Aa
Persistent sore throat
I have had a sore throat, which causes my voice to 'catch', for about 5 weeks. Some days it is almost none existent, others it feels quite raw. I don't have an elevated temperature although on one occasion last week, for no apparent reason, I broke out in a profuse sweat - I was soaked - but recovered within minutes with a drink of water. I have a slight sensation of cattarh in the back of my throat but not so much as to make me cough, just enough to cause throat clearance every hour or so. I went to my doctor who has sent me for a blood test - ESR(?) and FBC(?).
The results won't be back for 7 days but I am off on holiday in 5, so without the results the holiday will be a worry. To be blunt, I am terrified that I may have some type of throat cancer.
I am 54, very fit (cyclist with sub two-hour 50 mile time trials to my name). 5 feet 11 inches, 148 pounds, good BP with waking Heart rate of 44. I neither smoke, nor drink alcohol, nor take any drugs.
I have a slight neck pain at the base of my neck where it joins my right shoulder but have only had this for a few days - not since the onset of the throat pain. None of my glands feel swollen and my throat looks normal in the mirror.
I have lost a few pounds (4) since christmas but put that down to training hard.
What do you think? Stupid irrational fear or reasonable concern? Is there any straw I could grasp at to put my mind at ease and save my holiday or should I cancel it to get the results?
Many thanks.
The results won't be back for 7 days but I am off on holiday in 5, so without the results the holiday will be a worry. To be blunt, I am terrified that I may have some type of throat cancer.
I am 54, very fit (cyclist with sub two-hour 50 mile time trials to my name). 5 feet 11 inches, 148 pounds, good BP with waking Heart rate of 44. I neither smoke, nor drink alcohol, nor take any drugs.
I have a slight neck pain at the base of my neck where it joins my right shoulder but have only had this for a few days - not since the onset of the throat pain. None of my glands feel swollen and my throat looks normal in the mirror.
I have lost a few pounds (4) since christmas but put that down to training hard.
What do you think? Stupid irrational fear or reasonable concern? Is there any straw I could grasp at to put my mind at ease and save my holiday or should I cancel it to get the results?
Many thanks.
Re the q and a from Wookey on Feb 23rd.
First off I hope he's ok and that whatever it was cleared up.
My main concern here is that what Wookey seemed to be looking for was some reassurance.
The reply gave him none. It did not answer his actual questions (stupid irrational fear or reasonable concern?/any straw he could grasp at? etc.)despite the fact that a non-smoker who has had a variable if persistant sore throat for 5 weeks is far more likely to have something much less sinister such as post-nasal drip (which the response did mention) or acid reflux.
My main point is (and this seems to me to be a general problem with -in particular - male doctors) that the doctor did not hear what the patient was saying. The advice given is not unhelpful but it provides no reassurance - indeed it fails to address the question of the patient's state of mind at all. Advising a patient with these symptoms to have a laryngoscopy to check for mass abmormality without pointing out the far greater likelihood of a less-scary explanation is surely likely to exacerbate the anxiety that the patient is suffering and which might surely have caused the brief sweating symptoms described.
The patient was already waiting for blood test results (surely he must have had a throat swab before getting to the blood test stage) and seemed to me to require a response which gave him some balance of probable causes and THEN the advice about what other steps to take to check these out.
First off I hope he's ok and that whatever it was cleared up.
My main concern here is that what Wookey seemed to be looking for was some reassurance.
The reply gave him none. It did not answer his actual questions (stupid irrational fear or reasonable concern?/any straw he could grasp at? etc.)despite the fact that a non-smoker who has had a variable if persistant sore throat for 5 weeks is far more likely to have something much less sinister such as post-nasal drip (which the response did mention) or acid reflux.
My main point is (and this seems to me to be a general problem with -in particular - male doctors) that the doctor did not hear what the patient was saying. The advice given is not unhelpful but it provides no reassurance - indeed it fails to address the question of the patient's state of mind at all. Advising a patient with these symptoms to have a laryngoscopy to check for mass abmormality without pointing out the far greater likelihood of a less-scary explanation is surely likely to exacerbate the anxiety that the patient is suffering and which might surely have caused the brief sweating symptoms described.
The patient was already waiting for blood test results (surely he must have had a throat swab before getting to the blood test stage) and seemed to me to require a response which gave him some balance of probable causes and THEN the advice about what other steps to take to check these out.
Re the q and a from Wookey on Feb 23rd.
First off I hope he's ok and that whatever it was cleared up.
My main concern here is that what Wookey seemed to be looking for was some reassurance.
