Need Advice from Members and Friends about Medical Problem.
Other
I don't expect medical advice as such but if anyone else has suffered this maybe they can suggest coping mechanisms.
I have the worst throat ever and am assuming it is the throat thing on the news, but thought it was a childhood thing. My son a big strapping man has it also. My other son still insisted we all go for xmas, obviously they had catered for us and especially didn't want me to be alone. Now I am wracked with guilt as they will now get it.
For 6 days I have been in the worst pain ever, with a throat that feels as if I am swallowing razor blades and chest on fire. Covid was nothing compared to this!
I don't know if I have to seek medical advice, ride it out or what.
Has anyone else got or had it?
I think you should seek medical attention, I had something similar, this year I rang my doctors and has a telephone consult and the doctor prescribe antibiotics & steroids. It made all the difference.
The year before like you I decided to ride it out, as I thought I had flu, I didn't want to bother the doctor, but ended up in hospital with double pneumonia
Lynibis, this doesn't sound good , and if you've been in pain for a few days with it you really need to seek proper medical assistance, at the very minimum please contact 111 for advice .
I'd get medical advice as you've had it for a while, in the meantime if you can get this it helps numb the pain www.boots.com/ultra-chloraseptic-anaesthetic-throat-spray-15ml-10095640
beccatavender Mango4 lilyflower
Thank you all for responding, I have taken on board what you have said and phoned 111, had initial questioning and waiting now for call back.
Depending on what they think it may be I will probably pick up a prescription in morning and will also get the throat spray.
Lynibis Be prepared to be directed to an out of hours medical centre. Last year I waited on hold for 1 hour for 111 only to be asked if I could go to urgent care, when I arrived, the nurse examined me & called a ambulance. I didn't realise how I'll I was. Hopefully that's not the case with you 
beccatavender okidoki, I will come back to this and let you know after I speak with the clinician.
Please make sure you do a Covid test, as this seems to be hitting everyone at the moment again.
If you think it is Strep then it is usually caused by bacteria and will need antibiotics, you can pick up a swab test at a pharmacy, last time I checked they were all out of stock because of it being on the news and everyone has been testing. But if you have a negative Covid test, then please go see a pharmacist, they can supply antibiotics for certain illness now or tell you if you need to see a doctor.
If you are struggling badly and are positive for Covid, please call 111 or your doctors and tell them and they can discuss what they can do on the phone.
Our Christmas was at home with my partner, he had Covid and I had breathing issues, we just watched TV and had a sandwich for Christmas dinner. We aren't able to travel to see his family and missed out on seeing closer family.
Don't feel guilty now, just make sure you test and if negative and you can wear a face mask, it will help stop some of the spread of whatever you have.
There are lots of illnesses going around at the moment and everything is hitting people a lot harder.
Keep hydrated and rest when you can.
I hope you feel better soon.
DeBunny thank you so much for your kind and thoughtful reply, it is very helpful. I started feeling unwell last Wednesday night and thought to take a covid test on saturday, which was negative. I have been drinking loads of cold filtered water and rested most of today, have told boss won't be in tomorrow so more rest. 111 have msgd to say I am still in queue but they are very busy. Not feeling quite so worried now x
I've just seen you called 111, I hope you get the help you need.
Difflam spray is my saviour! It is probably similar to the unbranded product that has been recommended above. Just check the ingredients and make sure you can take it.
Well, it is now about 11 hours since I called 111 (about 6.30pm last night) as I write it is getting on for 6am. So I have rung again just to confirm I am still in queue. They assured me I am.
If I don't receive a call by 8 I will call my surgery.
I hate being a burden on nhs but I just need someone to give me a diagnosis and let me know if I need antibiotics. So many people have said no, you don't.
There must be so many people who can't get the advice they need soon enough and end up being more ill causing more of a burden.
EDIT Got through to doctor's, they don't have any appointments and can't even give me advice over phone, it is now 8.45am and 111 still not called back.
There has got to be a better way of running healthcare in this country. I am at a stage where I would happily pay £100 to pop along to a medical facility, get a diagnosis and pick up any meds required. That would free up nhs for those patients who can't afford to pay.
