Swollen tonsils aching joints

The thunder shook the house as the rain pelted the windows. Mike awoke to the wind howling wondering how much longer the storm would last. He had come out to the cabin, only a couple hours from the city expecting to spend a quiet weekend away from the city life. Unknowing to him that a storm was on the way. He rolled over and looked at the clock, the green display reads midnight. He closed his eyes and tried to fall back asleep when suddenly he heard a pounding on the door. He sat up and heard it again. “Who could be at my door and in this storm”, he thought. He got up and slowly approach the door hearing the pounding again. Opening the door a crack he sees a small figure standing a few feet away. Nothing but darkness in the background as the lightning flashes illuminated the figure. “Hello? Can I help you?” He asks. “Hi, I’m sorry to bother you but my car broke down. I tried to call a tow truck but I have no service.” the woman says. He stepped back and opened the door. “Please, come in.” As she walks through the door, he notices her clothes are soaked from the rain. “How far did you walk?” He asks. “I’m not sure, a couple miles it felt like”, she replies sounding exhausted. He leaves for a few moments and returns handing you a towel. “Can I get you a drink?”, “Please” she says, as he walks into the kitchen to fetch a glass of water. He returns, handing her the glass. “Thank you, my name is Liz by the way.” “Nice to meet you Liz, my name is Mike. You are welcome to use my phone if you would like.” She smiles, as she walks over to the table and picks up the phone. Mike sits down on the couch turning on the tv. A few moments later Liz returns, “Ugh”. “Bad news?” He asks. “They said no one will come out in this storm till it passes. What am I going to do?”. Just then a deafening rumble of thunder shook the house as the rain started coming down harder. “I don’t think this storm is letting up any time soon, you are more than welcome to wait it out till morning and try calling them back.” Mike offered. “Really? I don’t want to be a bother.” “No, I insist, it’s no bother at all”. Liz smiled, “Thank you, really.”
Shivering, Liz sets her glass down on the table. “I hate to ask, but would you mind if I use the bathroom. Maybe get a hot shower, I am freezing and my clothes are soaked.” “Not at all.” Mike says, standing up. He points down the hallway, “The bathrooms on the left, if you would like I can toss your clothes in the dryer for you too.” Liz smiles. “Thank you so much! I’ll leave them outside the door.” Liz turns and walks down the hallway, finding the bathroom and walking inside. Standing at the sink she takes a deep breath. Seeing herself in the mirror thinking “I look a wreck”. At 5’ 3”, she was considered average. Shoulder length brown hair and eyes that changed colors based on her mood, or so it seemed. With her athletic build and toned legs, she still felt her body ache from the miles she just walked. Slowly she stripped off her wet clothes, leaving them in a pile just outside the bathroom door. Sliding open the glass door to the shower she stepped inside, turning the shower on as she felt the hot water rain down over her body. Sitting on the couch Mike hears the shower turn on. Getting up he walks down the hallway finding the wet pile of clothes at the bathroom door. As he approaches, he notices the door open a couple inches. The light from inside escaping through the crack. He leans down to pick up the clothes and pauses. The bathroom is filled with steam from the hot water. The faint outline of a woman’s body behind the fogged-up glass door. He freezes. Quietly Liz begins to hum, eyes closed as she washes her hair under the hot water. Her hands begin moving across her body as she washes the sweat and dirt off her. Mike kneels frozen just on the other side of the door, knowing he shouldn’t be looking but his legs unwilling to move. In the shower, Liz’s hands drift along her skin. Caressing her breasts for a moment as she smiles to herself, she’s always been happy with how full they were. Perky and just large enough to fill a grown man’s hand. Her hands explore lower, as she washes her stomach and then her legs. She sighs, starting to feel better now that she is warm and clean. As she turns the water off, Mike snaps out of his frozen state. Gathering up the clothes and rushing down the hall to put them in the dryer. Quickly returning to the kitchen as he retrieves a beer from the fridge and sits back down on the couch flipping through the stations. Stepping out of the shower Liz dries off finding a robe hanging on the back of the bathroom door, she drapes it around her body.
“Thank you so much, I feel much better”, she says, as she walks into the living room. Mike jumps slightly, startled by her voice then smiles. “You’re welcome, your clothes are in the dryer,” as he notices the robe she had on. Liz walks over and sits down on the couch, slowly crossing one leg over the other. “This robe will do for now,” she says with a smile. Mike gets up and walks into the kitchen, “Would you like a drink?”. “Sure” Liz says, “Whatever you are drinking.” As Mike returns, he can’t help but notice Liz’s toned legs, the robe resting mid-thigh. He hands Liz a beer as she smiles and lets out a small laugh. “What is so funny?”, he asks. She looks down at him while raising an eyebrow. “Is something the matter?” He scrunches his eyebrows wondering what she meant, as he looked down. He gasps, realizing a small bulge had formed in his pants, a likely result of the unexpected show he witnessed not long ago. He turned away quickly, “I’m sorry” he says. She laughed, “its ok, I expected it.” Mike turns his head back towards her, “You expected it?” “Yes, I mean, after watching me shower I would be upset if you didn’t have one. Mikes eyes grow big, shocked and embarrassed that she knew he was watching her. “I, didn’t mean to, the door was just cracked open and I was getting your clothes…” he stumbles trying to explain himself. She smiles as she stands up, “Did you like what you saw?” He takes a big gulp as he nods. She slowly undoes the tie holding the robe together, letting the robe fall off her body and onto the floor. “Is this what you wanted to see?” His heart begins beating faster, her naked body on full display in front of him. She slowly reaches out as she takes his hand in hers, bringing it up to her chest as it cups her breast. His breathing increases as he feels her nipple harden against the palm of his hand as he instinctively begins to squeeze her breast. She lets out a quiet moan as she smiled at him. Reaching forward she rests her hand on the now large bulge in his pants. He jumps slightly as he feels the pressure of her hand against it. “Oh my, we seem to have a problem here.” She says, as she slowly begins to unbutton his pants, pulling the zipper down ever so slowly. He sighs as he feels the cool air rush into his pants as she unzips them. Her hand reaching inside as she releases his manhood. A smile forms on her face as it enters her view. Fully erect as his blood pumps through it. She slowly wraps her fingers around it stroking its full length as she devilishly licks her lips. Mike slowly closes his eyes as he feels her fingers around him, letting out a slight moan. “Are you enjoying that?” she asks, as she continues to stroke his shaft. “Yes” he says, his breathing increasing. Biting her lip, she steps back, leading him to the couch and directing him to sit down. As he sits down, she kneels in front of him. His cock aiming towards the ceiling in front of her as she wraps her fingers around it again. She strokes it a few times before bringing her lips close. Slowly she runs the tip of her tongue from the base of the shaft up to the head feeling it pulse against her tongue. He moans at the feeling of her tongue, as she slowly wraps her lips around the head, sucking gently. “Ugh, yes” he moans, looking down at her. Removing her hand from his shaft she engulfs his entire cock as he feels it enter her throat for the first time. She bobs her head up and down faster as she hears the moans escape his lips. Pausing for a moment, his cock between her lips, she twirls her tongue around the head feeling his hips lifting up slightly under neither her. She moans to herself sending vibrations down his shaft. Slowly he moves a hand to the back of her head, resting it with his fingers intertwined in her hair. She raises her head sucking on the tip for a moment, before removing it from her mouth. Replacing her mouth with her hand again as she strokes his now wet cock. Smiling up at him as she watches some precum run down his shaft she sticks her tongue out to catch it. Moaning again, he ushers her head back down, as she opens her mouth taking his cock between her lips. Bobbing her head faster now, her tongue swirling around his swollen head each time her head comes up. He grips her hair in his fist, the pressure inside him building. She feels his cock pulsing against her tongue and lips as she takes his shaft deeper, wanting to taste his juice. He lets out a groan at the same time she feels him erupt. She lowers her head his cock deep in her throat as she feels the first stream of thick cum fill her stomach. She continues bobbing her head tightening her lips around his cock as she milks him dry, hungerly swallowing each stream he pumps into her awaiting throat. His head falls back against the couch with a loud sigh, his hand collapsing along the side of him. She releases his semi hard cock. Slowly licking around the head making sure not to miss a drop before looking up and smiling at him while licking her lips. Exhausted he drifts off to sleep.

