Resolved question:
reference 210286
Symptoms: burning, tingling in left leg/foot and sore throat
I've had a sore throat for 7 days now. I've been taking Amoxicillin since Wednesday 500 mg 3 x day. I also started taking an expectorant every 4 hours to clear the mucus building at the bottom of the throat, as well as Ibuprofen every now and then.
The sore throat is still as bad as ever. The mucus broke up a little due to the expectorant, but the throat is still sore. At first I thought the mucus caused the sore throat, but now I think maybe the inflammation/swelling of the throat traps the mucus. In any case, it still hurts and the Ibuprofen, antibiotic, and expectorant seems to have little effect. The pain is at the bottom of the throat is causing difficulty swallowing. And yesterday it started becoming a sharp pain every now and then.
The pain in the left foot was pretty bad on Friday to the point I could barely walk on it. It was better Saturday, but still strong. I felt my left leg muscles were rather stiff. I do not feel the foot pain in the morning when I wake up, after hours of not being on my feet. The sore throat becomes immediately apparent upon waking up and lasts throughout the day.
Could I have had a tetanus poisoning, if somewhat mild? I did upload the CBC count and everything was within normal range. All tests came back negative for Herpes, HIV, Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis, Trichomoniasis, etc.
If the Amoxicillin has no effect, is there another antibiotic I can take? I ask this because a few months ago I went to the dentist for an infected root canal done a year earlier. He prescibed Amoxicillin and it did not clear up the infection, so he added Flagyl. He did not follow up to see if that was effective. So Amoxicillin may not be effective with me.
Finally, I did not mention in my sexual escapade on July 30, that my partner inserted a finger into my rectum. I believed she wore a latex glove, and it was only briefly. I am thinking that, more than anything else, may have introduced an infection into my system.
Submitted:
4 Days
Category:
Family Physician-GP
Hello.
Thank you for your query at DoctorSpring.com.
I understand your concern.
Sore throats are more commonly due to viral infections rather than bacterial. This seems to be your case too. Hence antibiotics (which act against bacteria) are neither required or effective. Viral infections are self-limited, resolving on their own even though it might take some time.
Do you have any additional symptoms like runny nose, cough, headache, facial pain, fever ?
If you have recurrent sore throats, other causes like acid-reflux have to be considered; especially if you smoke or are overweight/obese.
In such a case, the underlying cause has to be treated for complete relief.
As for the foot pain, it is better to get it examined, preferably from an Orthopedist to rule out soft tissue inflammation, tendinitis etc.
You do not have any Tetanus poisoning, please do not worry about this. And its good to know that you have tested negative for the STDs.
Fingering with a latex glove will not result in a significant infection as the rectum is already full of a wide variety of gut bacteria. The gut wall has a tough defensive barrier as well.
I would suggest that you take the following measures.
1. Please carry out warm salt water gargling, 3-4 times daily, for 5 days. Although a simple measure, it will not only be soothing but has a cleansing and anti-septic action as well.
2. Instead of taking Ibuprofen on and off, take 400 mg 2-3 times daily, for 5 days.
3. You can even try some OTC throat lozenges for symptomatic relief.
4. You can stop the Amoxicillin and no other antibiotic is required. Expectorant is may be continued if cough is present.
Please carry out these measures for another 5 days. If there is no improvement in your symptoms by day 3 or if they worsen, please consult an ENT specialist.
I hope this was helpful. Feel free to ask queries.
Thank you.
Thank you for your response. The sore throat is not accompanied by any other symtom such as coughing, runny nose, headache, facial pain, or fever. It occurs as an isolated symptom.
I tried gargling with warm salt water, and it seemed to help today. I also induced gagging and coughed up whatever I could. Afterward, the soreness was much reduced, so that is really a hopeful sign. I did not take Ibuprofen today, but I did continue with the Amoxicillin, and an occasional tablet of the expectorant.
I was in New Orleans over the weekend, and walking around with a friend, the pain in my left foot was almost unbearable. It was like the pain was in the bones or joints - my toes, arch, ankle, heel all hurt with an alternating sharp pain, burning, and tingling. There is always no pain in the morning when I wake up, but as soon as I get on my feet the pain sets in. Outwardly there is no visible sign of blisters, sores, breaks in the skin, peeling, cracking, etc. It is all internal.
I am at a loss as to what is causing this, and it is starting to really concern me. I would have said diabetic neuropathy, but I don't have diabetes (although I have been diagnosed with approaching diabetic state a couple of months ago, but I don't think I'm there yet to the point where this would happen). This left leg and foot burning all started with the penis burning back on August 1-2. The penis burning is long gone, thanks to me using Clotrimazole on the frenulum and scrotum, but I have since stopped using that too for about a week now. Could it be lumbar related still? I will take your advice and seek an orthopedic specialist. I already have an appointment with and ENT this coming week.
One last question, I am still thinking all this is fungal infection related (whether far-fetched or not). Should I consider using an oral anti-fungal medication?
Hello.
Thank you for the follow up.
No it does not seem to be lumbar related from your history although there is a slight possibility.
All your symptoms are very isolated, and hence making a diagnosis without examining you is becoming difficult.
I still feel its more of an orthopaedic issue, and soft tissue inflammation and tendinitis needs to be ruled out.
Please visit your Orthopaedician soon.
And no this does not seem to be fungal infection. I advised you clotrimazole for your scrotal infection at that point. That was for localized infection. In fact fungal infections systemically, are extremely rare, only happening in immunocompromised people.
If possible also get your RBS checked.
Do let me know what your doctor says,
Regards.
Well, the sore throat really stopped hurting after I gargled with warm salt water a few times.Either that or it stopped by itself.
As for the left leg/foot, I started putting the Clotrimazole around the anal opening and it reduced the tingling/burning in the foot by about 60%.
Hello.
Thank you for the follow up.
It is good to know that your sore throat has gone away.
If there was fungal infection around your anus, it is possible that it the sensation got transmitted to your foot, and hence after application of clotrimazole, it is getting better. It is definitely possible.
Do keep me posted if there is any new development, or when you completely recover.
Regards.