Doctor or No Doctor?

**Beautiful Disaster** · 03-15-2011 06:40 AM

I'm not one to mess around....when I feel like I'm truly sick, I see a doctor. The hard part is that if you go to your reg family doctor (which I don't even really have anymore for this very reason) you usually have to wait several days for an appt. 4 weeks ago I woke up with pus on my tonsils and a very sore throat followed by a week of very low energy. I went to a Quick Care and was immediately prescribed antibiotic due to the pus.

10 days later, I finished the antibiotic and 4 days after that the sore throat returned, except this time, no pus and felt different. 7 days after the antibiotic, I went to a doctor here at the University I work (Health Clinic). He was thorough, checked my wbc, tested for strep and mono. All clear. He gave me a steroid pack.

While taking the steroids I did feel better, and though I still had a sore throat it was not near as bad (I was also taking ibuprofen to relieve my throat). Yesterday morn was my last steroid. I woke up at 3:30am this morning with a horrible sore throat. So much so that when I move my tongue I can feel the discomfort. But only when I swallow (I'm not hoarse, doesn't hurt to talk, etc). Since I have allergy problems (that I take medicine for) I thought maybe it could be related, but benadryl doesn't help it AT ALL so I've ruled that out.

At this point I wonder, do I go back to the doc or not? I've spent almost $100 on medical costs within the past 4 weeks. I don't want to waste a trip in, pay another copay, just to be told there's nothing wrong with me or sent to a specialist.

I cannot think to save me what would be causing this. But I'm tired of it. So........back to the doc, or ride it out and see what happens? What would you do?

**pretzel** · 03-15-2011 07:00 AM

Does you health plan need a referral for a specialist?

If so, just call and have them make a referral. It's no skin off their back to do that since you've already seen him and chances are that's what he would do anyway.

It may be a situation where a different antibiotic may be necessary or a combination of meds may be needed. Or it may be something totally different than what you think it may be.

**Beautiful Disaster** · 03-15-2011 07:28 AM

No referral required. I just know it will take me prob 2 weeks to get into an ear nose and throat specialist as a new patient. That is an option...and who knows, I might get lucky and get a quick appt.

I don't know about everywhere else but sickness is rampant here right now. Going to the doctor and having to sit in a waiting room is like russian roulette. haha. Ibuprofren seems to give me a lot of relief, I'm very tempted to ride it out a few more days. If it's viral, it's GOT to pass soon. If it was bacterial, I think my wbc count would have been elevated.

I want it gone. Gone I say!!

**pretzel** · 03-15-2011 07:36 AM

Well, make the appt. Worse comes to worse, if it's gone by the time your appt then cancel it and be happy.

**Little** · 03-15-2011 01:24 PM

Try just calling the doctor first, tell them what's going on. Let them know that you've done what they said, and once you finished your Rx, the problem returned. They might give you a different Rx or suggest to you what might be wrong, and what doctor to see (if not him/her) to resolve it.
It sounds like it *might* be an abscess - if your throat is swelling as well as sore. My husband had tonsil abscesses, they were filled with pus and had to be lanced and drained.
Hope you find out soon what's actually wrong and get it resolved. Having a sore throat for as long as you have is rough.

**Beautiful Disaster** · 03-15-2011 01:38 PM

Thanks Little. Eeek, the lancing and draining does NOT sound pleasant. Did he end up just having them removed? I think that's what I'd do if that is something that happened to me frequently. I'm coughing alot as well, which makes me believe this MAY just be something viral that will pass. Perhaps when I had the pus and took the antibiotics, what I have now is something totally different.

Ick. Ibuprofen really eases it, but who wants to be poppin ibu all day!? I've decided if it's not significantly better by Wed I'll call back to the doc and tell them still no success. Like I said though, the itchy cough makes me think it's something germy more than abscesses. (or maybe just wishful thinking on my part.

**ItsASecret** · 03-15-2011 01:47 PM

If it's viral, it's GOT to pass soon. If it was bacterial, I think my wbc count would have been elevated.

Viral it will take a longer time. Nothing you can do with that but ride it out, viruses are nasty creatures. Bacterial it would have been gone with the antibiotics unless some rogue ones got left behind (resistance) and are starting to grow again. In both cases WBC would be up.

Just watch your throat for redness and more puss. The pus is what you need to watch for because that simply means something infection wise is going on. Mono could do all of this btw. And mono can be persistent, it can be there for a bit then disappear then come back. It lasts for weeks or months.

**Beautiful Disaster** · 03-15-2011 01:52 PM

Viral it will take a longer time. Nothing you can do with that but ride it out, viruses are nasty creatures.

Yes they are!! I figure if the original illness with the pus WAS bacterial and was killed by the antibiotic, then this could be a seperate sickness that just coincidentally come on right after the other. Going to the doctors office and sitting in a waiting room is basically ASKING for more germs. lol I figure if it's viral, then I prob have a good 5 more days of it (every time I have something viral it almost always lasts a full two weeks).

I tested negative for mono and strep.

*cough cough* EEEEEEEEEEEEk!!! :\ I am COMMITTED to exercising this afternoon regardless. 3 weeks is long enough to let these germs hold me down.

**Little** · 03-15-2011 02:18 PM

He didn't get them removed - he didn't have insurance at the time and had to go to the emergency room to be treated. But if it recurs with the same severity, he will have them removed.
Three weeks is quite a long time to be sick! Definitely make that call, let the doctor know. They should be able to prescribe you a new medicine over the phone, without having to be charged more!