It first started with a small zit on the tip of the ear lobe, it had a black head that spread and inflamed the skin around the cartilage filling it with some kind of liquid and then lymph nodes got swollen around the ear and neck. The infection looked black, and within a weak made a crust that made it unrecognizable that was an insect bite. That is when I went to the doctors and they thought it was viral. That is why I was misdiagnosed so many years.
Since then I get this painful small blisters in the hands, some under the skin like the first picture, some on the surface. around joints. They are dark in appearance with black head and every time they appear they last around 1 - 2 weeks and when they leave the skin gets dry and flaky. But this does not end here, as soon as they disappear the nerve pain starts and I het really achy in the area for a long time.
I really believe that what I am looking at is the infection that havocs my body for such a long time (3yrs). I will not get into details but I do have neurological symptoms similar to MS, ALS.
I would like to know if you have these as well with Lyme.
https://preview.redd.it/qvl9ao2vsx0d1.jpg?width=1067&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4cc0a6402f08be7b034750fc5ea9fc595c0d6784
https://preview.redd.it/8j40kj1vsx0d1.jpg?width=466&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9dbfbf3553e42169d7cf31bff20f7a49b40854d2
https://preview.redd.it/qjskem2vsx0d1.jpg?width=627&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=879f2ca64e8abf0eacfca53c4b8ea0c8893b7f8d

To preface, I used to take Doxy every day for months during Covid for acne, but eventually stopped due to not feeling comfortable relying on an antibiotic so much- even when taken with probiotics. I’ve been able to keep my acne at bay with Spironolactone and a tailored skin routine.
But then last week for the first time ever I broke out into a rosacea flare up around my eyes and cheeks (ocular rosacea). I went to my dermatologist and she prescribed me Doxy 50mg for two weeks. After it seemed like the rosacea was getting worse they upped me to 200 mg a day. I took the two pills along with food, water, and a probiotic and had no stomach pain or discomfort. When I woke up the next day I felt relatively fine until two hours later when I touched my skin and it hurt.
I went to work and as the hours passed my entire body was riddled with aches and pains- I was shivering from feeling cold (to the point my nails were turning blue) and had to leave early to go to a doctor. The doctor did a Flu test and it came back negative, my throat looks fine and the lymph nodes weren’t swollen. He said that the main culprit is most likely the Doxy and to stop taking it to see if I improve.
And while the Doxy isn’t out of my system yet, I still feel terrible. Everything aches and pains as if I have a flu without the other flu symptoms (stomach pain, cough, etc.) My skin feels super sensitive to the touch, my neck and back are stiff and it’s gotten to the point where doing simple tasks such as eating and showering was a chore because I feel so rigid and weak.
My doctor explained that even though I’ve tolerated Doxy in the past, my immune system has changed over the two years and may have developed a sensitivity to it. Saying that my immune system is reacting to the Doxy and thinks there’s an infection so it’s reacting accordingly (hence the aches and pains). I only took the Doxy for 3 days before stopping use.
I just wanted to know if this is a common experience by others, and if so, how long after stopping Doxy did it take for the severe pains and chills to subside? Also, just as a heads up to people who may be starting the medication that it’s a possible side effect. It was helping the rosacea flare up, but the pain is not worth it. I’m going to stay off it and keep track of how I feel to decide whether the Doxy is the culprit or not.

i think i might have something other than hemochromatosis (symptoms are similar to acute lymphoblastic leukemia but im not sure since symptoms overlap). my symptoms first manifested mid april, it started as fatigue , dizziness , loss of appetite. since may first it has progressed to not being able to stand for long periods of time (become dizzy, legs start feeling heavy and joints start hurting and gets bad at night when im just laying down not moving), the pain and feeling in my legs is like i have the flu/covid, full after small amounts of food, sweating in my sleep, headaches that can turn to migraines but i always have that ache, nausea , weakness, more fatigue/energy loss than before, and feeling warm/feverish. my doctors think i have hemochromatosis which i thought usually doesnt start till mid 40s when menopause happens (i am 19). they set up an appointment with hemotology to get tested for everything june 3rd but due to my new and worsening symptoms i messaged my doctor and she advised me to get an in office visit with any provider available. my best friend has ALL and is worried i may have it as well. i wasnt sure if these symptoms are just very similar to hemochromatosis and if anyone else experienced the same too?

