Concerns About Possible Spleen Issues or Just Anxiety?
I’m a 24-year-old female, standing at 5'3" and weighing 135 pounds. I smoke weed daily and consume alcohol on a regular basis, about one to four times a week. The only medication I take is 50mg of sertraline to help with my depression and anxiety. Beginning on August 13, I encountered a rather unpleasant illness characterized by a sore throat, coughing up green mucus, fever, and headaches. I visited urgent care on the 16th as I was experiencing wheezing at night. I tested negative for COVID-19, strep throat, and the flu. The doctor prescribed me antibiotics, which unfortunately led to a yeast infection—though that’s an entirely different problem—and sent me home. My cough persisted for a couple of weeks and has mostly resolved now, nearly a month later. However, my throat issues improved for a time but have unfortunately returned. I still have slightly swollen tonsils with noticeable red streaks and white patches. Today, I've been experiencing sharp pains beneath my left ribcage that seem to fluctuate based on my posture, along with a feeling of bloating in my abdomen. I am left wondering whether this might indicate mononucleosis or perhaps an enlarged spleen, or if I’m simply overreacting. I have a routine doctor's appointment scheduled in two weeks, but I’m considering whether it would be wise to reschedule for an earlier visit. I’d appreciate your thoughts on the symptoms I’ve described!
Answers (1)
9/10/2025, 10:50:41 PM
OpenHealth AI
It's understandable to feel concerned about your symptoms, especially when they linger and change over time. Your description includes both respiratory issues and potential abdominal discomfort, which can indeed spark worries about conditions like mononucleosis or spleen enlargement.
Key Points
- Your sore throat, cough, and fever indicate a previous infection but the return of symptoms, along with sharp left rib pain, warrants closer attention.
- The symptoms you’re experiencing may relate to lingering effects of your recent illness, anxiety, or possible conditions that need examination like spleen enlargement.
- It's wise to evaluate your symptoms further rather than wait for your routine appointment.
Explanation
The initial respiratory infection you described, with symptoms of sore throat and cough, could have led to complications or secondary infections. The sharp pain below your left rib, along with a feeling of bloating, might suggest several possibilities, including splenic issues, muscular strain, or gastrointestinal discomfort. While mononucleosis can cause spleen enlargement and abdominal discomfort, other factors should also be considered.
Your anxiety about these symptoms is entirely normal, especially in light of your recent health history and concerns about more serious conditions. However, it’s crucial to prioritize clarity on your current health state.
Next Steps
-
Seek Earlier Evaluation: Given your ongoing symptoms and the pain you’re experiencing, consider scheduling an earlier appointment with your healthcare provider. It's important to discuss your symptoms, particularly the pain beneath your ribcage and the return of throat issues.
-
Monitor Symptoms: Keep a daily log of your symptoms, noting any changes or patterns, especially regarding pain intensity, any activity that makes it worse or better, and how your throat feels.
-
Symptom Management: In the meantime, focus on self-care—stay well-hydrated, rest, and consider over-the-counter pain relievers (like acetaminophen) to help with discomfort. Avoid smoking and alcohol as they can exacerbate inflammation and irritation.
-
Watch for Warning Signs: If you notice any severe symptoms such as extreme pain, difficulty in breathing, persistent high fever, or significant abdominal pain, seek medical attention right away.
Ultimately, addressing these concerns sooner rather than later can help ease your mind and lead to appropriate treatment. Remember, it’s always better to err on the side of caution when it comes to health. Please reach out if you need more advice or support!
Related Questions
Enlarged Lymph Nodes
As a 20-year-old female not taking any medications at the moment, I wanted to share my recent health issue. Approximately three months ago, I experienced contact dermatitis due to hair dye, which caused swelling in my ears and oozing bumps along my scalp. After visiting the doctor, I was treated with prednisone and amoxicillin/clavulanate for a week, and thankfully, the symptoms subsided. However, just a week post-recovery, I noticed that the lymph nodes behind my ear became swollen. Specifically, the nodes located posterior to the auricle have remained enlarged and firm ever since. Could this be a result of the earlier contact dermatitis?
