Joint Discomfort During Sinus Infection
Age: 33, Height: 5′10″, Weight: 335 lbs, Ethnicity: Caucasian, Medical History: Crohn's disease This week has been challenging as I suspect I’m dealing with a sinus infection. For the past few days, I've experienced discomfort in the last joints of my left hand and the big toe on the same foot. The sensation can best be described as a dull throbbing, akin to a minor injury, although I can't recall any incident that might have caused it. There's no noticeable heat at the site, yet it feels slightly warmer compared to my other fingers. I also developed a circular rash, about two inches wide, which seems to be starting to fade. My doctor examined it earlier today and suggested it might be a bug bite; however, I forgot to mention the joint pain during my visit. Should I be concerned that this could indicate a more serious issue, or is it plausible that I simply injured those areas without realizing it?
Answers (1)
6/27/2025, 8:20:44 PM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you’re dealing with a combination of symptoms that are understandably concerning, including joint discomfort during a sinus infection, and a fading circular rash. While it's possible these symptoms could be linked to your sinus infection or be coincidental, certain considerations should guide your next steps.
Explanation:
-
Joint Discomfort: Joint pain and swelling can sometimes occur during respiratory infections, potentially due to inflammation or dehydration. However, the specific joint pain in your hand and toe deserves attention since it could indicate an underlying issue, particularly given your history of Crohn’s disease, which can sometimes be associated with arthritis-like joint symptoms.
-
Rash: The circular rash you described, especially if it is resolving, might indicate something as simple as a mild allergic reaction or a bug bite, as your doctor suggested. However, if it develops further or if new symptoms appear, it may need reevaluation.
Next Steps:
-
Hydrate and Rest: Ensure you're drinking plenty of fluids and getting adequate rest. This will help boost your immune system as you recover from your sinus infection.
-
Monitor Symptoms: Keep a close eye on your joint pain and the rash. Note any changes, such as increased pain, swelling, or the appearance of new symptoms. This information can be helpful for your doctor if symptoms persist.
-
Gentle Stretching and Movement: Engage in gentle movements or stretching of your affected joints to help maintain mobility without overexerting yourself.
-
Documentation: Consider keeping a diary of your symptoms, including the onset of joint pain and changes in the rash. This can provide valuable insights for future medical consultations.
-
Follow-Up: Since you forgot to mention your joint pain during your last visit, make a note to inform your doctor about this when you have the next opportunity. It's particularly important to discuss joint symptoms, especially in the context of your Crohn’s disease. They may suggest further evaluation or tests if necessary.
If at any point the joint pain significantly worsens, or if you develop additional symptoms like fever, let your doctor know promptly, as certain conditions related to joint pain need urgent attention.
Related Questions
Struggling for Answers: My Ongoing Battle with Back Pain and Medical Neglect
At 22, having transitioned from female to male, I find myself grappling with a troubling medical situation. For nearly five years, I've endured severe discomfort in my lower back, yet my previous physician was hesitant to pursue any diagnostic testing, instead opting for a regimen of medications—a significant portion of which included Zaldiar. After a change in my healthcare provider, I was finally referred to various specialists and underwent multiple tests, revealing the diagnosis of spondyloarthritis. Following the diagnosis, I was prescribed a treatment plan necessitating bi-weekly injections of Idacio. Unfortunately, these interventions proved ineffective. Advising that physical activity might alleviate my pain only exacerbated my condition; each attempt at exercise resulted in heightened levels of agony. As time passed, my symptoms worsened and spread to encompass my entire back. By the summer of 2023, the pain migrated to my knees as well, but my new doctor dismissed my concerns entirely. The pain relief medications and injections were futile, seemingly failing at their purpose of controlling the progression of my condition. In October 2023, after months of limping and a sudden episode post-nap where I couldn't stand unassisted, I resorted to crutches for mobility. Another specialist expressed skepticism regarding my prior diagnosis and requested further imaging. Following this, I relocated once more and, facing a frustrating wait for my radiology appointment—nearly a year with no updates—I switched hospitals. At my new clinic, the specialist promptly ordered the necessary tests, which I completed within two months. By this stage, I was practically confined to a wheelchair due to excruciating knee pain, coupled with persistent discomfort across my back and neck, rendering crutches a challenge to use. A few days ago, I met with the new specialist, and the consultation fell short of my hopes. I conveyed my ongoing struggle with the current medications—Captor every eight hours, Celecoxib daily, and cortisone during flare-ups lasting 9 to 14 days—without relief. I detailed my prolonged flare-ups, the latest of which has persisted for over a month, causing unbearable discomfort when seated for more than short periods. Despite being aware of my struggles from our initial