Resolved question:
I was stung by a wasp september 7th on the left side about 6 inches under my armpit. Area swelled to about 8 inches round. This was my first time getting stung. Prednisone brought the swelling down quick and the skin returned to normal. Ever since the night of the sting I have had awful chest, arm, and neck pain all on the left side to the point where it wakes me up at night. In addition, I have developed a headache that has lasted 2 weeks now. Symptoms subside in the morning for about an hour. Nothing can make the pain better or worse. The pain is a pressing/squeezing feeling.
Blood tests, and EKG revealed nothing but high platelets (700), RDW (17.6), and low Ferritin (6.8). Other tests with normal results include Troponin, Basal Metabolic Panel, West sed rate (9), automated diff, and CKMB. I am a non smoker, otherwise very healthy, and active 23 year old who would love another opinion. This has sent me to the ER once and the doc 5 times. Everyone just says I am a healthy 23 year old and sends me off.
Family History: My Dad has had 2 stents put in and both my grandpas have passed of heart attacks. My grandma on my Dad's side also has heart issues but I am not sure what they are.
What have I tried fo far? Neproxen, pepcid, ibuprofen, tylanol, advil, presnisone, vicodin (which takes the edge off), and daily aspirin.
Thank you for your help.
Meghan
Submitted:
4 Days
Category:
Internal Medicine Specialist
Hello,
Thank you for your query at DoctorSpring.com
I understand your concern.
The Wasp sting normally resolves by itself,and it is weird that your pain still persists. Also the fact that the skin returned to normal shows that the localised hive and all the allergic manifestation is gone. Hence it is slightly difficult to interpret why you're still having the pain.
I also reviewed your ECG report and it is normal.
Only in the rarest of cases, following a wasp bite some patients can develop serum sickness, or widespread vasculitis. But that does not seem to be likely in your case. The was sting pain should not persist more than 2-3 days, only in severe allergic manifestations it can persist. But taking anti histaminics and a combination of Ibuprofen should be able to bring it down. Sometimes wasp stings can lead to localised neuritis, and that could be causing your pain.
Will it be possible for you to upload your other blood reports? It will be better if i can see them directly to find out some possible cause.
Awaiting your reply,
Regards.
The blood results have been uploaded. If this is localized neuritis, how long does it normally last? I like to think i'm a badass but the pain is certaintly affecting my life.
Hello,
Thank you for the reports.
The good thing is all reports are normal. And even muscle damage is ruled out since CK-MB and CK is normal.
So the pain you're having is definitely due to neuritis/ muscular pain which has persisted.
Since you have tried most other pain killers, without much help i will advise you Cap. Pregabalin 50 mg twice daily after food. The neuritis, is supposed to resolve spontaneously, but since it is affecting your daily life, you should try a course of Pregabalin for 5-7 days and update me.
Kindly let me know in a week's time if your pain resolves,
Wishing you speedy recovery!
Regards.