Fever with chills, headache, nasal congestion

Hello! I tested positive on May 15 (I am not sure if that makes today Day 3 or Day 4). In any case, my test line on the RAT is still very strong and I am feeling a little anxious about that.
My symptoms are mild. Started off with a slight fever of 99-100, headache. Both of those are gone, and now I’m left with mild congestion and an occasional phlegm-y cough. HR is a little higher than normal as well (resting is in the early 80s currently).
I am a little concerned as to why the test line is not fading at all if I am starting to feel better? This is my first time getting Covid and I already am struggling with health anxiety for a while. And this just feels like a lot at the same time.
Any insight/reassurances (exaggerated lol or real) would be greatly appreciated ☺️

Usually my seasonal allergies to pollen, ragweed, mold etc. manifest in the usual sneezy, runny nose, itchy throat and eyes, etc.
One day I woke up and felt like I couldn’t get a full breath in. I happened to check the pollen count and it was extremely elevated, and it’s been extremely elevated ever since that day. It’s been going on for a little over a week.
I’m not congested or sneezy in my nose whatsoever, my eyes aren’t itchy. I just feel like im not inhaling all the way. It’s been making me dizzy and lightheaded. I’m also experiencing extreme fatigue to the point it interferes with my daily functioning, and headaches almost every single day. The headaches border on migraines, and it’s a full head headache if that makes sense. It hurts my entire head, it’s not concentrated to just one part of my head. I’m also experiencing almost daily nausea. I’ve been taking Zofran and Ibuprofen daily.
Could this be allergies? Or should I get this checked out?

I’m on a 24 hour prescription for my acid reflux, but last night I was dumb and ate Indian food for dinner which always causes me to wake up in the middle of the night with stomach acid filling my mouth.
So I thought I’d try and take Pepcid right before bed to stop it from happening, on top of my prescription med. well it still happened extremely badly and so I took another Pepcid, which didn’t help. And then so i decided to take a third one.
After that I got so ill. Vomiting, diarrhea, fever, chills, body aches, dizziness.
It’s been 12 hours now and I’m still so sick.
Has everyone else ever had this happen?

Hello, everyone. I’m posting here as I’m becoming desperate to find help or some answers.
I’m a 27 year old male. Toward the end of last year, I began having severe issues with the vision in my right eye that led to a traumatic cataract diagnosis. Around 15 years ago, I was shot in the right eye with a BB gun.
In January of this year, I called the University Hospital regarding the loss of vision and pain in my right eye. I was rushed in, as pain is a big concern and they wanted to make sure everything was okay. I was told I have a cataract and scheduled an appointment with a surgeon for the removal. When I asked about the pain, they told me that cataracts do not cause pain, but it may be what the cause is.
Over the course of the next 3 months, I went through phases of pain in my eye. One night, It was severe enough for me to visit the ER, from which I wasn’t given any real help. I was also incredibly sick with influenza B and congested, which seemed to make the pain even worse.
I was given an MRI and went through several different tests. Ended up getting home around 2am. Around 6am I noticed 5 missed calls from the hospital, asking me to come in right away as they may have seen something on the MRI and need more imaging.
After the additional imaging, I was told nothing seemed to be wrong, and they were at a loss in finding the cause. At one point, the ER doctor said chicken pox may be a possibility (I don’t know why). Then they told me it’s just neurological.
I spent the next few months with the pain coming and going, up to my following surgery appointments. When I brought it up to my surgeon, he didn’t know what could cause the issue either. He mentioned the cataract was so old, it had become soft.
The surgeon then explained to me the procedure, risks and benefits. I was told that I may or may not need glasses after the surgery, which I was fine with. I was told they’re standard procedures, simple and short recovery periods. I agreed and the surgery was scheduled.
Fast forward to the day after my surgery, and I begin to notice the difference in clarity of my vision. It was honestly crazy how clear my far sight vision was, but very disappointing how little I could see close up. I’m now unable to read my phone or see any detail closer than 5-7 feet away, but I was told glasses will correct the issue. No problem, I thought.
This is where my problems really begin. At night, I started noticing these incredibly intense visuals from light sources. So intense, I wasn’t able to go outside at night, or be in a dimly lit room for weeks. I am 1 month past my surgery and I am still unable to drive in the dark and struggle immensely with sitting anywhere dark with acute light sources. The best way to describe the visuals are halos, but not just like glowing street lights, I’m talking about psychedelic looking, hallucination type halos. They disappear when the light source is covered, and move in all directions, side to side and back and forth.
The best way to describe them is that they are perfectly circular and very sharply defined. Sometimes, there will be a slight ray type effect inside of them. They are present around every light source in a dark space. On the street, sometimes it’s so bad that there are dozens and dozens layered on top of each other. For weeks, I could literally feel my pupil swelling and sort of “popping”, as it adjusted to the lights. Immediately after, it would begin adjusting again, and the halos would come back. The lights go away when very bright light sources become present (like incoming headlights) or when equally disbursed. Better nights make the halos become more blurry, less defined outside of the circle.
I’ve tried to design this image to explain what I’m seeing to my doctor and others. I’ve also included a picture of how my right pupil looks in most dimmer lit, inside spaces:
https://imgur.com/a/o7vxpo3
Furthermore, I am experiencing a shadow casted around the outside of my vision in my right eye. Feels almost as if I’m looking through a tube, and seems that I have lost a fair amount of my peripheral vision. Some new floaters and flashes of light starting appearing around week 3, but not as drastic as it was with the cataract. I’m used to floaters in both eyes.
I showed this image to my surgeon and tried explaining the problem. He really didn’t seem to understand what the problem was, saying the eye looked good and halos are common. But I never knew that it would be so debilitating. He was at a loss, and mentioned that if my pupil is over dialating, it may be extending beyond my IOL, causing this issues. He’s been doing cataract surgeries for 2 years now. He also kept saying “well typically patients are older…” and then continued to explain protocol and experiences with older patients, not really considering my case individually, or offering to refer me to someone else.
At my post 1 month checkup, I asked him if there are different sizes that should have been used, only for him to say “well most IOLs are a certain size, but some are slightly bigger.” And then explained that my pupil dilating past the lens, causing the visuals. This makes sense to me, as the visuals do seem almost “prism” like. I was also told the lens was acrylic, and not as perfect as the normal lens, but I’m pretty sure there are different lens material types.
This confused me. It still does. I told him about my pupil being larger than the other before my surgery, and he saw it as well. Was this not a considering factor in my lens choice?
Additionally, I told this surgeon that back in 2013, I was diagnosed with optic nerve swelling, but he said that he had no idea what that was regarding and simply disregarded the diagnosis.
I’ve spent weeks trying to research the subject, but honestly, it’s causing me to become severely depressed and frustrated. I feel that my concerns have been totally disregarded, as I was told to wait another 3 months for my next appointment. I actually had to suggest treatment I read online with eye drops that cause the pupil to stay smaller. He agreed after my suggestion and said he would prescribe me these.
Unfortunately, they have not submitted the medication to my insurance for the past week, so I haven’t been able to try it. I hope it helps.
I really could use some help or advice. I’m writing this in the middle of the night and once again suffering from a headache from my eye issues. These visuals have not gotten any better since the night of surgery. Recently, they just go away, and some nights are better than other. Sometimes, artificial tears seem to help and other times they don’t. Sometimes losing the tension in my neck helps, sometimes moving my head down makes it worse.
I was also severely congested a few nights ago, and the halos were terrible. Decongestant spray seemed to make them totally disappear. I was told in the past I have a deviated septum, and on my right side I believe (not sure if they can be correlated)
If anyone’s has a suggestion as to what type of doctor may be able to help, or what I should expect my recovery to be like, I would be very grateful. I’m starting to feel hopeless and that people don’t believe or recognize the struggle I’m having.
At this point, I feel like I may have permanently messed up by opting in for this surgery, and I’m afraid I’ll never be able to drive or do things at night again. I understand that the damage the accident caused in my eye may be repairable, and that I probably will just need to adjust to new vision, but I really don’t think I can live with the issues I’ve been having at night. I feel as though I may never get to watch movies in theaters or watch events in dark spaces without severe visuals and head pain.
Let me know if there’s any additional info I can provide to help. On Monday, I am going to try to have my primary care provider help recommend me to someone else (insurance requires this for a second opinion).
Thank you for your time and help.

