Tonsillitis pain- help!

[cherriesss]

I am in absolute agony with what I thought was a chest infection but now I think it’s turned into tonsillitis as it’s like swallowing razor blades; also white spots.

I am fortunate that my mum has come to take my youngest back to hers as I’m feeling so awful. I can’t eat it hurts that bad.

I have done paracetamol/ibuprofen, I have throat spray which works for about 2 minutes. I just found some cocodomal which I have taken but still not helping. I’ve had honey & lemon. I just want to sleep tonight 😭 oh, also gargled with salt water and then tried aspirin too!

Is there anything more I can do? Or am I doomed? Now it is the weekend and I won’t be able to see the GP, so I guess I need to suck it up all weekend but I feel utterly shocking!!

If you read the NHS guidance it advises contacting 111 if you have 'pus-filled spots' or difficulty swallowing so you may want to do that given you mention white spots.

Read the page here: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/tonsillitis/

Be very careful in case you develop a quinsy (also explained on the page).

I did 111 online and it said to go to the pharmacy but apparently they won’t prescribe antibiotics for throat infections; I need to see my GP.

My 24 yr old had pus filled spots on their tonsils and called 111, was given a pharmacy to visit where they COULD prescribe and give antibiotics - and did. I'd call 111 again and ask for the closest pharmacy that could do this for you if its that painful.

I found in the past dissolvable disprine helped with taking the edge off the pain. Gargling every 4 hours for as long as you can .
Also try to get to the pharmacist tomorrow and get them to take a look and advise.
I feel for you, it’s the worst pain ever.

Viral tonsillitis doesn’t produce white spots.

Bacterial tonsillitis does produce white patches/spots on the tonsils and throat. You need antibiotics.

im a long-term sufferer of tonsillitis and was always fobbed off with ‘tonsillitis is viral there sis nothing we can do’ when the majority of times I got it I got bacterial tonsillitis which resulted in me being hospitalised twice because I couldn’t swallow. I also had Quincy once.. that was horrendous too!

Go to out of hours tomorrow and get some antibiotics.

Yep soluble aspirin is the best for gargling (for the pain).

Rinsing and gargling with a strong salt solution can also help with the pain - it will help reduce swelling

Had terrible tonsillitis over the years. You need antibiotics. Can you get fluids down? Last time I ended up in a&e for intravenous antibiotics and fluids. Gargling with a asprin or warm salt water can take the edge off temporarily. But the sooner you start antibiotics the better.

Ah great. I feel so stupid as I put off going to doctors today thinking they’d not be able to do much. It hurts so much, I cannot sleep. Dosed up on all I can. I’m exhausted but I guess there’s not much I can do. Luckily I can drink water etc.

Does anyone know if a pharmacy can give me antibiotics for this? Mixed advice online! I have hardly slept.

My local pharmacies definitely prescribe antibiotics for throat infections as I was prescribed some on Monday.
If you look up pharmacy first it will tell you the list of things they can treat. I’m not 100% sure but you may be able to search for a pharmacy taking part in the scheme locally to you as well. Hope you manage to get some x

also 111 have Drs that can prescribe over the phone and then you just pick up from a pharmacy, they did for DH when he had pneumonia.

@Fishfingersandcustard1 love your username, is it from the story? Used to have it on repeat in the car for my little sister!

Let us know how you get on @cherriesss

I did 111 again this morning, it says a GP will call back within 8 hours..! I have found a chemist that is part of the scheme so I will be going there this am once I drag myself out of bed.

I’ve not had it in 20years. It was awful. I grew out if it and hope you do too.

I used to use strepsils to gargle with as they had a numbing effect (don’t know if they still do probably not due to H&S). but that took the edge off the pain

ie suck one and when youve enough fluid in your mouth take the strepsil out and gargle with the numbing spit in your mouth, sounds gross but it worked and when you’re desperate…!

In Spain they had throat spray that really numbed but it wasn’t over here (as it was probably considered too numbing or something). If it’s here now and that’s what you tired already and it wasn’t much use Im sorry I’ve no more ideas.

I hope you get medicated soon. It’s so awful.

yes, difflam spray can help a bit as is numbing. There's a chloraseptic one too

I finally have antibiotics. Thank the lord. I hope they now kick in asap!!

Hurrah, was that through 111 or Pharmacy First ? Really hope they kick in soon, in our experience of DDs monthly tonsillitis within 24 hours you begin to notice a change, within 48 normally starting to feel far more human

I find the difflam throat rinse better than the spray as it covers a bigger area

@Phunkychicken111! They were great actually. I had a GP call back within 20 minutes and then she sent a prescription to my local pharmacy. Had the first 2 tablets and really hoping there’s even a slight improvement for tonight’s sleep. My mum is bringing my 3.5 year old home later, husband is away for work (typical) but home later thank god. Eldest is at a party. So, I just had a milkshake delivered and trying to rest up! I can’t believe how bad this is, I haven’t been this poorly in years.

Glad they helped. Honestly, tonsillitis is a bit like flu with people wrongly self diagnosing with it. DCs have ended up in hospital now than once with 41 degree fever severely dehydrated. It affects everything, not ‘just’ a sore throat

really hope you’re on the mend soon

Glad you've had some help, hopefully the antibiotics work fast.

Just a lovely update; I’ve now developed a horrid chesty cough!! Never ending. Doctor appointment this morning to see if I now have a chest infection which I’m pretty sure I have. The mucus is awful and it’s so so painful. I’m knackered. Hoping they will change my antibiotics over to help clear this as tonsillitis has nearly cleared up! Just a little sore when I swallow now.