Discomfort in Jaw and Neck Area
I’m a 20-year-old male weighing 230 pounds and of Caucasian descent, residing in the U.S. Greetings everyone, About two weeks ago, I noticed a fungal infection developing on my feet. Following a visit to my physician last Wednesday, I was prescribed clindamycin along with a topical antifungal cream. After taking my first dose of clindamycin that night, I went to bed, only to awaken with a fever measuring 100.5 degrees, coupled with a headache, discomfort in my neck, and eye strain. While the fever and headache have largely faded, I continue to experience persistent eye strain and soreness in my neck. The discomfort seems concentrated on the right side of my neck, manifesting as pain when I attempt to swallow or stretch. I have since refrained from taking any more clindamycin. Later this evening, I noticed additional discomfort radiating in my right jaw, particularly near where the lower jaw meets the skull. This pain intensifies when I yawn or open my mouth wide. Could anyone provide insights or indicate whether I should be worried about these symptoms?
Answers (1)
7/6/2025, 5:20:36 AM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you're dealing with a challenging combination of symptoms including neck pain, jaw discomfort, and eye strain after starting clindamycin for a fungal infection. While these symptoms might seem concerning, they could be related to several factors, including a reaction to medication, muscle tension, or even an underlying condition. Let’s explore this further.
Explanation
The discomfort you’re experiencing in your neck and jaw, especially after initiating clindamycin, can be attributed to several possibilities:
- Medication Reaction: Although uncommon, some individuals may experience side effects from antibiotics like clindamycin, leading to muscle aches or discomfort.
- Muscle Tension: Stress or discomfort in one area of the body often leads to compensatory tension in neighboring areas, which could explain the neck and jaw pain.
- Infection or Inflammation: You mentioned a recent illness and symptoms that could suggest some inflammation or infection in the area, especially given that pain increases with swallowing or jaw use.
- TMJ Disorder: Pain near the jaw joint could be related to temporomandibular joint (TMJ) issues, which can cause pain with certain mouth movements.
Next Steps
Here are some prioritized actions to help manage your symptoms:
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Rest and Hydrate: Give your body time to recover. Ensure you’re drinking plenty of fluids to stay hydrated.
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Warm Compress: Apply a warm compress to your neck and jaw for about 15-20 minutes at a time. This can help relax tight muscles and alleviate discomfort.
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Gentle Stretching: If you're comfortable, perform gentle neck stretches, such as tilting your head to each side, to increase flexibility and decrease tension. Avoid any excessive movement that causes pain.
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Monitor Symptoms: Keep track of your symptoms. If they worsen or new symptoms develop (like increased fever, swelling, or difficulty breathing), those would warrant more immediate attention.
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Pain Relief: Over-the-counter (OTC) medications such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help relieve pain, as long as you’re not allergic and have no contraindications for their use.
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Avoid Strain: While your eyes are straining, consider reducing screen time and using proper lighting while reading or working. Take frequent breaks to reduce eye strain.
If symptoms persist beyond a week, or if new concerning symptoms arise, it may be important for you to seek further evaluation. Your well-being is important, and staying proactive can help you navigate through this discomfort. Let me know how you're feeling over the next few days or if you need additional support!
