AIBU to not leave the GP without antibiotics

[Turtlegurl888]

I suspect I have bacterial tonsillitis. I've had a raging fever of between 39 and 40 even when maxxing out the daily allowance of paracetamol and ibuprofen. I can hardly open my mouth or turn my head/neck. My glands are like painful golf balls. Yesterday and the day before, my tonsils were covered in white and yellow patches, but that seems to have lessened today. I was awake every hour last night in sheer agony. I don't know how else to describe this pain. It's like being stabbed in the throat and neck. This started on Friday and its been worse every day since. I can't even speak today.

I have had tonsillitis MANY times, I'd venture to say on at least 100 times throughout my childhood, I really suffered. This feels different. The pain is next level. I can't eat or even drink. I am forcing myself to sip water but I'm screaming internally every time I have to swallow.

I know the Dr will say its viral and to wait it out but I can't. I need something. I have my 15 month old all week with no childcare or another adults help and I'm not going to be able to cope like this. Can I be like, I'm not leaving until I have antibiotics? Or at least a swab test for bacterial? I'm usually a massive pushover and willing to accept a doctor knows more than I do but it's so bad I think I need to stand up for myself.

Honestly don't hang around waiting for the GP just go straight to pharmacist as you may then be given antibiotics there, much quicker. It's a great service, I've used it a couple of times to get antibiotics for UTIs, no faffing with a GP appointment!

Sorry OP just saw your latest post, glad you're sorted now! It's such a good service.

You poor thing, that sounds awful. I would say you need an emergency appointment with the GP, in the past when the receptionist has said there are no appointments, I insisted on one as an emergency, it was for my children. Then was given one fir that day. You clearly
need to be seen by someone.

Just read your update, so glad you've got antibiotics and painkillers. Tonsillitis is so awful, have heard a few people have it just now.

I'm going to agree with those saying quinsy

It sounds exactly like I was with it. Could barely swallow, had to drink through a straw and it was agony. Kept me awake all night. Felt like something blocking the throat. Couldn't speak

Doctor sent me straight to A&E, called ahead to inform them I'd need the ENT specialist. Was put on saline (because of the dehydration) and IV antibiotics. Then the ENT specialist arrived, drained the quinsy and I instantly felt better. Was a possibility I would need to be admitted but I was drinking and eating within hours so they let me go home.

That's great. I'm pleased you're got something.

I also think it's good that you've highlighted how pharmacists can help - taking the load off GPs for things like this.

I have a friend who is a recently retired pharmacist and one reason they retired was because of the workload they had, with increased pressures to see and treat patients, but on the other hand it's good for the public.

I’d push for antibiotics and say it’s clearly no viral it’s clearly bacterial

Doctors with any sense take this seriously these days . They usually see you or prescribe antibiotics as there was a case of a young teenager whom dird from this .
it’s turned to sepsis .

Things have to be and should be done very differently.
Stand your ground if you have too .

@Turtlegurl888 could be strep throat also. Same treatment so I’m glad you’ve got the antibiotics. If it’s not better after this course don’t hesitate to go back to the chemist for
more

I’m a GP. This is a perfect example of why NHS England should fund GP practices properly rather than pushing money into pharmacies for the Pharmacy First scheme. A lot of pharmacists just don’t have the training to manage cases properly. This is poor management - yet to the untrained person (as proven in this thread) it appears a good outcome to be given oral antibiotics.

You sound like you may well have quinsy. This would need hospital treatment and antibiotic tablets are an inappropriate treatment.

Please seek medical review today - be that via your own GP (explain that quinsy is considered possible), a walk in centre, 111 or A&E.

You might want to keep a stash of antibiotics at home. They're available online.

www.anytimedoctor.co.uk/onlinedoctor/medipac.html

Sorry to hear how much you are suffering with your throat. If you can get some honey you can either swallow a couple of spoonfuls every few hours or mix it with hot water and a squeeze of lemon and sip this as honey is a natural antibacterial. In between this you can buy a spray that will numb your throat so you can eat something like chicken soup or similar though chicken soup helps with illness as there’s some research showing it. Anything is worth a try especially as you have a little one to take care of. Good luck 😉

Great that you have antibiotics but if you're genuinely having trouble swallowing then you should call 111 or even go to A&E. Father in law had severe tonsillitis and ended up in hospital for a night on IV antibiotics because he couldn't swallow or move his head and very high fever

I hope OP reads this one! @Turtlegurl888

It is a sign though that the public sees getting any help as a real fight. My experience is also that way and I always have to really advocate when I see the GP, which is only about 1 time every 5 years - yet I am treated like a hypochondriac that is there every week.

You do appreciate that not all GPs get things right? Which is why there is this kick-back against giving antibiotics at the drop of a hat?

Honestly, one thing I hate is GPs thinking they know it all yet pharmacists are often more qualified in some aspects of medicine and make better judgements.

Maybe you missed the point about not being able to even get an answer on the phone to a GP?

I recently had tonsillitis and hadn't had it for about 15 years. I was like you, high temperature, could barely swallow and glands were swollen. I got seen by a nurse practitioner who said I met the criteria for antibiotics as I had white patches, fever, and swollen glands.

It was so so painful. You have to be careful as well that it doesn't develop into quincy, which I have also had in the past. Hope you get better soon!

Glad you got something - the pharmacist service is great couldn’t get my son an appointment at the Drs despite trying for days - knew he had more than a cough / cold - took him to the pharmacy near me, seen within 10mins, diagnosed with double ear infection and chest infection - perscribed 5 day course of antibiotics and pain killers - was starting to feel better within 48hrs of starting the antibiotics.

You do appreciate that not all GPs get things right? Which is why there is this kick-back against giving antibiotics at the drop of a hat?

Of course they don't always get it right but this seems quite a clear cut case of a bacterial infection.

I can see you have antibiotics now but just wanted to wish you a speedy recovery. I’ve had tonsillitis once during adulthood (numerous times as a child) and the pain was worse than childbirth. 💐

@Idealidealist what is your statement that are 'pharmacists better often qualified in aspects of medicine' based on?

That is a very dangerous line to spread without solid analytics to back it up

Usually if you have white/yellow spots on you tonsils then they prescribe antibiotics.

By all means go in and be clear about what you feel you need… but with respect, you don’t know what they are going to say if you haven’t yet been.

I had the worst sore throat of my life a couple of weeks ago, literally digging my nails into my palms every time I swallowed. NOTHING helped, painkillers didn´t even touch the sides. I was convinced I must have strep throat etc but it turned out it was Covid and after a couple of days the throat pain subsided.

I would 20o prevent push for antibiotics

Our practice issues antibiotic prescriptions after a phone consultation for tonsillitis .

What a palava for you OP

I am worried about this with the amount of responses suggesting it, and now yourself as a GP. I will contact my GP surgery again. I can't face going to the walk in centre/A&E (they're combined at my local hosp) again after spending the last 3 days in and out. But obviously if I need to go I will.

Can I ask, is it possible for 1 person to present with viral tonsilitis/not need antibiotics and the next person within the same household to need them? Because every doctor has been adamant my child has viral and doesn't need antibiotics but now I'm worried for him, much more than myself! Especially as little ones can go downhill so fast. Thank you.

Yes, have you actually seen/spoke to a doctor yet?