Help. Cant afford medical treatment. Need sound advice

Xephus · Newbie Joined: 17 May 2006 Posts: 1

I am a 23 year old male that has been smoking since I was 13. A week ago I started coming down with symptoms similar to when I get strep (agitated throat similar to rapid onset strep infection) but without the white spots on my throat. Thursday and Friday it was apparent that I did not have strep. No spots on my throat. No coughing. My nasal passage had become completely blocked to the extent that my ears both appeared to be hearing sounds muffled in a way. My right ear especially was very difficult to hear out of. On these two days I also had no strength whatsoever. By Sunday I had developed a fever that peaked at around 102 degrees and dropped by that afternoon to 97 degrees and then back up to my normal body temp. This whole time the cough has been getting worse and the mucous has been getting thicker. Since I have never really blown my nose in my life (i know im weird i just never liked doing it) I decided to see if I could free myself of this disgusting stuff. The mucous was a yellowish green and very very very thick. I was at first worried when it turned brown but after looking online I found that that is probably due to my smoking. But this stuff is endless. 5 minutes after clearing both my passages the snot just comes back and I once again cant breathe. Now I am really worried. There is a significant amount of blood coming out with the snot now. Significant enough that the snot is turning totally red in one of my nostrils but my nose isnt bleeding otherwise. Can someone please tell me if I am going to die or something? I dunno what is going on. I do not know if it is related but I have also been experiencing a severe shortness of breath as of 6 months ago, my nose has been stuffed for over a year even though I have no allergies, and lately I have suffered from several panic attacks from lack of breathing that resulted in a body spasm and my muscles locking up. I really need some advice here.

-edit- A couple other symptoms involved with this illness are a total lack of appetite, minor headahces, and when I try to inhale deeply I get a sharp stabbing pain on either side of my jaw. Sounds like mumps (and i am in iowa too) but theres absolutely no swelling.

Heather_2 · Silver Member Joined: 27 Mar 2006 Posts: 280

You surely have a cluster of symptoms that would be wise having a look at.
Considering that the mucus from your throat is green, I would think of bacteria. As for the bleeding that comes out, it may be due to strong blowing.
You should definitely mention your breathing problems to your doctor. This needs to be evaluated. Have you report any of these to your parents? What did they say? It could be due to smoking because cigarette smoke constricts blood vessels but you could have an underlying condition as well.
As for the panic attacks, if they appeared before breathing problems, they could be a reason of all of your troubles. Prolonged anxiety may cause all sorts of physical and mental symptoms and problems.
I would suggest you talked to your parents and have this checked. Don’t play with your health.

Help. Cant afford medical treatment. Need sound advice

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