Repeated throat infection - help!

[wills]

Right guys I'm at my wits end. I suffered from really bad throat infections & glandular fever from the age of 12 until 16 when I finally got my tonsils out. Since then I've hardly had any bother until 18 months ago and I've been getting them more and more often with less time in between. The past 2 x have been really bad, my mum has had to take time off work as I've had dizzieness and fainting with it and i'm terrified to be alone with my wee one when I feel like this. My DR is getting reluctant to give antibiotics as its so close between times & I hate taking them - usually make me feel sick - but its the only thing that shifts it.

Any miracle cures?! Or ideas what could be causing it or am I just unlucky??

Should add, you name it, I've probably tried it for over the counter products.

[happysnail]

That sounds horrible and scary with the dizziness around the little one. Have you spoken to your GP about the fact it's happening really often? Or could you get a second opinion? Sounds like a referral to an ENT specialist might help.

[wills]

Its horrible happy snail, I fainted in the city just before Christmas with it ( about 1 & 1/2 hours away from home) and I was alone with him it was terrifying and I'm so glad he was in his pram at the time.

My DR is abit useless tbh, he said the dizzyness is because I get sore ears with it -doesn't explain the fainting though. I think I will ask for a second opinion or referral.

[ladyndibs]

The fainting could easily be due to a problem with your ears especially if you get earache though it's often all connected. If your balance is upset due to an inner ear infection sometimes the brain can't deal with it as your brain may be experiencing similar effects to being in a giroscope. The dizzyness can be greatly helped by Betahistine, I was prescribed 8mg three times a day and though it didn't cure it instantly there was instant improvement and it did stop it completely in the end.
With no tonsills I'd be trying to find out what part of your throat is actually getting sore. Years ago there was a phase some surgeons went through of just cutting the tonsills not removing them but I think you're too young for that as I've heard tht tonsills can regrow if not completely removed though I don't know if it's fact or fiction.

[cookie]

Jan 23, 2014 21:46:03 GMT 1 wills said:

Its horrible happy snail, I fainted in the city just before Christmas with it ( about 1 & 1/2 hours away from home) and I was alone with him it was terrifying and I'm so glad he was in his pram at the time.

My DR is abit useless tbh, he said the dizzyness is because I get sore ears with it -doesn't explain the fainting though. I think I will ask for a second opinion or referral.

If your Dr suspects your ears are involved insist on a referral to an ear nose and throat specialist. Ears are my livelihood and trust me, gps don't manage ears well, in general. Insist on a referral.

Sent from my GT-I9100 using proboards

[happysnail]

You must have felt really vulnerable willis, what a horrible thing to happen while you're on your own and a distance from home. I think it's probably a good idea to see someone else to get a referral. It's probably an idea to do it when you aren't in the middle of an acute infection when you'll be really sick and fighting that but you can sit down with another GP and look at how it's been over the last 18 months including over the counter remedies you've tried. Might help get it across more clearly than if they're dealing with the infection that's presenting right now. Hope you get someone who can get the right specialist for you. x

[Hannah]

That sounds horrible. Definitely ask for a referral to ENT and also consider whether your immune system might be a bit low. Ecchinacea or similar might be useful.

[wills]

Thanks, I will ask for a referral to ENT.

I have just started to take ecchinacea. I always seem to get every thing going.

[ruthp]

Totally agree that you need to see a specialist. I'm afraid that these days, because of the way GP budgets work they can be reluctant to refer you, so you need to make a fuss and insist. If you're not feeling confident about doing it, take someone with you who can! Your OH, or mother, because it sounds as though your GP is simply treating symptoms and not trying to get to the cause.

Ears are very valuable, and should not be messed with. So go on, make a fuss, and get yourself referred to on ENT consultant.

[gwenoakes]

I will tell you a little story about my Oh when he had repeated tonsilitis (sp) some years ago.

He had 5 bad attacks that laid him low in approx 10/12 weeks, antibiotics each time and the doctor was on the point of referring him to ENT.

Dont know why I did it, but the last time I went for the antibiotics I actually counted them out, it was a 10 day supply. I found one tablet was missing, so rang chemist and told them and picked it up. That was the last attack he had, now whether it was anything to do with getting the full amount of pills or not I dont know, but maybe worth a thought in the future, as he has never had another since and I just know I am tempting fate by putting this. LOL

Hope you get it sorted soon. XXX

[julz]

Gwen maybe the gp gave him a different antibiotic?

the lass who lived here for a while in 2012, had recurring tonsilitis 7 attacks in one year, yet her gp never referred her at all, infact also withheld anti b's... just told her to use salt water... when she moved here, registered with my gp, the first thing she did was give anti-b's and a referral.. she had them out couple months later and has not had a problem since. probably didn't help that she also had encrypted tonsils and stones.

Wills hope it all works out and you get rid once and for all

[HolsBols]

A point on getting the referral, i had a stomach problem that spanned a long time and i asked to be referred. My doctor printed out for me the conditions i needed to meet in order for him to be able to refer me to a specialist. I was still part way through the procedure needed to be referred and it made me feel so much better that i was following a process rather than just being fobbed off. If your doctor doesnt want to refer you, do ask what the guidelines are for ENT referral and what criteria you need to meet to qualify

[portiabuzz]

Good point HB

Sorry about this wills how very scary

[wills]

Its back again! Phoning the Drs first thing tomorrow & will ask for a referral or at least the conditions for one. Thank you for all comments

[ladyndibs]

Good luck tomorrow, I hope you get some answers but more importantly that you're feeling better really soon.