[Anonymous]

I've had a pain in the back of my throat for over a week now. It feels like it's maybe halfway down my throat, and is worse when I belch and sometimes when I swallow or speak. Most of the time my throat just feels a little sore or bruised, sometimes hoarse, but occasionally when speaking I get a stabbing pain and can't finish the word.

I've seen a doctor twice about it - he said my glands weren't swollen, my temperature was normal and tonsils looked fine etc. - he thought it was probably due to stomach acid irritation (I had a nasty bout of indigestion recently and get it from time to time) or possibly from shouting (I have anger problems and have been shouting a lot recently, and when I say shouting I mean screaming so hard I feel faint sometimes). However, it's starting to worry me - that it seems in the same place, and seems to be getting worse rather than better (although I have just started a teaching job, so there's been no real chance to rest my voice).

Has anyone had anything similar? Could it just be strained vocal chords/acid damage, or does it sound potentially more serious?

I haven't taken the indigestion medicine as prescribed (PPI pills, the doctor reckons reducing stomach acid for a while would give it time to heal, I just think he gave me them because I've been subcribed them before). I may take them at some point but a) I'm concerned about the side effects and b) the indigestion hasn't been anywhere near as bad recently.

[hslt]

What exactly were you thinking on the more serious side? Cancer would very very very rarely present as painful hoarseness.

You've already said you get indigestion - which would be a very possible cause of the pain you're talking. If you've had indigestion before (even if it didn't feel exactly like this) the doctor would be incredibly foolish not to see if treating that first didn't make it better. A nasty bout of indigestion would be a pretty good way to give your throat a bit of an acid burn.
- also, it's worse when you belch, i.e. a good way to bring some acid up

And that you have been shouting/not resting your voice at all - which would also be a very possible cause.

If you don't have a temperature, you don't have tonsillitis, you don't have any other signs of a bacterial infection... what do you want? If you start to feel ill then maybe - but you haven't mentioned that.

Sounds like the doctor did the right thing. If it doesn't get better or gets worse, obviously go back to the doctor. But the most likely causes are the things that they've said.

[Daniel_R]

Try gargling witch hazel it may help.

Thanks for the Negs how about learning about Witch Hazel then neg
http://www.newsmax.com/FastFeatures/...3/21/id/390219

[Anonymous]

(Original post by hslt)
What exactly were you thinking on the more serious side? Cancer would very very very rarely present as painful hoarseness.

You've already said you get indigestion - which would be a very possible cause of the pain you're talking. If you've had indigestion before (even if it didn't feel exactly like this) the doctor would be incredibly foolish not to see if treating that first didn't make it better. A nasty bout of indigestion would be a pretty good way to give your throat a bit of an acid burn.
- also, it's worse when you belch, i.e. a good way to bring some acid up

And that you have been shouting/not resting your voice at all - which would also be a very possible cause.

If you don't have a temperature, you don't have tonsillitis, you don't have any other signs of a bacterial infection... what do you want? If you start to feel ill then maybe - but you haven't mentioned that.

Sounds like the doctor did the right thing. If it doesn't get better or gets worse, obviously go back to the doctor. But the most likely causes are the things that they've said.

It's not from acid when I belch, it's the action of belching that hurts. When I swallow liquid it's worse, and it's been worse in general today. I started taking those PPIs anyway, but I really doubt they'll help.

It feels like your typical sore throat some of the time, as in a bruised feeling like I've been punched inside my throat, but it's a sharper pain when I belch or try to talk.

The "most likely" causes aren't necessarily the ACTUAL cause. I just want to have it checked out properly and for it to go away, because it's hell trying to teach with this.

[OU Student]

(Original post by Anonymous)
It feels like your typical sore throat some of the time, as in a bruised feeling like I've been punched inside my throat, but it's a sharper pain when I belch or try to talk.

Surely that's normal with a sore throat?

[Anonymous]

(Original post by OU Student)
Surely that's normal with a sore throat?

Not with my sore throats, it's usually persistent pain and usually for about 1-3 days followed by a bad cold.

This one has lasted since last Friday and is intermittent, which spikes of pain much more severe than I'd usually get with a "normal" sore throat.

[PhoenixFortune]

(Original post by Anonymous)
Not with my sore throats, it's usually persistent pain and usually for about 1-3 days followed by a bad cold.

This one has lasted since last Friday and is intermittent, which spikes of pain much more severe than I'd usually get with a "normal" sore throat.

Is there a particular reason you aren't taking the PPI medication? If you go back to your doctor now, without having tried taking the medication, then he'll just tell you to take it and then send you away. If you have taken the PPI and your symptoms are persisting, go back to your doctor, and you may need a SLT referral.

[BeanofJelly]

I am sorry if the following comes across as harsh or unsympathetic. We all worry a bit too much sometimes, to an extent it's understandable.

But - your doctor has helped you. He's told you the most likely reasons, which are: acid damage, and strain from shouting.