Hi all, this is not a troll post/account. It's a throwaway account because I'm writing this with pure embarrassment, please respect that and don't write hurtful things below. Thank you in advance:(
TW: INFECTION ~ BAD SMELLS ~ PUSS.
I 22(F) have had this problem since I was a child in primary school, it's always been here so I thought it was normal until someone (a few close family members, my mom being one) pointed out they could smell something disgusting, and that's where I got paranoid and instantly knew it was me. Bare in mind I stayed at their house for a night, so of course I didn't have my tools (cotton buds, flannels, tissue, salt water) to clean myself, and I didn't want to do it there leaving a lingering smell in their bathroom. It was summer, we were all hot, and of course... IT was hot, and I was wearing leggings and a crop/ish top, I have a feeling every time my clothing uncovered it, the smell just wafted around.
So anyway, after they pointed out they could smell something I had to pretend "Oh yeah wtf is that smell", a few moments passed and I went to the loo, I opened the window, ran the tap and got scrubbing, with my finger (index to be specific), I used hand soap to clean, I cleaned and cleaned and cleaned until it was red all around. I let it air dry and helped the process by fanning it with my hand. I stayed in the toilet a while longer constantly sniffing to make sure the smell was gone. I went back to the living room and acted like I'd just taken the world's longest 💩
Eventually, they found out, weeks after. We all met up again, and they could smell it, and I just admitted "Look guys, it's my belly button I try and stay on top of it". They turned it into this joke, and sometimes I laugh, cause things they say are funny, but a lot of the time deep down it hurts. Real bad.
Now at this point, you're probably wondering, what's the smell? What's up with her?
I think I have a belly button infection. Or something worse, I don't know, but it can get really bad. Since a kid, I've always washed and cleaned it every night, or every time I go to the toilet I'll quickly rub it with some tissue, which always leaves yellow liquid on it... I know, disgusting, I too feel sick at it.
This could be dangerous, but there have been times I've gone to the doctors and said I have a severe ear ache, or bad chest, pretty much anything that'll prescribe me antibiotics. The antibiotics usually work, for a few days and then boom, it's back and worse than ever!
I haven't gone to the doctors specifically about it, because I'm so humiliated by it. My mom tells me all the time -You need to go and get it checked and have it checked- but I have a fear of that as it is, so going to get it checked, and seeing someone about something that has affected me for so long, is so nerve-wracking. It could have gotten really bad by now, and then what? I have a million and 1 reasons I'm hesitant to go.
This is sort of a list of what it can be like TW AGAIN:
• Red & Itchy • Sore • Swollen • Lingering smell • Green/Yellow/Brown gunk, either leaking or shows when I'm cleaning it • Sometimes get shooting pains from my bellybutton to my privates, which hurts • Cramp-like feeling if I move in a certain position or too fast (not often) • Can get dry • Sometimes leaks through clothes, and I have to throw them out. • Weird pain when cleaning (I'll write about it)
I don't know what I can do, I'm terrified to get it checked by a professional. I'm embarrassed about it. It stinks and it's exhausting keeping on top of it, I mean this is the cleaning process

• Boil water, let cool a little & mix salt into it.
• Get a handful of Cotton buds
• Get tissue
• Wet a flannel with warm water
• Put cotton buds inside and rub around (cotton buds cause some weird stabbing pain?)
• Once cotton buds become clear, wet tissue with salt water, put inside and rub around, until the smell isn't so bad.
• Ease the redness & Itchiness with a warm flannel
• Air dry.

^ This is almost like a ritual, every single night.
Please if anyone has anything similar, or knows what this could be, tell me. I don't want to go to... you know where 🥲😢
Thanks for reading 🤍

Hey this may be all over the place and hard to read and I’m sorry I just need to talk and I hope someone understands how I feel. Also I’m not officially diagnosed but both my doctor and I are pretty sure I have an inflammatory bowel disease. Based on my symptoms I feel like it may be Crohns but I will not have any sort of answers until October.
Which brings me to the point of my vent. I have been in what I assume is a flare up for the last three months. On top of that I also have two other disabilities that for the most part have reared their head in the last 2- 5 years. One also affects my joints and mobility and causes chronic aches and pain that I have to see a physical therapist weekly for. So I am BEYOND drained. I have been surprisingly neutral about these recent discoveries. I have had my bad days but for the most part I’ve taken everything, even the weight loss, on the chin.
However today I think I’ve hit my breaking point. This past week has been awful digestion and energy wise. Our weather has been crazy which makes my body ache and my stomach and throat have been crampy beyond belief. However the one that thing that has been keeping me motivated is looking down at the serotonin molecule ring my long term partner gave me a few years ago. It’s a reminder of a little inside joke that makes me smile and think of him because we’re currently long distance. I rarely take it off and if I do I try to put it back on immediately. In addition I wear lots of rings all the time and have no problem. However between Wednesday night and Thursday afternoon is slipped off my finger without my knowledge. It’s the only ring that came off my hand.
I knew my rings were a little loose since the weight loss but why did I have to lose THAT ring out of the six I wear? I just feel like being chronically ill has taken so much away from it’s not even funny. And I still want get any answers or help until October. I hate how my clothes fit, I’m stuck at a job that’s not the best because of the health insurance, and now it’s cost me my only sentimental piece of jewelry.
I’m also fairly young and have had stop pursuing my academic endeavors which sucks because I planned on earning a terminal degree. I have no life plans anymore because my health is so wacky.
My partner says these changes don’t bother him and he’s fine but I just can’t accept that given our age. He would ultimately have to change his life plans entirely to accommodate my life changes and I just feel like that’s a lot to ask from some at our age.
Like my title said… I don’t know how to feel anymore. For me adulthood was going to be the time I finally found inner peace and because I had a kind of turbulent childhood but my plans have been hijacked my an inflammatory bowel disease and a connective tissue disorder.
I also wanted to add that I’m already seeing a therapist and have been working with her for a few years. So it’s not an “Aaahhh I want to end it all moment.” I just literally don’t know how to feel or what to do right now with the few options I have.
If you read the whole thing I appreciate it and if you’re commenting thanks for helping me feel less alone.

