I have a really bad sore throat for weeks at a time. It starts out feeling kind of dry, scratching and a little swollen. Then it it feels like I something in my throat. I feel like I am gagging sometimes and if I cough then I feel like I am going to get sick. It also feels really raw and hurts to eat. I also have really bad breath- which is very unusual. I think it kind of feels like something is draining down my throat.
Last March my BF's mom who is an ER nurse was postive I had strep throat. She could see the white circles on the back of my throat. My family doc even thought I had it. He immediatley put my on strep med and took a couple throat cultures to make sure. I didn't end up having strep. The sore throat lasted about 2 weeks.
Last November my sore throat came back. Checked again- same white dots. Did a throat culture and checked for mono-twice. Both test came back negative. My sore throat last about a month. It would start to feel better and then get worse again.
Now I have the same sore throat and the same white dots. I am going to be going to a ENT doc on Tuesday. My mom thinks I will probably have to have my tonsils taken out.
I was wondering if anyone has any expriece with persistent sore throats that are not strep. Salt water doens't seem to do much, but Listerine will helps. I have been looking on the internet and haven't been able to find much help. Thanks girls!
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I'm so sorry about your sore throat. It's a stretch but did anyone ever culture you for Candida, a fungal infection (white plaques that scrape off to reveal a red beefy lesion underneath)? It usually spreads all over your mouth, but certainly can linger in the back of your throat. And did they culture for any other bacteria, besides Strep? I mean it's possible this is also viral, which is difficult to culture, if you don't use the right medium...all of these require different medications, but if identified should be able to be treated.
Not to throw so much out there, but I'm sure the ENT doctor will have more insight, it's their expertise after all.
I would suggest, if at all possbile, make sure you bring (or have transferred) a copy of your primary care physician's medical chart on you. This way the ENT can see what has been done and knows your full history. You'll have to fill out HIPPA forms, but it's easy and maybe faster if you pick up your chart yourself, since your appt is Tuesday.
He did do other throat cultures, but I don't remember him doing one for Candida. Is that the same thing as Thrush? Candida sounded familar. My mom said Thrush was a possiblity because\ no antiboitics were working (or something to that effect). Thanks for the suggestions.
Thanks for reminding me about the charts. My mom can usually get them pretty easy from my family doctor. My mom is a doc and we know our family doctor pretty well. We have been going to him for a very long time and my grandmother worked with him. I was going to get the charts a few days ago and totally forgot about them. I will have to rememeber tomorrow.
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RyanJ, I hate to break the bad news, but I think you will probably need your tonsils taken out. Mother usually knows best (it doesn't hurt that she's a doctor either).
I would start taste-testing your favorite cold treats now, so you know exactly what you like! When I had my adenoids taken out, I was all about 7-11 Slurpees. Let us know what they figure out though, I could be wrong. Good luck!!!
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"i tell you one lesson I learned
If you want to be something in life, You ain't gonna get it unless, You give a little bit of sacrifice, Oohh, sometimes before you smile you got to cry.." -The Roots
That's quite a puzzle! Hope you get some relief and some answers from your ENT doc, but I thought I'd share my own experience with this, however anecdotal.
When I was in HS, I had a terrible sore throat so deep that nothing could even touch it - not cough drops, gargling, throat spray, NOTHING. Went to the doc after a couple days (sure it was strep) because it was so painful I needed something to MAKE. IT. STOP. My throat culture came back negative for strep as well - I broke down in tears in his office when he told me it was viral and there was nothing he could give me!
Doesn't really sound the same as what's happening to you, but thought I'd share - I'd never thought a bad sore throat could be anything but strep before that.
I think Shkitty might be correct in her Candida diagnosis - it's a yeast infection technically so antibiotics should help it if that's what it is. Good luck! Hope you feel better soon!
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I think are right shopgirl82 about probably having to get my tonsils removed. Although, I am going to like be babied and eating M&M McFlurrys.
LMonet, I know how you feel about nothing helping your sore throat. When I went to the doc in last March he gave me meds to start right away for strep because he thougt that is what it was. They didn't help, because it wasn't strep. He tried a few other meds, but basiclly told me that I was screwed. It is so frustrating when they can't do anything to stop a stupid sore throat.
Oh well, I guess I will know if there is anything that can be done in a few days. Thanks for your help ladies.
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as someone with chronic sore throats, usually the doctor suggests after so many sore throats to have the tonsils removed. there have been several times when the doc has treated me for strep and then it hasn't been strep....i can't even count the number of times. and yes, sitting there in pain is the worst!! so in the end i think having your tonsils removed might be the best bet. i'm sorry that stinks, but let us know what ends up happening. let's see if my nursing skills (and experience) have failed me!!
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"i tell you one lesson I learned
If you want to be something in life, You ain't gonna get it unless, You give a little bit of sacrifice, Oohh, sometimes before you smile you got to cry.." -The Roots
quote: Originally posted by: RyanJ "Mmm... red beefy lesion. He did do other throat cultures, but I don't remember him doing one for Candida. Is that the same thing as Thrush? Candida sounded familar. My mom said Thrush was a possiblity because\ no antiboitics were working (or something to that effect). Thanks for the suggestions. Thanks for reminding me about the charts. My mom can usually get them pretty easy from my family doctor. My mom is a doc and we know our family doctor pretty well. We have been going to him for a very long time and my grandmother worked with him. I was going to get the charts a few days ago and totally forgot about them. I will have to rememeber tomorrow. "
Sorry been away. Yup Candida is the technical term for thrush, and your mom is right no antibiotics would kill it. Only antifungals like nystatin, diflucan or mycelex would help.
Keep us updated. I hope the pain gets better and the dtr finds the cause.
did you have your doctor's appt? just wondering what he said....
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"i tell you one lesson I learned
If you want to be something in life, You ain't gonna get it unless, You give a little bit of sacrifice, Oohh, sometimes before you smile you got to cry.." -The Roots
quote: Originally posted by: shopgirl82 " did you have your doctor's appt? just wondering what he said...."
They pushed me back till tomorrow- Thursday. The doctor had an emergency and had to cancel all his appointment on Tuesday. He is only in the office Tuesday and Thursday but since my mom know the doc and they fit me in really quickly I can't complain too much.
Thanks for asking!
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quote: Originally posted by: RyanJ "shopgirl82- you were right. I have to get my tonsils removed. Thanks everyone for your input and concern."
i'm sorry RyanJ!! that blows. i kinda figured cuz usually after so many sore throats they do that. i'm waiting for the bad news myself the next time i get a sore throat. well, enjoy your mcflurries!! you might want to mix it up with some slurpees!!! sooo good.
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"i tell you one lesson I learned
If you want to be something in life, You ain't gonna get it unless, You give a little bit of sacrifice, Oohh, sometimes before you smile you got to cry.." -The Roots
quote: Originally posted by: shopgirl82 " i'm sorry RyanJ!! that blows. i kinda figured cuz usually after so many sore throats they do that. i'm waiting for the bad news myself the next time i get a sore throat. well, enjoy your mcflurries!! you might want to mix it up with some slurpees!!! sooo good. "
I am going to be milking it for all I can. My bf will be running his butt of getting me ice cream. I am kind of looking forward to being able to eat ice cream and junk and not feel guilty. I guess that is the silver lining.
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I don’t want no part of your tight-ass country-club, you freak bitch!