Have you ever heard of this? Post # 173 Test results, she is better!

[The Mystery Machine]

Now that you brought up the mono, I have to say something.

My brother's GF is going through something similiar.

She had 2 mono tests. One was positive and one was negative.

She has been sick all summer. She has the cough and feels like garbage.

However none of her lymph glands are swollen. She is doubting the postive result.

 

[golfgal]

The cough could be from the tachycardia. Is it just once or twice every so often?

I know it is very difficult to miss events but do you really think it is a good idea that she go to these things-school especially-until they find out what it is?

I would ask the new internist if you should take her to Mayo and see what they say. Not everyone would want that option because of the distance but if you bring it up they may get you a referral. Your dr will get you an appointment much faster then you can too.

 

[tw1nsmom]

I would have them retest for mono. It really does sound like something viral. I would also pursue investigating the liver shadows. Yaz can in some cases cause liver damage (didn't you say she had been on it?) I would ask about the possibility of liver abscesses. Which would cause the fevers.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I would have them retest for mono. It really does sound like something viral. I would also pursue investigating the liver shadows. Yaz can in some cases cause liver damage (didn't you say she had been on it?) I would ask about the possibility of liver abscesses. Which would cause the fevers.

You brought up a good point. I would stop the YAZ, you just never know.

 

[kafitty]

ugh! poor darling, i can't imagine having to deal with the disappointment of missing all of those "big" senior milestones. It absolutely STINKS to have all of that anticipation and then have it all ruined, especially when y'all have NO IDEA what by!

Oh i'm just so frustrated for you!! please keep us updated, i will be thinking of you guys.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Maybe you missed it before, but does your daughter smoke?

 

[lucyanna girl]

No she doesn't smoke or drink. I'm not just being the blind mom here, she and her boyfriend either hang out here or go out to eat or to the movies with DH and I so there really isn't much opportunity.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

That's good.

I am in the camp of taking her to a major medical center today. You do not need an appointment, just show up in the ER. They will evaluate her right then and there and get her the tests she needs right away. You never want to regret waiting.

I don't want to sound alarmist, but her latest symptoms (cough, tachycardia) are concerning for pulmonary embolism, which is a real possiblity for those on birth control pills (even in the absence of not smoking). As I mentioned before, we've seen some extremely serious cases where I work.

There's also the possibilty she's just a little dehydrated, but wouldn't you rather be safe than sorry?

Good luck.

 

[lucyanna girl]

oops, I don't know how but I posted before I finished.

Sarah does have a kitten. He was an early birthday gift (birthday is July 16) from her friend Jacob. They have looked for swollen lymph glands that might indicate Cat scratch Fever but have found none.

The cough may indeed be from the tachycardia because she hardly coughs at all until her fever starts to go up.

I really don't know what we are going to do about school. Sarah is determined to make the effort. She is number three in her class ranking, only a little behind her boy friend and another girl. She is in line for some scholarships and she is afraid of jeopardizing her position. She is in Honors classes and doesn't want to start off behind. I called her Vice Principle last night and she assured me they will do whatever is necessary for Sarah not only because she is a top student but because they all love her.

I think she will find she doesn't have the strength to go. Her temp was 101.4 when I checked at seven AM this morning.

I might very well be the first mother you ever knew to be thrilled if it is Mono. Some of the possibilities are so scary that Mono sounds like a great thing to have.

By Mayo Clinic staff

Signs and symptoms of mononucleosis may include:

* Fatigue - She is tired

* Weakness - she is weak I do have to wonder if both of these aren't a result of being so sick and not a symptom

* Sore throat, perhaps a strep throat that doesn't get better with antibiotics
* Fever - no sore throat

* Swollen lymph nodes in your neck and armpits - no swollen lymph glands, not even in the Cat Scan

* Swollen tonsils - no

* Headache - yes but that part seems better

* Skin rash - no

* Loss of appetite - yes

* Soft, swollen spleen - idk about soft but it is slightly enlarged

* Night sweats no except when her fever breaks and she sweats it off

Again, I honestly don't know if not grabbing her up today and running with her to the biggest, best hospital isn't exactly what I should do. It's what I want to do but I am trying to calm down and listen to the doctors we are seeing.

I am going to give him a little time if she seems to be holding up, but ONLY a little. One of the main reasons is that we will need a referral if we have to go elsewhere. I learned that yesterday when I called a couple of major hospitals.

Thanks to you all. Please keep praying and please keep letting me pick your brains. I am trying really hard to be calm and smart and patient and you all are a huge help.

Penny

 

[CanBeGrumpy]

I was reading a book last night called "What Your Doctor Really Thinks of You: Diagnosing the Doctor-Patient Relationship", and I came across something that reminded me of your situation. It was a case history of an 18 year old girl and eventually they determined she had vasculitis (inflammation of the blood vessels). The only way they figured out what she had is that eventually she got a skin rash and they biopsied it. They treated the girl with Prednisone and she recovered. I am not a doctor by any means, but the symptoms of this girl (fever, sweats, weight loss, weakness) reminded me of this thread. I think she had those symptoms for a month before the rash occurred.

I sure hope you get an answer soon. What a bad situation for your DD, especially possibly having to miss the first part of her senior year!! I hope she feels better soon. You sound like a great Mom and you are doing all that you can!! I hope the doctors can help you soon!

