#1 ·
I am 39 years old, and I am currently dealing with symptoms that have left even my primary care physician stumped.
It all started about ten days ago with standard cold symptoms: a raspy voice, congestion, and headaches. I was taking over-the-counter medication to manage the pain and fever, so I didn't actually register a high temperature at the time. I assumed it was just another passing virus. It wasn't. In fact, the symptoms have taken an unusual turn. While the hoarseness and nasal congestion have subsided, the headache has expanded into a much wider area. I feel pressure around my sinuses, the bridge of my nose, my temples, and the right cheekbone, extending down to the base of my skull and causing sharp pains in my ears. Perhaps most baffling—even to my doctor—is a dull toothache that migrates from one side of my jaw to the other. These pains aren't constant; they arrive in waves, lasting for several hours before retreating. I also experience sudden bouts of choking followed by a dry cough. Now that I’ve stopped taking the fever reducers, I’ve noticed my temperature sits around 99.7°F.
Since things weren't improving, I went in to see my doctor a few days ago. Based on her examination, my lungs sound clear, and there is no visible inflammation in my throat or ears. Lacking a definitive diagnosis, she prescribed a penicillin-type antibiotic (Augmentin, 1 gram twice daily), but after three days of treatment, my symptoms haven't budged.
My husband is perfectly healthy, but my cat also fell ill about ten days ago; she is currently on antibiotics and is doing better. On a separate note, I underwent surgery a few months ago to remove the left lobe of my thyroid due to cancer.
Does anyone have any insight into what this might be? Specifically, which specialist should I consult, or what diagnostic tests should I request? Any guidance would be sincerely appreciated, as the pain is becoming unbearable.
It all started about ten days ago with standard cold symptoms: a raspy voice, congestion, and headaches. I was taking over-the-counter medication to manage the pain and fever, so I didn't actually register a high temperature at the time. I assumed it was just another passing virus. It wasn't. In fact, the symptoms have taken an unusual turn. While the hoarseness and nasal congestion have subsided, the headache has expanded into a much wider area. I feel pressure around my sinuses, the bridge of my nose, my temples, and the right cheekbone, extending down to the base of my skull and causing sharp pains in my ears. Perhaps most baffling—even to my doctor—is a dull toothache that migrates from one side of my jaw to the other. These pains aren't constant; they arrive in waves, lasting for several hours before retreating. I also experience sudden bouts of choking followed by a dry cough. Now that I’ve stopped taking the fever reducers, I’ve noticed my temperature sits around 99.7°F.
Since things weren't improving, I went in to see my doctor a few days ago. Based on her examination, my lungs sound clear, and there is no visible inflammation in my throat or ears. Lacking a definitive diagnosis, she prescribed a penicillin-type antibiotic (Augmentin, 1 gram twice daily), but after three days of treatment, my symptoms haven't budged.
My husband is perfectly healthy, but my cat also fell ill about ten days ago; she is currently on antibiotics and is doing better. On a separate note, I underwent surgery a few months ago to remove the left lobe of my thyroid due to cancer.
Does anyone have any insight into what this might be? Specifically, which specialist should I consult, or what diagnostic tests should I request? Any guidance would be sincerely appreciated, as the pain is becoming unbearable.