Both of those things do cause a sore throat.

The PPI he's given you, will reduce your stomach acid and could be good for your throat. Why not take them? They're very well tolerated drugs, if you are unfortunate and have side-effects, you can always stop them.

You're a young, otherwise healthy person who's had a sore throat for one week, which can be easily explained.

For the doc to authorise some unneccassary, invasive investigation (I'm presuming this is what you want?) after just 1 week, when you have not tried any treatment along the lines of the more likely cause (acid damage).. would be medically irresponsible, and if you suffered harm as a result of that investigation, that doctor would be liable.

Please stop worrying. Take some painkillers, try the PPI, if it stays very bad, or gets worse - maybe consider going back, but not too soon - you'll be told exactly the same thing again.

[Anonymous]

(Original post by BeanofJelly)
I am sorry if the following comes across as harsh or unsympathetic. We all worry a bit too much sometimes, to an extent it's understandable.

But - your doctor has helped you. He's told you the most likely reasons, which are: acid damage, and strain from shouting.

Both of those things do cause a sore throat.

The PPI he's given you, will reduce your stomach acid and could be good for your throat. Why not take them? They're very well tolerated drugs, if you are unfortunate and have side-effects, you can always stop them.

You're a young, otherwise healthy person who's had a sore throat for one week, which can be easily explained.

For the doc to authorise some unneccassary, invasive investigation (I'm presuming this is what you want?) after just 1 week, when you have not tried any treatment along the lines of the more likely cause (acid damage).. would be medically irresponsible, and if you suffered harm as a result of that investigation, that doctor would be liable.

Please stop worrying. Take some painkillers, try the PPI, if it stays very bad, or gets worse - maybe consider going back, but not too soon - you'll be told exactly the same thing again.

Well I hope I've explained in my posts - firstly, I haven't had bad indigestion for a few weeks thus didn't see the PPIs as necessary - secondly, I started taking them today anyway on the offchance they work, and thirdly I'm not young or healthy - I've got various mental and physical problems and have always been quite sickly.

It annoys me how people on these forums idolise doctors... PPI cures nothing, it won't cure the REASON for my indigestion even if it helps to heal my throat - all it does is lessen stomach acid for a month and give me a chance of developing some nasty side effects. If it's truly caused by stomach acid, I need to fix the cause of the indigestion. It's the same faulty outlook that doctors use to offer people pills for depression/anxiety - it's a band-aid, not a cure.

[Friar Chris]

(Original post by Anonymous)
Well I hope I've explained in my posts - firstly, I haven't had bad indigestion for a few weeks thus didn't see the PPIs as necessary - secondly, I started taking them today anyway on the offchance they work, and thirdly I'm not young or healthy - I've got various mental and physical problems and have always been quite sickly.

It annoys me how people on these forums idolise doctors... PPI cures nothing, it won't cure the REASON for my indigestion even if it helps to heal my throat - all it does is lessen stomach acid for a month and give me a chance of developing some nasty side effects. If it's truly caused by stomach acid, I need to fix the cause of the indigestion. It's the same faulty outlook that doctors use to offer people pills for depression/anxiety - it's a band-aid, not a cure.

Just because the doctor hasn't magicked it better, doesn't mean he/she is no use. Has it occurred to you, perhaps, that their idea of the source of the pain might actually turn out to be correct - but that there simply isn't a simple quick-fix for you?

It doesn't help that you haven't taken your medication. It also doesn't help that you've ignorantly gone on about the whole symptom-management vs. definitive treatment path. Doctors don't treat symptoms as opposed to underlying problems for fun - dyspepsia can be caused by any number of things (include psychological factors) and it can't just be 'treated'.

Your simplistic view of the whys and wherefores of treatment isn't helping here - PPIs do have a very significant effect: they aren't simple pain relief, they reduce gastric acid secretion (the excess of which is causing the problem) very effectively and typically without side effects; thereby both reducing gastric symptoms (your indigestion) and, as the doctor said giving your throat time to heal.

It's not a 'faulty outlook', oh you wise person you - even giving a plaster (or 'band aid' as you call it) has a purpose other than just symptomatic relief - it prevents further infection and damage to allow natural healing processes to occur, which is medically far preferable to stitching up every single little cut or graze; and applies just as well to your throat. Getting an ENT surgeon to cut up your neck to try and find out what's going wrong is far less preferable to giving you medication that will allow your body's repair systems to kick in and relieve the symptoms at the same time.


Don't come and whine about how your doctor hasn't waved his magic wand (and how crap doctors apparently are therefore) and made you better when you're not even following the treatment he's given you in the first place.

[hslt]

(Original post by Anonymous)

The "most likely" causes aren't necessarily the ACTUAL cause. I just want to have it checked out properly and for it to go away, because it's hell trying to teach with this.

