i have had a terrible day...cant swallow and had a terrible aching and burning in throat...i have also had like numbness in my arms....i dont see consultant till monday for diagnosis and wonder wether i should try to get emergency one...has this happened to anyone else.....

Ive just been prescribed anti-biotics for a terribly painful sore throat and feeling 'under the weather'.
Dare I say there is a lot of it about at the moment. It may be nothing serious.

You'd be unlikely to see an emergency ENT before Monday anyway. Most of them work between several hospitals. If they gave you an appointment for Monday the Ent probably does something like Monday and Tues at that hosp. What you probably would see is someone in A and E.

Jeffers I think you are very worked up about this and must try to calm down. Try some basic things like disprin gargle or salt water gargle. Drink lots of water to stay hydrated and if you are near a Holland and Barrett health shop get hold of some Slippery Elm powder and take several drinks as per the packet instructions per day. The slippery elm will help mucous membranes and ulcers to calm down a bit.

If you have pharyngitis you can also inhale steam from a bowl. I would in the past have suggested an old fashioned product to put in the water for inhaling, but have decided not to as it is poisonous when not used correctly.

But even old Vick rubbed on the neck may help. I suspect you are constantly looking at the throat and poking it - try to resist, stop talking and get an early night.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: PaulineT,

Hi Jeff

Listen to Pauline - it sounds as if she's summed you up. I realise that it's important for you to have the answers - but you will just have to be patient, calm and take it easy until the experts see you on Monday.

Patience is a virtue they say.

Pete

took advice pauline and a couple of stiff drinks which helped me doze off. it feels a bit better today but food gets stuck....thanx phinsing patience i always had in abundance as i am a teacher but it has weared very thin lately....cheers

I can see why you are concerned being diabetic and knowing the need to act before the average person.

FWIW thyroid malfunction can create sore throats problems. My cousin is diabetic and she had a metabolic collapse due to thyroid malfunction so that may be worth a check in your case. My recent underactive thyroid coincided with a severe sore throat which has been much better since taking levothyroxine.

However many of us here find sore throats part and parcel of our post radiotherpay treatment which has left us with a very delicate mucous membrane on the tongue and throat. Many of us do act quickly, but we also watch and wait. I get ulcers but always wait a few days to a week before panicking even though I want to panic. Many things do just subside with careful eating and staying off acidic products. Poking things does not help.

Some sore throats are not sore throats, but oral thrush. As you are diabetic this may be a factor. As for alcohol whilst it might have made you you sleep it would certainly aggravate any sore throat I had.

Monday will soon be here and I am sure you will feel calmer then. Do try to stop fretting as none of this can be doing you any good. What will be will be and you are now in the system.