My dd has a habit of worrying me to death - should I be concerned by latest symptoms?

[hmc]

About 4 weeks ago had a viral thing (as did I, about the same time) where she was very tired and a bit feverish. Recovered after a couple of days. A few days later developed intermitted cough - but a really choking violent cough so that she can't draw breath when coughing...however only 4 or 5 times a day and feeling fine in between.

Today she texted me from school to say she was exhausted and felt unwell. It seems that she now has chest pain (related to the coughing?), she felt dizzy after a coughing fit this morning, feels that her chest is 'tight' etc. and is really very tired and listless. Practice Nurse at GPs saw her at lunch time - listened to chest and heard no crackles, temp normal, no raised glands. Said to bring her back if symptoms continued as would do further investigations. Asked her what would cause her to feel a short of breath if no chest infection - she said anaemia / asthma....extreme tiredness or if going down with a virus.

DD went home with me rather than back to school - she has been lying on the sofa watching tv - only one short snooze, however hasn't had her usual vim and vigour. Appetite okay. Complained of headache this evening. Went to bed early for her at 7.45 - has just been into me saying she has woken up and has an itchy neck. Have looked at neck - a bit red in one patch....

I've been thinking leukaemia (chest pain, fatigue, cough can be symptoms)

Meningitis - but she doesn't seem photophobic, doesn't have neck pain, no discernible fever

I am over worrying and being alarmist aren't I?

How old is she? Try not to think the worst, at tjus time of year it's likely a virus or beginnings of a cold . If symptoms persist or get worse take her back to docs.

She's 11

I know, I shouldn't think the worst - its her, she always makes her symptoms sound so awful and looks so pathetic. Her 9 year old brother never gives me this kind of stress

Firstly worrying is normal. It's a health reaction to ensure that we don't miss something. It's only an issue it your worry is causing your (or her) to much stress.

Jumping to worse case is natural but there are several much more likely causes including another cold, post vital fatigue, anxiety, glandular fever, growth spurt, hormone changes etc.

If she's still wretched at start of week pop back and ask for blood tests for anaemia and glandular fever. If she's still breathless ask them to check chest again to see if wheeze there but from what you've said doesn't sound like asthma.

If she's up and down, appetite good and nothing lasts for too long it's probably just the start of a winter of infections. But doctors never mind you going back if worried (at least the good ones don't!)

I'm not a Dr but thought of whooping cough when you described the violent coughing symptoms.
Hope she's better soon.

I think it's quite common of girl's around this age to dramatise their symptoms. I know I used to, I suppose I liked the attention. That's not to say she doesn't feel poorly though. It's a funny age too - hormones, rapid growth, periods starting etc. Does she take any multivitamin s? If not I reckon it would be worth getting some. I'd push for a blood test if it continues. Rule put anaemia, glandular fever and such like.

It's hard not to worry, but likely to be something non serious.

Could it be whooping cough? You can get it even when vaccinated and if vaccinated you may not have the whooping sound. It makes you very short of breath, very tired, tight chest, coughing bout may result in vomiting. You may have only a few attacks in a day or many.

If it could be whooping cough then you have to be on the look out for pneumonia as this is one of the most common complications.

Info about whooping cough

Thank you guys - will try and maintain some perspective and not worry about gloomy scenarios. Whooping cough did cross my mind.....

Won't return her to school tomorrow - she can have a quiet, long weekend to see if that helps

I'm a total worrier too OP! Coughing can make you dizzy and can make you pull a muscle in chest which will give pain, I once went to A & E with a heart attack turned out to be a pulled muscle!!!! She could be breathless because she is over thinking it a bitand panicking. Hope she is better soon.

Lukjam - pleased to hear that there is another one like me

Yes, she can get anxious and worried about stuff - entirely plausible that she is panicking a bit when coughing and making things worse

Sorry! Lucjam

Whooping cough my first thought too. Doesn't necessarily mean it can't be if she was vaxed.

She sounds like dd2 (age 10yo). She gives that sort of symptom to me. I don't usually pay much attention as 5 minutes later she can be bouncing on the trampoline shouting at the top of her voice.

But she's very good at the describing part. Don't know how she does it, but she can even turn pale and look dreadful. She's even fooled seasoned teachers, only to turn into blooming health upon seeing me.

The red patch on the neck is almost certainly by her rubbing/scratching it as it's itchy.

How is your DD today and how are you HMC? I can get myself into such a panic and convince myself that have the worst possible diseases ever! I really do think that she might be hyperventilating and feeling rough because of that. Hope all is well x