Primary care is based on most likely I'm afraid. Actually, medicine is based on most likely. And further investigations are expensive for the public, and harmful to you, without good need. There is very little that could be done that would help direct your treatment any further that I can think of.

What do you imagine that should be done to check you out?

I maintain that your doctor has done the right thing and that you are not cooperating with the advice, or having unrealistic expectations of instant cures.

[Skwee]

(Original post by Friar Chris)
Just because the doctor hasn't magicked it better, doesn't mean he/she is no use. Has it occurred to you, perhaps, that their idea of the source of the pain might actually turn out to be correct - but that there simply isn't a simple quick-fix for you?

It doesn't help that you haven't taken your medication. It also doesn't help that you've ignorantly gone on about the whole symptom-management vs. definitive treatment path. Doctors don't treat symptoms as opposed to underlying problems for fun - dyspepsia can be caused by any number of things (include psychological factors) and it can't just be 'treated'.

Your simplistic view of the whys and wherefores of treatment isn't helping here - PPIs do have a very significant effect: they aren't simple pain relief, they reduce gastric acid secretion (the excess of which is causing the problem) very effectively and typically without side effects; thereby both reducing gastric symptoms (your indigestion) and, as the doctor said giving your throat time to heal.

It's not a 'faulty outlook', oh you wise person you - even giving a plaster (or 'band aid' as you call it) has a purpose other than just symptomatic relief - it prevents further infection and damage to allow natural healing processes to occur, which is medically far preferable to stitching up every single little cut or graze; and applies just as well to your throat. Getting an ENT surgeon to cut up your neck to try and find out what's going wrong is far less preferable to giving you medication that will allow your body's repair systems to kick in and relieve the symptoms at the same time.


Don't come and whine about how your doctor hasn't waved his magic wand (and how crap doctors apparently are therefore) and made you better when you're not even following the treatment he's given you in the first place.

Thumbs up, very well explained. *nods*

[Friar Chris]

(Original post by Skwee)
Thumbs up, very well explained. *nods*

*smirks at rest of firm*

Yeaaah the houseman said I did good

[Skwee]

(Original post by Friar Chris)
*smirks at rest of firm*

Yeaaah the houseman said I did good

Definitely not bad for someone who's a, what, 2nd year medic? Ohhh those were the days - I knew sod all back then (and still do)!

[Friar Chris]

(Original post by Skwee)
Definitely not bad for someone who's a, what, 2nd year medic? Ohhh those were the days - I knew sod all back then (and still do)!

ssshhh I keep telling TSR I'm smart and stuff

[Skwee]

(Original post by Friar Chris)
ssshhh I keep telling TSR I'm smart and stuff

Fear not, young padawan - no one will know any better!

[justanotherperson]

(Original post by Anonymous)
I've had a pain in the back of my throat for over a week now. It feels like it's maybe halfway down my throat, and is worse when I belch and sometimes when I swallow or speak. Most of the time my throat just feels a little sore or bruised, sometimes hoarse, but occasionally when speaking I get a stabbing pain and can't finish the word.

I've seen a doctor twice about it - he said my glands weren't swollen, my temperature was normal and tonsils looked fine etc. - he thought it was probably due to stomach acid irritation (I had a nasty bout of indigestion recently and get it from time to time) or possibly from shouting (I have anger problems and have been shouting a lot recently, and when I say shouting I mean screaming so hard I feel faint sometimes). However, it's starting to worry me - that it seems in the same place, and seems to be getting worse rather than better (although I have just started a teaching job, so there's been no real chance to rest my voice).

Has anyone had anything similar? Could it just be strained vocal chords/acid damage, or does it sound potentially more serious?

I haven't taken the indigestion medicine as prescribed (PPI pills, the doctor reckons reducing stomach acid for a while would give it time to heal, I just think he gave me them because I've been subcribed them before). I may take them at some point but a) I'm concerned about the side effects and b) the indigestion hasn't been anywhere near as bad recently.

The same thing happened to me a few months ago, I got a really sharp persistent pain in my throat (just one side) that just wouldn't go away! Whenever my doctor checked she would say that it did not look that bad especially since I did not have swollen glands, which was extremely irritating. They tested me for strep (which I knew it was not) and as expected it came out negative. Anyways, I took many cough drops, drank loads of tea, gargled salt and water, Tylenol, etc. Eventually, after about 6 weeks, it went away. Based on my experience I'm not sure there's anything you can do to make it completely go away but you can at least try to alleviate the pain (a bit!).

[Norton1]

(Original post by Anonymous)
How about you take your ****ing attitude and stuff it back up your ass where it came from before I knife you in the face? You self-righteous little ****.

...I dunno seems like shouting might be the reason for this.

Also, you're a teacher??? I thought it was the kids causing schools to be massive knife sheds.

[OU Student]

What exactly do you expect your GP to do?

[clarusblue]

You've had a sore throat for 1 week and seen the GP twice about it?