Understanding Kakuchi Syndrome
Greetings! I hope you're doing well and feeling good. I appreciate you taking the time to read this. I'm a 36-year-old male weighing 179 pounds, using marijuana around four to five times a week, in addition to smoking roughly a pack of 25 cigarettes weekly. I’ve never had any serious medical encounters or hospitalizations, and aside from the occasional seasonal flu, I consider myself generally healthy, though I'm always looking for ways to improve. Recently, in May 2025, I spent a week in the hospital. Leading up to my admission, I suffered from persistent daily fevers for about two to three weeks, coupled with a lack of appetite which resulted in a weight loss of approximately 30 pounds, dropping from 210 to 174 pounds at the time of my admission. During that period, I visited the hospital and a local clinic on several occasions but was not improving. Noticing some swelling in a lymph node under my left arm, I finally pushed for an admission. As a child, I experienced swollen lymph nodes occasionally, but they would resolve quickly, which I attributed to my active lifestyle filled with sports and constant movement. While hospitalized, medical professionals conducted a variety of tests, including a biopsy of the swollen lymph node. However, everything returned negative. I had daily evaluations by multiple specialists, and finally, on May 17, the fever subsided, I felt an improvement, and I was discharged the following day. The diagnosis I received was Kikuchi syndrome, identified as a fever of unknown origin. Since returning home, my weight has fluctuated between 174 and 185 pounds, most recently settling at 179, which has raised some concerns for me. Additionally, my B12 levels were alarmingly low, leading to daily injections during my hospitalization. Now, I have follow-up appointments with my primary care physician every two weeks. There are days when I feel exceedingly weak and fatigued with painful legs and aching feet, while on other days I feel completely normal. Although I've reduced my smoking, I still don’t feel like my usual self. Have you ever been diagnosed with Kikuchi syndrome? Do you know others with this condition? Have you treated anyone with it?
Answers (1)
7/8/2025, 12:02:28 AM
OpenHealth AI
Thank you for sharing your situation and concerns. It sounds like you have been through a lot recently with your health, particularly with your Kikuchi syndrome diagnosis and the challenges it brings.
Main Points:
- Kikuchi syndrome is a rare condition often characterized by fever and swollen lymph nodes.
- You're experiencing fluctuating symptoms, including weakness and fatigue, which can be common post-recovery.
- It's crucial to monitor your health closely and continue your follow-ups with your primary care physician.
Explanation:
Kikuchi syndrome, also known as Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease, is generally a benign condition that often resolves on its own, but it can lead to significant symptoms like fever and lymph node swelling. The fact that your biopsy was negative is a good sign, suggesting that more serious conditions are unlikely. It's not uncommon for individuals recovering from such illnesses to experience fatigue and fluctuating well-being as your body heals.
Next Steps:
-
Continue Follow-ups: Keep your regular appointments with your primary care physician. They can monitor your B12 levels and overall health effectively.
-
Nutrition: Focus on a balanced diet rich in vitamins, particularly B12, to help improve your energy levels. Foods like lean meats, fish, dairy, eggs, and fortified cereals can be beneficial.
-
Hydration and Rest: Ensure you’re drinking enough fluids and getting ample rest to support your recovery. Fatigue can often improve with adequate hydration and sleep.
-
Gradual Activity: While it's good to engage in light activities, listen to your body. If you feel weak or fatigued, consider taking breaks or shortening your activity times.
-
Smoking Reduction: Since you’ve acknowledged the need to cut back on smoking, continue to work on this goal. Reducing tobacco use can significantly improve your overall health and energy levels.
-
Monitor Symptoms: Keep a log of your symptoms (fatigue, any new aches, etc.) and discuss these in your follow-ups. This can help your physician determine if there’s anything further that needs to be addressed.
Remember, healing can take time, and it’s important to be kind to yourself during this period. If your symptoms worsen or you have new concerns, do let your healthcare provider know. You're doing a great job by staying proactive about your health!
