I've developed a symptom I don't ever recall having and I will be seeing my doctor later today but would like advice to avoid drugs if possible. Last Saturday (4 days ago) I wore a new shirt to a viewing of a young friend who died suddenly. The sizing in the shirt irritated my throat, which I'm usually sensitive to but not to this extent. An itchy red patch developed just below and to the left of my Adam's apple. Yesterday, small bumps of the same color were raised on the red patch and the soft area under my jaw become painful. I believe I developed a slight fever yesterday and last night could not sleep with pajamas on but had to cover with a blanket to avoid chills. My tongue has thick mustard-colored coating which I scraped off with a tongue cleaner.
This morning the area under my jaw is swollen and painful to the touch. The red patch with raised bumps does not itch as much as it did.
My throat feels sore and I believe I have a fever (can't find my thermometer).
I am a male, mid-40s, smoker, had chicken pox, measles and mumps as a child. I have tried the following in 30X with no reaction: nux-v, apis, nat-mur. Prior to Saturday, had taken silicea 6X once-a-day for a toenail I ripped off accidentally. That healed well and painlessly. I also used calendula ointment on the throat rash when it first started with no reaction.

Are the symptoms bound up with a sense of grief for your young friend?

I think so. I was unsure until just now when I started explaining the circumstances and begin crying. I was angry all day Saturday , when the rash appeared, but kept it in. Sunday I was terribly depressed but it lifted when the swelling started. I have also tried sulphur 30X 2 hours ago with no reaction.

Anna, I'm off to my doctor's appointment. If you have a suggestion, I will try it before taking whatever prescription he gives me.

I'm back from seeing a physician's assistant and a throat culture indicated viral not strep. She gave me no prescription because antibiotics are not indicated but they could be later if it becomes a strep infection. Blood pressure was 150/85, temperature was 99.1, besides the swelling under the jaw, the lymph nodes on the left side (same side as rash) are swollen, and waxy plugs were removed from both ears (a chronic problem for me). The PA advised me to let the sore throat/swollen glands run its course but to come back if symptoms got worse. She suggested plenty of cold fluids for the throat and OTC cortisone cream for the rash, which she believes is unrelated to the throat symptoms.

H JFW, please look at Ignatia for your acute condition.
Your M/E/P are pointing to Ignatia.

Sore throat, feeling better with warmth, weepiness due to loss of a friend all point to Ignatia.
Please take a dose of 200c, if you think this fits you.
BTW Nat mur is the chronic of Ignatia.

Dear JFW
Do you have someone with whom you can share and release your feelings of grief as I think this can only help.
I am surprised that NatM didn't help as it has the really down feeling you describe and a rash on the throat. Given that it didn't, I agree with Mo2 that Ignatia is a good idea; it is a grief remedy focussed on the throat. Also I would strongly advise against using the cortisone cream as the rash is a way out for the feelings you have not yet fully expressed. The rash is a friend to you not a foe. Just as your feelings lifted when the throat swelling started, so your rash is your body's way of helping you. They will pass in due course.

Anna & Mom-of-2:
I took ignatia 200c about 4 hours ago. The rash had become annoyingly itchy again after I ate some soft ice cream per the PA's suggestion. It had made my throat feel better , though. After the dose, the itching slowly abated.
Currently, the rash is less sensitive to touch and the tiny vesicles feel harder. But the swelling under my chin has increased. I now look like I have a goiter, or a "double chin". I can sense a fullness there. I am very anxious about this but but must get some sleep.
Because there is no itching, I have not used any cortisone nor do I plan to unless the itching should return stronger than it has.
Thank you both for your advice so far. I am pursuing all that you have suggested.

Please compare your mental conditions 24 hours before & after taking of the remedy.
If you feel better, then you are in the right track, and we should soon see the swelling come down.

Mentally, I am feeling much better than I had 24 hours prior to the ignatia dose. Today I developed a hard nodule on the side of my neck. The swelling has not changed nor has the rash, which always seems to itch when I drink cold liquids. I hadn't discussed my stool earlier but it has changed. Initially it was noxious, dark green, and puddinglike. Since the dose it has been normal. I am considering "plussing" the ignatia 200c because I believe it is working but would like it to work faster. I have done this before with remedies and have had good results.