Ds 19 not eaten for over a week

[21782b7]

Ds has an awful sore throat. His tonsils are swallon. He has a couple of spots on his tongue and its slight swallon at the back. He had a phone call with the gp who said it sounds like strep throat. He's had 5 days of antibiotics that have not done anything. He's tried all the pain killers we can think of and they don't do anything at all . I did tell him if he calls 101 they will make him an appointment to see a gp at the hospital. But he won't call . He does have a gp call again in the morning. But the gp that's talking to him over talks him all the time. And he can't probably explain.

He cant even swallow water without pain. He's tried soft foods. Meal replacement shakes etc. But he's in to much pain. He's literally sitting there crying I feel awful for him

I don't really know why on posting. I know he's 19 and not 4 but I just feel so bad for him

If he's actually crying with pain, and hasn't been able to eat for several days, he needs to see a doctor. In person. I'd take him to A&E, and that's not something I recommend lightly.

Lots of replies but I have literally be plagued by throat infections since I was a child.

I would strongly encourage him to pop to minor injuries clinic walk in attached to hospital. I did a few years ago and was glad it did.

He is best to take chickens liquid ibuprofen this is really important as it will help the pain and swelling. Liquid will slip down easier. Need to work out an adult dose equivalent.

Secondly Difflam spray.

Those are the two key things to ease the pain.

OP I think he needs it seen - in person. The fact that 5 days of antibiotics haven't done anything is worrying, plus the pain and the fact he can barely swallow - can he breath properly?

I'm sure he feels like pure shite - he probably needs proper pain relief, maybe IV fluids and antibiotics.

Does he have a high temperature? Is he at yours or on his own? He sounds very unwell and, 19 or not, I'd want someone to be with him keeping an eye overnight if he won't see a Dr until the morning.

He needs to go to A&E!! I would not have waited over a week.

Children's not chickens!

And, as an ex-ED nurse, I wouldn't think it was inappropriate if he popped up in triage - although GPOOH or an urgent care walk-in might be a better first port of call.

I think he needs to be seen by a doctor in person

Quinsy - poor kid if it’s that. Not pleasant. I hope you can get him seen and if he gets a drip and stronger/more appropriate antibiotics, he’ll perk up pretty quickly.

So glands fever, quinsy and strep throat have all been diagnosed in here….he’s 19, he’s an adult and people move out before that age.

If you’re that concerned, tell him to ring in the morning. Honest to god, to think in 1930 there were 16 year olds killed in battle I’m the war 🙄

OP don't leave him another night with that - at least call 111 on his behalf. I know someone who ended up in ITU because of Quinsy - not trying to frighten you, but he sounds like he's really suffering and this kind of thing can become serious very quickly.

Hope he feels a lot better soon.

Please phone 111 Op - you need further advice. Don't wait until morning.

Don’t mess around , if he can’t swallow AE

If he can't swallow his saliva I would go to A and E. Happened to my Dd and she needed IV antibiotics for a few days.

Difflam throat rinse is also very good relief.

The last time I had tonsillitis (I too couldnt swallow my saliva) I was given antibiotics for 3 weeks, I really don’t think a 5 day course is even going to touch it.
If he’s been so poorly and not eaten or drunk anything for a week then I’d seriously consider A&E, or at the very least phone 111 tonight.

Also it doesn’t matter if he’s 19 it’s sound like he needs you to take charge, you can phone 111 on his behalf and explain what’s going on then they will ask to speak to him and ask him some questions and advise the best course of action.

Agree with pp he needs a and e. He might be in need of immediate intravenous antibiotics.

I had a badly ulcerated, swollen throat. So swollen, I basically had a straight line from my chin to my collar bones. The pharmacist asked if I'd be able to swallow the antibiotics I'd been given. Water was a struggle, it was like swallowing razor blades. What really helped was Strepsils / difflam throat lozenges with anesthetic. You can get them at the chemist (in Australia at least). They say to use every two hours, but initially I'd do when the pain got too bad again - around 1.5 hrs.

As mentioned upthread sleeping upright was the only way I could sleep. I found the recliner to be the most comfortable.

Not eating for a week isn't such an issue. It's fluids. You need to stay hydrated and take in water as frequently as possible regardless of the discomfort.

I think as he is crying with the pain he really needs to be seen tonight.

I have had strep throat and it was incredibly painful. Like swallowing glass. I was very unwell with it but antibiotics helped quickly, though I was poorly for weeks with it overall.

My sister once had an abscess in her throat which was what I was reminded of by your post - best to be checked ASAP

I had similar once and found the spray didnt really help as much as gargling salt water (which was painful enough as I had to open my mouth and tilt my head back both of which hurt) but did bring temporary relief. If you haven't tried it then chilled (from the fridge) pots of rice pudding was the only thing I could eat (even ice lollys were a no go but weirdly the cold rice pudding was OK and I don't normally like it). But I agree with others at this stage he needs a doctor!

Is a 5 day course of antibiotics a new thing? I always remember getting a 10 day course for things

@21782b7

Lots of people saying to take him to A&E but you seem to be ignoring them.

I know its a hassle, but if he can't swallow he could well get dehydrated and cause all sorts of issues. It sounds too serious to leave.

Honestly, he needs you to be proactive here, not leaving him another 12 hours feeling like crap.

Please do something this evening, even if it means you have to take the younger ones with you if nobody can sit with them. He needs you to push this along. If he's becoming dehydrate he won't be thinking straight and won't have the energy to make this happen without you. As the parent here you need to treat him as you would one of your younger ones. If he's crying at the thought of hospital that doesn't mean he shouldn't go.

@TableFlowerss

So glands fever, quinsy and strep throat have all been diagnosed in here….he’s 19, he’s an adult and people move out before that age.

If you’re that concerned, tell him to ring in the morning. Honest to god, to think in 1930 there were 16 year olds killed in battle I’m the war 🙄

But that was a bad thing though?

My DS is 21 - if he was in so much pain he was crying and potentially dehydrated to the point where his judgment was impaired I would take care of him. Just because he's an adult doesn't mean I've stopped being his mum. Similarly when my DP (aged 40+) was in agony with stomach cramps convinced he was constipated, I forced him to A& E where they diagnosed him with a necrotic appendix. Should I have left him to die of sepsis because he's old enough to go to war?

@apalledandshocked

Yes it absolutely was, but the DR would likely take more notice of him as an adult if he called himself and spoke to them. They’d probably hear in his voice that something is wrong and take it more seriously than if an OTT mother (of an adult) phoned up