Allergies or something more?

[georgetowngirl]

I'm a 20 year old, otherwise very healthy female. Ever since I came to college, I've had non-stop problems with green, rubbery mucus lining my trachea. It's not in my lungs, and the mucus in my nose is clear. I occasionally get bronchitis and once got pneumonia as a result of this problem. I have been to the doctor 14 times since I first started having problems in fall of 2009. I couldn't sleep at night because I would feel like I was drowning if I laid down. They always prescribe antibiotics, send me for a chest x-ray, and then send me on my way. The antibiotics worked at first, but it always came back, and now they don't work at all. The x-rays were always clear.

Now, I still have the mucus in my throat, but I also have extremely swollen glands in my neck, (to the point where it is agonizing to turn my neck), bloody mucus coming out of my nose, extreme headache, and body aches. I also don't have an appetite. I went to the doctor, and all he told me was take Allegra, and drink fluids. On the way out of the office, I passed out in the waiting room. The doctor still did not change his diagnosis.

I don't know what to do, I feel helpless. Anyone have any advice?

[Dr Rajput]

Hi, welcome to the forum, the neck glands enlargement you have mentioned; the first thing to be ruled out is allergy and swelling involving lips, larynx and around the neck is termed as angioedema. If having breathing problems then you need to go hospital without delay.

There are certain known triggering factors like ACE inhibitors, stress, excitement, cold exposure, prolonged sitting or standing, and ingestion of certain foods. Hence, you need to identify this triggering factor and avoid the further exposure.

Other possibilities needed to be ruled out are Infectious inflammatory disorders like Reactive viral lymphadenopathy, Bacterial lymphadenopathy and Noninfectious inflammatory disorders (kawasaki's disease).

These condition can be accurately diagnosed by certain serological tests and neck MRI, CT or ultrasound. Not but the least even biopsy may be needed to know the type of tissue.
If it is due to bacterial then treatment with appropriate antibiotics and anti inflammatory drugs against prescription will help to relieve the symptoms faster.

I suggest you to consult a physician for detailed physical and local examination supported with investigations for further management. Take care and regards.

[sleepytea]

I agree with bsmsl!  There are many possibilities for what may be going on with you. Definitely got to another doctor, an allergist if you can too, and if they do not give you answers, then go to a different doctor and just start your story over again so they can make their own conclusions without the ideas of your other doctor influencing their diagnosis.  It could be something in your new environment from chemicals in the furniture irritating your body, to whatever is "living" in the air duct system.  Multiple things could be irritating your allergies, thus wearing down (overworking) your immune system and then making you susceptible to other things like viruses and bacteria.

If you do not have one, I highly recommend getting a netti pot/nasal cleansing pot. They are easy to use once you get a hang of it and there are tutorials on youtube.  At least in that sense if allergens are bothering you then you can cleanse your sinuses to aid in the battle.

Best wishes to a speedy, proper diagnosis and recovery!  There is an answer somewhere, you just have to keep searching!

[bsmsl]

You need to go to a teaching hospital near you for some real help.  I assume you have been going to the campus clinic.  Passing out on the way out of the doctor's office and them not calling an ambulance is deplorable.  You need a new doctor NOW!  Find one the cares about his patients and not his pay check.