Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with symptoms

Can a cold cause confusion?

Anonymous — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:17:32 -0800

Can allergies or a cold cause confusion? You're not my doctor, obviously, but here goes:

I've been sick for the past 4-5 days with a mild cold. I haven't had a fever, and have been getting plenty of rest. Right now my only symptoms are some nasal pressure, post-nasal drip, a headache, and some sneezing. The only thing I can think of that I've been doing wrong is that I haven't been focused on drinking a ton of fluids.

For the past 3-4 days I've had recurring episodes of what I can only call confusion, for lack of a better word. I feel slightly disoriented, light-headed, a little dizzy, and--this may sound silly--really really dumb. It feels as though my brain isn't working at full capacity and I'm unable to make decisions (although I still know who and where I am).

The first time this happened was at the supermarket with my boyfriend. On the way there I realized I'd suddenly become really grumpy for no apparent reason. Inside, I was anxious with other people, and really frustrated with myself for not being able to think clearly. Anytime my boyfriend would put his arm around me or try to comfort me it would drive me crazy. I would stare at an aisle of food and not be able to figure out what I needed to pick up. I basically felt like a really irratable zombie.

The past two days, I've had the same thing happen, but a little less severe. It's usually when I'm standing up, and usually accompanied by anxiety. It's strange, though, because I feel lethargic (not "anxious" in the typical sense of the word). It's more like I'm really frustrated that I can't think clearly.

I've written it off as being a symptom of the cold and told myself that it's normal to feel fuzzy-headed, but I can't find anything online about this. I have only taken half a Zyrtec twice for the nasal stuff. I don't have any chronic medical conditions that I know of (it's been a while since I've seen a doctor). I'm 25, female, and in relatively good health otherwise.

The only thing I can come up with is that I'm possibly anemic and this is the first I've noticed any symptoms. But it seems far more likely to be the result of my cold, considering they happened at the same time. Does anyone else get this way when they're sick? Is it normal? Should I be concerned?

Mystery illness??

I_Love_Bananas — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 18:30:14 -0800

Never-sick person + sickness = hell. For the past 4 days I have been plagued with symptoms that have baffled me.

No fever; yet: nausea (vomited once), headaches, near-constant dizziness/equilibrium problems, some fairly epic diarrhea. Most persistent issue is what I describe as a thunderstorm in my stomach- rumbling, gassiness, etc., worse after eating.

Today my nausea felt like it had subsided but later in the day (after grocery shopping) the dizziness increased to the point that I got re-nauseous (moreso the way you get when you are carsick or otherwise equilibrim-based nausea). What is going on? Is there any new/bizarre strain of flu or other type of illness going around that would account for it?

In the past I suffered some post-surgery dehydration that gave me similar dizziness. I drank a lot of water today thinking perhaps that was it; maybe the diarrhea exacerbated fluid loss. But this evening it's worse than ever. And if it were food-based, wouldn't it have run its course by now?

I am hardly ever sick and this is about unendurable. I've been irritable, impatient and jumpy. I am very reluctant to go to the doctor with these symptoms because they sound like just the random set of things that will guarantee either a result of "Don't know; take a few days off and see what happens" or worse, "go see specialist(s) X, Y and/or Z" and spend time and money I do not have to waste right now.

I know YANMD but all insights appreciated as long as you don't rag me for my anti-doctor stance).

multiple wierd symptoms.

misspat — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 13:50:41 -0800

you are not a/my doctor. EMT's, ER doc and my Dr haven't a clue. Have made appointments with a vast array of specialists. Body temp of 94 and other strange details inside About a week agowoke up around 8am threw up and passed out, repeatedly for several hours, mid afternoon I tried to get some gatorade, weak as a kitten, passed out. My last memory is sweating profusely, pillows were soaked through, some time later BF finds me unconcious. I was semi-concious until some time that evening. I remember bits of what followed. Like EMT trying to get IV started (I have veins the size of dental floss) they injected fluids and put a compression bandage over it and got the IV going just as we got to the ER (45 miles from home).Temp was 94, they used 5 different instruments before they believed it. BP 212/112, heart beat, don't remember exactly, the dr said it was unusually low. I felt very, very cold, but my face was burning hot. Sometime that evening I threw up for the last time, nothing but stomach fluids all day but that last time contained black olives I had eaten 7-10 days earlier...YECCCH. After lots of phenergan, IV fluids, a shot of Reglan, x-rays, ekg,
ct scan, etc. they sent me home.

