Other Worried about lump in neck

[anonymous]

I am not a vaccine expert, but I believe the viricella vaccine is a live attenuated virus. I had heard previously that grandparents could catch the virus by changing a recently vaccinated child and come down with shingles, but as am not sure this is the case. If the child develops any breakthrough symptoms from the live vaccine ( pustules), I think there is a slight chance of transmission. The same virus ( a herpes virus) causes chicken pox and shingles. One cannot come down with shingles without first having chickenpox.

 

[Fadeaway]

I don't think anyone is trying to diagnosis, more like rule out emergency situations that would require immediate medical attention. I agree though that no one should be trying to diagnosis. all though I did do a hard no to the scabies. That was easy though.

Interesting. I never got chicken pox nor vaccination, so I have always been a bit paranoid of getting shingles. I thought at my age, I would get shingles and chicken pox, even though I never had it.

 

[Sideways]

@Fadeaway - yep, just a bit concerned that the discussion about viruses now infecting grandparents could easily be causing a lot (like, a lot!) more stress in our already stressed mum! I know it's info that would be doing more harm than good if I was trying to stay calm and level-headed about an illness (I've been known to assume the worst case scenario every so often when it comes to my health:rolleyes:!)

 

[Fadeaway]

Point well taken. Her situation is so frustrating and it makes those of us, you included, feel a bit helpless because we want to help, and don't know how too.

 

[Rumors]

I think you should do a perspective check here... you are putting off going to the ER for what hopefully is nothing life threatening, but I guess it could be, bc you are afraid you can't pay the ER bill or what Medicaid doesn't pick up. If this is life threatening or something that needs immediate attention, how expensive will the Ambulance ride be on top of the hospital stay? It would suck to have a bill but you "could" do some things that perhaps would allow you to pay it back at least in part. You obviously have internet service, cut it off for a couple months ??? Your health is too important not to have this addressed as soon as possible. If you have a child then you know it is important to be healthy so that you can take care of your child. Hang in there!!! Hope you are feeling better but GO TO THE ER!!!

 

[Suzetig]

@Casey_03 im sorry you're having a rough time of it and I hope you're able to get to a pharmacy or doctors to figure out what's going on. Whatever it is, my sense is that your stress levels won't help so please look after yourself, remember to use your usual coping strategies and challenge those all or nothing, black and white thought processes.

Guys I know the desire to try and help a fellow traveller but please avoid trying to diagnose, assess or guess what might be happening with @Casey_03's health - at best it could be anxiety raising and at worse could point her in an altogether wrong direction.

 

[scout86]

I should have thought of this sooner, because I've used this myself. Your insurance company might have an online 'clinic' of a sort, that's free. Here's a service I've used. It costs $45, but your insurance might pay for it. https://www.virtuwell.com/ There are several versions of this out there. This bunch is legit. Real nurses, really checked back. Compared to going to a clinic, it's a bargain & there's someone there all the time, I THINK.

(Lots of things cause rashes, including stress.)

 

[Casey_03]

you are putting off going to the ER for what hopefully is nothing life threatening, but I guess it could be, bc you are afraid you can't pay the ER bill or what Medicaid doesn't pick up.

I don't think it's life threatening. There's no fever; I'm still completely functional. If I go to the ER, I am putting my son at risk of getting sick unnecessarily, all because I let my anxiety get the best of me. The ER is swarming with viruses and illness, and if I go there for what amounts to a skin rash and swollen lymph nodes over something that may be as minor as an allergic reaction ... my son may end up getting sicker than I am, and his little body isn't as well equipped to deal with it. So, I'm going to call around and find a doctor tomorrow, ask them to bill me later, and go that route. If any of the symptoms get worse, I'll consider the ER, but right now that seems like it would make matters worse.

Anxiety is just going to make matters worse. So I will stay grounded and remind myself that it's most likely something minor like an allergic reaction. My son seems fine; he's got no rashes. I don't think it could be caused by any of his vaccinations; his last vaccination was more than a month ago.

The good news is the rash isn't getting any worse. It's not really improving either, but it's not worse, which seems to be a good sign. If anything, i need to work out a plan for the future in case I get sick and need someone to take care of my son. Because honestly, I realized last night that is the main source of my anxiety in this situation -- the fear that stems from knowing there is no one to take care of my son if I get very sick and require hospital care. My mind goes to the worst-case scenarios precisely because deep down I know that I'm not prepared to deal with a situation where, god forbid, I get cancer or some terminal illness. So this rash and lump, which are probably something minor, get magnified in my mind and turn into a dire situation.

I think my anxiety is really stemming from the realization on some subconscious level that I NEED to have a plan in place in case I do get deathly ill. I'm not saying it's likely to happen, but it could. I know a woman my age, 32, who has terminal cancer and is leaving behind a 4-year-old. That 4-year-old still will have her dad, but my son won't have anybody if I go. (I realize that sounds dramatic, but I also know it's realistic -- I have to be more aware of my own mortality than I was before when I didn't have a child. I think watching this woman battle cancer recently has played with my mind a bit and made me fear the worst.)

Thank you all for bearing with me and offering advice -- it actually calmed me down to have you guys to turn to, and it means the world to me that you all cared so much to chime in. I will provide an update on the mystery illness when I get to a doctor in a few days, and again, thank you all for being so kind!

 

[Deleted member 37474]

When I was in my 20's I got a rash. It was weird, it started as pimple dots and formed a shape similar to a Christmas tree. I was freaked out!!! The internet wasn't what it is now, either. "You've Got Mail" was at its beginning stages. So I went to the doctor. She asked if I had ever been tested for std's. I let her do a blood test. It was terrifying. I spent two days convinced that I was going to die of syphilis while I waited for the result. A new guy I was dating stayed up listening to me freak out. I went through every sorted sexual encounter I had ever had in voicing my concerns to him. Needless to say, he never saw me again. Lol. My blood came back clean. The rash was some weird rash that people get. I met my future husband the next night. I guess what my point is... most rashes aren't a big deal. With the internet, you can actually look up "rash photos" and possibly find a match. Also, I don't know if you go to church. I realize a lot of people on here hate the mere mention of it or God, but my biggest support system, when my kids were little were other moms at church. Or if you were to find a mommy group for single moms that might also be a way to find a support system.

 

[Heather]

@Casey_03 on the back of your medicaid card..the one you give at the DR's office. There should be a list of numbers to call I.e. mental health etc.

On the back of mine is an 800 number to call where you can speak with an RN 24/7. If you have this..perhaps you can explain your symptoms and see what the nurse thinks. Plus its free.

 

[Captain Proton]

Upon visiting a doctor for the first time since my twenties (I am now 52), they discovered that my thyroid was swollen and my thyroid hormones were at dangerous levels. It was producing too much of one hormone and not enough of another, throwing my whole system out of whack. Simplified, it was so used to preparing me for emergency that the calm-down effect could not catch up. They attributed it to chronic trauma of my youth and resigned it to a lifetime of thyroid regulating drugs.