Help me with my medical issue! Yay!

[DoomMunky]

Yay! Another "I don't have health insurance and am relying on Qt3 for medical advice" thread!

So for the last month or so, every so often I get this thing. It's a tightness in my throat, and I have no idea what it is. It feels like my throat is slightly constricted. It will go away in an hour or so (if past experience is any indication), but while it's around it's distracting and worrisome. Then I forget completely about it until it happens again. It's not hard to breathe or eat, but it feels tight in my throat.

It seemed to happen regularly after eating bacon in the morning, so I stopped eating bacon and the problem seemed to get less severe. Now this morning I had Cheerios in rice milk, toast with butter and jam, and an orange, and the tightness is back, as strong as it ever was with bacon. I don't understand!

I don't think Tums have any effect, and I'm an otherwise healthy dude, in good shape, not overweight, with a healthy, veggie-packed diet. Any ideas? Again, I don't have a doctor or medical coverage, so hitting the doctor's office isn't an option unless I'm likely to have amazing bulbous throat cancer.

[tiohn]

I'm allergic to cow's milk and what you describe is a mild reaction for me. It sounds like an allergy.

If it's what I think it is, it's a really mild form of anaphylaxis. I get mine on a couple times a week, although with pretty severe cramping and whatnot.

[DoomMunky]

Ugh! Sounds awful!

I just talked to a fellow here at work and 'allergy' was his first idea, too. A common thread with those bacon meals was the toast I had this morning. I've been eating sprouted wheat bread for the past year due to a hippie doctor telling me I had a wheat sensitivity, and the bread's never caused a problem yet, but...

But I did have it last night with cheese and onions (mmm!) for dinner, and didn't have any issues then. The only other common food item is coffee. After the tightness goes away this afternoon I'll have some coffee from Starbucks and see what happens.

[Aeon221]

It could be lupus!

Or it could be a cyst, I had one of those in mine throat. Had to get a giant needle in my throat to remove it.

Also, do you have anything in your mouth when this tightness in your throat occurs? Perhaps a flapjack?

[DoomMunky]

Shit, should I stop gargling pancakes every morning?

[Leah C]

It could be a million different things. My friend's husband has something that fits those symptoms, called esophageal stricture. And I have those symptoms when I have mild food allergies to things or when I have a lot of anxiety.

I don't have insurance, either! Any non profits around? Not all are like clinics where you stand in line all day and hope they get to you. I go to a really nice one that runs just like a normal office, but it's cheap/free. Anything like that around?

[Alan Au]

Based on your vague description and without knowing your medical history, it sounds like inflammation of the esophagus, which can be caused by all sorts of things (food allergies, not enough liquids with meals/medication, infection, etc.).

- Alan

[Rimbo]

i have a medical issue

i can't pee... at least, not enough...

i think i should see a doctor about this

[DoomMunky]

Rimbo, I thought you weren't going to post while drinking any more.

Though perhaps drinking could solve your problem. Prescription = Six pack!

[tiohn]

You might also try removing that cock from your mouth on occasion.

[Bahimiron]

I had the same issue that started up about three years ago. I eventually tied it to my Diet Pepsi addiction. I'm pretty sure it's a mild allergic response to the aspartame in diet sodas*. So put me down for 'allergy' as well.

*I still drink Diet Pepsi, of course. I used the term addiction for a reason!

[Rward]

Maybe its the milk in your coffee?
Perhaps the coffee itself?
Coffee is so shit, yet so damn nice........

[DoomMunky]

I'm a black coffee man, myself. Like I like my women; in a big mug.

I'm starting a diet log to track this stuff. I've been fine the last couple of days, but today is the first day with new Trader Joes coffee! Ack! It may be the coffee! Ack!

We'll see.

[tiohn]

I'm a black coffee man, myself. Like I like my women;
Ground up and in the freezer?

[Lunch of Kong]

You can go to those clinics that mainly service day workers without insurance. My friend Annie used to go to one of those, and the clinic visits would cost a flat fee of $90. She said it was a great place to practice her Spanish too.

[MatthewF]

This thread delivers.

[Mordrak]

This is America's health care system at its finest!

[Skipper]

America: Helping others help themselves. Because our health care sucks.

[Houngan]

Allergies. Welcome to getting older.

H.

[Jon Rowe]

I'm a black coffee man, myself. Like I like my women; in a big mug.

I'm starting a diet log to track this stuff. I've been fine the last couple of days, but today is the first day with new Trader Joes coffee! Ack! It may be the coffee! Ack!

We'll see.

You like your women in a big mug?

[DoomMunky]

Dude, who doesn't? Naked women, nacho cheese, coffee; everything is better in a big mug!

Allergies. Welcome to getting older

Damn. Really? Is this what aging is? Shit falling apart? My knees went bad 2 years ago due to too much parkour, but I thought that was an abberation. Was it really just a harbinger of my soon-to-be-failing body?

[Skipper]

You like your women in a big mug?

http://blogs.jsonline.com/blogs/statefair/teacups%20%28Small%29.jpg

[Scrax]

Yea, I'm with the food allergy folk. I didn't develop lactose intolerance until middle school when dairy started making me sick. It varies per dairy product. Milk makes me vomit, but smoothies make my throat constrict. It felt like I could feel my esophagus all the way down my throat. Some people are only very lightly afflicted, and to only some products for whatever reason. Age/ethnicity may have some effect as well.

I would do that food diary thing. If it's not dairy, it could be something else.

I take Lactaid milk now, as well as an enzyme pill with any dairy products throughout the day, and I'm fine most of the time.

[tiohn]

Lactose intolerance and milk allergies are not the same thing.

[Scrax]

Really? Shows what I know.

Well, both can be developed later in life, so like you've already said, start paying attention to what you eat.

[Houngan]

Dude, who doesn't? Naked women, nacho cheese, coffee; everything is better in a big mug!


Damn. Really? Is this what aging is? Shit falling apart? My knees went bad 2 years ago due to too much parkour, but I thought that was an abberation. Was it really just a harbinger of my soon-to-be-failing body?

Yep, allergies definitely get worse as you age. As does everything else, except your bank account.

H.

[DoomMunky]

Good to know at least, but DAMMIT! Even though I'm not yet 30, aging stinks.

Anyway, thanks for all the ideas, y'all. I'm going to go down this food allergy path and experiment with my diet for a couple weeks and see what's up. Thanks for the suggestions!

[Aeon221]

Yep, allergies definitely get worse as you age. As does everything else, except your bank account.

H.

Suck it, old people! (http://mivid.net/video/187/Mickey-Avalon--My-Dick)


Not safe for work, which, uh, you should be able to figure out because the song's name is My Dick.

[Aleck]

My dad's gluten allergy manifests in the same way. Get yourself tested.

For allergies, I mean.

[Brendan]

It's a toomuh.

[Scrax]

http://i34.tinypic.com/ezr381.jpg