Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Suggest Treatment For Strep Throat Infection
Question: Brief Background :
I had strep throat 4 weeks ago, since then i have quit smoking! I am 28 years old and smoked for about 7 years(last 2 years have been heavy - 20 cigs a day). I visited an ENT for my strep, he gave me antibiotics through IV and then orally, it went away in 6 days. I was having disturbed sleep, cravings, dry mouth, Increased appetite, Acid Reflux, and lot of anxiety (all the withdrawal symptoms).
After that i had stiff neck and mild back pain, i visited ortho he did Xray of my neck which was normal. Then he prescribed few muscle strengthening capsules and few exercises. It got better but the stiff XXXXXXX was still there. I Visited the ortho again with the neck stiffness and he asked for Vitamin D & B12 test. And i am Vitamin D & B12 Deficient. He has prescribed capsules twice a day and power drink once a week for Vitamine D. In between i was having terrible Acid Rflux and lump in throat feeling, so i visited the ENT again and he prescribed tabs. The feeling and Acid reflux both got better after 4 days. This is happend in 4 weeks. Now after 4th week, all of a sudden i had sneezing for 2 days followed by cold and nose congestion with white mucus and after two days of that i started with mild cough with yellow mucus (no blood). Now i am on Antibiotic and i am feeling better after 2 days of medicine. But i have had very very mild pain in the venter of my neck(around the bone before the neck starts) and past 3 hours i have been having shoulder pain with middle back pain and lower back pain and my legs are little numb and there is pressure behind my nose.
I do not have whizzing while i breathe, i do not feel any pain when i deep breathe. there is no blood in the mucus that i had been coughing, my voice is little, very little hoarse due to coughing & Cold (getting back to normal), i can swallow easily without any problem, i feel my hands and legs are little weak.
First i want to know if i have some kind of Cancer, as i have been really really anxious thinking and reading about it over the internet.
Is this normal to face so many problems after quitting smoking. I understand my body is recovering, but its getting really tough.
All the back pains and numbness in legs have just started from this noon. Is this cos i took Enrithromycin with my Muscle Strengthening Tab with Vitamine b12 Capsule ?
Please help, i am really worried.
I had strep throat 4 weeks ago, since then i have quit smoking! I am 28 years old and smoked for about 7 years(last 2 years have been heavy - 20 cigs a day). I visited an ENT for my strep, he gave me antibiotics through IV and then orally, it went away in 6 days. I was having disturbed sleep, cravings, dry mouth, Increased appetite, Acid Reflux, and lot of anxiety (all the withdrawal symptoms).
After that i had stiff neck and mild back pain, i visited ortho he did Xray of my neck which was normal. Then he prescribed few muscle strengthening capsules and few exercises. It got better but the stiff XXXXXXX was still there. I Visited the ortho again with the neck stiffness and he asked for Vitamin D & B12 test. And i am Vitamin D & B12 Deficient. He has prescribed capsules twice a day and power drink once a week for Vitamine D. In between i was having terrible Acid Rflux and lump in throat feeling, so i visited the ENT again and he prescribed tabs. The feeling and Acid reflux both got better after 4 days. This is happend in 4 weeks. Now after 4th week, all of a sudden i had sneezing for 2 days followed by cold and nose congestion with white mucus and after two days of that i started with mild cough with yellow mucus (no blood). Now i am on Antibiotic and i am feeling better after 2 days of medicine. But i have had very very mild pain in the venter of my neck(around the bone before the neck starts) and past 3 hours i have been having shoulder pain with middle back pain and lower back pain and my legs are little numb and there is pressure behind my nose.
I do not have whizzing while i breathe, i do not feel any pain when i deep breathe. there is no blood in the mucus that i had been coughing, my voice is little, very little hoarse due to coughing & Cold (getting back to normal), i can swallow easily without any problem, i feel my hands and legs are little weak.
First i want to know if i have some kind of Cancer, as i have been really really anxious thinking and reading about it over the internet.
Is this normal to face so many problems after quitting smoking. I understand my body is recovering, but its getting really tough.
All the back pains and numbness in legs have just started from this noon. Is this cos i took Enrithromycin with my Muscle Strengthening Tab with Vitamine b12 Capsule ?
Please help, i am really worried.
Brief Answer:
Not cancer symptoms
Detailed Answer:
Hi. Thank you for writing to HCM.
