Super Bummed - ailments popping up days before my trip

[Minkishly]

I've been planning a dream anniversary trip for close to a year, and now that the trip is days away, I'm suffering from 2 ailments that just popped up. I know they aren't going to recover before my trip and will most likely persist for the entire duration.

First, 2 weeks ago, I had the sensation that there was a lump in my throat that I couldn't get rid of. The feeling subsides when I eat and I get about 10 minutes of peace before it comes back. It's not painful, just exceedingly annoying and I feel it the most when I talk or when I've been exerting myself physically (eg exercise). It was initially diagnosed as heartburn and I was prescribed meds to try and relieve the symptoms. However, after the first week, it only got worse. I didn't have any other heartburn symptoms other than the lump. So back to the doctor I went, and again, she examined my neck and said it wasn't anything to do with my lymph nodes, nor could she feel any foreign body that was stuck. The lump shifts around a lot; it starts out on the right sides of my throat in the morning, and progressively moves to the center where it sits where my Adam's apple would have been if I were a dude.

I've been referred to a specialist, but I couldn't get an appointment for an endoscopy before the trip, so I'll have to suffer this mysterious lump for the entirety of our vacation. Unless, I eat every now and again to relieve it, which doesn't sound like much, but I was hoping to be a little more cautious about my diet since I had worked so hard to lose weight prior to the trip (lost 22 pounds since March).

The closest thing I found through googling online that's similar to what I'm going through is globus pharyngeus. I really wish I had gone to a specialist from the start instead of wasting time treating it like it was heartburn. But I was really busy, and frankly, I was just hoping for the best. Now, I can't even really remember what it's like to not feel like there's something constantly pressing down on my throat. It sucks.

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And just today, I discovered my second ailment. A little round-ish red patch on my right forearm that looks a lot like ringworm in its very early stages. It's not even itchy yet, nor has it developed that telltale ring around the perimeter, but the round, distinct shape is a little telling. I still have about a week before my first park day but I'm really worried that this thing will add more woe to this trip I've looked forward to for so, so long.

I've read that ringworm stops being contagious 24 to 48 hours after the first anti-fungal treatment (done), so I wouldn't be a contagious carrier by then. But it's at a pretty prominent spot, and unless I wear long sleeve tops for the entirety of my trip (which I'm *really* disinclined to do... because. summer.), I'm worried about all the dirty looks I'd be thrown by concerned parents. I've had ringworm once before, and it doesn't heal pretty. My skin is pretty fair, so any kind of marks or rashes are very prominent. I might have to resort to buying and wearing a thin cardigan over all the pretty dresses I already have packed, or simply wearing a bandaid to cover the patch, even though I know it would discourage healing.

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Sorry for this super long rant, you guys. It's just that, being all the way from Asia, we don't get to go to Disney World that often. Our last trip was 3 years ago (our honeymoon) and this was going to be our super duper anniversary trip. It's been 12 years since we first got together, and 12 is a pretty special number to us, so this was going to be a milestone celebration trip. Plus, what with us getting a new house soon and all the renovation costs involved, we wouldn't have the funds to go to WDW again till years later.

I really don't want to bring the mood down, but I'm just not feeling the Disney magic right now.

 

[jerseygal]

I truly hope that your health issues improve. I can imagine how disappointing it is after planning. Happy Anniversary! If you decide to rebook, hope that by then your health issues are resolved and you have a great trip!

 

[Minkishly]

I truly hope that your health issues improve. I can imagine how disappointing it is after planning. Happy Anniversary! If you decide to rebook, hope that by then your health issues are resolved and you have a great trip!

Thank you for being so sweet! Rebooking isn't an option at this point. I'm hoping that if it is ringworm, I can tide over the worst in the week before the trip. My concern is to not infect anyone else. The globus will probably persist, but I'll just soldier on, somehow.

 

[ronandannette]

Is ringworm a fairly common infection in Asia? It isn’t here, not really. I doubt anybody would observe a mark in your arm and immediately think ringworm. Most people will probably not even notice, much less say anything to you. Let go of being so self-conscious and don’t let a little blemish ruin your trip. Happy Anniversary.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Put a (big) Band-Aid over the ring.

 

[sk!mom]

Definitely talk with your doc about something for the spot. I recently had something similar on my leg and my doc thought it was fungal. She suggested spraying it with https://www.cvs.com/shop/lotrimin-a...-powder-spray-4-6-oz-spray-can-prodid-1011287

It disappeared in days.

 

[firefly_ris]

Is ringworm a fairly common infection in Asia? It isn’t here, not really. I doubt anybody would observe a mark in your arm and immediately think ringworm. Most people will probably not even notice, much less say anything to you. Let go of being so self-conscious and don’t let a little blemish ruin your trip. Happy Anniversary.

I don't think that it's extremely common in North America, but I'm in the eastern US and I got ringworm when I was in middle school -- it was suspected that I picked it up from the gymnasium floor. Had it on my leg. It was real weird, but it was just 1 spot. It is contagious though and like my anecdote, does not need human skin contact to transfer it. The infected person needs to make sure they don't share any personal items. That said, if being actively treated with the proper antifungal I think that contagiousness would be gone by a week later but I'd of course confirm that with a doctor.

 

[PollyannaMom]

Sorry you're dealing with all that right before your trip! (I think it's almost an unwritten rule here that someone will get something right before we go.)

It sounds like the rash will be under control, as you won't be contagious anymore. (I agree with bringing band-aids in case you want to cover it when you're most self-conscious.) But I know the throat things would be scary to me. Is it possible that's stress-related? Some things flare up when we're under a lot of stress (getting ready for vacation being notorious for that!) so maybe the symptoms will actually be a little milder on vacation.

