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 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.
Concern About a Lump
At 17 years old and designated female at birth, I've been diagnosed with exercise-induced asthma, although I suspect this might not be accurate since my rescue inhaler hasn't provided any relief. For over two months now, I've been experiencing some heart-related issues, with my symptoms becoming increasingly severe. Previously, I was prescribed atomoxetine (60mg daily) and melatonin (5mg nightly), but my primary care physician suggested I discontinue these medications several weeks ago to eliminate them as potential contributors to my new symptoms. I'm still using my albuterol inhaler (90mg as necessary), but I haven’t had to use it for a few months now. I recognize that all of this may not be particularly relevant, but it helps provide context. It’s currently very late—around 2 AM—as I'm writing this, on a note regarding something I noticed yesterday afternoon. I discovered what appears to be a lump on my chin. Initially, I brushed it off, thinking it might just be the beginning of an acne breakout. However, I'm second-guessing that assumption now. At first, it felt warm and tender, but it seems to have grown larger, turned red, and become increasingly painful. Perhaps I'm imagining its growth, but even a friend remarked that it seemed to be getting bigger. The lump feels somewhat firm, although it does shift if I touch it. I plan to include a picture in the comments for reference. I already have a follow-up appointment scheduled for Thursday regarding my heart concerns, and I’m considering mentioning this lump if it’s still present by that time. What do you think?
Persistent Discomfort in the Chest
I am a 15-year-old female, standing at 5'5" and weighing 105 pounds. I don't engage in smoking, drinking, or using any kind of substances. For about four years now, I have been experiencing discomfort in my chest, located directly over my heart area. The pain is sharp, and it tends to intensify whenever I move my chest in a particular manner or when I lay down. Typically, this sensation lasts for approximately 30 seconds, and I have not noticed any accompanying symptoms. On average, it occurs once or twice weekly. I've consulted with several different doctors during this time, and they have conducted an EKG which showed normal and even outstanding results. Consequently, I chose to overlook it, assuming it wasn’t a matter of significant concern. However, at this moment, the pain persists and has now lasted for over an hour. It flares up whenever I move in certain ways or take a deep breath. This ongoing discomfort is beginning to cause me some anxiety, particularly affecting my ability to sleep. Could anyone shed some light on what might be causing this? Should I be worried? Thank you!
Concerns About Indentations in Toenails
Hello there, I'm reaching out about my son who is 2 years old and weighs 11 kg. He has a background of eczema and is allergic to several foods like nuts, peanuts, eggs, and legumes, in addition to reacting to foods with high histamine levels. I've noticed that his big toenails have an irregular texture, featuring prominent indents. Their appearance prompted me to do some online research, which hinted that these changes might stem from nutritional deficiencies or possibly eczema affecting the toenails. Interestingly, his skin has improved significantly—so much so that we haven't needed to use steroid creams for several months and rely solely on moisturizing his skin. Should I consider seeking professional advice regarding his toenails? I strive to provide him with a balanced diet that includes whole grains, pine nuts, pumpkin seeds, salmon, beef, and a wide range of fruits and vegetables that are suitable for him. Additionally, he takes a multivitamin gummy every day and is still breastfeeding, even though my milk supply is limited. Thank you for your help!
Strange Episodes of Dizziness: Seeking Insight
I'm a 19-year-old male, standing at 195 cm and weighing 85 kg, and I've been experiencing some peculiar episodes of dizziness. This began approximately two months ago while I was playing basketball; suddenly, I felt a wave of dizziness. The day following that incident, I noticed that each time I took a walk for a whole week, everything felt skewed, as if my vision was being pulled downward or that the environment was collapsing around me. Fast-forward to today, and while the intensity of these episodes has considerably diminished, I still don’t feel like my usual self. I have since begun taking sertraline, believing my anxiety might be the root cause of this dizziness. The nature of my symptoms has shifted; it now feels like a sort of non-spinning vertigo in my head while I’m walking, with a strong visual sensation of being drawn towards the ground. Additionally, a few weeks ago, I noted that my head felt oddly positioned forward, even though I was gazing straight ahead. I consulted with an optometrist, who assured me that my eyesight wasn’t to blame, and I saw a general practitioner who conducted basic tests, including blood work, which all yielded normal results. I find myself pondering whether this might be a vestibular issue that requires the expertise of an ENT specialist. Although the situation has improved significantly since two months ago when I struggled to walk for even two minutes without nearly losing my balance, I still don’t feel as normal as I once did. The sensation I’m experiencing is reminiscent of the adjustment period one goes through when acquiring a new pair of glasses. Any insight or guidance on what I should consider next would be greatly valued.