[31F] With eye floaters, headache, nerve pain, and low-grade fever

Patient Description

A 31-year-old female presents with eye floaters described as black squiggly lines that developed after a severe headache with vomiting. These floaters have slightly changed in size, shape, or frequency since their onset in March 2024, and are accompanied by blurry vision. Additionally, the patient reports sharp and tingling nerve pain in her hands, feet, and legs, with a severity rating of 7 when active. The right hand has become weaker. She also experiences a low-grade fever. There is no history of recent injuries, neurological conditions, or autoimmune diseases. The patient has a history of PID diagnosed in August 2023 and recently traveled to Hawaii. She does not use substances such as alcohol, tobacco, or recreational drugs, and is not currently taking any medications. No known drug allergies.

Show More

Arora's Assessment

What might be happening

Based on the symptoms you've described, here are some possible explanations:

Eye Floaters and Blurry Vision

  • Posterior Vitreous Detachment (PVD): This is a common condition where the gel inside your eye shrinks and pulls away from the retina, causing floaters and sometimes blurry vision.
  • Retinal Detachment: This is more serious and can cause floaters, flashes of light, and blurry vision. It requires immediate medical attention to prevent permanent vision loss.

Nerve Pain in Hands, Feet, and Legs

  • Peripheral Neuropathy: This condition affects the peripheral nerves and can cause sharp, tingling pain. It can be due to various causes, including diabetes, infections, and autoimmune diseases.
  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: This could explain the weakness in your right hand, especially if the pain is more pronounced in your hands.

Severe Headache with Vomiting

  • Migraine: Migraines can cause severe headaches, vomiting, and sometimes visual disturbances like floaters.
  • Intracranial Pressure: Increased pressure inside the skull can cause severe headaches, vomiting, and vision changes. This is a serious condition that requires immediate medical attention.

Low-Grade Fever

  • Infection: A low-grade fever can be a sign of an underlying infection, which could also contribute to your other symptoms.
  • Inflammatory Conditions: Conditions like autoimmune diseases can cause low-grade fevers and nerve pain.

What you can do

Eye Floaters and Blurry Vision

  • See an Eye Specialist: It's crucial to consult an ophthalmologist to rule out serious conditions like retinal detachment.
  • Monitor Symptoms: Keep track of any changes in your vision and report them to your doctor immediately.

Nerve Pain in Hands, Feet, and Legs

  • Consult a Neurologist: A specialist can help diagnose the cause of your nerve pain and recommend appropriate treatments.
  • Pain Management: Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen can help manage the pain. Physical therapy may also be beneficial.

Severe Headache with Vomiting

  • Seek Immediate Medical Attention: Given the severity of your symptoms, it's important to see a healthcare provider as soon as possible to rule out serious conditions like increased intracranial pressure.
  • Hydration and Rest: Ensure you stay hydrated and get plenty of rest.

Low-Grade Fever

  • Monitor Temperature: Keep track of your fever and consult a doctor if it persists or worsens.
  • Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids to help manage the fever.

What you should look out for

Given the severity and combination of your symptoms, you should seek medical care as soon as possible. Reasons to seek care even more urgently include:

  • Sudden Vision Loss: This could indicate a retinal detachment or other serious eye condition.
  • Severe, Unrelenting Headache: Especially if accompanied by vomiting, this could indicate increased intracranial pressure.
  • Weakness or Numbness: If you experience worsening weakness or numbness, it could indicate a serious neurological condition.
  • High Fever: If your low-grade fever turns into a high fever, it could indicate a more serious infection.

Remember, while I can provide information and suggestions, it's crucial to consult with a healthcare professional for a formal diagnosis and treatment plan. You can also use MDandMe to journal your symptoms, track progress, get insights, and share longitudinal medical notes with your provider.

Show More

1
 Hugs
0
 Comments

Save

4 mo ago


People Also Ask


What are eye floaters and should I be concerned about them?

Eye floaters are small shapes that appear in your field of vision, often due to changes in the vitreous gel inside the eye. While they are common and usually harmless, sudden changes in floaters or accompanying symptoms like blurry vision could indicate a more serious condition like retinal detachment, which requires immediate medical attention.


What could be causing the sharp, tingling nerve pain in my hands, feet, and legs?

Sharp, tingling nerve pain in the extremities can be caused by peripheral neuropathy, which affects the peripheral nerves. This can result from various factors, including diabetes, infections, or autoimmune diseases. Carpal tunnel syndrome could also cause similar symptoms, particularly in the hands.


What are the potential causes of severe headaches with vomiting?

Severe headaches with vomiting can be symptoms of migraines, which are often accompanied by visual disturbances. However, they can also indicate increased intracranial pressure, a serious condition that requires immediate medical evaluation to prevent complications.


Why might I be experiencing a low-grade fever along with these other symptoms?

A low-grade fever can be a sign of an underlying infection or inflammatory condition. It may also be associated with other symptoms like nerve pain or headaches, suggesting a systemic issue that should be evaluated by a healthcare professional.

No comments yet

Be the first one to comment

Share your feedback

All Stories


Experiencing symptoms?

Our AI will conduct a medical interview and assess what might be happening. You can also make a post afterwards.

Share your feedback