appointment, he proclaimed my condition could now involve a herniated disc, insisting further diagnostic clarity would take time, particularly for someone of my age. I reminded him of my existing diagnosis, albeit under scrutiny, but he opted not to officially document any changes. Instead, he suggested I resume walking and referred me to rehabilitation, advising me to engage in exercise despite the uncertainty surrounding my ability to do so without pain. Although he recommended allowing another three months on my medications—unchanged for two years—he did not pursue additional tests. I’m trapped in this cycle of persistent pain, feeling as though my concerns fall on deaf ears once again. I’m also anticipating my test results to potentially shed more light on my situation, which I aim to share for further insight. I’m apprehensive about trying physical therapy, given that I dread the thought of exacerbating my condition or triggering additional flare-ups. To provide some additional context, I reside in Spain and have been on testosterone since November 6, 2018. Neither I nor my father can recall any family history related to similar health issues. When I palpate my lower back, I can feel some unusual bumps—though they are uncomfortable rather than painful. As this is my first Reddit post, I’m still navigating the platform. I apologize for any lack of clarity, and I’m open to any questions in the comments. Any advice or insights on potential avenues to explore would be immensely appreciated. Thank you for taking the time to read my experience.
Seeking Thoughts on an Ongoing Concern
I’m a 32-year-old male, standing at 183 cm and weighing 58 kg, identifying as white British. For the past two months, I have been experiencing a recurring discomfort at the back of my head. There are no other significant medical conditions affecting me, and I’m not taking any medications at the moment. I’m reaching out to see if anyone has insights on what this issue might be. It's been quite bothersome and painful at times. Any feedback would be appreciated!
Addressing My Mother's Persistent Throat Mucus Problem
For years now, we have been searching for an explanation and a resolution for my mother’s throat mucus problem, yet no one has managed to provide a concrete diagnosis. Initially, we suspected it could be caused by Laryngopharyngeal Reflux (LPR), but a gastroenterologist we consulted recently dismissed that possibility. My mother is 71 years old, weighs around 125 pounds, and follows a medication regimen that includes: - Voquenza 20 mg twice daily (morning and night) - Amlodipine 10 mg each morning - Creon 6000 mg with every meal - Xyzal 10 mg in the morning Her medical history includes high blood pressure, acid reflux, and chronic pancreatitis. The primary issue is the excessive mucus accumulation in her throat, which appears unrelated to her acid reflux treatments, since she has tried numerous medications with little success. This mucus buildup often begins unnoticeably but quickly escalates to a point where she struggles to swallow, frequently resulting in her spitting it out. In some instances, the mucus can become so dense that it takes on a lump-like quality, occasionally obstructing her airway. During severe episodes, she may spend hours expelling large amounts of mucus and saliva, which leads to immense concern about her breathing and the need for emergency assistance. She also attempts to alleviate the discomfort by drinking substantial amounts of water, which often results in excessive belching without providing relief. There doesn’t seem to be a specific trigger or time frame to these episodes; they often occur unexpectedly and can be debilitating. I’ve tried giving her famotidine 40 mg and/or Zofran 4 mg in hopes of alleviating her symptoms, and while the Zofran sometimes provides temporary relief, it usually only lasts a few minutes during severe occurrences. Diagnostic imaging, including CAT scans and X-ray examinations, have revealed no significant findings, and her blood tests, while generally normal, did indicate slightly low levels of sodium and chloride. I can access her blood test results online. Even less severe episodes disrupt her sleep, leaving her feeling drained and fatigued. This situation has significantly impacted her quality of life, restricting her to staying at home most of the time. The gastroenterologists we consulted do not think that acid reflux is the core issue. We've also seen an ENT specialist and conducted allergy tests, which showed no food allergies, but revealed mild sensitivities to cats, dogs, and various plants. Our next appointment with a doctor is scheduled for late July. I constantly worry about her encountering a severe episode when I'm away from home. This ongoing struggle has become a source of distress for both of us, and I am feeling increasingly overwhelmed. Interestingly, during her most recent visit to the ER, we experienced a peculiar event. After managing to recover from the morning episode that prompted the visit, she was treated with a combination of Zofran (4 mg), Pepcid (20 mg), and saline. Initially, she felt fine until she reported tasting salt in her mouth. Shortly after, she began feeling odd and lightheaded, ultimately resulting in a severe mucus episode that left her wheezing and gasping for air. The ER staff didn’t seem overly concerned about her reaction. I understand this message is lengthy, but I wanted to document our situation clearly. We are planning to follow up with her primary care physician, gastroenterologist, and ENT specialist. In the meantime, I just want to feel as if I’m taking proactive steps toward a solution.