Navigating My Unexplained Medical Dilemma: A Cry for Help from a 21-Year-Old
Hello there, I’m a real individual sharing a glimpse into my life over the past several months. While I often find humor in tough situations, I sincerely find myself at a standstill and am seeking insights. **Background Information** I am battling chronic hypothyroidism and significant scoliosis, along with a few other unrelated health issues. I am on a regimen of 50mcg Levox, and fortunately, I am asymptomatic concerning my hypothyroidism. There’s a history of various ailments in my family, particularly a pituitary tumor on my dad’s side and irritable bowel syndrome on my mom’s side. Yes, this is yet another case centered around digestion, but I can’t help it! **The Enigmatic Illness** For approximately six months now, I have been experiencing an unusual state of constant, unwarranted arousal. Unlike typical arousal, this feels like a transcendent bliss akin to an afterglow experienced after an unforgettable moment. I get a flood of oxytocin that makes it challenging to remain conscious. This sensation occurs multiple times daily for several weeks, followed by a brief reprieve before returning. I’ve tried many remedies, yet nothing seems effective. It feels as though my entire reproductive system has become engorged. There’s a peculiar heaviness to it, accompanied by tension pulling on nearby muscles without any pain. Bending forward intensifies the pressure on my ovaries, but it’s neither painful nor pleasant, just a persistent feeling of pressure. The bouts of arousal can last for hours several times each day, showcasing a tingling sensation primarily in the left ovary, extending to a sensation akin to the vagina expanding significantly, even impacting my belly size temporarily. The external appearance resembles regular belly fat, culminating in an intense feeling of euphoria and warmth throughout my body. It’s cozy yet inconvenient, and I'm sincerely not losing my mind; it genuinely feels like my body is administering narcotics against my will. It’s an outrageous situation, which explains my hesitation to seek hospital treatment later. To clarify, I’m not pregnant, single, and not involved in any sexual activities when this started. The oddest symptom pertains to my stomach. It gives off a strange sensation reminiscent of a waterbed. My back feels irregularly soft while my stomach is noticeably distended but lacks firmness. It shifts side to side, filling up intermittently, yet isn't impacted while using the restroom or at all correlated with the hyper-arousal episodes. About a month ago, I hypothesized that I had caught “the stomach flu.” This began with mild cramping in my lower abdomen lasting a few days and some occasional minor spitting up - around 60ml daily, with no feelings of nausea, allowing me to eat without issue. However, I experienced no bowel movements, and considering my medical background, this wasn’t shocking, though not typical for me. I eventually passed hard, dark, and notably painful stools, leading to a small fissure that healed. Days passed without any resolution until I experienced an overwhelming need to relieve myself, followed by a flow of overflow post-bowel movement—an immense sense of relief. The next day, abdominal cramps intensified, drawing attention to the left inguinal crease with a sharp pain in the groin region. This created random spurts of intense pain in the left ovary, appearing without clear triggers. I also noticed mild bloating, with a soft, tender stomach below the navel that felt fluid-like, creating a lumpy sensation upon touch. I suspected a possible hernia. Later, I encountered a painful pulling sensation on my left side, around the piriformis muscle or its vicinity. The discomfort felt like a tear. However, if I kept my left leg bent while lying flat, the pain disappeared. Any other position caused a return of the painful sensation, including pain in the hip joint that made walking challenging, forcing me to limp uncomfortably. As dusk approached, my left leg became entirely numb while lying down and tremored, making it impossible to seek assistance. Instead, I opted for a nap. I awoke three hours later to find my leg was recovering. That night was restless due to the persistent discomfort. Come morning, I made the poor decision to eat a soft pretzel. Upon standing, I suddenly felt incredibly disoriented. Suddenly unable to walk properly, I stumbled upstairs, grappling with numbness and persistent vertigo, with each step becoming increasingly painful. I nearly collapsed on the stairs and had to lean against the bathroom wall. Once seated, I realized I couldn’t stand up again. A deep sense of dread washed over me, mixed with nostalgia for Michael Jackson. In moments, my face flushed with heat, soon followed by full-body chills, reminiscent of fever, combined with involuntary shaking. Hyperventilating from panic, I controlled my breathing and monitored the situation. I soon felt my abdomen swelling rapidly until it became rigid from my ribs to my groin. I was unable to bend, experiencing a sensation similar to cold water cascading down my right calf. Then came fierce cramps combined with nausea that led to vomiting. The bowel movements that followed were painful yet manageable. I wrestled through a second wave of vomiting before feeling drained and sore. Having adjusted my routine, I began taking 35mg of senna laxatives daily, which restored my ability to pass softer, correctly colored stools, but they remained too soft for my liking. Although I considered going to the