I am on meds for: blood pressure, thyroid, allergies, gerd, but hadn't kept them down that day.They ruled out food poisoning.

Allergies to just about everything, had the skin test. Also allergic to band aids, eyedrops, lots of other stuff not on the skin test. plusTwo pages drugs I can't take. Pretty much have every allergy symptom you can name. Have oxygen at home used it that day. Also diagnosed with thyroid cancer, bladder cancer. Both under control, up to date on check ups. Periphreal neuropathy, degenerative disk disease, stenosis, fractures, bone spurs, spine totally FUBAR. Have had back trouble the last 2 weeks or so.

Had something quite similiar 'bout 4 years ago, it was like 10 months of flu, then it went away. Drs blew off the more unusual things like profuse sweating, low body temp, and said it was a virus.

Daily it takes all I have to drag myself out of bed and get going, then I'm good for 2-4 hours and my temp starts bouncing around from 95.6-99.9, and I feel like I am getting a bad case of the flu, I come home rest/nap and feel marginally better. Same routine the next day. Aspirin seems to normalize my temp, which in turn makes me feel a bit better.

Have appointments with neurology, rheumatology, GI, already see endocronologist, urologist. I am 63 yrs old, volunteer full time and don't have a stressful life, eat sensibly.

Anyone got a clue or suggestion?

Shingles lite?

sarahkeebs — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 18:46:07 -0800

So I have all the symptoms of shingles, just...less so. Rash above my left eye, intensely freakishly itchy moving into pins and needles and stabbing pain in my left temple. Also swollen lymph nodes, et cetera et cetera. But I'm told shingles is excruciating, and this is more highly obnoxious. Could it still be shingles, or is that impossible? (FWIW, I've seen a doctor, and she was on the fence too)

My apartment is suffocating me

Unred — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 19:35:16 -0800

It seems that I may have asthma and all my symptoms started after I moved into my apartment. Can anyone tell me the things I should look for to trouble shoot the problems causing my cough? Also, considering its a "loft" like space with no other rooms to sleep in, is it okay to break a lease (in NYC) if it seems that my apartment is making me sick?

Help Me Identify These Symptoms

Delfena — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 20:06:08 -0800

I need help identifying these symptoms my dog displayed today. We were walking outside, and all of the sudden she started acting disoriented (like she couldn't see). I stopped and looked at her, and her eyes were darting quickly back and forth. These were the only two symptoms; there was no head tilt or anything else. It lasted for about one minute, then she was fine. This has happened one time before, about three or four weeks ago, with exactly the same symptoms (but we were inside). I plan on contacting the vet tomorrow, but I was hoping to get some advice in the meantime. Does this sound familiar to anyone? Is there a treatment? Thanks!

Seek Immediate Medical Attention

waraw — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 12:51:46 -0800

Is there a common sense guide to symptoms requiring immediate medical attention? I'm looking for a broad sense of symptoms requiring an immediate visit to an emergency room. Set aside such things as gunshot wounds or javalin impalement; I'm looking for a sense of how bad certain symptoms should be allowed to get before hospitalization becomes absolutely necessary. In terms of pain levels 0-10, particular parts and pieces requiring special rules (fingers, eyes), and excluding situations such as Lion Tamer or Experimental Medication Subject and Pregnancy and the like, I am interested in knowing symptoms that scream (to some) "Go To The Hospital Now."

If it's not my thyroid, what else might it be?

starbaby — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 10:58:30 -0800

I am looking for suggestions as to what medical problems may look like, act like, and walk like thyroid problems, but aren't. Specifically hypothyroidism. Many times in my life, I have had my thyroid tested. The symptoms that caused the doctor to order the tests ranged from extreme fatigue [which has lasted years] to the unexplained hoarseness I am experiencing right now. The tests, which usually only include TSH and T4 tests, always come up fine. The doctor doesn't fix the problem, drops it, and I don't get better. Then I will eventually move somewhere else, something will come up that prompts a doctor visit, and the cycle will continue.