I am severe/bedbound and have been for 1.5 years I had sudden severe onset.
However I have all of the symptoms of PEM constantly they’re all just worse when I’ve overdone it by I guess moving too much in bed or talking too much which is crazy to me but I feel like I’m in almost constant PEM unless those are just the symptoms of the condition and I’m guessing my baseline is just severe since I have had a few days without flu like symptoms since I’ve become ill but generally feels like I have a bad flu daily and I wish it could get better :((
Any tips for immune system boosting naturally or pharmacological would be appreciated I obviously had all autoimmune conditions ruled out but I struggle with canker sores, swollen lymph nodes, sore throat, chronic sinusitis, chills, temperature dysregulation, burning skin, sweating, muscle aches and severe fatigue obviously

I’m 24 years old, I had my tonsils removed 9 days ago. Everyday has gotten worse, I have a crazy cough and my uvula is so swollen it sits right on my tongue. I’m constantly spitting loads of saliva and even if I’m staying hydrated all day my throat still burns. I sleep barely an hour a night and wake up in crazy pain. Is this normal and where/when does this start to get better. I thought day 9 I’d be starting to see the end of the tunnel

Hello everyone,
Had several years of strong acute infections several times a year
Since 6 month
This went away
It's kind of latent infection
Like tonsils are very irritated, mornings and evenings hurt a bit, sometimes my lympfnodes swollen
When I do gym they are irritated it's like when you drink spiced up water, you feel the tonsils.
It's not big pain, but you are always aware.
Now 1 month ago was sick, 2 weeks of tonsil hell, but then puff gone again.
Am confused now, if I should get them removed.
I got a surgery appointment.
The surgeon will try to convince me not to do it, I have been in the hospital now 2 times and canceled another 2 times been going there. They told me all crazy bad things to make me wanna avoid it.
Now I dunno, I could live with this ache, could live with the thought that am too weak and scared for this surgery. Could live with 2 or 4 weeks of hell 2 3 4 times a year... I dunno.
Am scared of the surgery. And I don't know if I should do it.
Am not a serious serious case. But am having 3 years now of several infections, 1,5 years kinda serious hell really strong. It's gotten better, I can. Live again. But this constant throat irritation, feeling the tonsil being irritated, like even scale 2 constant hurt... I dunno if I should accept it for the rest of my life.
Ahhh am confused... 😭

Hello, I am a 27F who was previously very athletic and into heavy weightlifting. Symptoms started in 2021 and fast forward to now and I can’t weight lift, can barely do my work so relying mainly on my partner, and basically feeling like I’m falling apart.
Family history

• Grandmother has severe RA

Medicines:

• Norethindrone birth control, imitrex/sumatriptan, Allegra, just started taking quercetin, tumeric, vitamin D + K, and magnesium. Was on 40mg of prednisone for about a month and recently finished a fast taper last week.

Prior to 2021

• Always had some form of feeling sick when stressed, grandma with RA said she faced similar symptoms when she was younger
• Dealt with radiating pain in right leg (pinched nerve feeling), low back pain here and there which I thought was due to weak erector spinae and imbalance due to scoliosis because once I started weight training back aching went away

2021

• May: Overworked at job and developed severe debilating joint pain. Couldn’t even lift 10lbs and starting limping because knee was hurting so badly. Saw a primary care who ran blood tests (C reactive, RF, and anti-ccp) all came back normal so the doc brushed it off thinking it was just my body’s response to stress and because I’m young I’m probably fine. Quit my job and 3 months later went back to feeling normal. Took x-rays of knees, hips and shoulders. Sports medicine doc said knees showed some wear and tear, shoulder showed more wear and tear from overuse injury and called it osteoarthritis in the shoulders, hips were slightly uneven but nothing too remarkable
• Nov: got COVID that resulted in lost of smell and taste, hair loss, pretty bad brain fog, etc.

2022

• July: Covid again, but mild and still have memory issues
• August: Joint pain and feeling of overtraining without working out started appearing (would appear in cycles/phases where I would suddenly not be able to workout and then be fine for a month then back to not feeling well for the rest of 2022)
• Sudden major mood swings (which later found out linked to high cortisol levels), migraines becoming more frequent but still manageable, increased heart rate randomly while at rest, frequent dizzy spells (I would need to sit down sometimes) but always felt like in some form of lightheaded or dizzy state and just learned to adjust as my new “normal”
• Nov- Jan (’23) Severe unknown respiratory virus that lead to bell’s palsy (recovered now), found enlarged pituitary on MRI when looking at the bells palsy as well as herniated disc with nerve compression in neck (which now explained the constant pain in shoulders on top of overuse injury)
• Sometime in 2022 I started having some back pain but it was different than what I’d previously experienced. Pain in shoulders started flaring again as well

2023

• Jan-March: Tested high on cortisol multiple times and high ACTH once, looked into Cushing’s diagnosis from here until Feb 2024
• May: Covid pretty bad for a third time. I had a high fever, severe body aches, etc. Saw Endoniologist but was moving so they advised I continued care at my next location
• June/July: started to feel better and hoped it was just my body recovering from the 4 viruses
• September: symptoms appeared again, migraine frequency now increasing to a couple times a month
• Oct: overtraining feeling getting worse, at this point I was not working out as often due to the previous times I wasn’t feeling good I adjusted my training to only a few times a week if that.
• December: Migraine has increased to once a week, did not experience any period of feeling better like I did in 2022 where I had phases of feeling better.
  • Saw a new sports medicine doctor for radiating leg pain. Also noted I was feeling spine pain (not muscle but pain in my spine). X-ray didn’t show much so they ordered an MRI and found “L5-S1 mild degenerative disc diseases with small left suarticular zone/foraminal disc protrusion without nerve root compression” even though it stated no nerve compression the doc believed it was still most likely the cause of my leg pain and did a steroid injection in the SI joint which helped for a month but couldn’t explain some of the spine pain I was having. MRI also found “mild joint arthropathy” in L3-L4, “mild hypertrophic facet joint arthropathy” in L4-L5, “left subarticular zone disc protrusion with left foramina extension superimposed on mild diffuse disc bulge. Mild narrowing of the left lateral recess. Mild facet joint arthropathy” in L5-S1.

