topic Re: Throat Problems Could Use Some Advice in Wellness

Throat Problems Could Use Some Advice

jubilant — Thu, 19 Feb 2015 00:29:44 GMT

Two or three weeks ago I came down with something. It turned into bronchitis. I never coughed so much in my life and it was a very productive cough (if you know what I mean). I went to the doctor and she put me on a z pack type antibiotic. I got over the bronchitis and or at least that terrible coughing but I now have white spots all over my tonsils and a throat that, while not red or sore, feels like there is something always in my throat. It's almost a feeling like a strained throat or vocal chords. No fever. I cannot talk for very long or I start losing my voice and that strained feeling in my throat comes back again. Actually it really never goes away. Any clues as to what it could be? I have been dealing with this for a week to a week and a half and it just seems to be getting worse.

Re: Throat Problems Could Use Some Advice

lolakimono — Thu, 19 Feb 2015 00:34:25 GMT

white spots= strep

I had super enlarged tonsils, did 5 antibiotics in 6 weeks, and couldn't get rid of the tonsillitis. I had to have a tonsillectomy. Mine were so swollen they were almost touching, with stuff all over them (TMI I'm sure, but they looked like boogers stuck on my tonsils). But I was miserable- swollen glands, tired, sore throat, etc. I could tell that I had a raging infection.

If you have laryngitis, take anti inflammatories, rest your voice (whispering strains it more than talking), drink plenty of fluids and perhaps take a decongestant.

Re: Throat Problems Could Use Some Advice

ChynnaBlue — Thu, 19 Feb 2015 00:39:52 GMT

Yes, white spots is a sign of strep. Get to the doctor ASAP and get a culture. If it IS strep, you can pass it on to anyone you come into contact with. Strep is a bacterial infection, so expect another course of antibiotics if that's what it is. Fever may or may not accompany strep, but the white spots are a real indicator. I used to get it a lot as a kid and my dad got really good at reading the spots.

Sorry you had bronchitis. I get that a few times a year and it's always unpleasant. Glad that's at least over!

Re: Throat Problems Could Use Some Advice

jubilant — Thu, 19 Feb 2015 00:49:33 GMT

Thank you. I will call my Dr. tomorrow. I have never had strep but my daughter has and it was always accompanied by a very sore and raw throat with a fever. Since I have neither... I just didn't think it could be strep. I appreciate your input.

Re: Throat Problems Could Use Some Advice

ChynnaBlue — Thu, 19 Feb 2015 00:55:58 GMT

It could also be oral thrush, a yeast infection. Thrush is caused by the same fungus that causes a yeast infection... elsewhere. It usually happens when a person takes an oral steroid asthma inhaler (Advair, Flovent, for example) but sometimes antibiotics can cause an imbalance and a yeast infection. I use oral steroids and always have to rinse my mouth afterward to prevent thrush.

Re: Throat Problems Could Use Some Advice

10sluvr — Thu, 19 Feb 2015 01:09:31 GMT

i've had strep and it would be hard to go for 1 1/2weeks with no treatment. maybe no fever or headaches because you had been on meds. good luck. i hope it will be a quick recovery.

Re: Throat Problems Could Use Some Advice

RedTop — Thu, 19 Feb 2015 01:52:25 GMT

Back in the mid 80's I had strep that lasted 6 weeks, and then developed pharyngitis. My throat was absolutely raw from coughing so much, and so hard, and I could barely whisper. This illness is what sent me to the ENT who not only cleared me of strep and pharyngitis, but also diagnosed my food allergies. Cough syrup didn't touch my coughing spasms, but this doctor prescribed a tablet with a horrible taste, that quelled my coughing fits immediately---the active ingredient was guafenaisin, and the first time I took OTC Mucinex, I remembered that taste immediately. Best wishes to you with a diagnosis and successful treatment.

Re: Throat Problems Could Use Some Advice

jubilant — Thu, 19 Feb 2015 03:39:19 GMT

Thanks, ladies. I hope it is not strep as I have been around my elderly parents due to several emergencies this week. One was in the hospital and the other's blood sugar was dropping into the high 40's and low 50's. I had nodules taken off my vocal chords years ago and that is kind of what it feels like. I have also had a nasty ulcer in my esophagus and that is something I hope I never get again. Anything with the throat tends to scare me a little. I am glad to hear it could be something minor

Re: Throat Problems Could Use Some Advice

OnlyShopsOnline — Thu, 19 Feb 2015 03:46:58 GMT

From past experience, when my daughter was younger, white spots on tonsils don't necessarily mean strep. They can be the result of the body fighting infection.

But, a doctor needs to check it out to be sure.

Re: Throat Problems Could Use Some Advice

jubilant — Thu, 19 Feb 2015 04:05:19 GMT

I called my Dr. today but they were out of the office....so tomorrow for sure if they can work me in.

Re: Throat Problems Could Use Some Advice

lucylover64 — Thu, 19 Feb 2015 06:03:41 GMT

Jubilant--I hope you get some answers soon and start to feel better. Best wishes to your parents as well!

Re: Throat Problems Could Use Some Advice

jubilant — Thu, 19 Feb 2015 06:13:55 GMT

Thank you.