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# 7-Month-Old Child with Abernethy Malformation - Exploring Treatment Options ## [7-Month-Old] Identified with Abernethy Malformation (Congenital Portosystemic Shunt) - Treatment Methods? **Age:** 7 months **Gender:** Female **Height:** Age-appropriate **Weight:** Currently 9 kg, was 2.8 kg at birth **Ethnicity:** Asian **Duration of Symptoms:** Present since birth **Location:** Uzbekistan **Pre-existing Health Issues:** Abernethy malformation (congenital portosystemic shunt), liver hemangiomas, chronic jaundice, anemia **Current Treatments:** Supportive management --- ## INITIAL PRESENTATION (June 2025 - July 2025) Our daughter arrived on **June 27, 2025**, presenting with: - Birth weight: **2.8 kg** - Marked jaundice (yellowing of skin and sclera) - Pale or clay-colored stools - **Bilirubin level: 245 μmol/L** (typically <20) An immediate ultrasound indicated multiple liver anomalies, initially thought to be hemangiomas. --- ## FIRST COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT (August 1, 2025 - 1 Month Old) ### Multislice Computed Tomography (MSCT) with 3-Phase Contrast (August 1, 2025): **RESULTS:** - 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7 Months Old) - **Weight:** 9 kg (good growth rate in spite of condition) - **Jaundice:** Continues to be present (yellow skin) - **Stools:** Remain pale/clay-colored - **Development:** Achieving appropriate milestones - **Energy:** Appears to have a good energy level - **Feeding:** Normal appetite --- ## QUESTIONS FOR r/AskDocs We have been informed this is **Type 2 Abernethy malformation** (portal vein present). **Three treatment avenues have been proposed:** ### Option 1: **Endovascular Coil Embolization** (minimally invasive approach) - A catheter is inserted via the leg vein to access the shunt and deploy coils/plugs to close the abnormal vessels - Pros: No surgical incision, minimal discomfort, short hospital stay (2-4 days), no scars, enhanced safety - Duration: 1-2 hours - Recovery: 2-4 weeks for jaundice to show improvement ### Option 2: **Open Surgical Intervention** - An incision in the abdomen to ligate abnormal vessels and redirect blood to the liver - Pros: Direct visualization, effective results - Cons: Surgical scar, longer recovery time (7-14 days in hospital) - Duration: 2-4 hours ### Option 3: **Liver Transplantation** - We have been advised this is not necessary as the portal vein is functional and liver health is improving. --- ## SPECIFIC QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER: 1. **With a functional portal vein (6.1 mm) and improving liver function (ALT normalized), is it advisable to pursue endovascular closure as the preferred treatment?** 2. **Despite ALT levels improving, the bilirubin remains consistently high (242). Should this be a cause for concern? Is there a prospect for it to normalize post shunt closure?** 3. **Are the hemangiomas/nodules (11.6×20.7 mm) linked to the shunt? Will they likely resolve following shunt repair?** 4. **How urgent is the proposed intervention? Is immediate action required, or is there flexibility to wait a few months?** 5. **What complications should we be vigilant for during the waiting period?** 6. **Regarding endovascular closure - what is the average success rate for infants aged 7 months? Are there concerns regarding the shunt size (9.9 mm)?** 7. **The measurement of the portal vein has shown improvement from 6.1 mm to 3.9 mm; should this be perceived as a positive sign or a reason for concern?** 8. **Are there special directives (diet modifications, medications) we should consider while awaiting the procedure?** 9. **Post-procedure, how long should we expect it might take for:** - Normalization of bilirubin levels? - Return of stool color to normal? - Resolution of jaundice? - Regression of hemangiomas? 10. **Can you recommend any specialized centers for pediatric Abernethy malformation treatments? We are located in Uzbekistan but are prepared to travel (to Turkey, Russia, South Korea, etc.)** --- ## ADDITIONAL INFORMATION - No family history of hepatic diseases - Pregnancy and delivery were normal - No additional congenital defects identified - Immunizations up to date - No history of bleeding disorders - No signs indicative of encephalopathy - Child is alert and engaged --- **I can supply actual MSCT images and comprehensive lab reports if they would be of assistance.** We sincerely appreciate any insights you can provide. We are striving to make the most informed decision regarding our daughter’s care and highly value expert medical opinions. **TL;DR:** 7-month-old diagnosed with Abernethy Type 2 malformation (9.9 mm portocaval shunt, patent portal vein). Liver functionality is improving (normalized ALT) while bilirubin remains elevated (242). Evaluating options between endovascular coil embolization and open surgery. Seeking expert advice on optimal treatment strategy and timing.