I am known to have pretty bad allergies, however it doesn’t feel like it’s affected me too bad this season other than what I’m experiencing now. Usually i’ll get very congested and it will go away after a couple days.
I have been experiencing tension headaches, weird feeling in temples (sometimes painful), ear fullness, sides of neck fullness/pain, always hawking a loogie (clearish) and dissociation/dizziness for almost 2 weeks now. The weird pressure feeling from my temples feel like it creeps its way to my eyes which makes my eyes feel weird too. Occasionally I will feel tired, eyes and head will feel heavy. Haven’t had a fever or night sweats or anything. Have had some blood when blowing nose out of left nasal cavity.
My doctor put me on 2 nasal sprays which seem to help get rid of the morning crud in my nose but that’s about it. Other than that my nose is clear the most of the day. When i try to be active i get head pressure, ear fullness, and a little dizziness. I have an ENT appointment in 6 days.
My concern is that it’s not a sinus problem. Has anyone experienced this and have found the ‘cure’? I can’t get myself to do anything because i’m so anxious about it.

So..last week wendsday I started with a sore throat.. Thursday I woke up all messed up and I went to the ER.. cough sore throat bad bad dizziness 2 days later I severely congested bad eye pain and a weird feeling like pressure in my ears moving my eyes around made me feel dizzy that has slightly gotten better then I experienced bad headaches around day 3ish, those haven’t eased up I thought they did but yesterday and the day before night I had this horrible headache on top of head plus eye pain to the point where I think I have a nerve problem in my eye due to the pain and bc in my eye socke I feel something like a vein feeling thing buldging out Yu can’t see if but you can feel pain there and stuff I rubbed my eye so hard prior to that idk if I irritated it or something anyways.. anyone’s eyes hurt I’m on day 8 they hurt when I wake up but then the eye pain stops for only the eye socket and eyebrows to hurt fyi I did have bad sinuses bc my allergy’s and respiratory infection ganged up on me my ears where clogged for like.. 1 week and yeah

Hey. I’m on day 12 and I woke up with a very slight fever: 99.1. I am chilled and there was a little blood discharge from one area, but nothing glaring. Anyone else have something like this? Rest? Call?

I have high IgE (1,500) and don’t know if it’s classic allergies, or a result of CIRS and possibly Marcons. Does anybody else have high IgE? My sinuses are a significant problem with lots of pressure, headaches and breathing restriction, probably from swollen turbinates and nasal cycle dysfunction. But otherwise aside from sneezing 3-4 times per day, I don’t have typical “hay fever” symptom. I got rid of Marcons 4 months ago, but am concerned it has returned.

