Sore throat lingering for weeks now

[Carina1962]

I went to see my GP again this morning because it is now 4 weeks (nearly 5) that i have had a sore throat on one side (LHS) with ear pain. A course of antibiotics (penicillin) has not cleared it so what he has done is increase my dosge of Omeprazole from 10mg to 40mg as i have suffered from gastric reflux for years and i have to admit, i didn't take the Omeprazole on a regular basis like i have been doing recently. He said that if it doesn't clear in 2 weeks to go back again and he'll arrange for me to have some blood tests. He seemed pretty sure that it wasn't anything sinister which was a relief as i have been scaring myself by googling and self diagnosing (throat cancer etc). What would the blood tests reveal if i need to have them, does anyone know? thanks

 

[Northerner]

Hi Carina, I can't help with your question I'm afraid, just wanted to say that I hope you can finally get some relief from the problem - hopefully the omeprazole will do the trick. Get well soon 🙂

 

[Carina1962]

thanks Northerner, i hope so too. I wonder if anyone else who suffers from gastric reflux has had a sore throat lingering for weeks? all the more reason for losing weight as not only will it help my diabetes but also my gastric reflux, easier said i know but at least i am attending SW so on the right path 🙂

 

[LeeLee]

Reflux is where stomach acid leaks up into the oesophagus - it's very unusual for it to get that far up the throat for long enough to give you long-lasting trouble like you've had. The blood test will probably be to find out which bacterium has decided that your throat is a trendy place to live and raise a family. The antibiotic that you were given may have been the wrong one for that particular bug. Good luck!

 

[Hanmillmum]

Bloods may be to check if you have a raised white blood cell count (wcc) this would then indicate to doc it is an infection he is dealing with rather than soreness from gastric reflux perhaps?

 

[Carina1962]

My GP has now increased my Omeprazole from 10mg a day to 20mg as he said that the 10mg was too small a dosage so will see how i get on. I am tempted though to ask the GP next time if i can have some sort of a test ie endoscopy or barium meal to 'put my mind at rest' but they don't usually do these sort of tests do they unless they think it's completely necessary, is that right?

 

[newbs]

My GP has now increased my Omeprazole from 10mg a day to 20mg as he said that the 10mg was too small a dosage so will see how i get on. I am tempted though to ask the GP next time if i can have some sort of a test ie endoscopy or barium meal to 'put my mind at rest' but they don't usually do these sort of tests do they unless they think it's completely necessary, is that right?

I've had reflux for years and am on Omeprazole (20mg). I do sometimes get a sore throat with the reflux but it doesn't last for long, certainly not for weeks. Have you been getting reflux burning or pain in your chest or tasting acid in your throat that would suggest it is the reflux? Maybe try some Gaviscon to see if that helps? It sounds glandular to me though, given that you have ear pain too. I hope whatever it is that it resolves itself soon.

 

[Carina1962]

I do believe that my symptoms are related to gastric reflux. The sore throat has now gone but i'm now left with hoarseness and wanting to cough all the time when I speak which is really annoying.