Feel like my throat is going to hurt forever

[Mascarponeandwine]

Five and a half weeks ... started with a slightly irritated squeaky throat and hugely achy neck, which lasted about 3 weeks. Took ibuprofen and codeine and thought I’d wait it out. GP said he couldn’t feel any lumps but my throat was red so he prescribed reflux meds and antibiotics.

The neck pain seems to have faded a lot but my throat/top of windpipe is killing me! I think I’ve managed to get a cold, as also had a blocked nose on and off, and either ear keeps popping. Throat pain still in front of neck but also around the dangly bit, oh and I’ve been hoarse since Sunday.

Is this some sort of virus? Two viruses? Not had a temp or fever. Maybe laryngitis, though not sure it would last this long. Ages until follow up GP appointment in 2 weeks time.

Grim

[INeedNewShoes]

I'd phone for a same day appointment in the morning. 5 weeks is quite long enough with these symptoms!

As a very temporary relief, have you tried Strefen lozenges? They have ibuprofen in them and I've found them more effective than other OTC throat medications.

While its all inflamed, make sure you avoid shouting AND whispering (which places a huge strain on things and would make matters worse).

[boogiebogie]

I have been ill for 3 weeks yesterday.... Started with fever and flu symptoms... Awful headache and wiped me out... Then just feeling awful... Dry cough wiped out.. Now sore throat for a week it keeps changing sides... I hear you fed up with being ill. Are you gargling with salt water?

[Mascarponeandwine]

Tried salt water, it helps a bit for a few minutes. Also trying daktarin for fungal / bacterial throat infections. Took some ibuprofen about an hour ago which has taken the edge off (grateful for anything!).

Trouble is it’s not actually going away, everything is just “taking the edge off”.

[boogiebogie]

Hmmm. That is a long time... Any spots on tonsills? I had scarlet fever and gargled witj cayenne pepper... It really helped... Not saying so this though. How about aome drainage massage around neck. Will post a vid...

[boogiebogie]

[Mascarponeandwine]

Not sure about scarlet fever - no fever or rash. I imagine I might feel proper ill all over if it was that?

[chocolatespiders]

Difflam throat rinse is very good and given after tonsils removed.

[Bargebill19]

Not helpful I know. But I’ve just taken six weeks to finally get rid of the same thing. GP refused antibiotics and said I just had to shut up ... tough when my job is talk all day. Hope it clears up for you soon.

[Mascarponeandwine]

It’s taking ages, getting a bit worried that something else is going on. The phlegm must indicate it’s viral though... had an hour last night where it seemed to clear up, but maybe that’s the ibuprofen as am back to square one this morning

[ShoesJerry]

I have this too! I'm going to be no help, as I don't know what it is either. I've had a sore throat on and off (mostly on) since just before Christmas. GP gave me 10 days of antibiotics but that didn't help, and did a throat swab which was negative. I've seen an ENT consultant who put a camera up my nose and down my throat and also couldn't see anything, so sent me for an MRI. I get the results next week and am trying not to worry,

[Mascarponeandwine]

@ShoesJerry let me know how the mri goes. I think you’d get results a bit more sharpish if they spotted anything, not that that helps as you still worry. Did you get the neck aching also?

[ShoesJerry]

No, I don't have neck aching but I do have some intermittent ear pain which is apparently creating the red flag which indicated a need for an MRI.

[Mascarponeandwine]

Sounds like they’re just being thorough. Hope you don’t have to wait too long for the mri results.

I haven’t helped myself really, as have had two very long and demanding days Up at 6am yest and 5am today, and out of the house all day. Still I have three days off now so am going to hibernate and see if it helps.

My voice is still croaky but perhaps not as bad as it was.

Can a viral infection still result in yellowy phlegm?

[Firecracker2019]

I had a vicious sore throat during pregnancy.l which lasted for weeks. Couldn't take any meds either. Turned out to be silent reflux which has burned my throat raw. Needed reflux meds to sort it and time for.the throat to heal.

[JungleJenna]

I thinking have the same thing. 4 weeks now since the ears went. Horrendous pain in my eustachian area. I've also had antibiotics but it's not made any difference. Last Thursday doctor could see redness in ears, throat, and nose. Had a hearing test today and they've found mild high frequency hearing loss?
They should now be referring me to ENT.
I've also started getting sores under my tongue which hurts like fuck.
I feel like my neck glands are constantly up. My throat also feels sore around the top of the wind pipe area. All very peculiar. Feel all your pain and fingers crossed for you all

[Mascarponeandwine]

My throat is sore around the top of the windpipe area too.

[Sweetaholic]

Glandular fever? You can have blood tests to confirm. Drink plenty of fluids and use mouthwash if not too painful on throat.

[Mascarponeandwine]

Oh I had one sore too, between my bottom gum and lip. It did go away though.

[ShoesJerry]

Sorry to hear that others are so poorly, though it's making me slightly less anxious that i don't necessarily have something terrible. I get my MRI results on Monday so will let you know.

[Mascarponeandwine]

@Shoesjerry good luck on Monday. Hope your weekend is ok and you don’t spend too much of it worrying. So hard..

@Bargebill19 did you have a fever? I have no temp, just literally on and off neck ache, killer sore throats and hoarseness - it all waxes and wanes, but is always there to some degree.

Feeling quite down tonight, due to the length of time it’s been going on. My GP said that if it was sinister the ibuprofen wouldn’t be working as well as it is? I suppose I’ve read that cancer isnt usually painful at the start but I’m beginning to catastrophise a bit. Have been indoors all day which probably doesn’t help the anxious feeling about it - trying not to go out in the cold air, but so far no real improvement.

Bizarrely, swallowing isn’t a problem or painful at all

[kissmelittleass]

Just seen this and I've got something similar, getting worried my throat windpipe feels strange like there's something there? Bit hoarse too and constantly clearing my throat for the last week. No help but I have it too so your now alone in your worries!

[Mascarponeandwine]

Thank you @kissmelittleass Woke up this morning, throat still sore, feels like there’s a ball of hair stuck back there, and coughed up more phlegm than usual (yellows colour). Not sure how voice is holding up yet, I got the ibuprofen in and then might test it out.

Neck now only hurts occasionally when I tilt my head to one side and squash that side of the neck. God knows what that means.

Spent last night googling head and neck diseases and scaring myself shitless. So that was productive

Tomorrow marks 6 weeks. Marvellous. Wonder if it’s time to go to ENT yet.

[ShoesJerry]

@Mascarponeandwine I think I would push for an ENT referral if I were you. 6 weeks is a long time for it not to be getting better. Mine has been bad for 8 weeks and my consultant wasn't surprised that I was there for more specialist input.

My throat is also still the same so I'm getting anxious about my MRI results. We are also anxiously waiting for the outcome of secondary school allocation which also comes out on Monday, so I'm a bit of a wreck tbh!

[Mascarponeandwine]

@ShoesJerry yes I think I will. I have healthcare through work so should see a consultant pronto.

I had a cold come on last weekend which has really muddied the waters. It exacerbated the throat symptoms and added ears crackling / popping and sinuses. So not sure where I’d be with it all, if the cold hadn’t happened. Sinuses now fine but throat totally ugh.

When I saw the gp 10 days ago he said my pharynx was red but couldn’t find any swollen glands in my neck.

Do you get high pitched sounds sometimes where the voice box is inflamed?

[Mascarponeandwine]

@ShoesJerry been thinking of you, hope you got the school you wanted and the MRI was clear