So, 2 weeks ago I was super sick. Thought it was the flu, tested for covid and was positive. Started w the chills, fever, then had stuffy nose & sore throat. I was also superrr dizzy and my left ear felt plugged & full of pressure, so i went to urgent care where they said I had an ear infection. Been taking antibiotics for that.
I was FINALLY feeling better until yesterday I woke up with the EXACT same symptoms that I had 2 weeks ago - insane chills, headache, sore throat (feels like im swallowing knives) and heart palpiltations. I decided to test again to see if it was Covid, and it was negative?
Is this common? Or normal? I just want this to go away😫😫 any advice or any relating stories will Help ease my mind. I’m Anxious!

Fuck my life.
The joke is that of course this would happen to me. It was so mild for my daughter that I doubted she had it at all. Well, not anymore. Daycare sent a letter home last Wednesday that a kiddo in her class went home with HFMD, so not this past week but the one before. I picked her up that day and noticed 2 “pimples” on the back of her neck. This was indeed HFMD. she’d had mild fever and some throat discomfort in the 2 days leading up to the letter and the bumps. She is 100% now, but was kept home thurs and Fri and unfortunately sent back Monday, as I was extremely confident she didn’t have it as nothing progressed past that. I regret my actions, and hope it wasn’t passed on to anyone else. But unfortunately I got a nasty fever, sore throat, body aches, and fluctuation between extreme sweating and extreme chills for 2.5 days…and this morning I’ve woken up with dozens upon dozens of skin-colored bumps on hands, wrists and feet. Roof of mouth is torn up and “shedding”. Pads/tips of all my fingers and toes are sore and tingly.
Husband is fine, of course (but also luckily).
Goddammit. I have a MAJOR project due the Tuesday after Memorial Day, I do not have one minute of time to spare so I’m going to have to work through this no matter what.

