My child in 14 years old and has been taking zoloft for about a week. She has had a very sore throat for 3 days and has become chesty with a cough similar to whooping cough. I gave her 10ml of amcal chesty cough syrup at 5.30 and she vomited just over an hour later. She is dizzy and has little to no feeling in her legs and a sharp pain straight through her abdomen from ribs to top of pelvic bone. Should I take her to the hospital?
Optional Information: Person's Gender: Female Person's Age: 41 Already Tried: She is in bed and resting. Checked her temperature as she is cold and is 36.4 from under her arm. Still feels dizzy and numb in her legs.
Hello,I am sorry that your daughter is not feeling well...Is she also having weakness in her legs? Is she able to walk around?Does she have any pus spots on her tonsils?Swollen glands?Dr Abby
No spots, just swelling and slightly red.
Kate,Her sore throat and cough sound like they may be viral...however if she has not had her full set of immunizations, pertussis (whooping cough) is a possibility as well.It is becoming more common as immunity wears off as we get older. If she is not fully immunized and was exposed to pertussis, then she is at risk. If she is short of breath or appears that she is having difficulty breathing she does need to go to the emergency room.The numbness in her legs is also a concerning symptom--however, zoloft can cause tingling/numbness. Because I cannot examine her, I recommend having her evaluated to be safe...If she is also weak and/or having difficulty walking, this suggests that it is not the Zoloft.Lastly, her abdominal pain--if she still has her appendix, this is a possibility. With appendicitis, the pain typically begins around the belly button area and then moves down towards the right lower abdomen. Vomiting, loss of appetite and low grade fever may be present as well. If this sounds like her symptoms, appendicitis should be ruled out in the hospital emergency.It is quite possible that this is all a viral syndrome plus side effects of the zoloft. However, given the seriousness of her symptoms (numbness/abdominal pain), I do feel it is best for her to be checked out to be safe.Please feel free to ask any follow up questions,Dr Abby
Experience: Family Physician practicing medicine for over 10 years, United States