Multiple Throat Infections....etc...VERY worried!

[Ania2009]

On June 11th, I was diagnosed with bronchitis for which I was given amoxycillin for a week.  I took the amoxycillin, and apparently, it did not work, as it turned into pneumonia by July, when I got an amazingly bad case of it.  Then, my general doctor gave me another antibiotic called sulfamethoxazole/trimrthoprim for a week.  I had such a bad case of pneumonia that I could barely even crawl to the bathroom from my bed.  I've never been so sick in my life.  Then, that seemed to have cleared up entirely for about a week or two weeks.  However, I suddendly felt a sore throat AGAIN, and I went immediately to my general doctor.  He diagnosed me with strep throat without any culture.  So, he put me on yet another antibiotic, which was arythromyacin for six days (i.e., double dose).  Now, it is three days since I took my last dose of this latest antibiotic for an alleged strep throat, and my throat feels sore again.  I feel sick again.....like another slow progression of something.  What could he be missing?  I've never been sick so many times in one year, let alone sequentially.  I did mention that to my doc when I was being diagnosed for the strep throat to which he said that it is normal to be sick 3 - 4 times a year.  What might be going on with me?  I am in my 30s, and I have led a generally low risk lifestyle, with no illegal drug use.  I am getting wildly worried that it might be something super, super serious, and I am feeling tired lately from being sick all the time.  Also, if I do have something very, very serious, where can I go for treatment, as I have NO health insurance.  I have barely been able to afford my general doc's bills.  I would appreciate ANY advice on what could be wrong with me, where to go, etc.  Thank you!

[ENTMD]

This does not seem to be a very simple problem and, accordingly, it will be impossible for you to get any simple answers here.  This does appear a little odd that someone who is young and otherwise healthy (I surmise) would suddenly become so ill during the summer (when people are usually healthier anyway) and for several months.  It's hard to say what your doc may have missed (if anything).  But I think getting a fresh set of eyes would be the best bet.  I understand you have no insurance and that this is not the advice you probably want to hear, but again, with a complex problem you are not likely to find an easy answer here.  You need a good doctor who will spend the time listening to you and doing a thorough exam.  I don't mean to malign your current doc, but I agree that it is pretty hard to diagnose strep throat without performing a swab/culture.  Furthermore, bronchitis is almost always viral (ie, antibiotics would not be indicated).  And...pneumonia so bad that you have to crawl to the bathroom being treated with a week of antibiotics seems very undertreated...I agree that it is normal to be sick 3-4 times per year.  But we are talking colds/URIs here, not pneumonias.  Sorry.  We need some better health insurance options in this country...