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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to go to the GP with this?

24 replies

EleanorAbernathy · 02/03/2018 04:36

I have what I think is tonsillitis - there is white gunk all over my tonsils, it feels like my throat is pulling my ears into my head, my glands are swollen and I have a banging headache.
I just woke up on day three of this feeling worse than ever - swallowing is very painful on hot or cold drinks.

Is it worth going to the GP or will I just get told to go away and suffer at home? The NHS website says to go to the GP if you have the white spots but last time I followed the advice on there I felt like I was wasting their time a bit - plus I'd rather not have to trudge down there in the cold.

I'm waiting for the painkillers to kick in and painfully sipping a coffee before I decide whether to go to work or not!

OP posts:

flakebaby · 02/03/2018 04:44

See GP. You should get antibiotic for bacterial tonsillitis. White plaques/spots indicative.
Poor you. I wouldn't go to worry either.

Original poster

EleanorAbernathy · 02/03/2018 05:01

I've rang in sick - painkillers haven't touched it and I'm still trying to drink the same nearly cold coffee! Hope the GP is open.

OP posts:

Lentilbaby · 02/03/2018 05:22

Agree you need to go to the GP. They will assess by looking at your throat alongside other symptoms, if you need antibiotics. Quite likely that you might. Carry on with the painkillers for now. Get well soon!

Talkingfrog · 02/03/2018 05:37

My niece had the same symptoms. She ended up on antibiotics fromm the gp

floculated · 02/03/2018 06:14

Meanwhile gargling with soluable asprin helps but don’t swallow it after.

PatchworkElmer · 02/03/2018 06:23

I’d definitely go to the GP. Hope you feel better soon!

JemimaHolm · 02/03/2018 06:26

Definitely go to the GP. I have been refused antibiotics before despite the white dots and the next time I left it too late and ended up in hospital due to complications. That's the point of the GP - they can assess whether you need the ABs or not. You have tried leaving it for three days and it is getting worse so you defo need professional advice.

If your GP is busy or closed try the local walk in centre. My nearest one is horrendous at evenings / weekends (over 4 hours even with an appointment) but really fine when GP surgeries are open (15 mins).

Westbaywendy · 02/03/2018 06:28

You need to see a doctor. Ignore anyone on here who spews the bollocks about not using the NHS. It's there for you when you need it. Sepsis kills. If you speak to a GP they may just prescribe without seeing you. If necessary, use an online consultation and pay.

MikeUniformMike · 02/03/2018 06:48

Gargling with tepid salty water will help. See the GP.

chaoticgood · 02/03/2018 07:06

I get this every few years. It hurts like hell, doesn't it! 800mg of Ibuprofen (4 normal tablets) always does the trick for me. It's perfectly safe to have that much, www.drugs.com/dosage/ibuprofen.html#Usual_Adult_Dose_for_Pain you can do it 4 times a day so long as you have milk or soup with it to protect your stomach lining. It has to be Ibuprofen specifically (or something containing that as the main active ingredient) because it is anti-inflammatory.

Last time, I didn't take antibiotics and it went away by itself in about the same time as it usually takes with them. But you do stay contagious for longer (up to two weeks) if you don't take them, and obviously you might not be in a position to take that risk for other people.

chaoticgood · 02/03/2018 07:10

Sorry I should not say it's "perfectly safe", of course people with existing conditions or allergies can have bad effects from any drugs. I just meant to say that although it is a higher than usual dose it's not an overdose, it's still within the recommended maximum. I'm not a doctor btw! Just a fellow sufferer.

SignoraStronza · 02/03/2018 07:15

I'm so glad I haven't had any tonsils since age 4. You poor, poor things - sounds horrendous! Yes, definitely get to the GP.

Louiselouie0890 · 02/03/2018 07:18

Definitely go the gp. I had tonsillitis rang for a telephone appointment. He wanted me in that day an hour later had antibiotics.

fortywinksfortyblinks · 02/03/2018 07:20

Sounds horrendous. Get to your GP asap.

My DS is getting his tonsils out in the next 8 weeks and this has cemented my decision. It's totally brutal

SavageBeauty73 · 02/03/2018 07:30

You need antibiotics.

Original poster

EleanorAbernathy · 02/03/2018 08:05

Managed to get an appointment later this morning - think I'm going to ask for a throat transplant. I used to get tonsillitis all the time at primary school - not had it for about 30 years now!
Off to take some ibuprofen and gargle with salt water in the meantime......

OP posts:

theredjellybean · 02/03/2018 08:12

White spots or gunk on your tonsils is not a definite indicator of bacterial tonsillitis, viral tonsillitis causes it too.
There is a good tool for working out the probability of your sore throat bring bacterial and needing antibiotics.. Called FeverPain.. You score on four or five questions. It's recommended to GPS by public health England.
If you Google it you can do it yourself.

Keilninnock · 02/03/2018 09:05

Or, more effective option...just see a bloody doctor. That's what they are there for. The NHS may be in trouble but I bet people die because of ridiculous advice from unqualified people on the internet. What the hell is a GP for if not this? They are not an emergency service. This attitude of not bothering them is dangerous and ignorant. No GP would thank idiotic advice being doled out on a website.

Original poster

EleanorAbernathy · 02/03/2018 11:50

Ok ok I've been! Got some penicillin and throat spray (after spending a couple of hours scaring myself by reading about quinsy!)

My mum always let me choose a video from the video shop when I was off school with tonsillitis (showing my age!) so think I'll find a nice cheesy film on Amazon Prime.

OP posts:

Keilninnock · 02/03/2018 12:12

That's good news. You will feel better soon. You should indulge yourself with Netflix and whatever you can face to eat.

Did the Dr Google your symptoms to decide if it was viral? 😉😉😉

Sweetpotatoaddict · 02/03/2018 16:33

eleanor I could have written your posts this morning.
Feeling worse now than I did then, hoping the antibiotics kick in soon. Are you funding the throat spray helpful? All does is makes me gag.
Hopefully you’re on the mend soon.

Original poster

EleanorAbernathy · 02/03/2018 16:44

Commiserations to you too Sweetpotatoaddict - something is definitely helping and swallowing is less painful this afternoon! Not sure if it's the throat spray or the ibuprofen though as I've been doing both.

OP posts:

Sweetpotatoaddict · 02/03/2018 17:45

In the last wee hour I feel a bit better, gone with ibruprofen and the spray. Fingers crossed this is the start of a speedy recovery for us both

peneleope82 · 02/03/2018 19:34

Hope you feel better soon!

I had a quinsy when I had tonsilitis recently and was very unpleasant but after a 24 hour stay in hospital (on heavenly painkiller IV along with antibiotic IV and steroids) I was a-ok! So don't be afraid, it's easily treatable if not very nice but 'normal' tonsillitis is no picnic either

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