Seeking Guidance for Ongoing Health Struggles
I genuinely need your assistance and would greatly appreciate any advice or insights you can offer. Over the past year, I've experienced tremendous pain, and despite numerous consultations, my doctors seem perplexed about its cause or how to manage it. To provide some context, I am a 23-year-old female, standing at 5'6" and weighing 117 pounds. My medical history includes ongoing issues with kidney stones since I was 16. Additionally, I underwent a tonsillectomy due to persistent tonsillitis at that age, along with an adenoid removal. Currently, I am grappling with two primary symptoms, the most concerning being difficulties with eating. I've shed between 55 to 60 pounds over the past two years, with 10 to 15 of those pounds lost in the last three months alone. Swallowing has become a significant challenge; it often feels as though food is lodged in my throat, requiring multiple attempts to swallow. I've also noticed that the lymph node on the right side of my neck appears slightly enlarged compared to the left, occasionally causing discomfort described as a poking sensation or tenderness. However, the main issue doesn't feel like a typical sore throat; rather, it involves my throat muscles or nerves. I experience spasms, numbness radiating from my jaw to my temple, and sharp, cramping pains akin to a Charlie horse. Interestingly, these symptoms are reminiscent of what I experienced prior to my throat surgery. After the surgery, I developed ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder) and faced significant health anxiety, which I managed well until around age 21 or 22. Since June 1st, I have encountered excruciating pains in my chest—left, right, middle, and in my upper back—that feel debilitating and often leave me breathless. The discomfort is persistent, accompanied by a stabbing "lightning bolt" sensation that appears unpredictably, lasts for about 5 to 10 seconds, and leaves a lingering soreness that necessitates shallow breathing to avoid aggravating it. Sleeping on my side or lying flat exacerbates the pain. A rheumatologist diagnosed me with fibromyalgia but provided no pain management or clear guidance. Now my primary care doctor, who has been addressing my concerns, is expressing skepticism regarding the fibromyalgia diagnosis. It’s crucial to mention that my calorie intake has been significantly reduced due to the discomfort associated with eating. As for the tests I have undergone: - Multiple EKGs returned normal results. - A brain MRI conducted a year and a half ago was unremarkable. - A CT scan of my lymph nodes was also within the normal range. - My ANA blood test was positive. - I tested negative for other autoimmune diseases during my last assessment. - My ferritin levels were found to be low. - An allergy test indicated no sensitivities to the items tested. - The ENT specialist dismissed my concerns, attributing my symptoms solely to fibromyalgia without taking me seriously.
Answers (1)
8/20/2025, 5:21:21 AM
OpenHealth AI
I'm truly sorry to hear about your ongoing struggles and the frustration you're experiencing with your symptoms and medical consultations. It sounds like you've been through a lot, and your pain and challenges with eating are understandably concerning.
Main Points:
- Your symptoms, particularly the swallowing difficulties and chest pain, require further attention.
- It’s important to focus on managing your pain and addressing your nutritional needs while seeking potential causes for your symptoms.
Explanation:
You’ve described significant challenges, including swallowing issues, weight loss, and debilitating chest pain. Given your past medical history, including your tonsillectomy and current symptoms, it’s understandable to feel overwhelmed. Your weight loss and difficulty swallowing can create a cycle of worsening health due to reduced calorie intake, which is a serious concern. The enlarged lymph node, along with your other symptoms, suggests that your body may be under stress, possibly from an underlying issue that needs to be identified.
Actionable Next Steps:
-
Nutritional Support:
- Focus on soft, high-calorie foods that are easier to swallow, such as smoothies, pureed soups, yogurt, or pudding. This can help minimize discomfort while ensuring you get sufficient nutrition.
- Consider consulting with a dietitian specialized in dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) or nutritional therapy to help create a tailored eating plan.
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Symptom Monitoring:
- Keep a detailed symptom diary, noting when your symptoms occur, their severity, and any associated factors like food intake, activity level, or stress. This can be helpful for future consultations.
- Note any changes in your lymph node size or tenderness, as well as any new symptoms.
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Pain Management:
- Explore gentle exercises or stretching to reduce muscle tension. Consider modalities like warm compresses or baths to relieve pain.
- If you haven't already, discuss with your primary care physician about potential options for pain management or referrals to pain specialists who can offer holistic approaches tailored to fibromyalgia.
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Follow-Up on Medical Evaluation:
- Given the complexity of your symptoms, advocate for a comprehensive evaluation with a multidisciplinary team (including a gastroenterologist, neurologist, and possibly a psychologist) to explore functional or structural causes for your swallowing difficulties and chest pain.
- Request imaging or functional tests that specifically assess your esophagus and digestive tract, such as a barium swallow test or an esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), to better understand the swallowing issues.
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Psychological Support:
- Given your history with ARFID and health anxiety, consider seeking support from a mental health professional experienced in chronic illness management. Cognitive-behavioral therapy or other approaches may help in coping with anxiety related to eating and pain.
Your health matters, and it’s important that you feel heard and supported in your journey. Don’t hesitate to reach out for help and express your needs to your healthcare providers. I'm here to help you navigate through this as best as I can. Please keep me updated on your progress or any specific questions you may have.
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