Being a natural skeptic, this is a story I never thought I’d be telling. I grew up reading those short, half-edited horror stories that were so popular on the internet, scaring myself out of sleep too many times to count as a kid. These days, I’m still too scared to fall asleep, just like I was when I was 11 reading stories on boards I had no business browsing. This time, though, it isn’t typed words on my aging laptop that have my heart unable to beat calmly in my chest. It isn’t the long traded campfire story that has the hairs on my neck standing in unease.
It’s the envelope sitting on my desk, taunting me as I glance at it from across the room. The top torn open haphazardly, its contents situated neatly against the worn wood grain.
It’s the words that are typed so neatly along the page, bringing back every foul memory I can conjure.
“Thank you for donating.
Come back and see us again soon,
Mr. Weller.”
~
The sun hung lazily in the sky, casting a golden hue over the endless river of asphalt stretching out before me. This highway, flanked by gnarled mesquite trees and sporadic billboards advertising the next southern baptist church, had become somewhat of a familiar friend over the years. It was the unofficial gateway between my life at college and my small hometown nestled on the border of Texas and Louisiana.
I adjusted my review mirror, catching a glimpse of my own tired reflection. Summer break was finally here and I had high-tailed it from the campus as soon as my last final exam hit my professor’s desk. Gone was the grueling cycle of exams, papers, and endless nights spent hunched over textbooks. Whoever said that the college years were the best of their life needed to find the nearest sharp object to take a seat on.
As I drove, the familiar scenery slipping by in a soothing blur, my phone rang, jolting me from my thoughts. The screen flashed “Mom”, causing the involuntary roll of my eyes.
“Hey, Mom, I’m on the road. What’s up,” I spoke into the phone, trying to keep the exasperation out of my voice.
”Hi, sweetheart! How close are you to home?” Her voice was warm and overly sweet, exactly the tone she used when she was about to ask for an inconvenient favor.
“Probably a few hours out. Why?”
“Perfect! Listen, can you do me a favor and pick up a case of beer for your dad? He invited his friends over tonight and I don’t have time to run to the store with all the cooking-,” she explained quickly, probably sensing my sigh of annoyance before I could even take a breath.
”Mom,” I interrupted evenly, “you do realize there are, like, zero places to stop for miles, right? The last couple hours are practically deserted.”
“I know, but most gas stations always have the kind your dad likes. Just stop at the next one you see, okay?”
I groaned internally, glancing at my half full gas gauge. I had filled up the tank this morning specifically so I wouldn’t have to stop once on the drive.
“Fine, I’ll see what I can do.”
”You’re the best,” Mom sighed in relief, her tone calm again. “Drive safe, honey.”
With that, she hung up, leaving me to the rhythmic drone of the road and my dusty second hand CD’s once again.
I kept my eyes peeled for the next gas station, hoping to get the beer run out of the way sooner rather than later. About 20 minutes after Mom’s call, a rundown gas station came into view, its neon sky flickering erratically against the dusky sky. Like most gas stations in the middle-of-nowhere-south, it looked like it hadn’t seen a renovation since at least the 70’s.
Pulling in, I parked next to a rusted out pickup and stepped out, the heat and humidity immediately oppressive. The place reeked of old oil and dust, the air thick with the smell of mildew. I made my way inside, the crude “bell” over the door made of old fishing lures and soda caps jingling half-heartedly as I entered.
If I thought the outside of the joint was sad, the inside was plain pathetic. Dimly lit and cluttered with off brand snacks and outdated magazines, I wouldn’t be surprised if it hadn’t been stocked since at least the 70’s. I quickly located the cooler, grabbing a case of Keystone Light and headed to the counter. I tried not to breathe the air in too deeply, a little afraid of whatever strange diseases probably lingered.
The attendant behind the counter was a greasy, wiry man with sunken eyes and a gaunt face. He glanced up from his equally disheveled book, watching me approach with an intensity that made me uneasy. Placing the beer on the counter, I fished out my license, hoping to make this transaction as quick as possible. He eyed me while I pulled my wallet out, his voice reeking of prolonged cigarette and cheap whiskey.
“Headed to Texas?” he gruffed.
I nodded slowly, trying to piece together how he knew. I was still at least an hour and a half from the border. “Yeah, lucky guess.” I chuckled uneasily.
”Not lucky at all,” he drawled out, “Saw yer license plate.”
I turned towards the glass door, seeing the direct line to my car.
“Ah,” I responded, not quite sure what else to add as I put down my drivers license next to the case of beer.
Is this how social interactions at gas stations are supposed to go?
The greasy man picked up my license, his gaze lingering on it a bit too long as he rang the beer up without glancing at the register.
“You’re an organ donor,” he remarked, casual, as if it were something he asked every day.
Nope. Definitely not a normal interaction.
”Uh, yeah. Just in case, I guess.”
He handed back the license and I fought the urge to wipe whatever strange grime he accumulated on his hands off my card.
“Makes you a good person,” he nodded, offering me a rotted grin.
I forced a smile, increasingly eager to get the hell out of this place. “How much?”
”Fifteen seventy three.” He replied, his accent catching over the vowels.
I handed over two wrinkled 10s, wondering if I should tell him to keep the change so I wouldn’t have to handle anything else he touched. Before I could decide, the man spoke again, peering back at the door.
”Yer headed the wrong way if yer trynna get to Texas. Should take the next left up ahead.”
I frowned, unable to keep up my polite mask much longer. “The road’s straight the whole way,” I argued, “I’ve driven it a hundred times.”
The grimy mess of a man simply smiled, a thin, almost predatory smile.
“Only bein polite. Suit yerself”
I took my change and beer, muttering a quick thanks before bolting it out of there. The encounter left an uncomfortable feeling in my chest, and I couldn’t shake the feeling of those piercing eyes on my back as I walked to my car.
Last time I do a favor for mom, I thought dramatically.
Once inside the safety of my car, I locked the doors and started the engine, eager to put distance between myself and that disgusting gas station. The man’s words and shit-eating grin echoed in my mind, but I dismissed them. The road home was straight, I knew that much for certain.
As the miles ticked by, I found myself turning the music up louder and louder, trying to shake off the unease from the encounter. I tried focusing on the familiar landmarks and the lyrics of the songs I’d heard a thousand times. Thankfully, it only took a few songs for it to work.
The sun began to dip lower into the sky, casting long shadows that stretched across the road. I figured I was about an hour from home at this point, my mind itching to be home.
It took me longer than I’d like to admit to see that something was seemingly… wrong.
When I glanced to the side, expecting fields of unkempt brush and patches of cactus, instead I saw short, twisted trees. My eyebrows furrowed, trying to make sense of the misplaced flora. I let off the gas slightly, slowing down the car to take in the patches of damp, soggy earth peppering the fields. I looked behind me, my brain desperate to rationalize the sudden change of environment. I gripped the steering wheel tighter, a knot of anxiety forming in my stomach.
This wasn’t right. I had driven this route countless times and the scenery had never changed so drastically. How in the world had I driven myself into a bog?
The road, usually straightforward and predictable, now seemed to wind and twist as my car crept along it, each bend revealing more of the eerie, waterlogged terrain. Doubts crept in, swift and harsh. Had I missed a turn? Was that psycho right after all?
The feeling of unease grew stronger with each passing mile. The familiar landmarks were gone, replaced by dense foliage and the occasional decrepit and rotted building. I glanced at my phone, picking it up in hopes of checking my GPS, but my heart sank when I saw the “no service” icon in the corner.
Panic began to set in, a cold sweat breaking out on my forehead. I needed to find a way back to the main road, or at least to a road sign.
Just as the sense of dread threatened to overwhelm me, I spotted a building up ahead, its bright lights cutting through the encroaching darkness of dusk. Relief flooded through me. Whatever this place is, surely someone in there can tell me where I got turned around.
However, the sight before me only had my eyebrows furrowing deeper. A clean, well-lit, white building stood amidst the desolate landscape, almost cartoonishly out of place. It looked brand new, too pristine for its surroundings. Like a beacon of hope in a sea of… muck.
Desperation overrode my hesitancy of such a place, fueling my decision to pull over. I parked my car in the well-paved lot, comforted by the other vehicles sitting under the bright lights.
I made my way to the entrance, the glass doors sliding open smoothly as I approached. The stark white walls and sterile smell hit me immediately, a stark contrast to the humid smell of wood rot outside.
Is this some sort of clinic?
I paused as I looked around, my eyes landing on a front desk. A cheery looking woman with a bright smile sat behind it, her eyes already on me.
”Good evening! Are you here to donate?” she called out, her voice light and airy.
I turned back to the door for a moment, my instincts not quite thrilled being in such a strange place, but the idea of trying to get myself un- lost in the dark pushed me further towards the front desk.
”Uh, no. I’m actually lost,” I responded, giving the woman a weak smile. “I’m trying to get to Texas and I think I may have taken a wrong turn. Can you point me in the right direction?”
Her smile didn’t falter, but there was a flicker of something else in her eyes. Disappointment? Annoyance? It was hard to tell.
”Of course, sugar. But why don’t you take a seat first?”
I glanced around to what I now assumed was a waiting room. The occupants were an odd assortment of characters, each making me more uneasy than the last. An elderly man in disheveled clothes sat closest, muttering to himself while looking straight through me.
A few seats down sat a young woman with stringy hair, as if she had just gotten out of the shower. Her eyes looked red and puffy and I could only assume she either was terribly allergic to bogs, or she had been crying for a while.
Next, a man with a little girl sitting beside him caught my attention. The girl clutched a small stuffed bunny, her eyes regarding me curiously. She seemed to be the only person aware of my existence and I threw a small smile her way. Her eyes shifted immediately, darting nervously back to the man beside her. The man had no reaction, continuing to stare straight ahead with a vacant expression.
Lastly, a businessman sat in the corner, his wrinkled suit and messy hair contradicting his aloof demeanor. He held a phone to his ear, checking his watch intermittently. The whole scene of the room reeked of impatience and unease, making my skin crawl.
What the hell is this place?
I turned back to the front desk, forcing a smile. “Listen, ma’am. I’m really just looking for directions. I don’t need an appointment.”
The woman tilted her head slightly, her smile never wavering. “Mr. Weller can see you for a donation. It won’t take long.”
“I really don’t have time for that. I just need to get back on the road,” I insisted, the edge of desperation beginning to creep into my voice.
She ignored my plea, typing something into the computer. “Mr. Weller will be with you shortly. Please, take a seat.”
Frustration boiled over. I was about to argue further when I noticed the other patients had started to stare, their gazes heavy and expectant. The atmosphere in the room shifted to feel charged, almost oppressive.
Deciding I had seen quite enough, I muttered quickly. ”Thanks, but I’m going to pass,” and turned on my heel, making a beeline for the exit.
The nurse’s cheerful farewell followed me out, a stark contrast to the chill that had settled in my bones.
I hurried back to my car, the clinic’s lights painting long shadows across the parking lot. Sliding into the driver’s seat, I locked the doors and took a deep breath, trying to steady my racing heart. The “clinic” had rattled me more than I cared to admit.
As I started the engine and pulled back onto the road, the clinic quickly disappeared from view, swallowed by the hungry night. My mind raced, grappling with the bizarre turn of events. The woman at the front desk’s insistence, the strange people in the waiting room, and the clinic itself…
none of it made sense.
Determined to put this fever dream behind me and find my way home, I refocused on the road ahead, hoping that with a bit of luck, I could retrace my steps and escape this unsettling detour. The landscape grew darker, the swamp closing in around me, but I pressed on, clinging to the desperate hope that familiar sights were just around the next bend.
The feeling of unease clung to me like an unwanted second skin as I drove further on, minutes passing with no change. Eventually, at least an hour passed, the monotony of the road broken only by the occasional curve and the distant croaking of frogs. I had long since shut off my radio, seeing as no amount of Lynyrd Skynyrd could make the situation better.
My eyes strained against the darkness, searching for any road signs or landmarks.
Yet as time wore on, familiar trees passing by, an alarming realization began to settle in.
Despite making no turns. Despite the road seemingly taking me far away,
I was back where I started.
Bright lights pierced the gloom ahead, the parking lot coming into view mocking my attempt to leave. My heart sank, a cold wave of dread washing over me the closer I got.
I was back at the clinic.

