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Upper back issues.

Posted by mundane98 @mundane98, Aug 29 10:56pm

I am 30 year old female. I understand that I need to seek help from a doctor, but I'm currently in the process of finding a primary care physician and hopefully obtaining insurance soon. —————
In the meantime, I would appreciate some advice on where to start. In June, I experienced a severe allergic reaction related to my sinuses. I felt dizzy, and a large mucus plug came out, which resulted in intense eye pain and a lot of fluid.. In July, I took a round of antibiotics and felt fine for a week. However, I then began experiencing severe musculoskeletal aches and flu-like symptoms each week, without actually having the flu. I also had a persistent white post-nasal drip that started with sinus issues. My eyes continued to feel sensations of fluid.

At the end of July, I experienced a significant mucus plug, which alleviated some of my discomfort. However, my body aches worsened, likely exacerbated by my menstrual cycle.

In August, I visited an ENT specialist and underwent a nasal endoscopy, which came back clear. Despite this, I continued to suffer from sinus headaches and similar symptoms, along with mild body aches. The ENT diagnosed me with allergies and recommended that I take antihistamines and use a nasal spray.

I felt like I was managing okay until my upper back pain returned after I heard a pop in that area. Now, my entire back hurts, and I’m just three days away from my period again. While I was glad that the medications initially started to take effect, I feel exhausted from dealing with all of this. My current symptoms include slight heaviness in my eyes—likely due to the medications—along with general body fatigue and strange aches in my back, which are somewhat improved compared to last month.

I am tired as which doctor to show. My ent will check on me after 6 weeks, then we can go for ct scan. But I don’t have insurance yet. But I’m so scared of my upper back aches! When they flame, my entire body flames. Any suggestions in the meantime is welcomed, I am on waiting list as of now.
Right now I’m sitting here with back headaches, upper back aches and posture dizziness. Only walking and laying helps.

I am just 30. I feel sad as I have never been this ill. Not sure sinus and allergies made me this weak?! Or is there something else now.

Tests done:
CBC normal
All vitamins - normal
Vitamin D - normal
Electrolytes - normal
Kidney functioning - normal

Next step?

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mundane98 | @mundane98 | Sep 5 4:36am
In reply to @laura1970 "Be careful with afrin. It’s very effective but also addictive. Use it as per the instructions..." + (show)
Profile picture for laura1970 @laura1970

Be careful with afrin. It’s very effective but also addictive. Use it as per the instructions for 3 days. 5 days max unless a doctor tells you otherwise. It causes rebound nasal congestion.

Jump to this post

As of now, I have a lot of postnasal drip, as my sinuses are draining. It’s causing me to breathe shallow. Other symptoms are lifting, and I really want to get a nebulizer instead.
Not relying on afrin as of now.

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laura1970 | @laura1970 | Sep 5 8:32am
In reply to @mundane98 "Ibuprofen doesn’t provide much relief for me. However, I found that using tiger balm really helps;..." + (show)
Profile picture for mundane98 @mundane98

Ibuprofen doesn’t provide much relief for me. However, I found that using tiger balm really helps; it relaxes my muscles more than anything else does. That is the only time I truly feel relaxed.

I believe I have some ergonomic damage, as last month was particularly challenging due to my sinus issues and a poor mattress. I was slouching and sleeping a lot because I had difficulty breathing.
I changed my mattress on august first week. Majority of my pain on my body was lifted except for my upper back and neck now.
And 2 month sinus has made me weak tbh.

Jump to this post

I have very tight neck and shoulder muscles. Botox injections really help

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pht1123 | @pht1123 | Sep 6 8:05am
In reply to @mundane98 "I was away for four months and returned to the USA in May. In June mid-month,..." + (show)
Profile picture for mundane98 @mundane98

I was away for four months and returned to the USA in May. In June mid-month, during high pollen season, I got down with weird sinus stuff.
My fever is never there. I checked the temperature. It’s always normal.
At this moment, my sinus feels good. I don’t have flu-like symptoms, but my upper back aches, and bad headaches are present. They’re more like heaviness and tension headaches. This month, my periods are exacerbating the situation, while last month, it was my body aches. Rotating each month.
Doing every possible thing at home.
- My family has no history of autoimmune disease.
- regarding allergies, I have severe dust allergy. 10 years ago I was taken to ER because I couldn’t breathe. But I was in another country. Took me 2 months to recover that time.
Insurance will be available on November. Sigh.

Jump to this post

I just saw your post and hope you are feeling better by the time you read this. An important statement you wrote was that you were away for 4 months and just got back to the US. Is it possible that you have a parasite or a worm? Please check this out - as this may be the key to figuring out your symptoms. Not trying to scare you, but even a stool for ova and parasites (common test) may detect something. If not, further testing - MRI probably of head/sinus, should help. If this is a parasite, it may be easily fixed with specific antibiotics and treatment. Good luck and hope you feel better.

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laura1970 | @laura1970 | Sep 6 12:49pm
In reply to @mundane98 "As of now, I have a lot of postnasal drip, as my sinuses are draining. It’s..." + (show)
Profile picture for mundane98 @mundane98

As of now, I have a lot of postnasal drip, as my sinuses are draining. It’s causing me to breathe shallow. Other symptoms are lifting, and I really want to get a nebulizer instead.
Not relying on afrin as of now.

Jump to this post

Post nasal drip can many times be controlled with OTC nasal steroids like flonase. Just don’t stop taking when symptoms resolve. They will come back

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mundane98 | @mundane98 | Sep 6 2:12pm
In reply to @laura1970 "Post nasal drip can many times be controlled with OTC nasal steroids like flonase. Just don’t..." + (show)
Profile picture for laura1970 @laura1970

Post nasal drip can many times be controlled with OTC nasal steroids like flonase. Just don’t stop taking when symptoms resolve. They will come back

Jump to this post

I’m avoiding it because I heard its long-term effects are scary. And in case I end up getting it again, I might just constantly rely on this.

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mundane98 | @mundane98 | Sep 6 2:14pm
In reply to @pht1123 "I just saw your post and hope you are feeling better by the time you read..." + (show)
Profile picture for pht1123 @pht1123

I just saw your post and hope you are feeling better by the time you read this. An important statement you wrote was that you were away for 4 months and just got back to the US. Is it possible that you have a parasite or a worm? Please check this out - as this may be the key to figuring out your symptoms. Not trying to scare you, but even a stool for ova and parasites (common test) may detect something. If not, further testing - MRI probably of head/sinus, should help. If this is a parasite, it may be easily fixed with specific antibiotics and treatment. Good luck and hope you feel better.

Jump to this post

I suspected that too. But it has been dismissed.
It’s mostly allergies in my case.
But I will actually look into this too.
My back is a lot better now. I’m left with sinus irritation due to wildfires now. It’s just shortness of breath and uncontrollable post nasal drip due to smog. Rest are calming now.

REPLY
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mundane98 | @mundane98 | Sep 6 2:14pm
In reply to @laura1970 "I have very tight neck and shoulder muscles. Botox injections really help" + (show)
Profile picture for laura1970 @laura1970

I have very tight neck and shoulder muscles. Botox injections really help

Jump to this post

It does? I can look into that!

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mundane98 | @mundane98 | Sep 29 10:29pm

Update: I got diagnosed with allergic rhinitis and also found a mold at my home.

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jenatsky | @jenatsky | Oct 5 11:48am

Adrian can also affect your blood pressure by raising it. Be careful with use if your have hypertension with or without medication.

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