2024

• Jan: Migraines increase to 2-3 times a week so started on triptans as doc thought it was the same migraines not fully going away. First triptan didn’t really work so started a second one (sumatriptan) and migraine would still last for 2 days (took one pill first day and would help but next day still lingered so would take a second dose and then it would go away). Working out has now changed to be bare minimum (light weight machines)
• Feb: Tested high cortisol again on blood (42, end limit 19), and one salivary cortisol came back high, low vitamin D and increased A1C from October. Referred to endocrinologist again. Endocrinologist PA said severity of symptoms wouldn’t be cushings. Did a dexamethasone test which came back normal and suggested I see Rheumatologist for possible seronegative RA (I didn’t tell the endocrinologist about my previous RA check so when they mentioned if I had heard of RA and I told them I tried testing and it came back negative they then told me about seronegative RA)
• March: Joint symptoms and feeling of overtraining severely increased. Stopped being able to lift weights including machines. Tried to still play volleyball but can barely play. Joint pain now prominent in fingers, wrist and elbows, on top of knees and shoulder pain. Low spine very noticeably in pain. (Not muscular pain, literally pain on the spine). Morning stiffness has increased, back would sometimes feel “stuck” and fingers would ache pretty bad. Weather was also very cold and snowing while randomly switching to 70s and back to snowing which did not help. Migraines calmed down to 2 times a month.
• April: Saw NP at rheumatology who ordered tests and leaning towards RA or AS, more so AS. Placed on high dose of prednisone. Started with 20mg but didn’t help so increased to 40mg which helped (not completely but did notice a difference). On prednisone for about a month (into May). NP took x-rays of hands, hip and feet and said they looked normal. Ordered blood tests which got delayed a month (just received them will note below)
• May/now: Just finished prednisone (was a fast taper from 40 to 30, 20,10,5,5,5) and feeling the pain in my back come back as well as my fingers, elbows, etc. Migraine also came back a lot worse, had a three day long strong migraine that didn’t respond to sumatriptan and had to go to urgent care for a shot. The shot got rid of the migraine for a few days but feeling another one coming back less than a week later.
  • Got MRI with contrast of the pelvic and found “mild pubic symphyseal arthritis with osteophytic ridging and mild degenerative marrow signal change” and again the L5-S1 spondylosis
  • Due to the messed up labs, I had to get my blood drawn for these test while on 40mg on predinose. These were the notable results: High white blood cell count (11.8 x10 3/UL, reference range 3.8-10.8 x 10 3/UL), Low neutrophils (32%, reference range 42-75%), High lymphocytes (65%, reference range 16-52%), High lympocytes (7.7 x 10 3/UL, reference range 1.2-3.4 x 10 3/UL), Low Carbon Dioxide level (23 nmol/L, reference range 24-33 nmol/L). Rheumatoid factor was normal ( <9 IU/ml, reference range 0-12 IU/ml), C-reactive protein extended range was normal (<0.03 mg/dL, reference range 0-0.5 mg/dL). Erythrocyte sedimentation rate normal (4 mm/Hr, reference range 0-19 mm/Hr). Anti-CCP normal (<16 units, reference range <20 negative). My anti-ccp in 2021 was 3 so while it’s still within normal range it did increase. Hep A antibody abnormal (reactive, however I’m pretty sure I received the Hep A vaccine)
  • I feel like having my tests done while on 40mg of prednisone affected my results in a negative way but I’m not sure if it actually affects them or not

Any insights are greatly appreciated as my symptoms are getting noticeably worse with no answers.

I (23 F, 195lbs) have been having some odd symptoms for about a week. It started out with heart palpitations, which I blamed on the stress I’ve been under in the last few weeks. I had to put a pet down and was going through finals and graduation. I apologize for my terrible storytelling skills below.
Starting around last Friday, I began experiencing coughing (with mucus in throat), dull aching in my left arm, left side of chest, and back, and some indigestion. Mostly the feeling of acid in my throat or tightness. Sometimes it’s just a mild discomfort, sometimes it’s straight up pain.
The worst was on Sunday, when I had 5/10 pain in the back of my neck that made it somewhat hard to drive. I’ve also had some weakness in my left arm and some light-headedness/mild headache. I have tried drinking more water, thinking it could be dehydration (which I do have a problem with) but it has not helped.
It should be noted that last Friday, I was out in the cold rain and wind for about 2 hours. It was bad enough that my feet (which were in sandals) hurt terribly by the end of it. I did notice that my aching, coughing, and mucus picked up after that.
I should also note that I have had bronchitis once, COVID twice, and have PCOS. I also hurt my left arm a couple months ago. Nothing serious. Just pulled a muscle in my shoulder. Additionally, I did receive a DEPO (birth control) shot in my left shoulder on Tuesday. It sent immediate pain through my arm and shoulder, and is still tender today.
Mucinex DM has been somewhat helpful in relieving my cough and getting rid of mucus, but it only works for a few hours. Cracking my back, shoulder, and chest also offers some minor relief. Occasionally, I find myself needing to take a deep breath, which causes some ache in my back, but also some relief.
Not sure if it’s related, but I’ve also found myself feeling fuller faster. I can usually put away a good amount of food. But lately I’ve been done after only a fraction of that (but not to the point that I’m not getting enough).
Interestingly, my heart palpitations have decreased today. I’ve only had a couple and they’ve been gentle flutters. And it just so happens to be the same day that I’ve stopped drinking some lavender lemonade that I bought.
I went to an urgent care center on Sunday. They performed an EKG and found that my heart is beating fine, if not beating a little fast due to my nervousness. They prescribed some hydroxyzine for stress, but I’ve been hesitant to take it only because I feel relaxed most of the time. I’ve also been referred to a cardiologist but have yet to get a call back from them to make an appointment.
For some minor notes, I have noticed swelling in my left armpit (I assume to be a lymph node) a couple times over the last few months. It is not swollen now, but I do have a pea-sized lump in the left crook of my neck.
I also got my hair braided recently and the weight of it is new for me. I understand it may be affecting my headaches.
I would just like any advice possible. Most of my family says I’m fine and I really would like to believe them. I also don’t want to waste a visit to urgent care (again) or to the ER. And in case anyone wonders, I do not smoke (though I live with smokers), drink, or do drugs. I also used to bike 5 miles a day until about last month, when I started slacking.

