Fucking tonsilitis (I think)

[Sparklfairy]

I'm on Day 5 of what I assume is tonsilitis. Started with a sore throat, then the next day my tonsils swelled right up, covered in gunky phlegm like goop. Swallowing is agony. Eating is avoided and timed when the paracetemol/ibuprofen is at peak coverage. Painkillers only just seem to make the pain manageable, but only for an hour/90 mins at a time.

Can't ring the GP til Tuesday obviously - and they would presumably only give me ABs if it's a bacterial infection, rather than viral which is much more common. Dr Google suggests symptoms go away in 4-10 days. I'm on Day 5 and in my irrational pained state I'm rather put out that a 33 year old supposedly in her prime doesn't seem to have turned the corner with this yet.

The one hobby I seem to have developed through the pandemic - eating - has been ruined!

I've got a benzo throat spray, tried salt water a few times but not sure how much it's helped or if I've got the ratios right, and picked up ice cream but only realised afterwards that it's vegan. Is it the fact it's cold that soothes the throat or is it the dairy?

If you have any other tips I'd be very grateful Or just cheer me up as I'm feeling very very sorry for myself today!

Why don't you just phone 111 if you're in that much pain? They can prescribe AB's over the phone which sounds like you might need them.

@SeaTurtles92 odds are it's viral, not bacterial, so ABs wouldn't work or be prescribed. Plus 111 on a Sunday I doubt I'd get a callback/prescription sorted before everything shuts before Tuesday.

Mines always bacterial and I get 10 days penicillin and a lecture on rheumatic fever so I’d find a walk in centre.

Tyrozets
Asda

If your tonsils are cover in white pus spots and it's that painful it sounds like it could be bacterial. 111 can help with a prescription and emergency chemists are open over bank holiday. 111have details. Hope you feel better soon.

Covered... 🤪

Offering sympathy! I'm on day 2 of tonsillitis (3rd time in 2 years!) and 12 weeks pregnant so I can't even take any of the good stuff for it.

Haven't called the drs yet as also waiting until Tuesday but really hoping it's gone away by then.

@Robinonaspade it's not spots... it's actually coated. I likened it to taking a truffle and rolling it in white chocolate... and put myself off truffles

I was just hoping that people might have some tips for pain management that I'm not already using, while waiting for Tuesday. Everything on Google seemed to indicate it was probably going to be a case of 'managing' the symptoms until it clears up on it's own in 4-10 days. Because of the way the bank holiday has fallen, it'll be day 7 on Tuesday so if it's not at least improving by then the GP seems to be a sensible option. Today feels a bit soon!

@hairymuffet

Tyrozets Asda

Last time I tried to buy those I was told they were discontinued.

Difflam rinse is very good.

Oh thanks @TheCheeseBadge! Solidarity I've only had it twice, in childhood, and the second time didn't even have a sore throat, just a rash that the GP took one look at and said, 'Yep, tonsilitis' so my experience until now has been uneventful! It's really taken me by surprise this time. I had no idea how many times a day I swallowed until it hurt to!

Gargling with soluble asprin was a godsend when my throat was really sore and I couldn't swallow much... Just can't remember how much and how often, so I'm not that helpful! 🤪

As you have pus on your tonsils. It's bacterial and you'll need antibiotics

Call 111, OP.

There are no heroes with tonsillitis.

Lots of cold stuff - cucumber sticks or pears straight from the fridge were my favourite when I used to suffer. Ice pops or lollies but not ice creams - the dairy made me need to swallow more which hurt.

@Puntastic

Call 111, OP.

There are no heroes with tonsillitis.

Don’t leave it till you’re vomiting and having diarrhoea.

Yeah, the swallowing isn't much fun right now

You've had more days to get sick of it than me, too. Sounds like it might be a good idea call 111 and see if they can help.

Thanks everyone (and hope you feel better soon @TheCheeseBadge). I've gone on the nhs site again and someone is calling me back within two hours apparently, so I'll see what happens.

Yep yellow or white shit is bacterial and needs ab. Good news is they work very quickly.

Fingers crossed 111 call back soon and help you feel better 🤞

God poor you. It terrifies me - the agony is unbelievable. Try gargling with hydrogen peroxide - it can help.

Update: had a callback from OOH. I've been prescribed antibiotics which I can pick up at 9am tomorrow as there's a pharmacy local to me that will be open on the BH.

He spoke really fast so I sort of had to piece together what he said afterwards, but I'm pretty sure he said that if the ABs don't work then it's not tonsilitis... it's glandular fever!?

@Sparklfairy

Update: had a callback from OOH. I've been prescribed antibiotics which I can pick up at 9am tomorrow as there's a pharmacy local to me that will be open on the BH.

He spoke really fast so I sort of had to piece together what he said afterwards, but I'm pretty sure he said that if the ABs don't work then it's not tonsilitis... it's glandular fever!?

Well, I hope the antibiotics work swiftly for you, OP, and that your night is as comfortable as possible.

It’s probably tonsillitis so I wouldn’t worry about that.

Disprin - not sure if it's actually any better than standard painkillers but the fact that you swallow it as a liquid makes it seem more soothing for the throat - the placebo effect is a wonderful thing!

I've had tonsillitis twice recently, both times took antibiotics to shift it. I stupidly left it until I was in a state because it's previously shifted in it's own. For me antibiotics make me feel better almost immediately, fingers crossed it's the same for you!