F45 Heavy smoker for 30 years- quit cigarettes in August but started vaping. Currently quitting No drug use but history of binge drinking (>4 units) monthly. Daily caffeine use Dx: 1. PoTS via TTT at age 22, Stress echo normal 2. GAD and Panic disorder diagnosed around the same time at PTS. ADD a year later 3. Asthma- birth 4. Rheumatic Fever- age 5, recurrence in 20s 5. Hypothyroidism- 2022 6. High cholesterol levels since age 20 7. IBS-C 8. IC with lesions/ulcers via cystoscopy 9. Hidradenitis S- stage 1 10. Primary open angle glaucoma- Just diagnosed 11. Low D3, low b12 12. Poly Cystic breasts 13 cervical radiculopathy and headaches 14. Previous DVT during pregnancy 15. Venus dysfunction- saphenous veins removed at 24, yearly revisions when warranted by US. 16. GERD- fundoplycation performed as a baby
Meds: 1. Rosuvastatin 0.5 mg qd 2. Spironolactone 100mg qd 3. Xanax 1 mg t.d.s 4. Spiriva 1.25mcg 5. Breo ellipta 200mcg 6. Semaglutide 1mg weekly 7. Lumigan 0.01mg 8. B12 1000mcg 9. D3 10. Linzess 145mg
Hi everyone and I apologize for the length of this post. I have been having some major dizzy spells, including near syncope episodes and little cramps in my left chest with some radiating left arm pain. I have been having the chest/arm pain episodes for over a year but have ignored them mostly believe they were a result of my c-spine disc herniations and arthritis, painful breast cysts, and anxiety. Recently my PoTS has seemed to flare and I have been getting nauseous, extremely dizzy and having little cramps in my chest which resulted in an ER visit. ECG/X ray and bloodwork was fine but I was sent home with a 5 day holter and followed up with cardio.
She didn't mention anything about the holter except a few instances of tachycardia but ordered a stress test and separate echo (not a stress echo)
Was told stress test was normal- I did have some BP issues at first but then a normal response. I've linked the report: https://ibb.co/album/1GB51m
The echo is abnormal :https://ibb.co/album/9ZsM1g
The nurse called me back and wants an additional echo with contrast and to have it reviewed by their cardiothoracic surgeon. I'm scheduled for Monday morning. I have a follow up with my cardiologist in 30 days
They told me to try and not stress unless i have severe chest pains, back or neck radiation of pain but my c-spine issues already cause this. I''m obsessing over my results. I'm generally healthy, only taking semaglutide due to a 36lb weight increase a year ago that happened within about 6 weeks. I eat decent but I do still vape and drink too more than the recommended amount of alcohol on occasion. Every chest pain I feel makes me want to go to the ER but I recognize that my anxiety could also be causing this.
The only other thing to note is that I did get Covid last winter and had some major personal stressors last year that required me to take Wellbutrin XR 300 mg which I stopped about 2 months ago. 2 years ago I went to the ER for leg and chest pain. Elevated D-dimer but no PE or clot was found (they said it couldn't be ruled out). I've also recently started getting tinnitus several times a day.
I'm not asking for medical dx or advice because I am currently under the care of a cardiologist but is anyone able to interpret my test reports and help me understand theoretically how this damage could happen in a 45 year old? Could a undiagnosed clot or MI cause damage similar to what is reported? Or is this due to my smoking and drinking history?
I appreciate all of you and the time you take out of your day for us posters.