Concerns About Persistent Mesenteric Adenitis
Greetings! I'm posting here because local appointments are scarce, and I have nearly two months until my consultation with a GI specialist, which I do have scheduled. I’m a 29-year-old female, weighing 150 pounds, residing in the United States. About 18 months ago, I started suffering from sharp pains in my lower abdomen. Initially, I suspected it was related to ovarian cysts since the discomfort felt quite similar. After undergoing an ultrasound last year, it was confirmed that I do not have cysts. My blood tests came back mostly normal, save for a few specific results mentioned below. Alongside these pains, I've been experiencing significant rectal bleeding that has been escalating, prompting me to reach out to a gastroenterologist. Unfortunately, their schedule was booked, leading to a four-month wait for an appointment, which is still pending. Due to the bleeding, a CT scan was conducted, and the report indicated findings that are nonspecific but suggestive of mesenteric adenitis, with several swollen lymph nodes being noted. Everything else in the scan appeared normal. I pride myself on being diligent about researching health matters; however, I’m finding it difficult to gather more details on my condition. Most of the information I come across pertains to children and notes that the issue typically resolves following a viral or bacterial infection. However, I am not a child, have not experienced any recent illnesses, and my symptoms have certainly not improved over time. As I mentioned earlier, it will be a while before I can discuss this with a doctor, so if anyone has insights, I would greatly appreciate your input. To provide more context about my health, here’s a TL;DR along with a brief overview: ### Previous Diagnoses: - IBS - Raynaud's Syndrome - Nonspecific Paroxysmal Spell - Fibromyalgia ### Medications: - Birth control pills - Cymbalta ### Test Results: - Anemia due to low ferritin levels (18) ### Symptoms: - Sharp abdominal pain attributed to lymph node swelling - Blood in stool (quantifying the amount is tough, but it often exceeds a tablespoon; the bleeding occurs in cycles, disappearing for weeks before returning) - Anemia (iron supplements don’t seem to resolve this; if I stop taking them, the deficiency quickly returns, evidenced by seeing stars) - Severe fatigue (I wake up feeling unrested, and I have noticeable dark circles under my eyes that others have pointed out) ### TL;DR: Is it worrisome that mesenteric adenitis has persisted for this long? Should I request additional blood tests before my appointment with the GI? Or am I simply worrying too much? Thank you for your help!
Understanding Bile Duct Strictures
A 46-year-old female, measuring 165 cm in height and weighing 87 kg, previously smoked but has not done so in over 15 years and is currently not on any medications. She recently underwent a cholecystectomy following persistent episodes of biliary colic and one occurrence of pancreatitis. Post-surgery, it was discovered that she has a stricture in the common bile duct (CBD). After undergoing several ERCP procedures, a plastic stent was placed via endoscopic ultrasound (EUS). However, tests including MRI, dotatate PET, and biopsy yielded inconclusive results. The stricture is described as small, located at the mid CBD, exhibiting hyperenhancement with a dilated vessel present on the mucosal layer and was found to be eccentric. Blood tests have all returned to normal levels, with prior liver function tests that were abnormal now stabilized. The surgeon has suggested proceeding with surgery to address the CBD, potentially involving a hepaticojejunostomy. There is a concern regarding whether the stricture may have originated from a stone that migrated from the gallbladder. Given the current normal blood work and the uncertainty surrounding the test results, would it be prudent to adopt a watchful waiting approach, or might there be additional tests worth pursuing? Prior to the cholecystectomy, the patient experienced multiple biliary colic incidents and the gallbladder was noted to contain several stones. I appreciate any insights you may offer on this matter.