I was diagnosed Long Covid with dysautonomia. I'm male, 47, no serious health issues in the summer of 2023. From late August 2023 to mid May 2024 I've had numerous symptoms:

• blackouts, lightheadedness, dizziness, headaches
• shortness of breath, spontaneous rapid inhaling
• heart palpitations, high resting heart rate, racing heart beats
• high anxiety, panic attacks
• urine leakage/seepage, swollen/aching pelvic region, urine urgency/frequency, nocturia, weak stream
• nausea, loss of appetite, constipation
• hot hands and forearms, icy cold feet
• loss fine motor control in hands
• extreme fatigue, severe exhaustion, tiredness, crashes from mild exertion
• poor concentration, memory loss, confusion
• sad thoughts, mood swings, depression
• blurry vision, watery eyes, eye strain/soreness, floating dots in vision
• swollen dry mouth, phlegm mouth, excessive saliva, bleeding gums, swollen/chapped lips
• night sweats, excessive sweating throughout day
• muscle jolts/twitches
• joint pain
• itchy/stinging skin
• hair loss

It started with heart issues and standing issues, then mood swings, then urinary problems, blurry vision, cognitive decline, extreme fatigue, muscle jolts, constipation, and so on.
By November I had terrible urinary issues never seen before, excruciating perineum pain, nocturia, leakage, the list goes on.
My ability to function was dropping so rapidly I had a "will" made because I thought I'd be dead in a year.
I went to Urgent Care, ER, Urology, GP, another GP, Therapist, to try to find solutions. Tests came up negative, or misdiagnosed, or nothing found.
Late December to mid March I was in bed nearly 24 hours/day. Routine tasks like doing laundry or brushing teeth were nearly impossible. Most days I'd only eat 1 meal, like a sandwich or cereal. I couldn't think clearly, forgot my phone number, lifting light objects was exhausting. Days that I could stay up for a few hours I'd have YouTube running in the background.
In January a Psych prescribed Duloxetine for anxiety and depression. A friend mentioned his brother had LC, that maybe I had it. I didn't think much of it. I couldn't think straight anyway and had no energy.
From mid March to mid April I could stay awake 4 to 8 hours a day, daily headaches and eye strain felt like a hangover. Some issues were subsiding or gone but others remained and new ones appeared. I could do light reading and actually comprehend what I was reading.
By mid April I could stay awake about 12 hours, sometimes more, and had strength to start investigating LC. Came to realize Long Covid often has many symptoms, and mine kept piling up and were similar experiences as others. Maybe it was LC.
Late April 2024 I started taking numerous supplements to combat symptoms, especially inflammation. Then I found a Long Covid Center that said it looks like LC with dysautonomia. I hadn't heard of dysautonomia before. I've been making progress slowly week by week, with some setbacks and recurrences.
My nutrition was never great but now it's healthier than before, eating less processed foods and more fresh fruits, vegetables, whole wheat, grainy stuff.
For supplements, it's hard to assess what helps, and where, if at all, since there are so many. I also need to watch for side effects, but so far no issues for me. Here's what I'm taking:

• Rx Duloxetine: anxiety, depression
• Curcumin/Turmeric: anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antioxidant, depression
• Bromelain: anti-inflammatory, antiviral
• Pycnogenol: anti-inflammatory, blood vessels endothelium
• Quercetin: anti-inflammatory, genitourinary
• Cordyceps: anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial
• Probiotics with multiple strains: digestion, antiviral, immune, concentration, fatigue, memory
• Resveratrol: anti-inflammatory, prevent blood clots
• Nattokinase: blood clots
• Serrapeptase: anti-inflammatory
• D-mannose: genitourinary, antibacterial
• Omega 3: anti-inflammatory, anxiety, depression
• Saw palmetto: anti-inflammatory, genitourinary
• Magnesium: heart, anti-inflammatory, anxiety, depression
• Loratadine: antihistamine
• Garlic: anti-inflammatory
• Ginger: anti-inflammatory
• Biotin/Keratin: hair, skin, nails
• Zinc: immune system
• Vitamin B complex: energy
• Vitamin C: immune
• Vitamin D3: mood, immune

Anyone use any of these or others with success? Please let me know. Best wishes to everyone here.

On Tuesday I (26F) came down with 103 F fever, body aches and chills, congestion, swollen lymph nodes and tonsils, and sore throat/painful swallowing. I’m a speech pathologist and work in a skilled nursing facility. All of my patients are vulnerable elderly people, or people on ventilators/with tracheostomies, or adults with severe disabilities, who have just stepped down from hospital care.
Tuesday morning I sent my boss (52M) an email about my symptoms and stayed home that day; he replied with only a 👍. Wednesday I woke up and didn’t feel any better after a day of rest and a few doses of NyQuil so I went to urgent care which is where I was diagnosed with strep throat. I was told to stay home a couple more days and take 2 antibiotics. I emailed my boss the doctors note and a brief summary and he immediately called me and the convo went something like this:
Boss: Sadie, you have only worked here for 2 months. Having strep throat is not a reasonable ailment to miss work for 3 days. I will expect to see you in the facility tomorrow morning.
Me: I still have a 102 fever and can barely swallow water without excruciating pain. I am not putting my patients at risk and defying a doctors note.
Boss: It is very unprofessional to miss work in this setting for personal illness and really shows your age. You are completing 1 to 1 sessions with your patients and thus do not have to worry about getting people sick. And if someone were to get sick then wouldn’t it be better for them to get it here where they can receive all the care they need? My wife is an OT and she would never pull this.
Me: Respectfully your wife’s disregard for her patients and coworkers health and wellbeing is not my problem.
Boss: Are you saying my wife doesn’t respect her patients and coworkers because she has a good work ethic?
Me: If she would knowingly come to work with strep throat or such a high fever, then yes that’s what I’m saying.
Boss: Send me an email when you are ready to resume your responsibilities and we will discuss next steps.
Obviously that isn’t an exact transcript, but I’ve been replaying it in my head again and again like an anxious wreck since then.
AITA? Is he right, am I really just being an inexperienced baby about having strep throat and should have powered through work anyway? Regardless I’ve already used this time to respond to 2 recruiters desperate to fill nearby positions. My field is very high in demand so I see no reason to stick around a place like this. I’m trying really hard to understand my boss’s POV, which I perceive as extremely careless and grubby, not to mention unwise considering my position was vacant for 11 months before I was hired b/c there were no applicants…