The reply gave him none. It did not answer his actual questions (stupid irrational fear or reasonable concern?/any straw he could grasp at? etc.)despite the fact that a non-smoker who has had a variable if persistant sore throat for 5 weeks is far more likely to have something much less sinister such as post-nasal drip (which the response did mention) or acid reflux.
My main point is (and this seems to me to be a general problem with -in particular - male doctors) that the doctor did not hear what the patient was saying. The advice given is not unhelpful but it provides no reassurance - indeed it fails to address the question of the patient's state of mind at all. Advising a patient with these symptoms to have a laryngoscopy to check for mass abmormality without pointing out the far greater likelihood of a less-scary explanation is surely likely to exacerbate the anxiety that the patient is suffering and which might surely have caused the brief sweating symptoms described.
The patient was already waiting for blood test results (surely he must have had a throat swab before getting to the blood test stage) and seemed to me to require a response which gave him some balance of probable causes and THEN the advice about what other steps to take to check these out.
First off I hope he's ok and that whatever it was cleared up.
My main concern here is that what Wookey seemed to be looking for was some reassurance.
The reply gave him none. It did not answer his actual questions (stupid irrational fear or reasonable concern?/any straw he could grasp at? etc.)despite the fact that a non-smoker who has had a variable if persistant sore throat for 5 weeks is far more likely to have something much less sinister such as post-nasal drip (which the response did mention) or acid reflux.
My main point is (and this seems to me to be a general problem with -in particular - male doctors) that the doctor did not hear what the patient was saying. The advice given is not unhelpful but it provides no reassurance - indeed it fails to address the question of the patient's state of mind at all. Advising a patient with these symptoms to have a laryngoscopy to check for mass abmormality without pointing out the far greater likelihood of a less-scary explanation is surely likely to exacerbate the anxiety that the patient is suffering and which might surely have caused the brief sweating symptoms described.
The patient was already waiting for blood test results (surely he must have had a throat swab before getting to the blood test stage) and seemed to me to require a response which gave him some balance of probable causes and THEN the advice about what other steps to take to check these out.
Re the q and a from Wookey on Feb 23rd.
First off I hope he's ok and that whatever it was cleared up.
My main concern here is that what Wookey seemed to be looking for was some reassurance.
The reply gave him none. It did not answer his actual questions (stupid irrational fear or reasonable concern?/any straw he could grasp at? etc.)despite the fact that a non-smoker who has had a variable if persistant sore throat for 5 weeks is far more likely to have something much less sinister such as post-nasal drip (which the response did mention) or acid reflux.
My main point is (and this seems to me to be a general problem with -in particular - male doctors) that the doctor did not hear what the patient was saying. The advice given is not unhelpful but it provides no reassurance - indeed it fails to address the question of the patient's state of mind at all. Advising a patient with these symptoms to have a laryngoscopy to check for mass abmormality without pointing out the far greater likelihood of a less-scary explanation is surely likely to exacerbate the anxiety that the patient is suffering and which might surely have caused the brief sweating symptoms described.
The patient was already waiting for blood test results (surely he must have had a throat swab before getting to the blood test stage) and seemed to me to require a response which gave him some balance of probable causes and THEN the advice about what other steps to take to check these out.
First off I hope he's ok and that whatever it was cleared up.
My main concern here is that what Wookey seemed to be looking for was some reassurance.
The reply gave him none. It did not answer his actual questions (stupid irrational fear or reasonable concern?/any straw he could grasp at? etc.)despite the fact that a non-smoker who has had a variable if persistant sore throat for 5 weeks is far more likely to have something much less sinister such as post-nasal drip (which the response did mention) or acid reflux.
My main point is (and this seems to me to be a general problem with -in particular - male doctors) that the doctor did not hear what the patient was saying. The advice given is not unhelpful but it provides no reassurance - indeed it fails to address the question of the patient's state of mind at all. Advising a patient with these symptoms to have a laryngoscopy to check for mass abmormality without pointing out the far greater likelihood of a less-scary explanation is surely likely to exacerbate the anxiety that the patient is suffering and which might surely have caused the brief sweating symptoms described.
The patient was already waiting for blood test results (surely he must have had a throat swab before getting to the blood test stage) and seemed to me to require a response which gave him some balance of probable causes and THEN the advice about what other steps to take to check these out.
Re the q and a from Wookey on Feb 23rd.
First off I hope he's ok and that whatever it was cleared up.
My main concern here is that what Wookey seemed to be looking for was some reassurance.
The reply gave him none. It did not answer his actual questions (stupid irrational fear or reasonable concern?/any straw he could grasp at? etc.)despite the fact that a non-smoker who has had a variable if persistant sore throat for 5 weeks is far more likely to have something much less sinister such as post-nasal drip (which the response did mention) or acid reflux.