It wasn't until the most recent episode that I started looking at hypothyroidism symptoms and thought, "Wow, it really does seem like I have this." I am going in for another blood lab on Wednesday, with a brand new doctor, and I'd like to figure this out.

If it's not hypothyroidism, what else could it be? This way, I can ask them to test for as many possibilities at once as possible, minimizing my out of pocket expenses and blood loss.

My biggest symptoms right now:

--fatigue
--hoarseness for a month now with some difficulty swallowing [no throat infection, doctor checked for that last time]
--extreme sensitivity to cold
--sudden dry skin that has lasted a month
--increase in hair loss
-brain fog

Not the only ones, but the worst ones this time around. I suppose it's possible there's nothing wrong, but I'd like to know for sure.

Thanks in advance.

I'm not fat and lazy, it's metabolic?

LunaticFringe — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 05:28:26 -0800

MedicalSymptomsFilter: Hypothyroidism or something else? Phew, so here's the deal: I've been gaining weight rapidly over the last 6 months, to the tune of just under 30 lbs so far, with no changes in diet or excerise regime (if anything I'm eating better than I was and moving more). My starting weight was 120 so that's a significant increase. I booked an appointment with the Student Health clinic at my school, which can be described as lackluster at best, in which the doctor asked a few questions about fatigue and my ability to tolerate cold and based on my answers, coupled with a reflex tests of my arms, wrists and kness, informed me I'm likely developing hypothyroidism. He ordered bloodwork, told me to wait for the call and sent me on my way. No call. So I called them and was informed by a nurse that all my levels were "normal". I was a bit confused by this and went to the Mayo Clinic's website to do a little more research about hypothyroidism. Of the 12 symptoms listed on this page, I have 11. I don't know about my blood cholesterol level, it's never been checked ASAIK.

I've already made another appointment to see the same doctor, I have no family doctor and none in my area are accepting new patients so I don't know where to go for a second opinion, but I just wanted to the ask the MeFites if there's something else that can cause those symptoms? Is it possible to have hypothyroidism with "normal" bloodwork? I do plan on asking the doctor to go over my results with me, and to make sure they're mine (results get mixed up quite a bit in this clinic, at least that's the rumour) but is there something else I can/should ask him about? In the meantime, I'm going crazy thinking about this, I hate when stuff is "broken", especially when it means that my pants don't fit :/

What the hell did my cat puke up?

tristeza — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 19:21:38 -0800

Does this sound familiar: cat vomiting pinkish-red fluid after receiving rabies, and/or FVCVP vaccines? (Vet office is aware, don't panic). My poor kitty (El Diablo de la Tierra del Fuego, or Diablo, but most often "D") went to the vet yesterday for the first time for a checkup and vaccines since he was a baby 3 years ago, so, the second time for these shots. They gave him rabies and VCRVP vaccines, and his mood and energy seem fine. He's strictly indoor, always has been.

I came home from work today to about 4 piles of vomit (regular regurgitated food, but more than usual), and something weird: a splash on my tile floor of this pinkish red, slightly slimy, clear fluid, which had no discernable smell.

My immediate thought was bloody bile of some kind (but the lack of smell was odd).

I called the vet and described everything, as I was told to do if he puked a bunch today, and the vet tech told me not to worry about it, watch him carefully, and if it kept happening to call back.

For the record, she had never heard of anything like I described (the red-pink viscous fluid).

Does this sound familiar to anyone at all? I've googled and found nothing of interest.

(PS - I scooped up a bit of it into a baggie in case they want to test it if he gets worse, god help me.)

What does having multiple colds without symptoms except fatigue mean?

damn dirty ape — Sun, 13 May 2007 21:18:53 -0800

What does having multiple colds without symptoms except fatigue mean? I've talked about this with my doctor and haven't gotten any kind of answer about this other than "Its a cold, so I'm not going to give you any medicine." About two years ago I got a winter cold that gave me, for the first time in my life, very severe fatigue and little else. It lasted 10 days or so. I couldnt work for 3+ days. All I could do is sleep.

This winter I got a cold a month that had very few symptoms other than moderate to severe fatigue. I felt slightly feverish and maybe some sniffles or throat pain. In 7-10 days this cold would go away and then I would get another roughly 3-4 weeks later. Cold medicine or just advil would help with the symptoms (even the fatigue sometimes) but I would have to wait a few days for the virus to pass. I usually do not get a fever, but feel hot. My temperature is usually a little below the norm.