Uveitis specialist says he thinks that I just have dry eyes and has me tapering off the steroid eye drops fairly quickly. I previously reflared when coming off of the drops and he said he wants to see me in a flare for proof of uveitis. The problem is- with every uveitis flare my vision gets blurrier and I’m scared to make it worse. I can’t even read the largest letter on the snellen chart tests. I have been on four times a day steroid eye drops for the past three weeks and no longer have symptoms and specialist said no inflammation present. I’m curious if everyone else here has the same symptoms of black dot floaters, eye redness, aching/burning eyes with increased joint/fatigue pain during flares, sensitive to light, blurry vision, and vision gets dark like a shadow over eyes? Do these symptoms overlap with dry eye symptoms too? He also prescribed me erythromycin ointment so I’m wondering if he thinks it was just an infection? He said that ophthalmologists commonly mistake dry eye symptoms for uveitis but I’m confused because when the other ophthalmologist looked in my eye he said he saw anterior uveitis with crystallizations present. My original ophthalmologist who I was referred to from a major city hospital referred me to the specialist because I reflared again when coming off steroid drops and considered me as recurring uveitis. I would hate to have to transfer offices to switch specialists during a steroid drop taper (I’m 100% positive I’m going to reflare but my next appointment isn’t until end of next month and I don’t want to end up back in the ER. My vision got really dark my last flare). I just have so many unanswered questions and nothing makes sense now

(Per rules - Location is Florida, U.S.; Using a throwaway and trying to keep this post short.)
I had an overdraft on a Checking Account due to an oversight on my part. (I typically keep on top of finances, so this is very uncommon.) My bank (large chain) charged me an overdraft fee but did not contact me about it via email/text. Over the next ~5 days, they continued to charge me additional overdraft fees without reaching out. I noticed this happening by chance, while checking my account; I immediately topped-off my balance. If they were to contact me on the first day, I would have quickly resolved the issue without it escalating to multiple days of fees ($35 each fee, with a limit of 3 per day). While I fully accept responsibility for the first day of overdrafts, I feel that the bank's subsequent failure to notify me is unacceptable.
Is the bank legally liable or responsible for any part of this?
I contacted them to find out why I did not get overdraft notifications; spoke to 10+ reps/supervisors, filed multiple complaints with them, and got mixed information at each step. The responses got progressively worse:

• "you did not have Overdraft Fee Alerts enabled"
• "you did have email alerts enabled (but not text alerts); emails were sent and it is on you and your email provider to receive them"
• "you had email alerts enabled but they failed to be sent out (and we do not know why)"
  • "but you can fix this in the future by also signing up for text alerts"
• [per last rep, after pushback] "there appears to be an unresolved 2022 software bug ticket for similar cases, affecting our users after our banks merged; you should manually un-subscribe and re-subscribe to email alerts, as that worked for others"
  • [also, I found an overdraft email from 3-4 years ago, before my bank merged, so I know 100% that mine were enabled]
  • [also also, I just noticed that there is no option in the settings for me to disable email alerts for Overdraft Fees even if I wanted to... In the Overdraft Fee Alerts settings, next to my email, the bank's website says: "For security purposes, this alert is required and automatically applied to your primary email address."

The most that the bank was willing to do is "grace" 2 of the overdrafts (about 20% of my total fees) if I agreed (and I did not).
The reps said that physical alert letters ("snail mail") were sent. I confirmed after checking that they arrived, but with several days of lag; unsure when the first arrived, but am sure that when checking on a Friday, the letters from that week's Monday and Tuesday were still not there. Which is exactly why I prefer (and am signed up for) digital alerts.
They said that per their terms, I am still responsible for any overdraft fees and that even with alerts, the fees would still happen because the alerts do not block those overdrafts and are just for information. But I understand the difference between "Overdraft Protection", "Overdraft Coverage", and "Overdraft Fee Alerts". I know that "Overdraft Fee Alerts" via email would not prevent an overdraft from happening; they would simply notify me when one happens (via email) to allow me to action on it in a timely manner. (Also, see "P.S." note below.) And that is what I am opted-in for and expected to happen here, but the bank failed to make that happen.
I even contacted a lawyer; we did a joint call to the bank a month later, but they again offered at most the same "grace" amount (if I accept). Lawyer said that writing a "legal demand letter" is the next step, but did not see it going anywhere else if the bank refused to do anything.
I am honestly worn out at this point and want to move on. But wanted to post here and ask, before I move on. Obviously unhappy with the bank (after being with them for over a decade, pre-merge), and am considering switching to another bank in the future.
P.S. It is especially frustrating because most of the transactions that resulted in each $35 overdraft fee were simple daily automatic payments ($5 a day) from my Checking to my Credit Card, both within this same bank. I set these up years ago as a silly way to "pay a coffee's price a day to continuously knock on my bill". In retrospect, not the best idea.
Per the bank's terms:

• "Your choice to opt in or opt out of Overdraft Coverage does not apply to checks, ACH and recurring debit card transactions. [Bank] may pay these transactions at our discretion and fees may apply."
• "If your account has both Overdraft Protection and Overdraft Coverage, [Bank] will use Overdraft Protection first. If your account has neither, everyday debit card and ATM transactions that exceed the account balance will be declined."

