Have been sick - still need help

[cometcatcher]

Hi guys, I've just been in the hospital for 5 days with a really bad sore throat. Went home cos I couldn't sleep in there and I miss my fiancee, plus all sign of infection has gone away. However the pain remains. The only way I'm eating is with Xylocaine Viscous.

It all started 3 weeks ago as a tickle in the throat, than a cough, then a mild sore throat. Got worse a week ago to the point where it was too painful to swallow saliva, so in the hospital I went. Ran a temp up to 39 for some days but it has dropped to normal again. All sign of infection has cleared up.

While I was in there I got a contrast CT scan and went to see and ENT that had a good look down with a scope. All looked like a normal throat, except for one problem, it still hurts like crazy!

The only irregular thing on the CT scan was " A few prominent subcentimetre sized lymph nodes are seen in the bilateral cervical regions, likely reactive. " I assume these reactive lymph nodes are the problem? How do I get rid of them?

Is there a doctor in the house or has anyone gone through the same thing?

[Kunama]

Sorry to hear you're not well Kevin, can't help with the diagnosis. Since you're up, there is a good chance to catch up on some Messiers although that big orange star is on the rise.

Hope you feel better soon.

[Atmos]

Sorry to hear about your throat Kevin :/

I am no doctor so take what I say with many grains of salt; do not swallow them in your current condition however ;)
I wouldn't advise removing the lymph nodes in your throat, they are a pretty integral part of your immune system. They do become inflamed when you are sick or have an infection, being a part of your immune system and all. If you had a throat infection recently, it seems pretty standard that they would be enlarged.

As for the pain... A little bit of cyanide will fix that problem... Ill advised if you want to continue feeling anything else however :lol:

[geolindon]

Sorry to hear you are unwell Kevin.

I thought you had been a bit quiet but put it down to the late wet n no bright comets.

As the doc.s couldn't find any more problems, I hope that your ongoing issues are lingering after effects and that your body will gradually get on top of it.

Best wishes, get well soon! Lindon

[cometcatcher]

Thanks, but astronomy season it isn't here in the tropics. Rained all night and when it clears it will rain mossies!



Maybe if I gargle a little? ;)



Kind of glad there's no bright comets at the moment. I may have to miss them. Been a bit busy lately with the future wife. ;)

[casstony]

I'd be seeing another specialist, perhaps one with a good reputation working in one of the capital city hospitals?

[Renato1]

Agreed. I have known of several cases where capital city doctors gave totally different diagnosis compared to country doctors.
Regards,
Renato

[Kunama]

Maybe it is all the talking with your fiancée, try to push through the pain barrier and talk as much as you can, once you're married you won't be allowed to......;)

[gary]

Hi Kevin,

I am not a doctor either so ignore any advice that may be implied in the
following.

However, as Colin mentioned, your lymph nodes being reactive typically
means they are enlarged to fight off some infection.

Cutting them out would be like shooting the messenger.

If they did any blood pathology you could ask them to explain the results
to you.

As I understand it, a higher white blood cell count can
be a tell-tale that the body is fighting some antigen and a higher than
normal c-reactive protein (CRP) level can indicate the body has
triggered an inflammatory response.

Hope you recover soon!

[cometcatcher]

Will I still be allowed to use sign language? ;)

[cometcatcher]

Thanks Gary. Yes WCC is up, dunno if they tested CRP. Probably sky high.

[Kunama]

There are of course acceptable signs that you will be able to use, I will list some here:

:D
:thanx:
:bowdown:
:love2:
:love:
But realistically even most of those will be treated as sarcasm :shrug:
She on the other hand will have a whole new set for you
Get well soon for the comets will not judge...

[cometcatcher]

Haha! Yeah I do use those. On the plus side she bought me a nice little shed to use as an observatory. :)

[deanm]

That shed is for you (my emphasis!)

Dean

[casstony]

During a 9 month long pursuit of the cause of my chronic condition I was explicitly told by my GP to stop seeing doctors as I would just get confused. Eventually my mother suggested a blood test (which I had to demand) which led to an answer :rolleyes:

[cometcatcher]

Been thinking of testing for EBV since my glands hurt like crazy.

[casstony]

An infectious diseases physician might be worth a shot - probably test you for half a dozen or so likely suspects.

[Terry B]

Exactly. As a country Dr we get it correct much more often. :P

[xelasnave]

I found a site...

http://www.healthline.com/health/swollen-lymph-nodes

hope it helps you make some appointments.
Good luck just make sure getting fixed up is on top of your to do list.

[RobF]

Have you had a talk to your Dr at all Kevin?

Would be surprising if someone admitted with infection hadn't also had a decent panel of tests for EBV, PUO, etc. Not a lot they can do if its viral although from what you describe some bacteria sound to have had a party too at some point.

Sound advice from other here re your lymphatic system too - only time you'd be looking to lose nodes is nearby malignancy. Otherwise they're doing their job halting the "intruders".

Glad to hear you've escaped from hospital in any case. Hope you continue to improve. :thumbsup:

[cometcatcher]

Well today was less painful so ate well, but tonight it's bad again.

Haven't had any tests for anything. Right now in too much pain to think clearly. Will try to think again tomorrow.

[graham.hobart]

Hi Kevin, hope you are feeling well.
The lymph nodes are likely reactive as they respond to localised (usually) infection by enlarging and making antibodies. Sometimes these become tender when they enlarge.
Your CRP may be high but that is an acute phase protein made by the liver and is a marker for inflammation/infection but does not help with the diagnosis. Is good way of measuring treatment response though. Will be modified by taking anti biotics.
Sometimes I have given steroids to people who have incredibly inflamed painful throats that cannot swallow.
I would think that an ENT consult plus CT that you had was pretty detailed investigations for a three week sore throat. EBV is good idea - sometimes a rise in the monocytes on the blood film will hint at that.
Have you had any treatment?
Hope its getting better
Best regards
Graham (another Country Doctor!)

[cometcatcher]

Hi Graham, thanks for the info.

The pain is starting to ease off now in the daytime. I can eat without anesthetic. I never realised how painful these lymph nodes can become. If it isn't EBV, it sure as hell feels like it!

I'm still very weak. Have to walk slowly and pace myself. But hopefully this is the turn around and will improve from here.

[RickS]

Get well soon, Kevin!

[cometcatcher]

Thanks Rick.