My mom has hypothyroidism and is taking levothyroxine for it. Last night she was having chills, and this morning she fell. Her symptoms now are extreme fatigue (I have never seen her like this), some nausea, chills, and a headache. No fever. She can't get out of bed. Since she has hypothyroidism and a lot of her symptoms are hypothyroidism symptoms, I'm thinking that's what she's experiencing. However, she's been taking levothyroxine for a while with no problems. Is it possible her hypothyroidism has progressed and her current medication is too weak now, or that her medication has lost potency?
Edit: She has a fever now so she just caught something and is sick, her hypothyroidism seems fine.

Okay so...
I've had sinus problems and TMJ flare ups for years.
My TMJ comes up mostly during really bad times of stress where I end up grinding my teeth in my sleep. Usually happens from nightmare/stress dreams that pop up during this time. The pain is always in my left cheek, usually giving me an eye headache and ear pain.
My sinuses are year round and sometimes have similar symptoms along with the typical runny nose/congestion.
I am going through a stressful time right now, and none of the sinus care I'm trying is helping at all. I'm still in severe pain around my left eye, radiating to my ear. My nose feels clogged up too. My upper teeth are hurting like during sinus pressure. But its been so long since I had a TMJ flare up that I'm questioning what's wrong.
From your experiences do you think I'm dealing with TMJ or a sinus infection?
[And yes I will be seeing a DR regardless, I just want to hear from other sufferers]

Does anyone else struggle with health anxiety secondary to work? I’ve been an ER RN in a level 1 trauma center for 9 years. I’ve found myself living in a state of anxiety over a tragic diagnosis, cancer, devastating accident, something happening to my children. If I have a headache, is it a brain bleed? If my child has a fever, is it something sinister? Of course anxiety comes with its own set of physical symptoms, and that causes a worry cycle.
I’ve started therapy for this. I’ve had about 5 sessions. What has helped you process these anxious feelings? Any book recommendations?

Age 32
Sex female
Height 5’3”
Weight 140
Race Caucasian
Duration of complaint 6 months
Location sinus
Any existing relevant medical issues dx MS, Long QTS
Current medications 500ml rituximab 2x/yr, 20mg propranolol 2x/day
Had this infection since November 2023; recurring symptoms of cough, congestion, red/congested eye(s), fever, body aches.
I had Covid before thanksgiving ‘23, then got “regular sick” about two weeks later. I’ve been treated for sinus infections and pneumonia and have been on amoxicillin, augmenten, cefdinil, doxycycline, and am currently on clindamycin since November with varying strengths and lengths of time. The infection would go away while on antibiotics, but always come right back 3 days after stopping them.
I got sinus surgery and I finally got a culture that came back as haemophilus influenzae. I’m currently on clindamycin, which I’m reading HI is resistant to. My infection symptoms are beginning to come back and I am been taking clindamycin 300mg 4x/day for a week, with three days left.
I’m at a loss and I’m sick of being sick. Looking for some advice and ideas. Is my body just resisting antibiotics at this point? And if so, how do I go about fixing that?

I finally got my kit (Resmed Airsense 11 with the AirFit N20 nasal mask) two days ago and I was very enthusiastic about it, especially since I met other CPAP users should said it changed their life with better rest and more energy.
The first night took some getting used to, but I finally fell asleep about 1.5hrs into it. However, I woke up with a lot of pressure, between my right nostril and my right eye, and a congested stuffy nose. If I moved my head a lot, then I would feel a headache. I also was not able to open my right jaw all the way without pain. I was hoping it would just go away throughout the day. It did not and it caused a lot of discomfort. I actually ended up feeling really tired and stressed by the end of the day and noticed bags under my eyes once I got home from work.
I tried to sleep with the CPAP again last night, but it felt like it was exacerbating my congestion and I felt so suffocated, so I took it off and slept through the night without it. I woke up super tired and I still have that pressure pain on my face and congestion.
Is this common and how do you deal with it?

