brownowl
02-11-2005, 08:00 PM
Hello, I am new to this, so please excuse me if I do not do this very well. I've got a problem with my throat and ear. In October 2003, I had a tooth pulled, it was abscessed, but the dentist said it would just drain away. That was bad. Within a week, my throat and my ear were killing me. So, went to the doctor. He said I had a fever, white blood count is high, sed rate is high. He said I had infection in the glands of my neck, so tried antibiotics, actually 3 of them. Still they do not work. Went to an ENT, she told me it was probably a salivary gland that was not functioning, try lemon juice. Did that, no not it, so went back to her and she couldn't help me. So, tried another ENT, did a MRI and CT, said looks good, no cancer. That is good because I never thought it was in the first place. So, to make a long story short for the past year I've been trying to find out what is going on. I cannot hear very well out of my right ear and it really hurts, I have pain by my adam's apple and swollen glands from the center of my throat on the right side to my ear. The fever is there everyday 100-103. The sed rate is about 3x what it should be. And I am really tired, even though I sleep. Over the past year I have been on prednisone on and off, it helps reduce the swelling and after about 3 days, I can hear again until I have to stop taking it. I haven't taken any in about 3 months. It is getting a little tough recently because now there are times when I cannot swallow. My throats gets real tight and I cannot speak, drink, nothing for about 2 minutes. It is getting a little scary because it is happening more frequently now. I went back to the ENT and he said that he can feel something, but the CT scan and Barium Swallow tests showed nothing. They've taken a lot of blood tests, but nothing seems to be pointing in the right direction. Any help would be greatly appreciated, because I really don't know what my next step should be. Thank you.
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tiggerwoo
02-11-2005, 08:11 PM
Hi, have you tried blood cultures..... if there is an infection, which with a fever there may be then it will help tell what will cure it... Good luck Clare
brownowl
02-11-2005, 08:25 PM
Yes, tried that last October. They said that they look ok and now have termed the fever of an unknown origin, believed to be infection related because of the white-blood count and the sed rate. So, now will not prescribe any further antibiotics until they are knowing what they are dealing with since they said that it could do more harm than good. Though, I wish they would try something. The ENT thought it could be infection in the muscles of your neck/throat. I have never heard of that before, but I am still waiting on what he wants to do next. But, I'm beginning to wonder if waiting is such a good thing. Every time I go and try to find some information on this, it points to a possible Thyroid problem; however, they tell me my levels are ok. TSH level .92. I don't really know. Is that an ok level?
tiggerwoo
02-11-2005, 08:49 PM
I really sympathise with you...... have a similar prob, after a recent chest/throat infection, which is currently in my knee after spreading through my bloodstream. Could be an infection in the throat/neck...... best advice I can give you is to do what I am doing and try and boost your immune system with high doses of echinacea, garlic and vit C so your body will try and fight back...... Keep us posted on how you're doing.
Clare
Clare
twizliz
02-11-2005, 08:54 PM
have you been tested for mono?
brownowl
02-12-2005, 12:29 PM
Yes, they've taken a lot of blood tests for: Mono (twice), Epstein-Barr virus, Rheumatoid Arthritis, MS, and Sjorgren's (sp?). But nothing, and I really feel bad, but I don't know what to tell them. Now they are telling me that the fever is causing problems with my blood sugar levels. And, now the ENT says that he doesn't think it is life-threatening, but he isn't sure. (Now there's a comforting thought.)