Suggest Treatment For Severe Cough, Chills And Fatigue

Posted on Sat, 11 Feb 2017

Question: I had a slight cough for two days only then for the past two weeks, aches, sweats, chills and extreme fatigue. No temp. Slight runny nose. Chest x-ray clear. Nose swab=no flu. Doc drew blood for CBC, etc. No results yet, but I don't think it is diabetes, thyroid- it never is. I get this most years and it just disappears after almost a month. No doc can ever figure it out. I eat little meat, lots of veg and some fruit. Very little sugar. Do complex carbs. I do have a constant small runny nose, have to blow 4 or 5 times a day. My sinuses are not swelled. THANK You. I am 69, female, good heart (Zero calcium around my heart), don't exercise, weight 170 and have bad arthritic knees. No high b.p. XXXXXXX M. YYYY@YYYY

Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Pathophysiology explained.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.

I have gone carefully through your query and understand your concerns. Your symptoms make sense to me. There are multiple factors playing a role.
* At this age you are likely to have hormone deprivation. That has a direct as well as indirect role to play.
* Our immunity keeps the pathogens at bay. Sometimes this immunity drops and the viruses that are all around us infect us and give a viral infection (not necessarily flu). This would lead to no changes in CBC, malaise and funny complaints that you describe but are hard to explain. These infections are self limiting
* Most often such viral infections are associated with an allergic component which is giving you the runny nose. If you check the blood IgE levels, possibly you will find it to be high during such occasions. Taking Tab. Montair LC (monteleukast + levocetirizine) [prescription medicine] once daily for 7 days or so should help.

Let me know if I could help further.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (37 hours later)

My doctor said the Montair LC is not available in the US. What else do you suggest?I do take Wellbutrin, Effexor, Buspar and Klonepin. They were effectively handle my depression (F33.1) and Adjustment D/O with Anxiety (F43.22) Should I be tested for allergies? This annual sickness sometimes happens in October, this time is January. In 2015 it was at Thanksgiving. Symptoms always the same. Checking blood lgE levels- what will that prove? Thank you.

The blood work to check for diabetes, thyroid, etc was all negative. Thank you

Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Cetirizine can help.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back. Taking cetirizine should help. It is an over the counter antiallergic available in the US. The IgE test was a test for allergies. There are other blood tests for allergy profile which can be done but I doubt if they are necessary. Continue the medicines for anxiety and depression.

Feel free to write back.

Regards

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad