Question: Symptoms not explained or going away.

Symptoms starting with the most obvious/annoying/most discomfort.

1. Swollen lymph nodes in neck

2. Sore neck muscles starting on the sides and all under my chin extending to the bottom of my neck.

3. Burning sensation on both sides of my neck, warm to the touch.

4. Had sore throat for a week or two then went away.

5. Notice draining from clear mucus as i swallow. Most in the morning.



I have had MONO about 2-3 years ago so doctor thought this was Epstein-Barr but symptoms are present for 3-5 months.



I have had bad allergies mainly on the weekends when I'm outside or at my parents more in the country + a dog and cat at home. Very stuffy, constant runny nose and sneezing. A lot of clear mucus but as soon as i return to XXXXXXX they have gone away.



I work with Cats every week. Scratches and bites occasionally. Lymes?



Symptoms noticed most when:



- Wearing dress shirts with rigid collar and ties Monday-Thursday. Symptoms much less and not magnified Friday-Sunday when i do not wear dress shirt or tie. By Friday my neck is very sore, hurts, burning sensation on the sides. Sore in the back of my neck also at the top of my spine. But mostly on the sides and front. This magnifies my symptons x 100. I am almost symptom free Friday-Sunday.



I had blood work, CT scan on the neck. Nothing really seemed to explain except Epstein-barr but it has been present for 3-5 months and its eating away at me. Have tried allergy medication but convinced its something more. An infection?

Asked by 000000



Doctor's reply to your question above...
Brief Answer:
The entire array can be explained by allergic reaction

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.

I have very carefully gone through the details and have the explanation for the mentioned symptoms. Let me mention that allergy or hypersensitivity occurs when the body thinks some harmless item to be harmful and reacts to it. Thus it could react to dog or cat fur, dust, pollens or practically anything in the world. You seem to have such a tendency. This tendency is responsible for your symptoms and since the triggers are still present, your problems are persisting.

Such a thing makes you more prone to catching cold or getting sore throats. These are generally viral infections although occasionally it can be bacterial. The localization of the infection into the regional lymph nodes is responsible for the lymph node enlargement and the associated inflammation is responsible for the warm feeling and burning sensation. The continued presence of the triggers is making the symptoms persist.

I understand that you are working with cats but it might be helpful if you can do without them. It is not Lyme's disease but the very contact with cats may be worsening the symptoms. You could also be reacting to cotton dust, the material of your dress, or the sweat associated. Taking a allergy test / patch test could help in pointing to the triggers

Taking some medicines like monteleukast+levocetirizine (available in branks like Montek-LC) once daily off and on for a few days as required, should help. You might need to get it written by a doctor.

Hope that helps.

Regards

Replied by Dr. Prof. XXXXXXX Saha , Sat, 19 Sep 2015

THE QUESTION WAS CLOSED BUT I STILL HAVE SYMPTOMS.

I stopped wearing the dress shirts and ties that I thought were giving me an allergic reaction to my neck. The severity has lessened drastically but I still have symptoms that are not healing.

Symptoms I still have: Swollen Lymph nodes/ Salivary Glands on both sides of my neck. Tightness in neck and jaw joints. Can feel fluid moving around mainly on the left side of my jaw joint. Soar muscles in neck and jaw.

Not sure of the next steps but I haven't tried any medicine or antibiotics to help this heal. I am worried it hasn't gone away now about 4-5 months. I used to smoke a good amount of Hookah and occasional cigar. I haven't since ive noticed symptoms. Is it possible hookah infected my salivary glands or lymph nodes?

It is not pain or something I cant live with but it is scaring me because it hasn't healed yet whatever it was and I haven't been treated medically. Just blood work and CT scan of neck. Saw slightly enlarged right lymph node in neck but deemed not cancerous.

Could this be cancer or something serious? I will be leaving the country in approximately a week to head to China/Japan for 18 days. I am worried about suffering something serious developing away from the US and home. Or if I am allergic to something here maybe it will help me heal? What should the next step be? I am considering an EAR NOSE AND THROAT doctor appointment. Anything else to look into? Sinus infection?

Haven't worked with cats in over a week. No exposure to any animals for past week and half or 2 weeks.

Main concern is lymph nodes/salivary glands swollen for 4-5 months. It is starting to affect me mentally too because now I think something is seriously wrong. I am not sure what to do next or where to start. Wearing just polos has helped the severity but every morning when I wake up the swollen lymph nodes/gands are still there. I am scared about my health and why this isn't going away/healing.

Thanks in advance!

I understand, great. Thank you for your answer. Can I buy this medicine at a local pharmacy or do I need a prescription?