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Original poster

Is anyone around - I couldn't feel more sorry for myself...

75 replies

Dottydot · 14/04/2008 06:05

I think I have Dotty flu. I've got:

Ulcers all over my tongue so it's swollen and I can't talk.

The sorest throat in the flipping world so I can barely swallow

swollen glands all over my neck

Headache

I've been up since 5am 'cos of the pain. Taking brufen and paracetamol but it's not touching it.

WAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH...

OP posts:
belgo · 14/04/2008 06:21

sounds very painful! Poor you. Have you had this before?

Original poster
Dottydot · 14/04/2008 06:24

Awww - thanks Belgo - was feeling even more sorry for myself that no-one had replied!

No, not this bad since I had my tonsils out about 15 years ago.

Not sure whether to go to the GP - they'll only say it's a virus and send me away without antibiotics...

OP posts:
belgo · 14/04/2008 06:27

it might not be a virus! I do think it's worth making a GP appointment, and hopefully the GP will give you some advice on pain control.

Original poster
Dottydot · 14/04/2008 06:29

Yes - I could do with some knock-me-out painkillers and just sleeeeeeep for the next few days!

Will phone the GP later and see if I can get away with being an 'emergency'...

OP posts:
belgo · 14/04/2008 06:34

hope you get something to help!

onlyjoking9329 · 14/04/2008 06:50

Hope the pain is going now, would sucking an ice cube help?

Original poster
Dottydot · 14/04/2008 06:54

OJ sorry i'm being very self indulgent when you (and other Mers) have got much more serious illness stuff to worry about

But good suggestion re: ice cubes - hadn't thought of it - will go and unearth some now!

OP posts:
Lowfat · 14/04/2008 07:10

Dotty - sorry to ad to your problems but ulcers and sore throats sound like when we all had hand foot and mouth last year......any spots on your hands?

Ulcers are always nasty - anbesol is great for soothing them.

Feel better soon - sending you a pot of tea and scones, cream and jam for breakfast - soothe your throat with the cream!!

Original poster
Dottydot · 14/04/2008 07:15

Hi - no, no spots on hands! Well i've e-mailed my boss to let him know I won't be in today [guilt]. Will wait until ds's are off to school and then hopefully get some sleep...

OP posts:
onlyjoking9329 · 14/04/2008 07:15

dont be daft dotty, we all have different things it isn't a competion. I hope ice cubes help.

windygalestoday · 14/04/2008 07:29

get thee to the docs straight away- my nighbour hd this the other week her throt was so infcted they thought she might get peritonitis she hd double dose of strong anti biotics and ws better in days although had she not gone when she did it would have been a hospital affair.

onlyjoking9329 · 14/04/2008 14:43

Dotty, did you get to the doctors? let us know how you got on

cocolepew · 14/04/2008 14:46

Dotty, I HAVE THIS AND NEEDED ANTIBIOTICS. GARGLE WITH SALT WATER, TOO. Sorry caps on lock

Elibean · 14/04/2008 18:29

Dotty, do see your doctor - a swollen tongue can get nasty, if it interferes with breathing or swallowing. I spent a week on an IV drip to hydrate me when I couldn't drink because of ulcers in my throat and soft palate.

Ulcers are caused by a virus (similar to herpes one, same as causes mouth ulcers) and I had it when I was v run down. It was the worst pain I've ever had, and then some - gargling with aspirin helps for short periods (long enough to swallow water, maybe food) you have my sympathy...FWIW, the hospital gave me codeine phosphate for the pain, and intramuscular injections of Voltarol (strong anti-inflammatory): the Voltarol, oral or IM, is by far the most effective pain relief, I found.

I had it again just after dd2 was born, and they gave me Voltarol supps. and co-codamol. Seriously, don't let the doctor fob you off re pain control - you need to be able to drink or you'll get weak and dehydrated. Take care, hope you're better soon!

Original poster
Dottydot · 14/04/2008 18:31

thanks - you've helped much more than the CRAP locum GP I saw this morning...

I told her brufen and paracetamol weren't touching the pain and she said just carry on taking them

She couldn't get a good look at my throat because my tongue/mouth is so swollen, so she just left it.

Feel utterly fed up - the pain's horrible and it's horrible to swallow/speak/breathe...

OP posts:
Original poster
Dottydot · 14/04/2008 18:34

Elibean - can you get those over the counter? No point going back to the doctors.

OP posts:
belgo · 14/04/2008 19:19

sounds horrible Dotty.

I don't know what to suggest expect if it gets worse particulary if your tongue swells up even more then you need to see someone urgently.

Make sure you take the maximum amount of paracetamol and brufen that you are allowed to take.

windygalestoday · 14/04/2008 20:04

i think u should go to an out of hours centre or to A & E youre gonna be in a real mess if it gets worse

Elibean · 14/04/2008 22:23

Dotty so sorry you got a naf GP today. No, you can't get Voltarol over the counter - I suppose you could try Nurofen Plus (has codeine in it) for the pain, and do gargle with aspirin: make a strong solution, one full strength aspirin in a few tbsps of water, and hold it in your mouth for as long as you can - several minutes if possible - before spitting out. It kind of numbs the ulcer pain.

If you can't drink water by tomorrow, or before even, DO go to A&E and/or a different GP - I went a few days and two GPs before tottering in to my own GP who took one look at me and admitted me to hospital. Also, try telling a GP what I've told you - best hospital treatment is Diclofenac (Voltarol is the brand name), worked better even than liquid morphine (which Chelsea & West gave me, believe it or not, as front line treatment for the pain). And not anywhere near as addictive

It takes about five days for ulcers, usually, to peak and start to heal - from the time they first ached a bit. Take care of yourself, you're probably v run down/exhausted from the pain if nothing else.

Original poster
Dottydot · 15/04/2008 04:03

can't sleep. I'm managing to drink - if only to take the tablets... My body can't keep at the right temperature - I'm either burning up or shivering.

Oh joy. I'm soooooo bobbins with pain and I can't believe how much it hurts. Grrrrrr...

OP posts:
Original poster
Dottydot · 15/04/2008 04:58

(This is turning into Dotty's illness blog... ).

Having a nosebleed - ewwww! I never have nosebleeds - what's this all about??

OP posts:
UnderRated · 15/04/2008 05:03

You're not having much luck, are you dotty?

Hope the nosebleed stops soon 0 are you doing the nose piching/ head forward thing?

Original poster
Dottydot · 15/04/2008 05:05

kind of - this is my first nosebleed and I'm a bit shocked! I want to put my head back, but just googled so am trying to put head forward.

Ewwwwwww....

OP posts:
UnderRated · 15/04/2008 05:09

Yes, lean forwards/ head down. Pinch the bridge of your nose.

And don't blow your nose for about 24 hours after it has stopped bleeding, otherwise it might start again.

Have you used one of those nasal sprays? They can cause nosebleeds.

Original poster
Dottydot · 15/04/2008 05:11

No - have been using a throat spray and taking painkillers.

OP posts:
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