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What Causes Dry Cough,dry Mouth,fatigue And Memory Loss?

Posted on Mon, 20 Oct 2014

Question: Did blood work and autoimmune diseases have been ruled out. thyroid is good. Not anemic. A chest X-ray looked clear. my GP has no idea what could be wrong. Symptoms: dry cough, achy lungs, sharp pain on right side of head that puts pressure on right eye (this is not constant) dry mouth, dry eyes, fatigue, short term memory loss, feeling of shakiness, hands and feet will swell, brittle hair, dry skin, loss of appetite. Any suggestions?

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
you need few more tests.

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX Thanks for your question on HCM. By your complaints and history, I am suggesting few deferentials or possibilities.
1. Bronchitis
2. Hypoproteinemia
3. Vitamin deficiency especially vit b 12.

Since you are saying autoimmune and routine blood work up is normal I suggest to go for

1. PFT (Pulmonary Function Test)
2. S. Protein level
3. Vit b 12 level.

Vit b 12 deficiency leads to dry skin, fatigue, occasionally memory loss, heaviness and numbness in feet and arms.

Swelling and dryness can be due to low proteins.

And cough with chest discomfort can be due to bronchitis. So PFT will help you in diagnosing bronchitis.

Hope I have solved your query. I will b happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (27 minutes later)

They ruled out bronchitis. I've had the dry cough for about a month and a half. I have an appointment with a pulmonary specialist next week, I'll let you know what they say. My proteins and vitamin B levels were good also. I should have included that. sorry. I also forgot to put that I have extremely heavy periods and have had 3 cervical canal polyps removed but biopsy came back normal on those also.

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (13 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
check your cortisol level.

Detailed Answer:
Hi Chandalaine, Thanks for your query.
So your proteins and vit b 12 is normal with no bronchitis, so I have to think out of the box.
1. Low serum cortisol level can cause such symptoms. (Addison's disease)
2. Vitamin E and C are natural antioxidants. Their deficiency can also cause such symptoms. There are no test to detect their levels.but you can prophylactically start tablet. There is no harm.
And I will be glad to hear what pulmonologist say when you meet him.
Keep me updated. Thanks again.
If you are not having further queries, please close the conversationand rate the answer.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (12 minutes later)

Isn't Addison's disease an autoimmune disease? And they ruled them out with the blood work we got back today. I'm going to the office tomorrow to get a copy of the test results as they didn't show me them, just said they were normal. Thank you so much for replying so fast.

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (57 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
it can be autoimmune.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your query. Addison's disease has one of the cause as autoimmune. This is just a possibility. And yes, will be waiting for your laboratory reports. If you feel I have solved your queries, please rate the answer.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E