hospital, I was hesitant due to the notoriously long wait times and chaotic management, which many people I know have experienced. The following day, after that tumultuous experience, I began observing something unusual beneath my skin—suspicious elongated, painful objects. I immediately speculated on potential hernia issues. They felt like intestines in size, and every time I laid flat and pulled in my stomach, they seemed to shift inward, refusing to retract entirely. Any pressure on them caused excruciating pain. I could feel them moving across my body, creeping from my sides to my back and down my butt, even settling in the skin of my buttock. The discomfort made any position—standing, sitting, or lying down—agonizing. Existence became challenging. Concerned, I had my mother, a former LPN, examine them; after moving them around, she expressed concern yet confusion. We attempted to go to urgent care, but they had closed early. When we returned home, I collapsed onto a hard wooden chair, and getting up afterward left my backside numb. I managed to walk to the bathroom mirror only to discover a long, dark bruise-like line across my back above the buttocks that was initially numb but stung terribly afterward, vanishing within a few hours. At this point, I am convinced I have a hernia of sorts or perhaps something entirely different. Another peculiar notice was a massive purple and red lump on my lower left back. It didn’t stretch the skin but was round and bumpy. It felt unnerving, like an oversized ball had made a home inside me, pressing from the inside. Desperate for relief, I sucked in my stomach for as long and hard as I could. With two painful pops, it shifted out of sight yet left inflammation behind. I felt instant relief, though I was far from emotionally settled. Somehow, I began to doubt my sanity, attempting to rationalize these experiences. However, that day I developed skin manifestations resembling bumps all over, similar to cylinder-like shapes on my thighs and other areas. Alongside the major lump on my left leg, I found my knee rendered immobile due to swelling. I encountered numerous bumps across my abdomen and finally on my arms and breasts, manifesting as a strange, shifting mass beneath my skin. With my arms raised, the sensation flooded upwards, yet I woke up the next morning to find it vanished. At this point, it's evident that this is not solely in my head. In recent days, I’ve felt relatively normal except for the softer stool issue. In a moment of recklessness, I decided to use a toy during masturbation. Though cautious about allergies, I sensed something was amiss and stopped. A subtle pulling sensation emerged, followed by abdominal inflation, coupled with a painful “cylinder” re-emerging in my upper abdomen. Though the pain returned, it was significantly muted. However, I did trigger the ovary pressure and heaviness symptoms, albeit without the euphoric or tingling feelings, alongside brown bruising on my belly. I am eager to converse about my dilemma, and if anyone could provide even the faintest clue, it would be immensely appreciated! I hope sharing my medical puzzle was interesting—wishing peace to all! ✌️
Could Pancreatitis Attacks Be Brief?
I’m a 39-year-old female, weighing 140 pounds and standing 5'5". For over three years, I have been on a regimen including Lamotrigine, Methylphenidate, and Tirzepatide. Lately, I've been undergoing peculiar gastrointestinal episodes that primarily occur at night, typically about an hour after I settle down for the evening. These episodes are marked by extreme abdominal discomfort—pain so severe, it's unmatched by anything I’ve encountered previously—followed by bouts of vomiting and watery diarrhea. Generally, once the diarrhea hits, the intense stomach ache tends to lessen within an hour. The pain is centered around my abdomen but also radiates to my back. My recent habit of drinking wine has become more frequent, averaging up to two glasses, although I occasionally indulge three to five times a week. While it's not the case that all my episodes coincide with wine consumption, a noticeable number seem to follow after drinking. Just last night, I had a particularly painful episode that began right after I snacked on some peanut M&Ms. Although my diet is relatively balanced, I’ve been confronting some nutritional deficiencies, prompting me to boost my meat consumption significantly. Hydration has also been a struggle for me; I consistently carry around water and an electrolyte drink in an effort to stay adequately hydrated. I have been using Tirzepatide for quite some time, and I routinely have my pancreas and kidney functions evaluated. Thankfully, there have been no reported issues concerning pancreatitis. Most recently, in March, my tests showed no specific problems, but my amylase levels were on the lower side at 17 u/L, while all other markers remained normal. I find myself worried that I may have developed pancreatitis, yet these incidents are brief, lasting merely a couple of hours. Could it be an alternative issue, like indigestion or gastritis? I have strong suspicions about a B12 deficiency, as my levels have been low, and I’m experiencing a variety of unusual symptoms including pale lips, tingling sensations in my hands and legs, shortness of breath, a rapid pulse, and overwhelming fatigue. When I last had blood work done, my doctor dismissed concerns about anemia and recommended supplements. Although some symptoms have alleviated, others persist. I have an appointment with my primary care physician scheduled for next month.