 

[mom2rtk]

The ring worm is not a big deal. Treat it with the anti-fungal cream and cover it when you're in the parks.

Good luck with the other issue! I hope they put your mind at ease before your trip.

 

[Minkishly]

Is ringworm a fairly common infection in Asia? It isn’t here, not really. I doubt anybody would observe a mark in your arm and immediately think ringworm. Most people will probably not even notice, much less say anything to you. Let go of being so self-conscious and don’t let a little blemish ruin your trip. Happy Anniversary.

Aww, thank you for your well wishes! I'm not sure how common it is, but it's not very pretty (all scabby and crusty) when it's healing. Actually, I'm more concerned about being contagious and spreading any kind of fungal infections accidentally while I'm out and about. It's so very uncomfortable to have. Last thing I want is for some little darling to have to go through something like that.

Put a (big) Band-Aid over the ring.

That's my plan if it gets too out of hand!

Definitely talk with your doc about something for the spot. I recently had something similar on my leg and my doc thought it was fungal. She suggested spraying it with https://www.cvs.com/shop/lotrimin-a...-powder-spray-4-6-oz-spray-can-prodid-1011287

It disappeared in days.

I'll be sure to check that out. Thank you!!

I don't think that it's extremely common in North America, but I'm in the eastern US and I got ringworm when I was in middle school -- it was suspected that I picked it up from the gymnasium floor. Had it on my leg. It was real weird, but it was just 1 spot. It is contagious though and like my anecdote, does not need human skin contact to transfer it. The infected person needs to make sure they don't share any personal items. That said, if being actively treated with the proper antifungal I think that contagiousness would be gone by a week later but I'd of course confirm that with a doctor.

I myself first got it from a shower cubicle at my gym. These particular fungi are resilient.

Fingers crossed that I won't be contagious any more by the time I reach the parks! It does seem to be responding positively to the antifungal cream and tea tree essential oil + coconut oil combo I've been dousing it in. It's not as inflamed as it was during my time of posting. Hopefully I caught it early enough!

Sorry you're dealing with all that right before your trip! (I think it's almost an unwritten rule here that someone will get something right before we go.)

It sounds like the rash will be under control, as you won't be contagious anymore. (I agree with bringing band-aids in case you want to cover it when you're most self-conscious.) But I know the throat things would be scary to me. Is it possible that's stress-related? Some things flare up when we're under a lot of stress (getting ready for vacation being notorious for that!) so maybe the symptoms will actually be a little milder on vacation.

Yes, the throat is the greater evil. Although I'm vain enough to be bothered in equal parts about the ringworm, too. Hehe. It could be stress-related, so YES, I'm hoping that Disney will be the magical cure. Thankfully, our trip is long enough that I won't feel antsy about taking things easy, at least for the first couple of days. Thank you for your concern and empathy!

The ring worm is not a big deal. Treat it with the anti-fungal cream and cover it when you're in the parks.

Good luck with the other issue! I hope they put your mind at ease before your trip.

It really is more of a persistent annoyance / inconvenience than anything else. I am a little concerned about being contagious, but I've still got a week before the trip, so hopefully with the proper treatment, I wouldn't be in danger of spreading it to any poor innocent disney loving soul, young or old.

Unfortunately, I won't be able to get a proper diagnosis about my throat until after the trip. But I've seen 3 doctors so far, and barring a proper endoscope / ultrasound, they don't think it's life threatening in any way. So, I'm not too worried, thankfully! Thanks for the luck and well wishes!

 

[disneychrista]

Sorry you are having issues right before your big trip and that they don't detract from it too much and you have a great time anyway.

Does drinking help the lump at all? If so just carry a water bottle and take drinks of water every so often.

 

[jalapeno_pretzel]

Do you have allergies? Sometimes allergy flare ups can cause a lump in the throat feeling for me. Try Zyrtec for several days and see if that helps. Also I like apple cider vinegar for a lot of throat ailments. You could try making a warm tea with that, lemon, and honey and see if it helps.

 

[VandVsmama]

Ringworm is actually pretty common in the US. A lot of people just don't talk about it. Use an antifungal over the counter cream on it for several days and you'll be fine.

Regarding the lump in your throat - get your thyroid checked. Could be a thyroid nodule.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Ringworm is actually pretty common in the US.

Yup, the CDC lists it as very common.

From where I normally hear about it is getting it from pets and then situations where there's close quarters especially with children like daycare centers or sometimes schools but there are other ways for sure.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

OP I hope you get it all worked out! I agree with others that the ringworm isn't that big of an issue really and I'd follow the advice already listed but I hope your throat issue turns out to be nothing big as well

 

[Minkishly]

Sorry you are having issues right before your big trip and that they don't detract from it too much and you have a great time anyway.

Does drinking help the lump at all? If so just carry a water bottle and take drinks of water every so often.

Thank you for your concern and kindness! Drinking doesn't really help, but I have been trying to increase my water intake anyway. Hopefully it does help!

Do you have allergies? Sometimes allergy flare ups can cause a lump in the throat feeling for me. Try Zyrtec for several days and see if that helps. Also I like apple cider vinegar for a lot of throat ailments. You could try making a warm tea with that, lemon, and honey and see if it helps.

My only allergy is to sulphur, but I will try your suggestions! Thank you so much!

Ringworm is actually pretty common in the US. A lot of people just don't talk about it. Use an antifungal over the counter cream on it for several days and you'll be fine.

Regarding the lump in your throat - get your thyroid checked. Could be a thyroid nodule.

Will do, thank you!

OP I hope you get it all worked out! I agree with others that the ringworm isn't that big of an issue really and I'd follow the advice already listed but I hope your throat issue turns out to be nothing big as well

Thank you so much!