Hi,
I too have had a long term 'sore throat' - left sided (with intermitant hoarsness).
Approx. 2.5 years ago I thought that I had swallowed a fish-bone (still convinced that I did/removed purged it with gargling and homeopathioc remedies etc...the medics didnt find any evidence of a bone and didnt believe that homeopathy could remove it) and from that time I have had residual issues with the LHS or my throat.......it went/eased for approx 6 months yet now it is back.
I had bloods taken, then 3 x camera procedures/indirect Laryngoscopy (without an aneasthetic - the consultant told me that was for kids!) and one direct laryngoscopy(?) under general ('with a clean up/scrape'), there have been scans and X-Rays etc..a white patch was discovered and, if I remember correctly biopsyed, all came back 'clear'. Drs. and Consultants told me to go away and forget about it/enjoy your life - easy for them to say.
The only thing that brought relief - last time - was the use of homoeopathy.
This latest bout has been on the go since Christmas 2010 (time of writing Feb/March 2011) and little relief, this time though there have been many, many 'flu viruses - which I have ducked and dodged - which I have had mild symptoms (and ear aches). The symptoms for my throat seem like a catarrhal/lump in throat, followed by really sore/scraped feeling - which as another Poster mentioned could be due to me constantly having to clear my throat.
My partner says that since this all kicked off again that I snore - 'weirdly'.
I have found that a salt-pipe inhaler has helped on this front though coupled with a homeopathic prescribed remedy.
I have been using/gargling with a good quality colloidol silver and I have been clearing my nose with a saline spray.
Doctor has suggested steroids Yet wont refer me - yet - as the hoarsness is 'intermitant and hasnt lasted for three weeks or more'.....no it's been approx 8 weeks or more NHS cut backs?? I have never, fortunately, been offered anti-biotics for this condition...may ask for some soon though (I had lots of tonsilitus as a kid and had my tonsils and adenoids out - late - and developed allergies to many anti-biotics etc.)
I smoked for a short while in my 'teens and the same - 'socially' - in my tweenties, I also used to go to a lot of smokey clubs/pubs/gigs etc. and in one job I worked in a smokey/chemical laiden environment....so I have concerns that such may have caught up with me...amongst other things!
All very depressing really and it has taken a real effort to stay strong and keep going...during these challenging times.....
Evidently in Chinese medicine a sore throat is linked to being p'dd off/depressed, I am depressed 'cause I have a sore throat
Whilst I await for the Doctors' decision I have self medicated homeopathically and now await a remedy from my homeopath....I had one approx two weeks ago which helped/changed the symptoms etc...
The question is - still have a few days left to go with the colloidol silver (which helps ease the symptoms so far) - what do I do now?