I'm a bit worried that I'm no longer getting the classic cold symptoms like coughing, dripping nose, etc. Just getting this fatigue with light (or no) cold symptoms worries me and my doctor's attitude of telling me is nothing isn't really helping. A full blood test and physical examination didn't find anything wrong with me. I also still have my tonsils in my late 20's.

Now that things have warmed over I'm not getting these colds anymore, but I feel like I should do something just in case this is a sign of a serious development. I occasionally wake up feeling feverish and fatigued but it clears up the same day.

I'm considering seeing a specialist, but not sure who to see. An ENT? Or perhaps another GP? Does this just happen to some people as they grow older? No one in my family gets this kind of cold. Thanks.

Depressive Compulsive?!?!?!?!Then please help

eve28 — Sat, 24 Mar 2007 01:41:53 -0800

Is there such a thing as DEPPRESIVE COMPULSIVE? Is it something real? Chemical? What and why can't I stop feeling sad, depressed, inadequate? To just put it out there I am a depressive compulsive and I have been dealing with this thing MY WHOLE LIFE!!!!!Literally. I'm a 28 yr. old female, who had a very traumatic life, who has dealt with many therapists, written many journals, talked to friends, family, GOD, and hell, about a year and a half ago, I started taking Zoloft. I met a therapist, whom I liked very much, got on the pills, started to feel a little better, (at least for the moment) even though therapy was excrutiating EverY Single TimE!! I stayed with her for over 15 months. I could really trust her.

Later, like 7 weeks ago, I moved and although my rational mind knows that a transition such as moving cross-country is stressful and can take some time for adjustment, I am still feeling low. I know no pill is available to heal this illness 100 percent, but I am starting to believe that some people, me mostly, must be lacking some sort of chemical. A transmitter or receptor or something that gives me the power of happiness, motivation, dedication. Is it possible that these are genes that some of us have in our DNA and some do not? Or, am I just crazy. Look, I guess I just want to know what This is...Is it something that depression does to you? Is it a gene one holds in their DNA? Is it all chemical? Is it how close one is with God? WHAT is it?

I feel tired, I have sleepless nights, racing thoughts, hurtful images, tired, low, sad, I feel as if I wont make it because I have no idea what I want and where I'm going even though I have dreams and ideas. I have a job, not totally in love with it, but I do like it, yet at the same time, I am still keeping my options open. I also see faces as I am trying to sleep. Sometimes they are good, sometimes bad, sometimes indifferent. This has happened my whole life. I am not sure if anyone thinks I'm crazy, but I really don't care about that. All I care about is if someone out there is willing to give a helping hand and provide me with some insight.

I am looking for a legitimate answer here. Please do not forget I have had this my whole life. I can not get into all the details of my haunting past, but even if I could, a man once told me, "no one cares about your past and no one cares where your at.."So thats it any and all thoughts accepted, even if it hurts....

How do I quickly relieve stress while in a tense situation?

Chorus — Sun, 18 Feb 2007 13:18:32 -0800

How do I quickly relieve stress while in a tense situation? Ah family troubles.

Suffice to day [without any henious backstory] I'm basically waiting for my sister to return home, after vanishing and leaving me with her kid for... oooooh going on 6 hours. Don't know where she is, the volume on her phone is turned off [but the phone IS turned on], and I don't know when she'll be back. I'm presuming sometime tonight, or according to her "later". Out of the blue, and completly by surprise, she announced she's going out on her first "date" in 10+ years, don't know who with. Even though Sister is mid-thirties, think Britney Spears as her intellectual, mental and social level role model and you've some idea why I'm currently pretty concerned as to just where the heck she is.

Whatever, I know I have no choice but to wait for her return as there is no other way to contact her. But my body isn't taking it so well. Already I've got:
a swollen stomach and a raised pulse. I know it's all down to stress, and I need a way to calm myself before I make myself really sick. In stressful situations like this, I get so worried I give myself diahorria and heaving, and I really can't have that.