 

[mum4jenn]

Should she even be going to school with a fever? Schools around here have very strict policies about attending school while having a fever.

I agree with the others about the mono. Have her checked again just to be sure. I hope you find an answer soon!!

 

[mommytobug]

I just wanted to share a story with you. We took our dd to St Jude last year with a referral for Ewing's Sarcoma. There was definitely a tumor on her upper leg and she was in major pain. We went off and on through November, she had a bone biopsy that neither said malignancy or infection. The docs would not say for sure either way and they brought in infectious disease docs that asked all those "animal" type questions. She had a PICC line put in and had IV antibiotics at home (ST Jude taught us how to administer) for 6 long weeks. Well, it is a year later and we still dont know exactly what it was. The antibiotics cleared it up but the biopsy did not grow out anything. ALL of her scans showed malignancy. She was put to sleep I dont even know how much now. I look back and dont know how i held it together. I do believe God healed her and He is the reason I could go on. St Jude is an awesome place ( iwas there in 1969 eith cancer and i am 41). I share all of this to say you are her biggest advocate BUT sometimes it takes the medical profession time to figure things out. Sometimes they are working hard behind the scenes and it feels like forever. I would pray about it and follow my gut!!!!!

 

[chell]

This is when you want House to be a real person. I'm not joking, I really wish it was real so we could get their help for your daughter. Still praying for you all.

 

[RUDisney]

Penny, I just saw this thread.

First of all, I'm sorry about the loss of your mother and I hope your sister is on her way to recovery. Is this the sister who is married to the man who was in the accident a while back?

Before I read anything but your first post, my thought was that it is mono. She sounds like my Jr. Prom date in terms of symptoms.

I hope you can come to a conclusion soon so she can start feeling better.

My prayers are with you, her, your sister and BIL, as always. I hope that 2009 ends quickly for you so you can start fresh and healthy in 2010.

PM me if you need to vent or a virtual shoulder on which to cry.

 

[lucyanna girl]

I have just about convinced Sarah that school is out at least for this week. Maybe it wasn't me so much as the fact that when we went to the hospital this morning to deliver the "tinkle tank" for the twenty-four hour urine test she realized just how tiring it was to just get dressed and ride for half an hour. You are right about the fever but I don't have the heart right now to point that out. She is so excited about her senior year. I hope she is diagnosed soon and can enjoy this time in her life.

Today was a pretty good day. Her temperature was 101.4 at seven AM but broke before ten and has stayed around 100 until about an hour ago. It's 101.3 and on it's way up right now. She had a dose of Tylenol so maybe we caught it in time to keep it there. If so it will be the first day it hasn't been 102 - 103 in a while. Her tongue and lips are very pale from the low blood.

Tomorrow morning it's the echocardiogram at eight and then an ultrasound on her abdomen at ten. They are also doing a sinus series while we are there.

Wendy, I may need that virtual shoulder if something doesn't ease up. This is my only sister. She had breast cancer twenty-two years ago but this time it's really tough. Very aggressive cancer and very aggressive chemo. I just got off the phone with her and she had a temp of 100.5. I fully expect her to be back in the hospital tomorrow. BIL ended up having to have metal rods put in after the drunk hit them. Thank goodness he is fine now except he is trying to take care of my sister.

I would LOVE to have Dr House look at Sarah right now.

St Jude is a wonderful place. They help so many children and families. I am glad your DD is well now.

Penny

 

[janette]

No suggestions but hope they find some answers soon.

 

[disneymarie]

I would have them retest for mono. It really does sound like something viral. I would also pursue investigating the liver shadows. Yaz can in some cases cause liver damage (didn't you say she had been on it?) I would ask about the possibility of liver abscesses. Which would cause the fevers.

That was my thought days ago.
Why would the doctors not stop YAZ, as it is known in cases to have liver side effects. Everything that is put in the body goes through the cleaner the liver.

If it is affecting the liver, and the one constant, the med, I would as a parent over rule the doc's and find out who is doing the research on the potential problems.

I trusted our doctors with my daughters pain medication. There was no manufactures warning of Death as a side effect.....
But, they knew that there were faulty batches and she passed away from the medication,

YAZ has annoucements all over the TV about the warnings they need to make, and there are lawyers already seeking clients harmed by this BC.

Something is making the liver have problems....
The cough could be the enlarged liver or something pressing on the diaphram making the cough too.

Why is removing the YAZ from the senerio not an option? If it could be narrowed down as the culpurt and save her senior year?

I know first hand, doctors, pharmacy's, don't always have the rught info. It is being hidden by the drug manf. making the big bucks.
Blessings and Prayers to get well soon.

 

[RUDisney]

My stomach is just twisted in a knot over all of this going on in your family. Please give your sister and BIL another hug from me. They've been through enough already.

If your DD has done so well in school in the past, she should do well to keep up with her homework and lessons out of school. Will the school district offer a tutor to come to your house if she has to be out longer than a week? Hopefully, she can at least be the salutatorian at her graduation so she can reference in her speech how trials and tribulations can only make you stronger in your passion to succeed.

I'm here with hugs when you need them.

 

[Disney Deb]

Hoping for a positive update......my thoughts are with you.

 

[CanBeGrumpy]

I hope the OP's daughter is OK. There hasn't been an update in a while.