The past couple days I’ve been congested with a runny nose and pretty bad facial pain around the cheek/upper jaw area of the left side of my face. This morning my congestion went away but I noticed I can’t smell anymore! So I panicked and tested for Covid but it’s negative. I still have some facial pain in the forehead and side of my face area but the congestion is gone, could this be a sinus infection? I don’t have a fever and don’t really have any other side effects…

1st Marathon - Training Reading this sub provided me with guidance and support to run this marathon so I thought I would post about my experience in case it helps someone else.
I'm 38M, 6'1, 190 lb. Never been a runner because I have low Hemoglobin (10) from thalassemia minor which really limits me for cardio. Always tried to stay fit with weight training (2x/week) and cycling (1x week). In the Fall I decided I wanted to get into better cardio shape with the goal of running a marathon. Jumped on the treadmill to see my baseline fitness and ran 8.5 miles at 11 mins/mile. Was sore for 3-4 days but the following weekend I ran 9 miles, and 10.5 miles the following week. At this point I started reading about marathons and figured I could manage and signed up for one 5 months later.
Problem was, all the training plans I saw involved a long time commitment of 4-5 days/week running. My job (70 hours/week) and young kids prevented me from doing this, so I decided to continue my plan of 1 long run every weekend (and 1 mid-week upper body weight session). I increased the distance by 1 mile pretty much every week, and found that my body needed 4-5 days to recover between sessions. Once I got to 14 miles, I started having some IT-band soreness and had to take a week off and then reduce my distance to 12 miles for a few more until I could start increasing again. At runs of 16-18 miles I started to have difficulty mostly due to inadequate fueling/hydration so I began to take that more seriously.
My training peaked at 20 miles which I did twice, the second time was 3 weeks before the race and did not go well. I likely "hit the wall" and my legs felt heavy, and I felt nauseous and light headed at the end. I could barely walk home. Soon thereafter I developed chills and a low grade fever likely due to overexertion. I was very demoralized as it was 3 weeks before my marathon and for the first time, I doubted myself that I could even finish it. now I understood the expression: "A marathon is a 10 km race with a 20 mile warmup).
I convinced myself it was from lack of fueling and running on "tired legs" as I had run a 14-miler the week before. So I took the last 3 weeks off long runs and only ran 3 times (2 weeks before: 5 miles, 1 week before: 3 miles, 3 days before: 2 miles).
I carb loaded like crazy the 3 days before the race (700 g carbs x3 days) and made sure to sleep 10 hours for the 2 days before the race (don't count on sleeping well the night before because of nerves!). I woke up 3 hours before my start time, ate 2 pieces of toast with peanut butter, a granola bar and drank 1 L of powerade and went back to sleep. Ate 100 grams of Swedish Berries en route to the marathon and drank a red bull. Brought Roctane Gu to use every 30 minutes, and a Maurten 100/100 (caffeine) to take a 2.5 hours and 3.5 hours for the final push. I would drink 250 cc of powerade at every station, which was on average every 25 mins.
Although my primary goal was to finish the marathon and my secondary goal was to finish without walking, deep down I was hoping to finish in less than 5 hours (which is the exact pace I did all my training runs).
Miles 1-14: I felt pretty good running at a 11 min/mile although my heart rate was higher than it was on training runs (160 bpm), which I attributed to the excitement of the race. I rolled my ankle a bit evading a puddle, which was quite uncomfortable but improved after I chewed 4 childrends Tylenol (720 mg).
Miles 15-20: I started feeling the sheer distance of a marathon at this point and started to slow down to an 11:15 min/mile pace. My heart rate has climbed to 170 bpm.
Miles 20-23: At this point, I started to second guess whether I would be able to finish as my legs felt very heavy and I started to feel a bit nauseous so I had to skip the powerade station. My heart rate was going above 180 bpm and I had to slow to a light jog to let it go down (12 min/mile).
Mile 23-25: Finally, there was a glimmer of hope as I was only a 5 km away. I did the math in my head and realized I had to speed up significantly to make it under 5 hours. The problem is I was pacing myself with Strava which was going based on GPS distance, and supposedly I ran an extra 0.6 miles probably from weaving between people or wide street turns. I wasn't sure I could speed up but I tried to increase my cadence with slower more rapid steps.
Mile 25-26.2: My heart rate was 191 bpm this entire time, my legs felt like anvils and I was nauseous and light headed. There was no question I was at 100% capacity but I figured this was the culmination of a lot of hard work and I would never forgive myself if I missed my goal by seconds.
Finished in 4:58:55. I was so proud to have done it. The entire ambiance of the marathon was very inspiring, seeing so many people of different ages, races and body types come together to accomplish such a feat of athleticism. All the spectators cheering us on throughout the course with words of encouragement and funny signs. It was truly a special experience.
Met up with my wife and kids who were at the finish line, picked up my medal and hobbled home. Drank 1 L of chocolate milk, showered and slept for 2 hours. When I woke up I assessed the damage - left big toenail was black, right ankle was swollen with a large hematoma from when I rolled my ankle, and both nipples were bleeding because I didn't realize chafing happens with a wet shirt. Entire lower body was so sore that I had to walk sideways down the stairs holding the railing. But all these injuries will heal and I will remember this experience forever so it was worth it.
Looking back, there is no question that I was severely undertrained especially being a heavy guy and anemic. I think it is possible to run a marathon with less training than the 5x/week many programs recommend, but it definitely takes longer (at least 6 months). If I could go back, I would have run twice per week to increase the total miles (e.g. instead of a weekend 18 miler, run two 12 milers). I think that would have prepared my body better through cumulative fatigue and reduced risk of injury. I still think long runs are by far the most important for someone who without much time who wants to FINISH a marathon, and speed work/strength training/total weekly mileage etc. for those with a time goal.
In the end, I'm glad I finished the marathon, accomplished my goal and got away relatively unscathed. But I was lucky, and would encourage others to "respect the distance" more because the last 10 km are very difficult on the body due to glycogen depletion, cumulative lactic acid buildup, dehydration/cardiac drift as well as psychologically. But it's amazing what the body can do with proper training!
Best of luck to all the marathoners here - and thanks for all the guidance and encouragement in this sub!

