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What causes chest cold, weight loss, nausea, and dry heaves?

This Premium Q&A, reviewed and published, features a real conversation between an iCliniq user and a physician.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

My symptoms include a chest cold for approximately one month, 12 pound weight loss, nausea, dry heaves. Excessive bowel movements. Shortness of breath. Muscle aches. Left side rib pain. Fatigue. I had normal labs except mildly elevated alkaline phosphate. My doctor is now running a ALP isoenzyme test. Do I have multiple myeloma? Am I too young? What are my chances? What else besides my liver could make that test elevated?

Answered by Dr. Arvind Guru

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Arvind Guru is a Surgeon who specializes in Surgical Oncology (Cancer Surgery). He has served as a faculty member at TMH, Mumbai as a Surgical Oncologist. He is a Specialist Cancer Surgeon with extensive years of clinical experience from the best medical institutions. He also attends gastrointestinal cancer surgery (including laparoscopic) for colon, rectum, stomach, esophagus, pancreas, gall bladder, and liver cancers.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

After reviewing your complaints and your blood investigation (attachment removed to protect patient identity), I can draw the following conclusions: It is highly unlikely that you have multiple myeloma, as your globulins (in the blood report) are normal. Though it is a rare scenario before 40 years, it can happen to people. Your case seems something else. There is, however, an abnormally low carbon dioxide level in your report. This occurs because of hyperventilation, anxiety, or some lung pathology. More importantly, your medications are the most likely reason for your anxiety. Sometimes these can cause diarrhea as well. Raised ALP can be from many causes. Liver (uncommon if you do not have jaundice), bone, intestine, and placenta are the most common. The isoenzyme assay that your doctor is doing will help isolate the source to some extent. Given your age and your month-old respiratory problem, I would suspect a lung infection, including tuberculosis (TB). TB can also cause left-sided chest pain, fatigue, and weight loss. Pain itself can lead to hyperventilation. Moreover, your ALP is only mildly raised, which is against the diagnosis of multiple myeloma (where it can be in thousands). Mildly raised ALP can be due to vitamin D deficiency as well, given you live in Montana (low sunlight). Please discuss with your doctor regarding the need for a chest X-ray and the possibility of TB and vitamin D supplementation. Do not worry. The reason you might feel anxious is most probably your medications. Take a healthy, balanced diet. Try some meditation as well.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Divya Banu M
Published At January 7, 2020
Reviewed At November 26, 2025

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Arvind Guru is a Surgeon who specializes in Surgical Oncology (Cancer Surgery). He has served as a faculty member at TMH, Mumbai as a Surgical Oncologist. He is a Specialist Cancer Surgeon with extensive years of clinical experience from the best medical institutions. He also attends gastrointestinal cancer surgery (including laparoscopic) for colon, rectum, stomach, esophagus, pancreas, gall bladder, and liver cancers.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Education:

BDS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Divya Banu M is a dedicated Dental Surgeon with valuable clinical experience. She specializes in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of various diseases and conditions affecting the oral cavity. With a gentle and patient-centered approach, she is committed to promoting oral health and enhancing smiles through quality dental care. Her areas of expertise include restorative dentistry, preventive dental care, and cosmetic dental procedures.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Arvind Guru is a Surgeon who specializes in Surgical Oncology (Cancer Surgery). He has served as a faculty member at TMH, Mumbai as a Surgical Oncologist. He is a Specialist Cancer Surgeon with extensive years of clinical experience from the best medical institutions. He also attends gastrointestinal cancer surgery (including laparoscopic) for colon, rectum, stomach, esophagus, pancreas, gall bladder, and liver cancers.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

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