[43F] Experiencing a range of neurological and systemic symptoms

Patient Description

A 43-year-old female presents with a complex symptomatology including a persistent and severe headache, confusion, disorientation, difficulty walking, involuntary muscle jerks, weakness, difficulty swallowing, and urinary incontinence. The headache, which has been present for over five weeks, worsens with physical activity and is less intense when the patient is at rest. The patient has also been experiencing significant confusion and speech difficulties, which began around the same time as the headache. The patient describes a 'jelly-like' weakness in her legs and has been dealing with involuntary muscle jerks for the past four weeks. Additionally, the patient reports skin peeling on her fingers, discomfort and muffled hearing in her left ear, sinus pain, and labored breathing. The patient has a history of shingles on the nose, hyperthyroidism, neuropathy, and has completed treatment for Hep C. She is currently on several medications including Levothyroxine, Neurontin, Suboxone, Orlissa, and Diclofenac. The patient has a history of substance use but has been sober for 531 days and is in a treatment program. Recent symptoms of urinary incontinence have also emerged, initially mistaken for menstrual bleeding. The patient's medical history includes a kidney donation in 2009, and she has known allergies to Clindamycin and Penicillin.

Arora's Assessment

What might be happening

Based on the information you've provided, the following conditions could be considered:

Neurological conditions: Your symptoms of headache, confusion, difficulty walking, involuntary muscle jerks, difficulty speaking, and weakness in limbs are concerning for possible neurological conditions. These could range from migraines to more serious conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis or a brain tumor.
Infections: Given your recent diagnosis of Influenza B and the presence of shingles, it's possible that some of your symptoms could be related to these infections. Infections can sometimes cause neurological symptoms.
Side effects of medication: Some of your symptoms, such as confusion and difficulty speaking, could potentially be side effects of the medications you are taking.
Urinary incontinence: This could be due to a variety of causes, including neurological conditions, infections, or side effects from medications.

Please note that this is not an exhaustive list and these are only possible explanations based on the information you've provided.

What you can do

Given the severity and range of your symptoms, it's important to seek immediate medical attention. Please go to the emergency department as soon as possible.

What you should look out for

Please seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of the following:

Sudden, severe headache or change in the pattern of headaches
Problems with balance or coordination
Seizures
Changes in personality or behavior
Difficulty breathing
Persistent or worsening confusion
Persistent or worsening weakness in your limbs

Please remember that this advice is based on the information you've provided and is not a substitute for a formal medical evaluation. It's important to consult with a healthcare professional who can evaluate your symptoms in person.

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10 mo ago

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[43F] Experiencing a range of neurological and systemic symptoms

What might be happening

What you can do

What you should look out for

Experiencing symptoms?