Seeking Help for My Troubling Throat Condition
I am a 37-year-old female with a relatively unremarkable medical background, except for experiencing migraines and a history of obesity, from which I've recently rebounded by losing 100 pounds, bringing my weight to 190 at a height of 5'8". My current medications consist solely of hydroxyzine and Emgality. For the past two months, I have been battling an unidentified virus or infection. I've noticed a rash and broken capillaries manifesting all over my body. Despite attending five doctor appointments and undergoing numerous lab tests—all returning normal results—I am still awaiting a referral to a dermatologist. In addition to these issues, I've had persistent swelling and stiffness in my neck for several weeks. My doctor examined the area under my jaw and indicated that it felt normal, but I perceive both lymph nodes beneath my jaw to be significantly enlarged and tender. While I do not have a severe sore throat, there is a persistent scratchiness and discomfort. My tongue has also felt sore for a number of weeks. It all began with a small swollen area on my lip, which led to the development of tiny ulcers in my mouth. Now, I find myself covered in an unusual rash, accompanied by a perplexing vascular issue. Mentally, I feel off—experiencing severe brain fog and occasionally struggling to articulate my thoughts. Tonight, I examined my throat and honestly feel apprehensive about sharing photos, as it looks troubling. It's riddled with prominent veins, petechiae, lumps, and some areas appear yellow or whitish. Additionally, I've noticed vertical lines running down the sides of my tongue, which is a new development. I wonder if my throat's appearance is abnormal; my doctor has examined my throat at each visit yet has never mentioned anything alarming. This condition has persisted since the onset of my infection but seems to be worsening. He suggested that my symptoms may be predominantly linked to anxiety, which is reassuring given the many normal lab results he provided. Should I consult a doctor or a dentist for an evaluation of my mouth? I must mention that I struggle with significant dental issues stemming from years of untreated GERD, and I also smoke and use nicotine pouches. I'm curious whether the current state of my mouth could be connected to this mysterious illness I'm experiencing. I’ve been treated with steroids, antihistamines, a Z-pack, and Valtrex, yet none have alleviated my symptoms. Notably, my child and mother are exhibiting similar rashes and symptoms, including small mouth ulcers and my baby even had a low fever and cold at the beginning of this ordeal. I’m desperate for insights regarding my mouth as the situation has deteriorated over the last two months, and I feel I need assistance. My doctor seems reluctant to pursue further investigations. Thank you for your help!
Answers (1)

7/9/2025, 1:31:04 AM
OpenHealth AI
I'm really sorry to hear about the difficulties you're experiencing with your throat and skin symptoms. It sounds quite distressing, especially with your family's similar issues. Let’s break down your situation and identify some practical next steps.
Key Points
- You have a complex set of symptoms, including throat discomfort, a rash, and swollen lymph nodes, which seem to have worsened over two months.
- You also mentioned overlapping family symptoms that may indicate a contagious factor.
- Your medical history, medications, and lifestyle factors, like smoking, can indeed play a role in your symptoms.
Explanation
Your throat issues, coupled with the rash and swollen lymph nodes, may stem from an infectious process, an allergic reaction, or another underlying inflammatory condition. Given that both your mother and child have similar symptoms, there’s a possibility that the issue could be viral or another type of infection that is affecting your household. The vascular changes and petechiae can sometimes indicate more systemic concerns.
The mention of anxiety by your doctor can also impact how symptoms feel, as stress may intensify physical sensations, but your thorough description points toward a need for further investigation to rule out any underlying issues.
Next Steps
-
Document Symptoms: Keep a detailed diary of your symptoms, noting any changes in your throat, rash, or overall health. This can help specialists understand the progression of your condition.
-
Seek Dermatology Evaluation: Since you’re already waiting for a dermatology referral, follow up to expedite that appointment. Dermatologists can assess both the rash and potential oral health issues that may be contributing to your symptoms.
-
Consider Oral Health Assessment: Given your history of GERD and current oral issues, it might be beneficial to visit a dentist, especially one familiar with the effects of GERD on oral health. Your oral hygiene, smoking, and nicotine use could all be factors in your symptoms.
-
Focus on Hydration and Soothing Remedies: Continue to stay hydrated and consider using saltwater gargles or throat lozenges to soothe throat discomfort. Avoid irritants like smoking, which can worsen oral and throat sensitivities.
-
Monitor for New Symptoms: Keep an eye on any new developments, such as fever, worsening throat pain, or increased rash, and document these to share with healthcare professionals.