My main point is (and this seems to me to be a general problem with -in particular - male doctors) that the doctor did not hear what the patient was saying. The advice given is not unhelpful but it provides no reassurance - indeed it fails to address the question of the patient's state of mind at all. Advising a patient with these symptoms to have a laryngoscopy to check for mass abmormality without pointing out the far greater likelihood of a less-scary explanation is surely likely to exacerbate the anxiety that the patient is suffering and which might surely have caused the brief sweating symptoms described.
The patient was already waiting for blood test results (surely he must have had a throat swab before getting to the blood test stage) and seemed to me to require a response which gave him some balance of probable causes and THEN the advice about what other steps to take to check these out.
I find myself hoping that Wookey didn't suffer a major panic attack on receiving the answer that he did and fail to make his holiday at all.
Its time some doctors considered that a patient's mind is actually located within their body and that its state might have a significant part to play in their physical health.
First off I hope he's ok and that whatever it was cleared up.
My main concern here is that what Wookey seemed to be looking for was some reassurance.
The reply gave him none. It did not answer his actual questions (stupid irrational fear or reasonable concern?/any straw he could grasp at? etc.)despite the fact that a non-smoker who has had a variable if persistant sore throat for 5 weeks is far more likely to have something much less sinister such as post-nasal drip (which the response did mention) or acid reflux.
My main point is (and this seems to me to be a general problem with -in particular - male doctors) that the doctor did not hear what the patient was saying. The advice given is not unhelpful but it provides no reassurance - indeed it fails to address the question of the patient's state of mind at all. Advising a patient with these symptoms to have a laryngoscopy to check for mass abmormality without pointing out the far greater likelihood of a less-scary explanation is surely likely to exacerbate the anxiety that the patient is suffering and which might surely have caused the brief sweating symptoms described.
The patient was already waiting for blood test results (surely he must have had a throat swab before getting to the blood test stage) and seemed to me to require a response which gave him some balance of probable causes and THEN the advice about what other steps to take to check these out.
I find myself hoping that Wookey didn't suffer a major panic attack on receiving the answer that he did and fail to make his holiday at all.
Its time some doctors considered that a patient's mind is actually located within their body and that its state might have a significant part to play in their physical health.
Re the q and a from Wookey on Feb 23rd.
First off I hope he's ok and that whatever it was cleared up.
My main concern here is that what Wookey seemed to be looking for was some reassurance.
The reply gave him none. It did not answer his actual questions (stupid irrational fear or reasonable concern?/any straw he could grasp at? etc.)despite the fact that a non-smoker who has had a variable if persistant sore throat for 5 weeks is far more likely to have something much less sinister such as post-nasal drip (which the response did mention) or acid reflux.
My main point is (and this seems to me to be a general problem with -in particular - male doctors) that the doctor did not hear what the patient was saying. The advice given is not unhelpful but it provides no reassurance - indeed it fails to address the question of the patient's state of mind at all. Advising a patient with these symptoms to have a laryngoscopy to check for mass abmormality without pointing out the far greater likelihood of a less-scary explanation is surely likely to exacerbate the anxiety that the patient is suffering and which might surely have caused the brief sweating symptoms described.
The patient was already waiting for blood test results (surely he must have had a throat swab before getting to the blood test stage) and seemed to me to require a response which gave him some balance of probable causes and THEN the advice about what other steps to take to check these out.
I find myself hoping that Wookey didn't suffer a major panic attack on receiving the answer that he did and fail to make his holiday at all.
Its time some doctors considered that a patient's mind is actually located within their body and that its state might have a significant part to play in their physical health.
First off I hope he's ok and that whatever it was cleared up.
My main concern here is that what Wookey seemed to be looking for was some reassurance.
The reply gave him none. It did not answer his actual questions (stupid irrational fear or reasonable concern?/any straw he could grasp at? etc.)despite the fact that a non-smoker who has had a variable if persistant sore throat for 5 weeks is far more likely to have something much less sinister such as post-nasal drip (which the response did mention) or acid reflux.
My main point is (and this seems to me to be a general problem with -in particular - male doctors) that the doctor did not hear what the patient was saying. The advice given is not unhelpful but it provides no reassurance - indeed it fails to address the question of the patient's state of mind at all. Advising a patient with these symptoms to have a laryngoscopy to check for mass abmormality without pointing out the far greater likelihood of a less-scary explanation is surely likely to exacerbate the anxiety that the patient is suffering and which might surely have caused the brief sweating symptoms described.
The patient was already waiting for blood test results (surely he must have had a throat swab before getting to the blood test stage) and seemed to me to require a response which gave him some balance of probable causes and THEN the advice about what other steps to take to check these out.
