[59F] Experiencing severe dizziness, shortness of breath, and other symptoms

Patient Description

A 59-year-old female presents with severe dizziness described as a constant spinning sensation, rated 10/10 in severity, which is only alleviated by lying down and closing her eyes. She has been experiencing this since 2019. Additionally, she reports extreme fatigue, shortness of breath upon minimal exertion, nausea present throughout the day, and a new pain under the right shoulder blade described as a constant knot, rated 9/10 in severity. She also experiences involuntary loose, watery bowel movements 3 to 4 times a day, which began about 6 months ago. The patient has a history of COPD, lung nodules, and hypertension, with a diagnosis of COPD in 2016 and hypertension in 2007. She has coronary artery disease with 2 stents placed and uncontrollable high blood pressure. Her father died from strokes, and her mother and brother had heart disease, with her mother dying from a heart attack. Current medications include Coreg (Carvedilol) 25mg twice daily, Lisinopril 40mg once daily, Plavix (Clopidogrel) 75mg once daily, a Trilogy inhaler once daily for COPD, and Xanax (Alprazolam) 1mg three times daily. No known allergies to medications have been reported.

Arora's Assessment

What might be happening

Based on the information you've provided, there are several possible conditions that could be causing your symptoms:

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Exacerbation: Given your history of COPD, your symptoms of severe shortness of breath and fatigue could indicate a worsening of your COPD. This is often caused by a lung infection or exposure to lung irritants.
- Treatment typically involves medications to open the airways, steroids to reduce inflammation, and antibiotics if an infection is suspected.
Cardiovascular Conditions: Your history of hypertension, coronary artery disease, and the use of blood pressure medications suggest that your symptoms could be related to a cardiovascular issue. Conditions such as heart failure or arrhythmias can cause symptoms like dizziness, fatigue, and shortness of breath.
- Treatment would depend on the specific condition, but could include medications, lifestyle changes, or in some cases, surgery.
Gastrointestinal Conditions: Your symptoms of constant nausea and loose, watery stools could be due to a gastrointestinal condition. This could include conditions like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), or an infection.
- Treatment would depend on the specific condition, but could include dietary changes, medications, or in some cases, surgery.
Anxiety: Given that you're taking Xanax, it's possible that some of your symptoms could be related to anxiety. Anxiety can cause a wide range of physical symptoms, including dizziness, nausea, and shortness of breath.
- Treatment typically involves a combination of therapy and medication.

What you can do

Given the severity and range of your symptoms, it's important that you seek medical attention as soon as possible. In the meantime, here are some things you can do:

Rest and Hydrate: Make sure you're getting plenty of rest and staying hydrated. This can help manage symptoms like dizziness and fatigue.
Monitor Your Symptoms: Keep track of your symptoms and any changes. This can help your doctor determine the cause of your symptoms.
Follow Your Treatment Plan: Continue taking your medications as prescribed and follow any other treatment recommendations from your doctor.

What you should look out for

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

Chest pain or discomfort
Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath that gets worse
Fainting or loss of consciousness
Severe, persistent vomiting or diarrhea
Blood in your stool or vomit

Please remember that while I strive to provide accurate and helpful information, I'm not a doctor. It's important that you seek care from a healthcare professional to receive a formal diagnosis and treatment.

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1 yr ago

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