I've been dealing with what I now think is a Sjogrens flare up for a month and a half, and the doctors have not been able to figure it out. We've done numerous tests, and everybody has been completely clueless.
I've been doing my own research also trying to figure out what's been going on when I came across some research for Sjogrens. The more I look into it, the more I am positive that I have it, and that I have had it my whole life.
From what I've read, it's very hard to diagnose in childhood and often goes unknown or unnoticed. Been collecting a list of all of the symptoms and medical issues that I have been experiencing for a majority of my life, so I can bring it to my doctor for my next appointment this coming week.
That being said, I thought I'd come here and see everyone else's thoughts, and for those who had a diagnosis as a child, or suspect they've had it since childhood to see if any of these resonate as well.
I'm sorry if there's TMI here, But here's my list of all my various symptoms that honestly I just thought were normal because they're my normal and that I feel support my case, as well as just some other medical issues that I've had, whether they're related or not, I'm not sure.
If anyone could add their support or if they've experienced any of these things, feel free to ask any questions at all. I am an open book, I just really want answers. Something I know I can do or avoid so that I can function.
Regular nosebleeds from the age of at least three if not sooner Chronic ear infections until I was 4 years old, and then after that they were still very regular until my late teens. Almost at the response to first set of vaccines as a baby (Doctor thought it was most likely the whooping cough one) Bladder incontinence issues since I was 10 (If not sooner, that's just my first time remembering) By the age of five, I had to have my first 8 cavities filled - I've never gone to the dentist, and not had cavities that needed to be filled, unless they were just recently completed. By the age of 7, I started experiencing bad headaches and migraines that were enough to send me to the ER and the doctor. Multiple times- was dismissed by all of them as making it up for attention. As a baby, I didn't poop for the first time until after I was at least a week old. (My mom took photos and had them in my baby album for years - not positive if it's related but it might be.) When I was little, I'd tell people I didn't want to talk because my mouth was tired. As an adult, I still get this feeling, My tongue feels thick and heavy unlike the back of my mouth is almost slightly swollen. Very thick saliva, especially when I need to puke (which can be a symptom of dehydration) Bad stomach virus that put me in the hospital for a day and a half around grade 4 Microplasmic pneumonia in grade 9 Scarlet fever in grade 8 Had strep throat one to two times a year every year growing up (It wasn't deemed bad enough to remove my tonsils) Almost constantly thirsty, and this has been most of my life. I still get a lot of nosebleeds if the air isn't moist enough. My nails are in bad shape, and pretty much always have to been, in a way that seems to be common among the diagnosis Constant gut issues, such as those I'm experiencing now and at them for a long time Constant and regular inflammation related pain for most of my life. Can no longer take NAIDS, due to reaction. I can't have a fan on my face, because it dries out. My eyes, makes me super tired, and will also give me a bloody nose. Lots of times in my life where I am just completely drained and exhausted, without other logical explanations. I've always had a really hard time swallowing dry food. I can't eat just plain pretzels, crackers, or a peanut butter sandwich (without something like jam) and a lot to drink. This has been since I was young. Lots of brain fog, especially if I get stressed. Suffered with heartburn and acid reflux as early as 10 years old. (Possibly longer. That's just my first memory of it) If I'm not drinking copious amount of water, I get very dry skin, worst in my elbows, And especially my hands if I am washing a lot of dishes. (They will get so dry. They bleed even with regular lotion) Lots of exhaustion throughout my life which only got worse in times where I was struggling with my depression. I would have so little energy that I couldn't get out of bed for weeks or months on end.
*Edit to clarify I don't have any diagnosis at all for Sjogrens, but I suspect that it is the reason for all the medical issues I've had throughout my life, and I am gathering info to bring to my doctor.

So I should clarify that I always wear an N95 and Stoggles if I go see a theatre production and use other precautions, too (nasal sprays, CPC mouthwash, etc). I’m more concerned about getting sick from fellow audience members than stage performers. This question is not for me.
I’m currently appearing in a musical, which I know is a big risk. I have so far not gotten COVID and when I do a show, I mask everywhere except onstage (including backstage) and my prime concern is protecting others rather than myself. While I was in the process of rehearsing this musical, the theatre company changed its illness policy from a more conservative one to the new CDC recommended “return when there’s no fever and symptoms are improving.” I was mad but already committed to the show.
Last night one of the lead actors started throwing up backstage. As far as I know, tonight’s performance isn’t canceled, but there is no understudy.
Even if she doesn’t have COVID, I’m obviously concerned about illness spreading in the cast. But I also have elderly family members and a mother of a young baby with tickets to the show tonight.
Should I tell them not to come to avoid the sick actoactors, or is the risk to them low? It’s a community theatre production in a large hall (holds 300+) with a raised recessed stage and an orchestra pit between the audience and stage.