This means that even if I used all the available Overdraft Coverage and Overdraft Protection, I would still get those overdraft fees (which are considered ACH). This just highlights the importance of timely and functional digital alert notifications, which the bank failed to send to me despite me being signed up for them.
Is there really nothing that I can do about this? The bank gets no consequences at all?

Working 8+ hours a day on my feet, also doing appointments (makeup) standing in one spot. I ask my manager if they can get anti fatigue mats (even food service has them) so my body doesn’t ache as bad at the end of the day. But, they do their typical gaslighting move and blame me and say my shoes aren’t good enough, and that it’s normal for feet to be swollen and in pain at the end of the day. When mind you, manager is sitting in the back office all day every day. It doesn’t matter what shoes I wear, my feet still hurt. They’re snakes and act nice to your face while secretly documenting every minor move to get you in trouble.
Also, I put in my vacation time ( 37 hours paid) for 5 days months ago, it was approved. I take the 5 days off thinking it’s paid, then when I get back they say I’m only being paid 16 hours for the time away. I have no proof of the balance I had before. Same thing happened to my coworker. The same manager with the shoes thing tells me it’s not their responsibility to keep track of our PTO, and that just because it’s approved doesn’t mean it’s paid. The fuck? I hate this job and I can’t believe I have to do this shit for EVER. I just want to move off the grid and say fuck it or just be homeless again
I hate this shit ! KILLLLLMEEEEEE

18F 5’7”160lbs My throat is swollen and it’s really painful to swallow anything. It’s so painful that it interrupts my sleep and my eating.
I was sick recently so it’s most likely a symptom of my cold/feveflu (I’m not sure) and it’s the only thing that has persisted. It’s gotten really bad that I can’t eat food cause it hurts so much to swallow and my mouth is producing a lot of saliva that I have to spit out cause it hurts too bad to swallow. Talking doesn’t hurt that much unless I talk excessively.
My tonsils and tongue look normal: nothing is swollen that I can see and I don’t see white markings. I don’t think I’ve gotten my tonsils removed. Please give me any advice to help with this it’s ruining my life 😭🙏

Don't need anything. But if I vent to family they react about like I'd just read the weather report. "gotcha" is my sister's go-to response; from parents? crickets). My true friends overreact and worry.
So here goes. Don't say you haven't been warned!
Don't get me wrong, I'm having a good day: It's my body that's tantruming. I drove 45m yesterday and since then my joints all ache, my so-called 'good' leg is weak(ish) and my ankle's more like jello than bone and tendon so I'm constantly threatening to tip over.
Did finally have an easy, soft fall (they aren't always) once and landed -- of course -- on the side with the worst arthritis.
So. Reading is getting harder. Driving has suddenly gotten harder. Even using my cane is harder now.
Oh, and my home state (glad I don't live there any more!) is halfway to banning masks.
That's all. Just needed to say that.
How was your day?

I am just learning that Hashimotos can cause pain, but people don't really describe their pain in the posts. What does your pain feel like? I'm trying to figure out if my pain could be from Hashimotos.
I have been diagnosed with Hashimotos for a little over a decade. I also have AuDHD and probably EDS. I've seen upwards of 10 specialists about my pain, but every one has been stumped.
I've had chronic pain since puberty. It's getting worse as I get older. It was mostly in my joints, but now it's in my muscles too. Some "nerve" pain in my feet. The bad joint pain comes on suddenly and lasts for a couple of days. For example, between one step and the next my ankle will start to hurt so bad that it can't support weight.
Pain meds don't help. Going gluten free helped a lot. I have a lot less of the low-level aches and pains, and have only had one joint flare in the last year since going gluten free.
So that's what my pain is like. What's yours?

I do not drink or smoke. Been dealing with some sinus issues for the past few weeks, since around April 25th. The aching teeth have faded.
My teeth are generally sensitive, but I came down with a sinus infection a couple weeks ago (ear pressure, sinus pressure, upper teeth ache, the whole nine), and I'm mostly over it except the ear pressure.
But my very front upper tooth is still so very sensitive, while it mostly went away with the other ones, this one remains. It had a very small cavity that was filled back in February I believe. I had no issues with it being so sensitive until the end of last month. That's when I started having to drink everything out of a straw. I don't go back to my dentist until July, and I'm supposed to get braces placed in August, but not until I get this under control.
Also feels really sensitive when I floss between my two front teeth. It doesn't hurt, just feels really weird. My gums are also not swollen, I don't have a toothache and I don't have pain eating anything that's not cold. Also not sensitive to pressure.
Can't afford a root canal, don't want to lose the tooth, so I'm just wondering if my sinus issues could play a part? I just switched to a different Sensodyne toothpaste I' going to see if helps.

I am 5 months post surgery. Recovery is going well. Although my knee doesn't feel completely stable the last time I was at the doctor he told me that it is fine and that the reconstructed acl per say extends alot on lachman test but so does on my other leg so he marked it as okay. Well today I must have stepped funny or pivoted and i felt a sharp pain. Like my knee or to be exact femur slightly slipping out of joint I just threw myself to the ground like I always did trying to prevent damage(I used to play soccer with no acl for a long time and i kind of mastered that move😅) Anyways I didn't hear a pop and the pain wasn't even close to as bad when i tore it. Now few hours have gone by my extension is normal and on flexion at about 130 degrees theres really really minor pain. But overall the knee is not swollen and everything seems to be intact. Do you think feeling a little bit of pain on flexion is actually a good sign my acl is still there? Do you think it might be my lateral meniscus that gave out since I had meniscus stitched up. What are the chances I actually re tore it again?

I've been monitoring multiple things to get more insights about my health and lately have been checking the barometric pressure. I've discovered whenever it is low, I wake up with my arms and legs tingling/prickling, my spine is stiff and hurts, joint aches, soul crushing fatigue and sleepiness and more often than not a migraine. I can't function at all on days with low pressure. Probably not a new thing, as I have felt like I had the flu anytime a storm rolls through for over a decade.
Right now the pressure is low and my extremities feel tingly and I can barely stay awake. Could this be POTS? I do have Narcolepsy, and mentioned this to nuerologist. She recommended I start CoQ10. So far, it has only helped me from getting a migraine, all the other stuff is still there.