Firstly, let me reassure you that none of the symptoms that you have mentioned are suggestive of cancer. The symptoms that you should be on a look out for in case you are suspecting cancer of the lungs are sudden unexplained weight loss of more than 5 -8 kilograms in a month with excessive blood stained cough and sputum. Other symptoms being a growth or mass near the vocal cords that will lead to severe hoarseness (not little) with noisy breathing. Since you do not have any of these you need not worry. However, I encourage you to maintain the discontinuation of smoking. If the withdrawal symptoms (headache, irritability, anxiety, dry throat, repeated infections) are bad, it is recommended that you switch to nicotine gums or patches to break the cycle of craving and need for smoking.
Repeated throat infections (strep) and nose and sinus infections are very common in chronic heavy smokers such as yourself since the smoke significantly destroys the normal nasal mucous lining (Ciliated columnar epithelium cells) which plays an important role in fighting local infections and preventing stagnation of mucous secretions. Especially after sudden stopping of smoking there is an increase in throat and nose infections due to rebound increase in secretions.
Smoking also causes a lot of acid reflux and the fear of cancer creates a lot of anxiety that leads to significant acid reflux. This acid reflux injures many parts of the voice box and can explain why you have mild hoarseness and feeling of a lump in your throat. Repeated coughing also adds to this vocal cord injury and delays healing of the vocal cords.
The neck pain, body/shoulder/back pain, weakness and body cramps are very common in Vitamin B12 deficiency. Bony pain is common in Vitamin D deficiency. In my opinion you should continue taking the supplements that you have been prescribed for at least 4-6 months to ensure recovery.
It is also recommended that you visit your ENT specialist for a direct video laryngoscopy to screen your vocal cords for mass or lumps to rule out any further possibility of cancer. A chest X ray may also be taken to rule out any chest involvement. This will help you to stop worrying about cancer and will reduce the anxiety and stress that you are taking. This will help improve the acid reflux and bodily pains.
Erythromycin with muscle strengthening tabs have nothing to do with your body pain. They are related to the vitamin B12 deficiency.
Hope this information helps. Do let me know if you have any further questions.
Not cancer symptoms
Detailed Answer:
Hi. Thank you for writing to HCM.
Firstly, let me reassure you that none of the symptoms that you have mentioned are suggestive of cancer. The symptoms that you should be on a look out for in case you are suspecting cancer of the lungs are sudden unexplained weight loss of more than 5 -8 kilograms in a month with excessive blood stained cough and sputum. Other symptoms being a growth or mass near the vocal cords that will lead to severe hoarseness (not little) with noisy breathing. Since you do not have any of these you need not worry. However, I encourage you to maintain the discontinuation of smoking. If the withdrawal symptoms (headache, irritability, anxiety, dry throat, repeated infections) are bad, it is recommended that you switch to nicotine gums or patches to break the cycle of craving and need for smoking.
Repeated throat infections (strep) and nose and sinus infections are very common in chronic heavy smokers such as yourself since the smoke significantly destroys the normal nasal mucous lining (Ciliated columnar epithelium cells) which plays an important role in fighting local infections and preventing stagnation of mucous secretions. Especially after sudden stopping of smoking there is an increase in throat and nose infections due to rebound increase in secretions.
Smoking also causes a lot of acid reflux and the fear of cancer creates a lot of anxiety that leads to significant acid reflux. This acid reflux injures many parts of the voice box and can explain why you have mild hoarseness and feeling of a lump in your throat. Repeated coughing also adds to this vocal cord injury and delays healing of the vocal cords.
The neck pain, body/shoulder/back pain, weakness and body cramps are very common in Vitamin B12 deficiency. Bony pain is common in Vitamin D deficiency. In my opinion you should continue taking the supplements that you have been prescribed for at least 4-6 months to ensure recovery.
It is also recommended that you visit your ENT specialist for a direct video laryngoscopy to screen your vocal cords for mass or lumps to rule out any further possibility of cancer. A chest X ray may also be taken to rule out any chest involvement. This will help you to stop worrying about cancer and will reduce the anxiety and stress that you are taking. This will help improve the acid reflux and bodily pains.
Erythromycin with muscle strengthening tabs have nothing to do with your body pain. They are related to the vitamin B12 deficiency.
Hope this information helps. Do let me know if you have any further questions.
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