Lynibis Thank you for the update, I was beginning to worry. I am really shocked to hear about your experience. It just goes to show its a post code lottery when it comes to the NHS. I was surprised when my surgery got a locum doctor to ring me back an he prescribed antibiotics, without seeing me, it was less than a minute conversation. But I had been ill like you for over a week, with no improvement.
My husband was surprised as he said I had no chance of getting any antibiotics as there was told me a shortage of antibiotics due to Strep and that the government didn't want us to know. Another conspiracy theory, which was going around.
I never thought I would ever suggest this, but you may want to try
I have never used the service, just remember having a email about it. It may be one way to get medical attention, not sure what the cost is.
Take Care & hope you feel better soon.
lilyflower they closed down our local one and it would have been 111 that sends you to an out of hours place but you can't just turn up.
I had a cough for over six weeks. I tested myself for Covid and it was negative. I saw the nurse, who swabbed my throat and found nothing, in the end they gave me strong antibiotics, I still cough every now and then but not as bad as it was.
eyeballkerry tbh I haven't got that much of a cough but as my chest is congested I get coughing spasms every so often and bring up phlegm (excuse me) which says to me it was an URTI.
Ok folks, a final update to let you know that my GP unexpectedly rang this afternoon and I finally got a prescription sent through to my local pharmacy. While there at 3.30pm 111 finally rang after 21 hours. I am not going to be annoyed with them as I guess it's been a really busy time and in the past I have always had the help I need within 2 hours. I have an antibiotic I have never heard of, told to take 2 immediately then 1 per day.
I have proved yet again what a caring helpful membership we have on LD and I thank you all for your advice.
Lynibis Pleased you've finally got something and hope they start to work quickly.
lilyflower thanks, they do seem to have started their work so am hoping for even more improvement by tomorrow.
Lynibis I was prescribed these tablets. Please read all the dos and don’ts. I was given these before going to the Caribbean. Tells you to be careful in the sun, don’t lie down after taking them, take with 150ml of water and avoid dairy products when actually taking them.
lilyflower yes thank you so much for asking. Feel very fatigued as I really shouldn't have gone to work yesterday, but felt pressured. Out in cold and rain not helpful. 3 straight days to get well now. Hope you and yours are all well.
Lynibis Best thing now is to wrap up and sleep sleep sleep and before you know it it'll be 3rd January. I hope 2023 starts better than 2022 ends for you
Hi this is how I was for 6 days my partner has had it 2 weeks I was totally drained couldn't even get up but this is the the best I have felt today so hopefully it's clearing my throat is still sore feels like iam swallowing glass I was reading an article in paper it was saying everyone is getting this due to covid and not mixing with people so our immune system is low and can't fight it the same as we use to hope your feeling a bit better 
kate1310 Hi Kate, hope you continue to rapidly improve. Today I am feeling almost back to normal, just occasional coughing spasms and still feeling tired and lethargic. The antibiotics I was given kicked in really quickly but it had got a hold over Christmas and today would be day 11. My son was very bad with it but antibiotics did not help him, even by second lot. He had a dreadful cough but I didn't, it is a sneaky illness with many variations.
My best wishes for a speedy recovery for you and anyone else currently suffering and let's hope we can all be a bit healthier the coming year. Watching that we eat healthily, drink plenty (non alcholic!) and take Vitamin D3 especially until summer is here again.
Lynibis glad your feeling a bit better my partner still isant right he might need more antibiotics was horrible didn't want to visit family and pass anything to them 
hope your son is better soon 
I havnt had any alcohol YET but hopefully I will have a small wine 
will have to buy some vitamin D3 do you think they help
kate1310 medics of all kind say D3 should be taken during the Winter months, some even think all year round. We don't get enough sunshine in the Winter, especially if we are indoors most of the time at work etc then it is dark when travelling to and from. Have a Google and see what you think.
Join for free to get genuine deals, money saving advice and help from our friendly community
Chief Bargain Hunter