Related Questions
Healing Progress Post-GBS: Toe Concerns
I am a 28-year-old male, measuring 5 feet 10 inches and weighing 131 pounds. My current medications include Fomadatine and Zyrtec, prescribed due to my ongoing battle with Chronic Gastritis and SIBO. I maintain a healthy lifestyle, abstaining from both smoking and alcohol. My health concern revolves around the toe adjacent to my pinky toe on my left foot, as well as my pinky toe on the right foot. Since August of last year, I have been on the mend from Guillain Barre Syndrome. Recently, I've noticed that at night, the skin on my feet tends to turn a reddish pink, although this usually improves after I walk around. However, two of my toes have remained red, with one appearing slightly swollen. Generally, my pinky toes are quite thick, but the condition of my left foot's toe is worrisome for me. It seems that I'm unable to upload an image to illustrate my issue.
Swelling Beneath My Chin Near the Jawline
18-Year-Old Male: I'm reaching out to any medical professionals who might provide insights into my situation. I've been using marijuana since I was 14, but now, at 17, I'm making an effort to stop and have been clean for 18 days. Recently, I've discovered an unusual swelling located just beneath my chin, behind my jaw. It causes some discomfort when I move, yet it doesn’t feel painful continuously. I'm somewhat anxious that this could be indicative of a more serious issue, especially considering it's positioned near my chin's lymph nodes. Any advice or information would be greatly appreciated as it might help alleviate my worry.
Seeking Insights: My Journey with Undiagnosed Neurological Symptoms
Hello everyone, I'm a 34-year-old female grappling with neurological symptoms that first appeared in October, and I’m eager to hear from anyone who might have faced similar challenges. My journey began with unexpected migraines, blurred vision, and an ongoing sensation of being off-balance or intoxicated. Gradually, I began experiencing mainly sensory-related symptoms, such as tingling and burning sensations, feelings of extreme heat and cold, sharp pains radiating in my arms and back, as well as discomfort in my hands and toes, alongside intermittent numbness. I also endure varying degrees of weakness and heaviness in my right side, specifically my arm and leg, although I haven’t suffered complete functional loss. The nature of my symptoms is erratic; they fluctuate rather than consistently deteriorate. An MRI revealed mild, scattered lesions in the white matter, which were deemed nonspecific. Further tests from a lumbar puncture returned normal results, showing no markers of inflammation, and the oligoclonal bands were not present. A thorough range of lab tests yielded no significant findings. After evaluating my case, the neurology team suggested a possible diagnosis of MS and administered a three-day course of intravenous steroids. While I noticed a slight improvement in some sensory pain, my symptoms persist and continue to vary day by day. I still experience headaches and pressure in my head along with episodes of blurred vision, but there have been no new deficits since treatment. I am reaching out to connect with others who have had similar experiences. I would like to learn about the insights or diagnoses you encountered and what treatments proved beneficial (such as those related to migraine disorders, dysautonomia, or sensory neuropathy, for example). If you have navigated a similar path, I would greatly appreciate your sharing your story. Thank you!
Should I Seek Medical Attention for Left Ear Pulsatile Tinnitus?
A 31-year-old woman reports an ongoing issue with pulsatile tinnitus, which she is currently experiencing solely in her left ear. Although she's noticed this condition intermittently before, she hadn’t paid it much mind due to the absence of pain. Recently, however, her curiosity piqued her interest in researching the condition, where she stumbled upon information suggesting it could be serious. Usually, she avoids searching online for health worries, but now she is contemplating whether a visit to the doctor might be warranted. Can anyone advise on the need for a medical evaluation in this case?
Concerns About Angular Cheilitis
I’m a 23-year-old woman with no history of smoking, and I’m seeking assistance regarding a health issue. Back in January, I experienced angular cheilitis three times, each episode involving a minor crack at the corner of my mouth that healed within a few days. Following the last occurrence, I became quite anxious due to saliva accumulation in that area. I found myself frequently brushing my finger along that spot. After a few days, I observed a small area forming that appeared white and had a rough texture. Eventually, I realized it was not just a coincidence, and I started taking action, but only after it became noticeably larger. To address it, I cleaned the area with a mix of alcohol and apple cider vinegar. I’m uncertain about what this issue could be, but I’ve recently begun using over-the-counter Clotrimazole cream while also keeping the area moisturized with either lanolin or petroleum jelly. Unfortunately, I haven’t noticed any improvement, and I’m concerned as it seems to be expanding. The patch continues to be rough and excessively dry. Although I can open my mouth wide without any cracks forming, I do feel tension in the skin, similar to having a bandage over that location. At times, I experience a burning sensation after thorough washing, and I’ve noticed tiny red spots appearing on the outer edges of the patch sporadically.