm), heart failure, or ischemic heart disease. These conditions can also cause fluid accumulation in the legs (edema) and general weakness.
- Treatment typically involves medications to manage the heart condition, lifestyle changes, and sometimes procedures or surgery.
Lung-related conditions: Your symptoms of shortness of breath, dry cough, and fast heart rate could also be related to a lung condition such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or pulmonary hypertension.
- Treatment typically involves medications to manage the lung condition, lifestyle changes, and sometimes procedures or surgery.
Gastrointestinal conditions: Your abdominal pain could be related to a variety of conditions such as gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, or gallstones.
- Treatment typically involves medications to manage the gastrointestinal condition, lifestyle changes, and sometimes procedures or surgery.
Neurological conditions: Your symptoms of tingling in the extremities could be related to a neurological condition such as peripheral neuropathy or multiple sclerosis.
- Treatment typically involves medications to manage the neurological condition, physical therapy, and sometimes procedures or surgery.

Please note that these are just possibilities and not a definitive diagnosis. You should seek care from a healthcare professional to receive a formal diagnosis and treatment if appropriate.

What you can do

Seek immediate medical attention: Given the severity and combination of your symptoms, it is important that you seek medical attention as soon as possible. These symptoms could indicate a serious condition that needs immediate treatment.
Monitor your symptoms: Keep track of your symptoms, when they occur, their severity, and any potential triggers. This information can be helpful for your healthcare provider in diagnosing your condition.
Maintain a healthy lifestyle: Regular exercise, a balanced diet, and adequate sleep can help manage some of your symptoms and improve your overall health.

What you should look out for

Reasons to seek immediate medical attention:

If your symptoms worsen or you develop new symptoms
If you experience severe chest pain or difficulty breathing
If you notice a sudden increase in the size of the lump in your arm
If you experience severe abdominal pain or notice blood in your stool

Remember, I'm an AI and this advice is based on the information you've provided. It's always a good idea to consult with a healthcare professional for a definitive diagnosis and treatment.

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8 mo ago

People Also Ask

What could cause an elevated heart rate when lying down to sleep?

An elevated heart rate when lying down can be caused by conditions such as anxiety, heart arrhythmias, or heart failure. It can also be influenced by factors like caffeine intake, stress, or certain medications.

What are common causes of tingling sensations in the extremities?

Tingling sensations in the extremities can be caused by conditions such as peripheral neuropathy, multiple sclerosis, vitamin deficiencies, or nerve compression. It is important to consult a healthcare provider for a proper diagnosis.

How can fluid accumulation in the legs be related to heart conditions?

Fluid accumulation in the legs, known as edema, can be related to heart conditions like heart failure. When the heart is not pumping effectively, fluid can build up in the body, leading to swelling in the legs and other areas.

What might a lump under the skin indicate?

A lump under the skin can indicate a variety of conditions, such as a cyst, lipoma, or swollen lymph node. It is important to have it evaluated by a healthcare professional to determine the cause and appropriate treatment.

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1 Comments

Leo#3962

8 mo ago

As a disclaimer I am a medical student but not a doctor. I'm sorry to hear about the insurance situation. If you go to an emergency room they can't deny you care just because you can't pay and you won't be admitted to the hospital unless you are critically ill given how young you are.

But if you aren't able to get care right now, here are some thoughts (not meant to be a diagnosis, just my best attempt):

The moderate dry cough, fluid accumulation in her legs, shortness of breath, chest discomfort, weakness, and episodes of lightheadedness and dizziness all would be consistent with your heart not being able to pump blood forward adequately. This can have multiple causes. If you look it up online it's called "heart failure" but it really just means a little weakness and treated with medications. Now, given your age, heart failure would be exceptionally rare. and the important thing would be to look into the cause, one of which could be stiffness in the lungs.

On the other hand, the sharp pain in your chest is less likely to be related to the heart as heart pain is usually a dull pressure.

I would strongly encourage you to look into getting insurance and seeing a cardiologist or other doctor who can do/order the appropriate tests. But in the time being, you can make sure to eat a heart-healthy diet and reduce sodium intake.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-disease/in-depth/heart-healthy-diet/art-20047702

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