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View Full Version : I am stumped....my daughter is having strange/alarming symptoms


anewday
11-10-2009, 06:40 AM
I have no clue where to put this.

I am most defiinitely seeking medical attention on this, but with the flu and all the sickness/business in the pedi office and the craziness of her symptoms, I want a starting point of what to think this may be....so if anyone has a clue please help!

Okay, first of- a TON of autoimmune and allergy history in the family- Lupus, Reiter's Syndrome, Firbromyalgia, Thyroid, Rheumatoid/Osteo Arthritis, IBS, Migraines.

My daugher has been complaining of stomach pain off and on for the past week or so. She has been under stress, and her younger brother's asthma has flared up, causing him to stay home and get extra attention (breathing treatments, etc.). Her pain comes and goes, and her counselor and I thought it was probably psychosomatic.

She has complainied of back pain a few times over the past couple of weeks, but I thought nothing of it because she started swim team 2 months ago and she is learining the Butterfly and it is very demanding on the back/abdominal muscles.

Last weekend she developed a cough/runny nose.

Also, last weekend, she said her bladder hurt- I took notice- pushed water, checked temp (no fever). Her vaginal area is extremely red- but sometimes she gets hurried and doesn't wipe as well as she should. I let her take hot bath (no soap, etc). Then she started screaming when she urninated. She has a history of UTI's/voiding dysfunction and skin irritations- so in our house we don't switch soap/detergent, etc for her or my benefit. She has not stayed anywhere else.

Yesterday I took her to the doctor. She has an ear infection (prescribed oral a/b's) and urinalysis showed *lots of blood but no white blood cells*.

I expressed concern with my IC history and yeast problems over the no wbc, and the nurse practicioner said they are sending it off for culture and if nothing grows we'll investigate further. As we were leaving, we noticed a few bumps on her legs- she said they were probably bug bites.

Last night, before getting the antibiotic, she went to swim practice (with practitioner's okay). After she got out of the pool, she was COVERED- legs, buttocks, a little on trunk and arms- in red spots- similar to hives, but not really raised. I held off on getting a/b to see if they were helped by antihistimine or a/b. Went home, gave antihistimine and bath and rash got better. Filled a/b and gave a few hours later. This morning, no rash- 15 minutes later same rash. Gave antihistamine. She stayed home with my mom, and she vomitied at 9:00.

I called and she is seeing the doctor at 3:15. I googled and I did find something called Henoch-Schönlein purpura that matches her symptoms, except her rash is not as dark as that (pinkish color) and it went away and came back overnight. I did print out info on it though. I would like any suggestions to have- if her pediatrician can't figure it out, who can she refer her to? Rhuematologist, allergist, urologist? I'm stumped. I've considered a histamine reaction due to stress, but idk that it would cause blood in the urine. She's had bacterial rashes before, but they were helped by antibiotics, not antihistamines, and I would think a viral rash wouldn't be helped by antihistamine either.

Thanks for any thoughts at all.

jvr
11-10-2009, 07:54 AM
Hi A New Day,

That sounds really scary and frustrating. It does seem like she's got a multitude of confusing symptoms right now. I wish I had some good advice. Hopefully her pediatrician can figure this out very soon. I'll say a prayer for you and hope that you all get to the bottom of this very soon...:pray:

Jill

ICNDonna
11-10-2009, 09:17 AM
Hopefully her doctor will have some ideas. Try not to let her know how worried you are.

Warm hugs,
Donna

dyno
11-10-2009, 02:36 PM
I am glaad you are getting her seen. Let us know what is going on.

statesboro
11-10-2009, 05:38 PM
I realize I can't give much help and/or advice right now. I would be perplexed some, too. I did notice you were told ear infection. Ok. I don't see why that would cause a rash. Ok. I don't see why you would see rash and then not see rash and then notice it again. Geez! I don't see why a rash or ear infection should cause bladder pain. Of course, she has seen a doctor by now. What do I know? I stayed home from work with back pain to where it was hurting to stand up properly. Ok. Inquiring minds wanna know. That will be all now.

anewday
11-11-2009, 03:29 AM
Phew! First of all, thanks for the replies and support! It has been a looong couple of days..

She has mono. The rash was brought on by overexertion (swimming) and a penicillin based-anitibiotic during mono infection. The back/abdominal pain was actually coming from her spleen. I was so dumbfounded by her symptoms I typed up a summery by week/day and handed it to her docter so I wouldn't forget anything. She tested her for mono and felt her abdominal area. So no physical activity for 3 weeks at least, then she gets her spleen re-checked. She still had blood but no white blood cells in her urine after 2 doeses of a/b. The dr. switched to a non-penicillin a/b and still thinks it's a uti. I'm still a bit skeptical but we'll see how she feels and I will ask for a re-check of her urine at her follow-up. I would almost think the blood may be from inflammation, but the dr. put her on prednisone for the rash so that would probably take care of that. Maybe the dr. thought of that but knew I am worked up enough, lol.

My dr. tested me twice for mono because for months I had classical symptoms- huge lymph nodes, fevers, night sweats, nausea, weight loss, fatigue, muschle aches, sore throat, cough- but I tested negative. I think that Lupus can cause even more false-negatives, so I think I may have given it to her :( They're testing my son today since his asthma has flared up for the first timei in 2 years.

statesboro
11-11-2009, 05:02 AM
It must be good to be able to put some sense to it all now. That does not mean you have to be impressed. Ok. The thought of her having mono did not enter my mind at all. I did notice her urine was checked again. Lets all hope and pray that she is not gonna be one of us.(as in IC patient) Also, I would wanna have the son tested, too.(which you said will happen) Oh! You don't need to be getting all stressed now. It never helps IC at all.

ICNDonna
11-11-2009, 05:09 AM
I'm glad they found the mono --- it can be frustrating to deal with, but people usually recover with rest and no long term effects.

Warm hugs,
Donna

jvr
11-11-2009, 05:26 AM
Oh good, I'm so glad you have an answer! I'm very sorry to hear that she has Mono, but at least you can now help her on the road to recovery:)

Jill