-
Consider Mental Health Support: If you feel that anxiety is significantly impacting your quality of life, exploring support options such as counseling may be beneficial.
-
Educate Yourself: Research potential connections between your symptoms and conditions such as autoimmune diseases, allergic reactions, or viral syndromes. Information can empower your discussions with doctors.
It’s understandable to feel overwhelmed; continue advocating for your health, and don’t hesitate to seek medical attention whenever your symptoms feel intolerable. You are not alone in this, and there are paths to improving your situation. Keep me updated if you have more questions!
Related Questions
Experiencing Discomfort? Exploring Possible Causes
I’m a 27-year-old who has been grappling with persistent discomfort on the left side of my chest, shoulder, neck, and arm since January. This pain has been virtually unrelenting since it began, with rare instances affecting my right side. Alongside this, I've also experienced intermittent pain in my hip and upper leg on the right, though less frequently. Additionally, my wrists and fingers—particularly on the left—occasionally suffer from sharp, pinching sensations. At times, I feel as though my fingers are nearing numbness, although they haven't fully reached that state yet. For most of my life, I've been sedentary, spending countless hours at a computer starting at the age of nine. My current occupation is desk-based, and I typically return home to engage in more desk work. At 5'7” and weighing approximately 230 pounds, I have a familial history of hypertension, which I personally experienced following an emergency room visit. The onset of these symptoms coincided with a notably stressful period at work. While I initially attributed my discomfort to this stress, which has since diminished due to improved communication with my supervisor, the physical issues have unfortunately persisted, amplifying my anxiety. After enduring the pain for roughly 72 hours, I decided to visit the emergency room due to a near panic attack induced by the fear of a potential heart problem. Medical professionals conducted various tests including blood and urine screens, an EKG (a quick one to rule out a heart attack), and an X-ray of my heart. Fortunately, all results appeared normal, with the doctor mentioning that I have a larger than average heart, but nothing alarming was detected. The doctor attributed my condition to a combination of anxiety and hypertension, prescribing lisinopril for the blood pressure and cyclobenzaprine and tramadol for the discomfort. I found that cyclobenzaprine provided more relief than tramadol. Unfortunately, the lisinopril did not alleviate my symptoms, and without health insurance, I could not afford the follow-up appointments necessary for refills. Furthermore, since the medication requires a low potassium intake and I consume a lot of potassium-rich foods, this increased my concern. Leaving the hospital, I accepted the explanation of my symptoms being linked to anxiety given the extensive stress I had been under. However, after six months of enduring this discomfort—especially with recent exacerbation—it’s hard for me to solely attribute my symptoms to anxiety. The pain often triggers anxiety, creating a cycle that’s difficult to break. While I have never identified as someone with chronic anxiety, the prolonged nature of this pain has undeniably affected my mental state. Delving deeper into my health history, I consider myself to be on the borderline of alcoholism. Between the ages of 21 and 26, my alcohol intake reached around 50 drinks a week. I’ve significantly cut back, but I still consume around 20-30 drinks weekly, which I know is excessive and detrimental to my health. A few years back, my triglycerides levels were alarmingly high during a check-up for stomach problems. My doctor advised a low-fat, low-carb diet and a cessation of alcohol. I have made strides toward a more nutritious diet, although I still struggle with consistency. Over the past year, I have nearly halved my alcohol consumption. Interestingly, I often don’t feel sore in the mornings, but as the day progresses, the discomfort tends to return. I'm uncertain if resting alleviates it; when the pain escalates, I usually take some medication and lie down, which offers partial relief, though not complete alleviation. I'm reaching out for insights as I have exhausted countless searches online, only to find a plethora of conflicting information. I feel overwhelmed and unsure of where to begin. Thank you for any guidance you can provide!
Experiencing Spotting While on Terbinafine: What to Do?
Hello, I’m currently on day seven of taking Terbinafine and have unexpectedly started to experience bleeding between my menstrual cycles. Should I consider discontinuing the medication? My doctor is away on holiday at the moment. For context, I am a 40-year-old woman.
