Tonsillitis

[GeorginaA]

Any tips to make this either go quicker or less painfully?

I'm currently alternating paracetamol and ibuprofen to cover 24hrs. Can't take anything stronger as I'm breastfeeding.

Trying to avoid going to the docs because from what I have read, they won't do anything or will prescribe either penicillin or erythromyacin - both of which I am allergic to.

I'm on day 2 and it feels like knives are sticking into my throat, have got horrible aches and pains and, frankly, feel like complete shit.

Now would be a great time for someone to tell me about a fantastic safe alternative remedy that will clear it all up in 24hrs . Alternatively, someone tell me how much longer this is likely to last?

shudder

don't they tend to recommend tonsillectomies if you get them that bad?

Although saying that, I have a friend who is particularly prone (in fact, I think I caught it off her son!) and she had a tonsilectomy and she says she still gets the infections - just in the stumps! (But I suppose, at least she avoids the difficulty breathing complication now)

no one has ever mentioned taking them out. Thing is, I'm so good at realising I'm getting it I'm straight to my GP for anti b's.

Yeah, I think if weren't breastfeeding and naturally wary of anti-bs I'd have been a lot quicker off the mark.

Better today, still quite sore though and I feel quite wiped (I assume from lack of food for 4 days can't help!)

I could MURDER a big mac right now, in fact I'm in danger of becoming food obsessed. Only just about managed to swallow a very over-ripe banana though, so I guess I'm going to have to wait a bit longer

The second I'm better, I'm going STRAIGHT down McDonalds...

I was recommended a mouth spray called DIFFLAM by the nurse practioner last time I had tonsillitis and it was truly the first thing I've ever tried that helped. It takes a bit of getting used to because you have to point a long thin tube down right to the back of your mouth and kind of aim the spray - so at first you gag a bit, but I soon got the knack and the results (a general feeling of being anaesthetised) were worth it. Not all chemists stock it - but if you are desperate and can find it then it might help you too.

Another advocate of Difflam - as either spray or gargle. Fantastic stuff. Not sure if it is ok to use while breastfeeding, but I'm sure your pharmasist could tell you. Oraldene gargle is good too - but really, really disgusting.
Hope you feel better soon Georgina. After years & years of tonsilitus I have just accepted a referral to have them removed!!!! Eeeek!

hi georginaA,
hope you are feeling better today..xxxxxxx
hows the throat?

Throat is easing off, thanks, although still tender and difficult to eat. Feel quite whoozy and weak though (which I put down to not eating much lately).

Just had some soup that I'd made last week and frozen and a lukewarm cup of tea and feeling a bit more human though, which is good Another day and that big mac is mine...

GeorginaA, hope you read this - can't cat you for some reason!

Muchos apologies for the garlic and honey remedy. After 13 years of no tonsillitis, I had it over easter and the garlic and honey didn't touch it. Penicillin didn't either... but, my friend, with whom we were staying, gave me her bottle of colloidal silver.

It worked a treat! Anyone else used colloidal silver for anything?

Anyway, just wanted to apologise and I hope you don't hate me too much now that you're better!

LOL, nah... I don't hate you

Will remember the collodial silver though - or does that taste foul too?!

doesn't taste of anything - promise! It's not cheap at £12 but, honestly, within 40 minutes I could swallow, and after 7 nights of very little sleep, I actually slept for 6 hours that night.

I swear that's what cured me as the penicillin wasn't touching it.

I think you jinxed me to have tonsillitis eh???!

(nb just in my defence...the garlic and honey always works on a generic sore throat though...)

yeah yeah yeah, I believe you, thousands wouldn't