Not feeling well what shall I do?

[NishaaS123]

I was okay yesterday last night in bed my left side of the throat starting hurting and it’s really painful when I swallow something I also have a bit of earache and swollen lymph node. I cant get a ap appointment and cant get through to NHS 111 any advice? I really don’t want to go to AE unnecessarily but it really hurts when I swallow 😩😩

If you get recurring ear infections definitely get that checked out. X

Take a trip to your nearest pharmacy, stock up on honey and lemon lozenges and some of that lemsip throat spray, some paracetamol, etc.

Lie on the sofa, watch your favourite trashy TV and tough it out.

It's shit but it will probably pass in a few days. Get well soon

Just wait a few days, and you'll be fine. A doctor probably wouldn't tell you any different. Most symptoms & minor ailments don't need any treatment except what doctors call "therapeutic use of time"!

This the reason you can't get throught to 111 - because the lines are full of people calling who have entirely self manageable conditions for all of 12 hours

It's like noone Is capable of rest, paracetamol and fluids for a few days before getting medical advice

I'd had an on-off cold, sinus pain, sore throat and racking cough for six weeks when I eventually went to the GP and asked for advice. I was told to come back if I wasn't feeling better after another six weeks. I left feeling like a time-waster and within the next month it gradually subsided and I started to feel better.

I had no idea people woke up with a bit of a sore throat and decided to go to A+E. No wonder the NHS is on its knees. Loved the 'look up the cost of a private GP and decide whether you're prepared to pay it or not' response. Absolutely!

Have you got a minor injuries/illnesses unit near you that's open at the weekend?

Except that it could absolutely be quinsey, an abcess between tonsils and some if throat. Comes on quickly and one sided and actually can be life threatening of keeps swelling as can cover your airway. I would call 111 wgi are likely to consider some antibiotics to stop this. Keep an eye on how wide you xan open your mouth as as the swelling increases, it reduces the amount you can open your mouth

How is that helpful to someone with health anxiety?
The chances of it being a quinsy are a lot lower than it being a viral throat. I've nursed for 14 years and only seen a handful of quinsy.
She won't get antibiotics 'just in case' it's a quinsy.

Threshold for antibiotics for tonsillitis would be high temperature and white spots in tonsils. The quinsey advice above also. Unable to open mouth and very severe pain

I believe I had strep throat recently. It came on very suddenly, was horrendous for about 2 days then disappeared as quickly as it came. My point is that even 'serious' things can rectify themselves. That's not to say you should ignore any big issues like trouble breathing or really high temperature etc. but for now, chill. Rest up, plenty of fluids and hopefully it will sort itself out in a few days. There are so many bugs and viral infections around at the moment. The chances of it being that are far greater then something serious. Keep an eye on your symptoms but I think you'll be fine.

And ignore the nasty comments, some people don't get health anxiety.

Unbelievable!

A&E for a sore throat that you haven't even had for 24 hours, take yourself off to the chemist get some numbing throat spray try gp on mon if no better.

People wander why hospitals are so busy when we have people rocking up over a sore throat!!

I only got an emergency appointment for a sore throat once when I hadn’t slept in 2 days and was struggling to drink water or take pills.
Turned out it was a bad infection.

I think if you can get medicines and hot drinks into you, take yourself off to bed for a few days.

If you can swallow Paracetamol and ibuprofen it's likely nothing to worry about Most throat and ear infections are self limiting
If you develop a fever and pain in a few days then possibly seek advice
My DS recently had quinsy, which was occluding his airway... Then he needed antibiotics

Read her thing properly 🙄 she's not going to a&e

Once again thank you for the lovely comment guys. I can open my mouth so hopefully not an abscess but yes that’s what gets the anxiety going reading things like that 😩😩
I am just taking painkillers and honey and water hopefully it will get better if not will go gp Monday.

once again I AM NOT GOING AE FOR A SORE THROAT!

gosh I am tired of explaining so won’t be doing that again.

once again thank you for the understanding comments on here! X

@fairgame84 It says anxiety not health anxiety...and even if it was it doesn't mean there isn't something wrong that needs treatment does it? And I said 111 would consider antibiotics if you read it... oh and just because YOU think it's more likely to be a viral infection a) doesn't mean that's true and again b) doesn't mean it is not worth getting checked out. After all, most lumps aren't cancer but we all know to get them checked by the appropriate person....

Gosh, that's not been my experience at all - and been twice to two different GPs in recent years with ear infections of over 3 days in length and was told as it was viral no antibiotics?

Gawd you’ve had some blunt no nonsense replies!
Its better to ask mumsnet for something like this rather than to ring 111 or sit at home alone getting in a panic. I like to think it’s a bit like ringing your mum and asking for some reassurance and a bit of sympathy!

My motherly advice 😉 is to rest, take paracetamol and sip fluids, iced drinks or ice cream can help. A high temperature usually accompanies an infection so you might feel pretty rotten, that’s expected.

Take your mind off it with a film or something. Holding an ice pack or hot water bottle on a very sore ear is soothing.
Ring your gp next week for ABs if no better.

.

There's been a lot of hype in the press recently about Scarlet Fever, so wise to keep an eye on it @NishaaS123. Any signs of a rash, swollen lymph nodes then yes, 111 for a quick phone call for advice.

In the meantime, lots of fluid, rest and paracetamol.

Hope you feel better soon.

Hi OP I hope you feel better soon!
I used to get recurring ear and throat infections years ago and it wasn't until I had my wisdom teeth out that they stopped.
The last wisdom tooth was infected so I think that was why but I was so scared to get it out I kept putting it off! In the end it was fine and I wish I'd done it sooner.
Have you mentioned your ear/throat infections to your dentist?

I've always needed them

There are a lot of throat infections doing the rounds. I have had recurrent tonsillitis since end Jan, hopefully finally on the mend! Mine was horrendously painful at the start, alternating Paracetamol and Ibruprofen every 2 hours did take the edge off. Have you looked at the throat? If you see white spots contact the gp on Monday and they may give you abx.

You'd go go a&e with a sore throat? Fucking hell.