Question
hello. i've had this excrutiating pain which starts on one side, stops and starts on another side of my upper body of 2 to 3days. the pain starts from my back on one side around my scapula, trapizeus down to my triceps. on duration of pain there is a feeling of heavyness on my shoulders making me not want to move it and it affects my breathing and the pain increases when i bend down. i had a malaria 2 weeks ago and was treated with quinine and olfloxacin cause thyphoid was suspected and then the pain begun till date. please help. i've taking piroxicam and it releaves me and comes back as soon as the drug wares off.

Answer
Hi Titi,

The symptoms you describe are not consistent with a biomechanical distortion such as a subluxated rib but as a systemic problem consistant with malaria. I would bring this up to a tropical disease specialist and see what, if anything, they can prescribe to mitigate the pain. Usually, Malaria can be put in check but as you know there are 4 types, Plasmodium vivax, malariae, ovale and worst of all falciparum. Depending on the type, symptoms can range all over the place. Aggressive treatment is mandatory and seeing your doctor regularly, especially if new symptoms arise is paramount!



Sincerely,

Dr. Timothy Durnin