So, if you've got a way to calm me down, please do tell.
Rational thought isn't helping, I mean, she IS coming home at some stage... it's just the *when* part. Already nephew is close to tears [he's never not known where she was] and ringing her every few minutes, and of course, getting no answer. So I can't just take 2 Solpadine and go to bed.

How do you get through stressful times?

Is there a Dr. House in the house?

jeanmari — Sun, 27 Aug 2006 21:05:16 -0800

After a long battle with mysterious chronic health symptoms, I'd like a "medical detective" to help me get to the bottom of what might be ailing me. But, what kind of doctor do I need? (If you are squeamish, move along...nothing to see here.) Since high school (I just turned 40), I have been treated for this or that separately (depression, hypothyroidism, unexplained lactation while not pregnant...nice, eh?, ruptured ovarian cysts, excessive sleepiness, stress-induced candidiasis, yadda, yadda). I hate going to doctors because I often think that THEY will think that I am a hypochondriac or something.

I am treated by different doctors for different things. I have an OB/Gyn, a general practitioner who I rarely see, and a doctor that specializes in medical treatment of depression.

I've ignored or just powered through the ups and downs of my symptoms for decades, dealing with individual symptoms as they get unmanageable. But now that I have an 8-month old, I'm beginning to think that I should deal with this more seriously. Especially since I'm noticing effects on my health/mood via pregnancy and nursing.

I'd like to have my prolactin levels and my progesterone levels checked. I'm wondering if I have prolactinoma (there is a long explanation for why I think this might be possible) or something wrong with my pituitary.

What kind of doctor deals with this? Who would I look for? Is there one type of doctor that would approach this diagnosis systemically? Or would I have to (please no, please no) see more than one type of doctor?

Are these symptoms normal during recovery?

bleary — Thu, 10 Aug 2006 10:12:47 -0800

Is brain pressure a normal symptom during the months of recovery after a head injury? My dad had an accident at work earlier this year and is still feeling the effects from the skull fracture and small hematoma. I don't know if all of them should be expected, or not. I'm concerned that the medical staff aren't giving them as much attention as they should.

Mom tells me that they have to go through one person to okay any tests or office visits having to do with this. She's called the person a few times to let her know that dad has been feeling dizzy, vomitting, has headaches, and has been feeling a pressure on the side of the head where the brain hit (opposite the site of the skull fracture).

It seems reasonable to expect headaches and dizzyness for a long time after a concussion, but I'm alarmed about the sense of pressure he describes.

I know that it is easy for me to be critical of the care he is getting when I'm not there to get the whole story, and I'm trying to keep that in mind.

Now that I've quit smoking...

Jon-o — Tue, 25 Oct 2005 20:39:21 -0800

I guess this is something of a follow-up to my last question: I haven't had a cigarette in about 7 days. Nor have I ingested nicotine from any other source. I'm not really having any cravings and I certainly don't have any desire to smoke (the thought of it kind of makes me sick. Even the smell makes my stomach churn a little). Nevertheless, I still feel crappy. I've been having trouble concentrating, feeling awake, and staying asleep. I also have this constant low-level headache. My skin feels kind of crawly, too.

I guess what I'd like to know is:
Was this similar to your experience of quitting smoking?
How long did it take for you to feel normal again?
I will feel normal again, right?

If it matters, I went from smoking close to two packs a day to not smoking at all, over night.

The good news is that the excessive irritability has almost entirely worn off. I'm hardly even grumpy anymore.

Where to lookup symtoms of illness?

captainzero — Mon, 10 Oct 2005 08:57:39 -0800

What is the best place to lookup up symptoms of illness? I have a friend that needs to try to figure out what is wrong and doctors aren't helping.

How can I tell if my stove is slowly leaking gas?

notsnot — Mon, 13 Dec 2004 21:48:58 -0800

GasLeakFilter:
This evening, I installed the 1963 Kenmore Griddletop I'd purchased a few weeks ago into my kitchen. At the re-sell shop where it was purchased, I was shownthat all the burners worked, that there were no leaks (some sort of geiger counter). At any rate, I suddenly have a weird sort of sore throat, and I'm wondering if the damn thing isn't leaking. So: first, how do I determine if it's leaking, and two, what are the signs of low-level natural gas poisoning?
(I *did* shut off the gas valve and have range hood fan going, just in case)