[25F] With persistent shortness of breath and pain

Patient Description

A 25-year-old female has been experiencing shortness of breath for approximately two months, which worsens after swallowing pills, feeling as though the esophagus closes up. Laying down and relaxing provides some relief. She also reports difficulty swallowing both solids and liquids, with a decreased appetite. Chest pain began a few days ago, described as both sharp and dull, with a severity of 4 to 6 out of 10. Additionally, she has jaw, ear, and neck pain, with a lump behind the jaw that swells and shrinks, possibly causing the jaw and ear pain. Neck pain has been ongoing for months, rated at 6 to 7 out of 10, and sometimes extends into the head. The patient also experiences abdominal and muscle pain. She smokes marijuana daily but is attempting to quit, with no significant change in symptoms. Family history includes thyroid issues on the mother's side. She takes Quelbree and ibuprofen daily, with no known allergies.

Show More

Arora's Assessment

What might be happening

Your symptoms could be related to several potential issues:

  1. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): Difficulty swallowing, chest pain, and the sensation of a pill getting stuck could be related to acid reflux. GERD can cause esophageal irritation, leading to these symptoms.

  2. Lymphadenopathy: The lump behind your jaw that swells and shrinks might be an enlarged lymph node, possibly due to infection or inflammation.

  3. Musculoskeletal Pain: Neck and jaw pain could be related to muscle tension or strain, especially if it radiates into your head.

  4. Anxiety or Stress: These can sometimes cause or exacerbate symptoms like shortness of breath and chest pain.

Typical treatments might include medications for acid reflux, pain management, and further evaluation of the lump with imaging like the CT scan you mentioned.

What you can do

Shortness of Breath and Swallowing Difficulty:

  • Follow up with your healthcare provider about the CT scan and discuss your swallowing issues.
  • Try eating smaller, more frequent meals and avoid lying down immediately after eating.

Jaw, Ear, and Neck Pain:

  • Apply warm compresses to the affected area to help with pain.
  • Consider gentle neck stretches and relaxation techniques to reduce muscle tension.

Chest Pain:

  • Monitor your symptoms and avoid activities that worsen the pain.
  • If the pain becomes severe or is accompanied by other symptoms like dizziness or fainting, seek medical attention.

General Tips:

  • Keep a symptom journal using MDandMe to track your symptoms, triggers, and any changes over time. This can be helpful for your healthcare provider.
  • Continue working on reducing marijuana use, as it may help improve your symptoms over time.

What you should look out for

Seek medical attention if you experience:

  • Severe or worsening chest pain.
  • Difficulty breathing that becomes severe.
  • Swelling or pain in the lump that increases or becomes painful.

Remember, it's important to follow up with your healthcare provider for a formal diagnosis and treatment plan.

Show More

1
 Hugs
0
 Comments

Save

2 mo ago

People Also Ask

What could be causing my difficulty swallowing and chest pain?

Difficulty swallowing and chest pain could be related to Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), where stomach acid irritates the esophagus. It's important to discuss these symptoms with your healthcare provider for proper evaluation and treatment.

Why do I have a lump behind my jaw that swells and shrinks?

A lump behind the jaw that swells and shrinks might be an enlarged lymph node, which can occur due to infection or inflammation. It's advisable to have it evaluated by a healthcare provider, possibly with imaging tests, to determine the cause.

How can smoking marijuana affect my symptoms?

Smoking marijuana can affect respiratory function and may exacerbate symptoms like shortness of breath. Reducing or quitting marijuana use might help improve these symptoms over time.

What are some ways to manage neck and jaw pain?

Managing neck and jaw pain can involve applying warm compresses, performing gentle neck stretches, and practicing relaxation techniques to reduce muscle tension. Over-the-counter pain relief like ibuprofen may also help, but it's important to consult with a healthcare provider for a tailored approach.

Preview

Post

No comments yet

Be the first one to comment

Share your feedback

All Stories

Experiencing symptoms?

Our AI will conduct a medical interview and assess what might be happening. You can also make a post afterwards.

Share your feedback