What cause dizziness, headaches and difficulty to breath?
Patient: Hello, I am a female, 31, and 3 weeks ago I travelled to Mexico City, the first 5 days I was ok but then started feeling very dizzy with a heavy headache and difficulty to breath. (This was on June 26th) I went to the doctor and she said it was low BP (80/60) and gave me some drops to feel better, I felt slightly better but kept getting very dizzy to the point I could not even walk more than 5 min. I went to the cardiologist and the ear doctor and they both said I was ok, and gave me some Medicibe for the dizziness, which helped a little but u was still feeling I could not breath and I got insomnia as well. Then went to the ER and my blood results were ok and they sent me home. I had to take a plane back to the U.S. And even though I was very dizzy I did ok in the flight.( July 5) Doctors in Mexico though it was related to the high altitude in Mexico (8,000ft) and once I got to lower altitude it would get better. Before my trip to Mexico I participated in a triathlon (June 14) and it was really rainy and muddy, I reached Mexico on June 20th and the next day I participate in a half marathon but I could only run 8 miles and felt aweful (June 21), the next day I was ok. I have been a runner for 10 tears and t was not my first long distance run and a triathlete for 4 years. In June 5th I started getting some fever (99.2 F) and it goes away when I take paracetamol or ibuprofen but then it comes back ( usually in the evenings, around 5-6 pm), I went to the doctor and I took an urine test and a thyroid one, still waiting or results. I have had a heachae ( in the frontal part) for 2 weeks now, it occasionally goes away but comes back with the fever and have been feeling really tired, also the lights bother me a lot and can t stand the computer for more than 4 hours. I am still not sleeping 100%, keep waking up every 2-3 hours) What can it be? We had a tick problem at work and I m worried it could be related. Thanks! Monica Doctor: Hello Monica!Thank you for asking on HCM!Regarding your concern, your symptoms seem to be related to a chronic infection. The episodes of fever are very concerning about an infection.I would like to know if you have noticed any strange lesions in your skin, that may lead to a tick bite. Usually the first signs are skin lesions and than the other symptoms occur. The other symptoms (dizziness, fatigue, headache, difficulty breathing) could be related to a tick bite or any other chronic infection, affecting multiple organs. Anxiety could also be related to these episodes, but it can't cause fever. I recommend consulting with an infection disease specialist and performing some general blood tests (complete blood count, inflammation tests, blood electrolytes) and some specific tests for chronic infections (like Lyme disease). A brain MRI may be necessary to exclude possible intracranial lesions. Hope to have been of help!Best wishes,Dr. Iliri