I am desperate.
Three weeks ago I was to go off all allergy meds to prepare for a skin allergy test. After the first day, my throat almost swelled shut, I could not breathe (had to use my nebulizer - I have asthma), had red blotchy skin and hives, was red head to toe, itched intensely all over and then the most bizarre thing happened.
I began sniffing. I felt the urge to sniff, as though mucous were in my nose, but when I blew, nothing came out. I sniffed at least 60-120 per minute, and after several hours, started losing feeling/tingling in hands and feet. I almost passed out from the sniffing. This has happened frequently ever since this day and I notice stress seems to bother it, as does bending forward, exercising and so on. Crying actually seems to help it.
Then the throat clearing began and lasted about 9 hours straight, with occasional 10 second breaks. The allergist said to take my meds - this was too severe - they would do a blood test. Unfortunately the throat clearing has continued too. Sometimes I will not have either for hours, but then I will get like an attack almost and cannot stop and I have never experienced this in my life. I would not imagine I would develop some weird tip at this age. I truly believe there is something very wrong. I always feel like there is mucous in my nose and throat and have extreme pain in my face. It sounds similar to a sinus infection, but I have had MANY sinus infections and not once have I ever had these symptoms, not in my whole life.
The blood test showed that I was allergic to grass (definitely suspected this) and dust mites. I also have a massive heat intolerance causing hives. Right now we are working with the apts to get them to allow a window AC with a doc note, so I have been hot and forced to leave the windows open, which is not great since it is grass pollen season and my allergy to it is severe.
Honestly, these things are the least of my concerns though. Ever since this one day, I have had the chronic sniffing problem (for hours - at least 1 hour per day) and the chronic throat clearing (sometimes 12+ hours - will go days without sleep because of it). This is AWFUL. I do use Nasal Irrigation every single day, the little squirt bottle by the original makers of the Neti Pot. Today finally after using it and blowing quite hard upon completing irrigation on both sides (causing ear popping pains) a large glob of mucous larger than the size of a quarter came out with a pudding consistency and it was a highlighter yellow color. I had to blow repeatedly and HARD after the Nasal Irrigation for this to come out and boy what a relief it was! But within an hour, back to the sniffing. It is embarrassing, my husband keeps sleeping on the couch because he cannot take it anymore and we can only go to see loud movies so I can throat clear or sniff during loud parts.
I have had chronic sinus infections and chronic bronchitis (also had whooping cough 3 months ago) for most of my life. My immunoglobulin levels were all fine. My home is clean and mold free. I have a weak immune system from Anorexia, which I have battled off and on for 15 years but am now in treatment for at an ED Center. I am severely dehydrated from restricting fluids and foods, not sure if that is a factor.
If anyone could tell me what they think this could possibly be, I would appreciate it - this is destroying my life - seriously!
One other strange thing - periodically - EVERY day, sometimes for hours - my hands and/or feet swell up MASSIVELY, get dark red and are hot to the touch. This happens so much I had to get a fake wedding ring because the swelling made my fingers not fit in the ring. I have no idea what causes it. My thyroid is fine - they checked it. It is awful - though not as awful as the sniffing/coughing//throat clearing.
Note:
I am on several meds & have several conditions that may or may not matter, so here goes:
- Ultram 300mg/day & Neurontin 600mg/day for Nerve Damage Pain (was mauled by a dog losing half of each lip - had reconstructive surgeries, but enormous pain due to such trauma to the Trigeminal Nerve)
- Adderall 60mg/day for ADD
- Iron, Vitamin D & Vitamin C Supplements for deficiencies and Anemia
- Xanax 1mg as needed for insomnia and panic attacks/PTSD
- Hydroxyz HCL 50mg as needed for Allergies
- Zyrtec 20mg/day for Allergies
-Albuterol for Asthma, either in inhaler form or nebulizer
- I used Afrin 1x per day for 3 days (every other) - so do not believe this contributes
- Excedrin & Imitrex as needed for Migraines
I do not smoke cigarettes, I do not do drugs and I also do not drink alcohol. My husband does none of these either, so I am really never around smoke of any sort.
I am seeing a Doctor this week, but to be honest, while I have seen her for years, I discovered she is just an RN and not nearly as skilled as other doctors seem. If anyone could please help me - I would appreciate it. I had a Sinus infection in January that took almost 4 months to resolve and countless antibiotics. Even that was tolerable, but this constant sniffing and throat clearing is not only painful, it is embarrassing and hurting my marriage! Thank you so much for any info you can share with me!
PS - I am a 27 Year Old Female