I find myself hoping that Wookey didn't suffer a major panic attack on receiving the answer that he did and fail to make his holiday at all.
Its time some doctors considered that a patient's mind is actually located within their body and that its state might have a significant part to play in their physical health.
25 F
5' 3" 120 lbs
Stay at home mom of 5yr M, 4yr M, 2yr F, 6mo F.
Husband wks FT.
Strep went through the family in January. We were all put on Amoxicillan to nix it. When everyone else got rid of it, I contracted it 2 more times. Dr. thought one of the others may be a "carrier" (someone who carries the virus but does not show symptoms - very rare) sure enough the whole family went back in to get swabbed and my husb. and two oldest boys were found to all be carriers. Two of the carriers (the boys) were put on something strong called P??? and my husband and myself on Augmentin. Seemed to be fine up until last week, now my throat is so sore and my glands swollen. I went to get swabbed and no strep. Dr. says it's probably from allergies as I do have some post nasal drip. I have swollen tonsils, red throat and headaches, not to mention the ache in my throat throbs up into my ears. My throat burns and then sometimes stings - pain killers don't help(ibuprofen/tylenol). My husband sees a little bump on my right tonsil area or behind it. He doesn't know whether it's my tonsil or not. I will see a ENT specialist this week...but the discomfort has prompted me to read everything I can on the net. Any help appreciated.
5' 3" 120 lbs
Stay at home mom of 5yr M, 4yr M, 2yr F, 6mo F.
Husband wks FT.
Strep went through the family in January. We were all put on Amoxicillan to nix it. When everyone else got rid of it, I contracted it 2 more times. Dr. thought one of the others may be a "carrier" (someone who carries the virus but does not show symptoms - very rare) sure enough the whole family went back in to get swabbed and my husb. and two oldest boys were found to all be carriers. Two of the carriers (the boys) were put on something strong called P??? and my husband and myself on Augmentin. Seemed to be fine up until last week, now my throat is so sore and my glands swollen. I went to get swabbed and no strep. Dr. says it's probably from allergies as I do have some post nasal drip. I have swollen tonsils, red throat and headaches, not to mention the ache in my throat throbs up into my ears. My throat burns and then sometimes stings - pain killers don't help(ibuprofen/tylenol). My husband sees a little bump on my right tonsil area or behind it. He doesn't know whether it's my tonsil or not. I will see a ENT specialist this week...but the discomfort has prompted me to read everything I can on the net. Any help appreciated.
18 M
152 lbs
6
152 lbs
6
For a while, I had a recurring sore throat (more like the little "knot" feeling you get just before it becomes very sore). My voice also came and went... got very hoarse and then would return, unexplicably and without rhyme or reason.
Long story short, when I was finally diagnosed with a hypothyroid condition and began treatment, the sore throat feeling and hoarse voice discontinued, as well as major clinical depression I had suffered for 4 years.
Just a thought; one never knows...
Lis
Long story short, when I was finally diagnosed with a hypothyroid condition and began treatment, the sore throat feeling and hoarse voice discontinued, as well as major clinical depression I had suffered for 4 years.
Just a thought; one never knows...
Lis
good evening. after much deliberation and painful infections, i am scheduled to have my tonsils removed in a few days. have any of you experienced a tonsilectomy?
what can i expect from the operation? i am a thiry year old woman in otherwise good health. i am in better than average physical condition, and this is my first ever surgery. please give me some idea as to what i might expect.
thank you all!
cc61578
what can i expect from the operation? i am a thiry year old woman in otherwise good health. i am in better than average physical condition, and this is my first ever surgery. please give me some idea as to what i might expect.
thank you all!
cc61578
Hello,
I'll be away until Saturday, February 28th. I will answer your questions when I return.
Have a nice week,
Kevin, M.D.
I'll be away until Saturday, February 28th. I will answer your questions when I return.
Have a nice week,
Kevin, M.D.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I would first rule out infection - such as strep or Epstein Barr virus. These diseases should be able to be tested for at your physicians office using a throat swab and a blood test.
If infection has completely been ruled out - I would suggest an ENT referral. A laryngoscopy can be considered to visualize the throat to ensure there is no mass or anatomical abnormality present. An ENT can also evaluate the sinuses to ensure there is no post-nasal drip causing irritation in the back of the throat.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Thanks,
Kevin, M.D.
If infection has completely been ruled out - I would suggest an ENT referral. A laryngoscopy can be considered to visualize the throat to ensure there is no mass or anatomical abnormality present. An ENT can also evaluate the sinuses to ensure there is no post-nasal drip causing irritation in the back of the throat.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Thanks,
Kevin, M.D.
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