Cervical Spondylosis: A Personal Account
My mother, a 57-year-old woman standing at 5'6" and weighing approximately 120 pounds, has been grappling with neck pain for the past four to five months. After having been a former smoker, she resides in Iowa and her symptoms have been escalating. She initially consulted with her general practitioner who recommended physical therapy; however, this approach not only proved ineffective but caused her additional physical discomfort. A subsequent carpal tunnel evaluation returned normal results. As the pain in her neck intensified, she began to experience a decline in the functionality of her arms, prompting her doctor to order an MRI. The results were concerning: the GP diagnosed her with significant arthritis in her neck, likening it to that of an individual in their 70s. Following this, she was directed to a pain management clinic. There, the physician explained that her vertebrae were densely packed with minimal spacing, which placed undue pressure on her nerves. She received a cortisone injection, but this too was ineffective. Next, my mother was sent to an orthopedic surgeon who informed her that surgical intervention was the only option available. They prescribed gabapentin, which improved her arm functionality; yet, her neck pain remained severe, severely restricting her movement. Upon referral to a spinal surgeon, she was told there were no apparent issues. They suggested more physical therapy. Frustrated, she was then referred to a neurologist who conducted a nerve study—my mother described this procedure as a painful experience involving a needle and electrodes searching for her nerves. Yet again, no abnormalities were detected. Now, she finds herself at a crossroads with no promising avenues for alleviation. The only advice reiterated is to pursue more physical therapy, and her intense pain seems to go unnoticed by those treating her. Moreover, she is wary of the long-term usage of gabapentin due to potential side effects. Her daily life has been significantly impacted; she struggles to drive for extended periods, dress herself, or manage basic hygiene tasks like washing her hair. I’m reaching out to see if anyone here has undergone similar experiences or could offer any guidance.
Understanding CRPS: My Personal Experience
At 22 years old, standing 5 feet 3 inches tall and weighing 220 pounds, I have been navigating the complex challenges of a medical condition following a significant injury to my hand. Four months ago, I sustained an oblique fracture to my fourth metacarpal that was not only displaced but also shortened by nearly 5mm. Despite my insistence on needing surgical intervention, several medical professionals dismissed the seriousness of my injury, failing to recognize the extent of the damage and its implications for my recovery. Since having the cast removed, I've encountered a multitude of difficulties. My hand has remained consistently swollen and painful, limiting my ability to perform even the simplest tasks. Unfortunately, I received minimal guidance or resources from my medical team, but through experimentation, I managed to discover a supportive brace that has proven somewhat effective for my needs. About four weeks ago, I observed a marked reduction in swelling, yet a prominent red discoloration emerged along the dorsal aspect of the fracture site – precisely where the bone protrudes by approximately 2mm. Accompanying this was an increase in sharp pain, especially when the surrounding soft tissue moved over the area, intensifying as the swelling subsided. In a matter of days, the pain endured and manifested as a significant discoloration, with the skin beginning to thin. I’ve become acutely aware of a cyclical pattern of pain that seems to alternate with my activity levels. Over consecutive days, the discomfort builds as I use my hand, often culminating in a sudden increase in pain within an hour, regardless of whether swelling is present. Following such episodes, rest—sometimes alongside medication—allows the pain to diminish over several hours. During these times, I experience notable pain localized around the fracture site and even in areas of my palm and between the metacarpals. It appears that mechanical triggers, such as gripping objects or long periods of holding things, exacerbate my condition. Anti-inflammatory medications provide moderate relief, while muscle relaxants do not seem to help at all. I try to limit my reliance on the brace, but when worn for extended periods, it can sometimes grant me a brief window of pain-free activity. What puzzles me is that I lack many characteristic symptoms of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) aside from the persistent pain and skin changes. My hand specialist insists that they are unable to provide further assistance, yet I do not experience discoloration in other areas of my hand during pain flares, nor do I observe significant swelling where it is affected. Pressing on the painful regions does not typically cause discomfort, except for when applying considerable pressure directly on the fractured site or during movement when tissue interacts with it. The swelling itself also seems to fluctuate randomly, which makes me question its relation to CRPS. None of the classic symptoms align with my experience. I have diligently adhered to my rehabilitation program without noticeable improvement, and my therapist has recommended I undergo a reevaluation before progressing with treatment. Admittedly, I am not a medical expert and possess limited knowledge regarding this condition, yet I firmly believe that the CRPS diagnosis does not resonate with my situation. Based on my findings, the therapeutic approaches typically recommended for CRPS do not align with my specific challenges, leading me to doubt their potential effectiveness in my case. While I am not actively seeking a diagnosis, I yearn for a clearer understanding of CRPS, hoping to gain insights that could better illuminate how my symptoms might relate to this condition.