What Could Be Wrong? - Henderson,NV

I am making a MAJOR assumption here, so don't shoot me for it... but if she's experimenting with dieting (like most girls her age will do), she may be experiencing the side effects of not eating enough throughout the day. Think about how you feel if you get involved in something a realize that it's 2:00 pm and you haven't had a bite since the coffee and 1/2 bagel you ate that morning... dizzy, lightheaded, weak, rapid heart rate...

See what the doctor says!

Dehydration? The only other thing that would cause that is starvation, which causes dehydration....

1. Dehydration
2. Low iron/anemia
3. Not eating properly
4. Experimenting with weight loss/energy supplements/energy drinks
5. Sick with a virus or bacterial infection.
*whoops, forgot one* 6. Pregnant.

The following questions are what the doctor is going to ask: Does she have any allergies? Take any meds, vitamins or supplements? Have any history of similar issues? When did she last eat and what? What does she think caused this?

Also, what was she doing when the symptoms started? Did they come on suddenly, or gradually?

Does anything make the symptoms better? Worse?

Describe the feelings she's having. Is there pain? What does it feel like? Is it steady, or does it come and go? Has it changed since it started?

If there is pain or discomfort, where is it the worst? Does it move or radiate anywhere else?

On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the worst she's ever felt, how severe are the symptoms?

What time did this all start? Have she had this happen before? When?

Is she on birth control? Could she possibly be pregnant? Has she had intercourse?

Once you have all of this information, it will be easier to take an educated guess at what's going on. For now, the information you've provided really isn't enough.

Of course the most likely explanation is that it is just a virus/flu. If she is nauseous she is probably not eating/drinking enough leading to some of the other symptoms. How long has it been going on?
I don't want to make accusations against your daughter, but there are a few other thing you need to consider. Diet pills can do that. I tried some kind of pill a few years ago (as an adult) and didn't last more than 2 days on it due to the exact symptoms you described (except maybe the drowsy part). This is the prime age to start things like that even in girls that are not at all overweight.
These are also common symptoms in dehydration caused by not taking in enough fluids or losing too much (through vomiting - intentional or unintentional, or through diarrhea - natural or laxative induced).
Is it possible she is sexually active? Many of those are symptoms of pregnancy too.
Again please don't take offense at these comments, I obviously do not know you or your daughter at all, but I do know how common some of these issues are for teen girls and they should always be considered a possibility. I hope you get some answers tomorrow.

ETA: I forgot to mention that you need to stress to her that she needs to be COMPLETELY honest with her doctor, she should have some time alone with the doctor to discuss private concerns and she needs to know that what she tells him/her is confidential. Encourage her to ask her doctor about confidentiality (when you are not present) so she is reassured what can/cannot be revealed to you.

I had this all, except rapid heartbeat, with my concussion. Has she been hit lately? For me I got hit in the head with a softball during practice. I also had all of this with my pregnancies.

I can't stress enough how important it is that your daughter be honest with the doctor. I have 2 daughters 20 and 23. The first time the doctor asked me to leave the exam room was a bit unsettling, but I knew it was for a good reason. I have always encouraged them to talk to the doctor and answer all questions honestly. They know the doctor cannot reveal ANYTHING to me now that they are 18. And, correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think the doctor will reveal anything your daughter tells him/her in confidence unless it is life-threatening.

With that said, my middle daughter is severely anemic - she takes slow-fe iron and vitamin c every day just to avoid most of those symptoms. That is something that is easily diagnosed with a blood test. Make sure she knows when she had her last period ( I assume she is menstruating by now).

Most likely not it, but to give you a heads up - this is also all the symptoms of someone coming "off" of something they have become dependent on (alcohol, opiods, prescription pain pills, etc). Again, I'm sure that's not the case, but then again, you never know. It is so hard to be growing up right now. There is so much out there!

Good luck and let us know what you find out . . . hope it is something easily remedied . . .

my first thought is pregnancy just on the symptoms, however, if you know that is not the case, second thought is she's like most teenagers, not enough sleep, so take caffeine or some sort of supplement like that, she's a girl, so she's not eating too much because she feels fat already even though she's not and will wish when she's 30 she still looked as good as she did in high school.
How much sleep does she get?
How much does she eat?
What does she eat?
Hope it's nothing serious.

Look at any new medications. My SD's medication once messed with her blood pressure.

Look at new foods. Is she taking any supplements? Any energy or diet drinks? Diet pills?

Is there an illness going around? Does she have a fever?

I would take her to the Dr. today.

You are also describing the onset of possible flu and mono. Get her checked out soon so she is back on the road to recovery fast. Also, make sure you get a blood test to check for anemia.

Mama, speak to the doctor privately and ask for a pregnancy test to be done. Please don't put your head in the sand here. It happens. If the test is negative, you can breathe a sigh of relief.

I agree with the ladies that too much caffeine can cause it. Too much Midol can cause it too - that happened to me when I was in high school. The doc should do bloodwork and a urine test as well.

Have you looked in her room to make sure that there isn't anything in there that shouldn't be? Does she have an open jar or tube of GLUE? Smelling this stuff can cause these symptoms. (Some teen's rooms are a mess and parents don't even go in there.) You need to know what is in your daughter's room.

Hope she is okay.

Dawn

Maybe her iron levels are low? Does she bruise easily?
Could be her blood glucose levels are low? I have experienced hypoglycemia in the past, which makes me nauseous, dizzy, disoriented, hot/cold.
I hope the doctor helps you find the answers you are lookng for.

rapid heartbeat...she's not taking any OTC diet pills is she? Or does she drink a lot of caffeine?

Those are also symptoms of dehydration, flu, not eating enough. The thing that would concern me the most is the rapid heartbeat...take her in today just to be safe, you can go to the ER.

When I get too much caffiene I get those exact symptoms. Does she drink a lot of coffee, cola or energy drinks? When I was that age I would use "Wake-Up" (caffiene) pills from time to time when I needed to study all night, or stay up and finish a project, and that was what it was like "coming down".

Also have blood tests for anemia, thyroid issues, etc.

Glad you are taking her to the Dr. Might be anemia or a blood sugar issue. Who knows so it's definitely best to take her in . Best of luck :)

Could be so many things: dehydration, low blood sugar, low iron, onset of an illness.

Glad you are going to the doctor, and she'll probably need to get some blood draws to figure it out.

It sounds like it could be low blood sugar. Give her some juice, then something high protein, even if she doesn't feel like eating. It could also be a thyroid issue; you may want a blood test tomorrow.

I used to be anemic when I was in middle school. I had all of those symptoms. She could be low in iron. A blood test can tell if that's the problem. I hope she feels better soon and you get some answers at the dr. tomorrow.

Get to the doc and possibly to the heart doc, ask him for a referral to a pediatric cardiologist. I don't want to throw out wild assumptions but it sounds like atrial fib.