Sobbing with the pain, sore throat?

[Strawberrysauce3]

I have 0 experience with sore throats or ears but just need some advice

I’ve had some sort of virus for the last week. I’m mostly over it now but have a horrendous sore throat. It has been a 6/10 painwise for the last few days and then over the last 24 hours has genuinely shot up to around a 100/10. I’m not exaggerating when I say I’ve never felt this level of pain before in my entire life. I’m basically climbing the wall with it. Cocodamol/strong nurofen (ibuprofen 400mg) was keeping the pain manageable but over the last few hours it’s become horrendous and nothing is touching it. I’ve genuinely never been in this level of pain before. I’ve looked in my throat- my tonsils are not swollen, no white spots, no quinsy. So it’s just viral. Does that mean there’s no point contacting nhs24 since antibiotics etc won’t help anyway? I really don’t have it in me to go through the whole contacting and waiting for a call back and to go along to an appointment and then for them to say it’s viral just give it more time

the worst part is I still have a bit of a cough (I’m asthmatic so the virus to my chest) and I keep needing to cough but everytime I cough it’s absolutely horrific. I’ve been sobbing all afternoon with it. And I can sort of feel the pain through both ears now too

has anyone ever had this before and got any advice? The closest I’ve ever had to this was a massive deep dental access which was excruciating but this is far far worse

Gargle with warm salt water as often as possible. It really does help.

Scotland and Jamaica.

See a health care professional about it but diluted TCP takes the edge off the pain

Agree it sounds like Covid. Last time I had it all I had was a sore throat that felt like it was on fire and very tired.

I used the covornia throat spray and that numbed it enough to manage.

I’d forgotten about TCP!!! It stinks like crazy but is very good

If it is that bad, go to A&E. I don’t want to alarm you but someone I know had tonsillitis that became fatal necrotising fasciitis and one of the main symptoms is pain not commensurate with the what the area looks like, so it makes me very concerned that your throat looks fine but is that painful.

Ice chips.
Chlorasceptic spray.
When I had tonsillitis I put Orajel on my tonsils. It's the same stuff as Chlorasceptic but much stronger.

With this level of pain that is also affecting your cough and breathing, you need to go to A+E for pain management at the very least.
It doesn't sound like just a "sore throat". That level of pain and not being able to cough properly because of it, is ringing alarm bells.
PPs have suggested an abscess. I would absolutely not wait for 111 to call you back as they'll just tell you to go to A+E! Save yourself of simply waiting around in agony before you go.

I'd be thinking strep or tonsillitis if it's that bad. Secondary infection maybe, I'd get checked, op, you may need antibiotics. Hope you feel better soon.

So sorry you are in pain. I had a very sore throat and a cough that woke me up in the night early in September ... when I tested it was Covid. Coughing with the sore throat was very very painful. I sipped warm water with honey and it gave a little relief. Almost a month later I'm still very weak and fatigued, whatever this virus is, it is nasty. I hope you can sleep tonight.

I’m so sorry for the late reply and thanks so much to everyone (too many replies to message individual but I’ve read them all and I’m very grateful)

I finally managed to get a wee short 30 min nap, i couldn’t sleep at all earlier from the pain so not sure if that means it’s slightly better, i was due some more pain relief so have taken it and if it’s not any better with it this time then I’ll head to a&e.

my throat looks red but definitely no obvious quinsy (although I know from someone commenting on here that it can be hidden from view) I’ll post a picture below

I had this last year (I have no tonsils), and my GP thought it was Covid after I kept complaining of exhaustion months later. I had terrible vertigo with it as well-and two of my neighbours had the same thing (we had not been in the same room together, just outside, so it must have been rife where I live). We’ll never know as I didn’t test at the time; it made my ears bubble inside, too. I’m still suffering with ear and balance problems almost 10 months later and after many tests, have now been referred to the falls clinic. I do feel a lot better as in my throat cleared up in about a week, but the ears, Jesus they just won’t clear 🤷‍♀️. Feel better soon, OP.

Not the clearest pics but the best I could get

Gosh! That is very red. I look in mouths all day long & I can tell you that yours looks unusually sore. Make sure you take reflux meds if you need to and seek medical attention to get it sorted. If you start with any stridor (noisy breathing) then act much quicker as it’s a sign breathing is compromised. Let us know what the diagnosis is.x

That looks so sore

My late husband had a quinsy in his windpipe, it couldn't be seen but was agony for him. Could you see a doctor? Appointments here are ridiculous but it is good you have your photo now if they ask.

Hahahaha, strepsils.

Gargle diluted TCP in warm water. It’s amazing for a sore throat. Like others have said, it sounds like you have Covid. Hope you get well soon.

Nurse practitioner here - does look really red and sore, probably strep throat and would benefit from antibiotics.
i actually had similar a couple of years ago and was crying with the pain, could barely swallow or open my mouth so was convinced it was quinsy but turned out to be strep it was loads better after a day of antibiotics. Difflam RINSE not spray is really good, the spray can rarely get far enough down to help but the rinse you gargle and if gets to where it needs to go

Best to get checked though if it’s that painful!

Don't worry qualified nurse practitioner, another poster has already diagnosed covid and has advised that the patient should get some strepsils as they worked for her.

Just phone 111 and get some medical advice. It's what they are there for.

That looks really sore I’d get that checked asap xx

I had pharyngitis about 25 years ago and will never ever forget the pain of it, it was like razor blades in my throat and I couldn't talk, I had to leave work and go straight to the gp and I remember him giving me an injection straight away and the rest of the week off work.

I had this and the white spots were right down the back of my throat-could only see them by depressing my tongue and really looking. Could get a strep a test from supermarket/chemist or Amazon.
amzn.eu/d/iVS8LB6