Re: Throat Problems Could Use Some Advice

LilacTree — Thu, 19 Feb 2015 17:51:03 GMT

It's probably the remnants of that "productive cough" you mentioned. Sometimes some of it hardens and hides in the back of one's throat like tiny marbles. I have had that happen to me and it has subsided by itself.

However, I would speak to your doctor about it, I am not meaning to give medical advice here, just my own experience with similar side effects of severe bronchitis. Only a doctor can diagnose strep and if he/she puts you on antibiotics immediately, it is only contagious for about 24 hours. Better safe than sorry.

Get well soon, jubilant.

Re: Throat Problems Could Use Some Advice

goodstuff — Thu, 19 Feb 2015 18:05:15 GMT

If your throat isn't sore, you don't have fever, and you are no longer feeling ill, it probably isn't strep. I'd give it a little time. A flu-type virus with a long-lasting cough and hoarseness have been all around this year. I thought I'd never stop coughing and having a raspy voice, even after I felt better! It took weeks.

Re: Throat Problems Could Use Some Advice

jubilant — Thu, 19 Feb 2015 20:48:03 GMT

Well, I went to the doctor and I don't have strep. I don't seem to have yeast or thrush either. Since I have had problems with my throat in the past they will give it another couple of weeks. Like you said, Goodstuff .... it may take some time. If I get another fever she wants me to come back for more antibiotics. She diagnosed it pretty much like you said, Ford.... I am supposed to gargle with warm salt water. If it's not completely gone in a couple weeks, they will have to scope it. I'm not looking for that to happen.

Thanks again for all your help and encouragement.

Re: Throat Problems Could Use Some Advice

fortune — Thu, 19 Feb 2015 22:12:29 GMT

Jubilant, there's absolutely no question in my mind that you have Thrush. The doctor probably didn't swab it because it is a mild case. Gargling with salt water will help and, as your body readjusts after the antibiotics, it probably will go away. Before taking any more antibiotics, if it gets worse, be sure to have the doctor swab it and make a diagnosis.

Re: Throat Problems Could Use Some Advice

adelle38 — Thu, 19 Feb 2015 22:38:30 GMT

On 2/19/2015 jubilant said:
Well, I went to the doctor and I don't have strep. I don't seem to have yeast or thrush either. Since I have had problems with my throat in the past they will give it another couple of weeks. Like you said, Goodstuff .... it may take some time. If I get another fever she wants me to come back for more antibiotics. She diagnosed it pretty much like you said, Ford.... I am supposed to gargle with warm salt water. If it's not completely gone in a couple weeks, they will have to scope it. I'm not looking for that to happen.

Thanks again for all your help and encouragement.

You might try adding a teaspoon of warm honey to that salt water. It's very soothing and will help heal your throat. You can also just forget the salt and use honey with warm water.

Re: Throat Problems Could Use Some Advice

jubilant — Fri, 20 Feb 2015 01:05:14 GMT

On 2/19/2015 fortune said:
Jubilant, there's absolutely no question in my mind that you have Thrush. The doctor probably didn't swab it because it is a mild case. Gargling with salt water will help and, as your body readjusts after the antibiotics, it probably will go away. Before taking any more antibiotics, if it gets worse, be sure to have the doctor swab it and make a diagnosis.

The doctor only did a swab for strep. I prefer not overdoing the antibiotics and usually never take them but once every year or two....if even that. The gargling is helping today. I was wondering if I should rinse the salt water out after gargling? I got too much salt the first time and it burned a little.

Re: Throat Problems Could Use Some Advice

jubilant — Fri, 20 Feb 2015 01:07:31 GMT

On 2/19/2015 adelle38 said:
On 2/19/2015 jubilant said:
Well, I went to the doctor and I don't have strep. I don't seem to have yeast or thrush either. Since I have had problems with my throat in the past they will give it another couple of weeks. Like you said, Goodstuff .... it may take some time. If I get another fever she wants me to come back for more antibiotics. She diagnosed it pretty much like you said, Ford.... I am supposed to gargle with warm salt water. If it's not completely gone in a couple weeks, they will have to scope it. I'm not looking for that to happen.

Thanks again for all your help and encouragement.

You might try adding a teaspoon of warm honey to that salt water. It's very soothing and will help heal your throat. You can also just forget the salt and use honey with warm water.

That sounds soothing. I have raw honey here...I will try that next time!

Re: Throat Problems Could Use Some Advice

sfnative — Fri, 20 Feb 2015 01:11:58 GMT

On 2/19/2015 jubilant said:
On 2/19/2015 adelle38 said:
On 2/19/2015 jubilant said:
Well, I went to the doctor and I don't have strep. I don't seem to have yeast or thrush either. Since I have had problems with my throat in the past they will give it another couple of weeks. Like you said, Goodstuff .... it may take some time. If I get another fever she wants me to come back for more antibiotics. She diagnosed it pretty much like you said, Ford.... I am supposed to gargle with warm salt water. If it's not completely gone in a couple weeks, they will have to scope it. I'm not looking for that to happen.

Thanks again for all your help and encouragement.

You might try adding a teaspoon of warm honey to that salt water. It's very soothing and will help heal your throat. You can also just forget the salt and use honey with warm water.

That sounds soothing. I have raw honey here...I will try that next time!

By using raw honey, you may be introducing additional pathogens into your systems. Best go with a product that is pasteurized.