Post-Epididymitis Concerns
I am a 21-year-old male from India. Approximately two months back, I experienced discomfort in my right testicle accompanied by a low-grade fever. Upon examination, my doctor suspected it was epididymitis and prescribed a week-long course of Ofloxacin, Doxycycline, and Diclofenac, which alleviated the pain. However, I've since observed that my testicles hang notably lower than before, especially on the left side. I underwent an abdominal and pelvic ultrasound, which returned normal findings. Additionally, the scrotal Doppler test, conducted while I lay down and performed the Valsalva maneuver, revealed no signs of varicocele, hydrocele, or blood circulation problems. The doctor mentioned only the presence of a small amount of physiological fluid, which was deemed typical. Now, two months later, I no longer experience sharp pain, swelling, or urinary complications. Nevertheless, I still have a slight dull ache in my left testicle that can extend to my lower back, particularly noticeable in the evenings. My scrotum appears more relaxed, with the left side hanging considerably lower. Occasionally, I notice fine greenish veins on the surface of the scrotum. Some individuals I’ve encountered online suggest that this may be indicative of a mild subclinical varicocele, which might not always be apparent on Doppler imaging, or residual inflammation from the previous epididymitis, which could take several months to completely resolve. There are also opinions that at my age, it may be normal for the scrotum to hang lower as a means of regulating testicular temperature. I am curious to know: - Has anyone experienced similar effects post-epididymitis? - Did your testicles eventually return to their typical position? - How long did it take for you to feel fully normal again?
Worrying Symptoms After a Night Out - 22M
Recently, I had an encounter with a woman and practiced safe sex by using condoms, replacing them roughly every half hour. We exchanged a few kisses, but I noticed an unpleasant taste during them that discouraged me from continuing to make out. Upon waking up this morning, I’m still experiencing that acrid taste in my throat, which has left me quite anxious. I'm not sure if I'm reading too much into this or if there's a legitimate concern, but I am feeling quite uneasy and would be grateful for any insights. I know that getting tested is the best route to take, but I won't be able to do that for at least another two days. As I can't upload an image, I’m sharing my list of symptoms and worries as generated with the help of a chat model. Your feedback would mean a lot, as I can’t shake this feeling of distress. Key Concerns: • There is a yellowish-white layer coating the back of my tongue extending toward my throat. • I’m detecting an unpleasant taste in my mouth and throat, often described as metallic or sour. • While there are no visible sores or ulcers, I remain apprehensive about potential infections or a serious condition like an STD. Observed Symptoms: • The discoloration on my tongue appears primarily at the back and is yellowish-white. • The taste in my mouth/throat has been consistently sour or metallic and is quite bothersome. • I feel a slight discomfort in my throat, although it’s not severe enough to classify as a painfully sore throat at this moment. • So far, I haven’t experienced significant pain, fever, or swollen lymph nodes. • There are no visible mouth lesions, blisters, or ulcers, but I can’t see everything thoroughly myself. Points of Concern: • Is there a possibility this could be oral thrush (a type of yeast infection)? • Might it be a bacterial infection such as strep throat or tonsillitis? • Could it stem from issues like acid reflux, sinus troubles, or post-nasal drip? • Or is there a chance this could be a sexually transmitted infection (like gonorrhea, chlamydia, herpes, or syphilis)?
Experiencing Numbness and Tingling in My Left Side
I’m a 26-year-old woman, standing at 5'3" and weighing 190 pounds, actively working towards a healthier lifestyle. I’m not currently taking any medications, have never smoked, and indulge in alcoholic beverages about once every two months. I recognize that I could improve on my diet and fitness routines. My medical background includes having my gallbladder removed and suffering from chronic anemia, along with a history of panic attacks in my mental health records. There’s no known family history concerning diabetes, strokes, or neurological conditions. My father passed away from an abdominal aortic aneurysm linked to hypertension. For approximately the past week, I’ve noticed a concerning tingling sensation in my hands and feet, predominantly on the left side of my body. I am not experiencing any chest pain, abdominal discomfort, shortness of breath, facial droop, or slurred speech. Occasionally, I've had mild pain in my left ear, but that's the extent of my symptoms. I have two theories regarding what might be causing this issue. Firstly, I’ve been struggling with sleep, often waking up in awkward positions that might be putting pressure on my neck and possibly compressing the nerves, which previously led to similar symptoms when I was 17, but that time resolved on its own. However, I’m uncertain if the current discomfort could be radiating down to my feet, and why it would be localized only to my left side. Secondly, my anemia could be at play; my ferritin levels were at 6 just three weeks ago. The hematologist I consulted didn’t express much concern about these results, despite my struggles with oral iron supplements due to gastrointestinal issues related to my lack of a gallbladder. Additionally, I have been experiencing noticeable hair loss in patches for several months, but both a dermatologist and an endocrinologist found all tests to be within normal limits, which didn’t alleviate my concerns. The tingling sensations are beginning to alarm me. I’m trying not to let anxiety take over, but I cannot shake the worries about what this might signify.