long term sore throat

[vernon]

Hi I have had a sore throat now since November that’s over four months now. Went to see doctor after about 6 weeks and he sent me for some blood tests, He said white cells where slightly raised indicating could be infection, so done a course of antibiotics. This did nothing. I asked if it could be throat cancer as I have never really known an adult suffer sore throat for so long and he didn’t seem to think so, but he has referred me to ENT But as they have just built a new hospital here and moving everything things seem upside down and a lot of waiting. My throat can feel very row and at times my voice is horse, but I haven’t felt any signs of a lump in my throat and it doesn’t hurt to eat and drink, If doctor is pretty sure it isn’t throat cancer does anyone know any other conditions that cause long term sore throat, or has anyone out there had long term sore throat? Thanks for reading and take care. Vernon

[nomorepanic]

Hi Vern

I used to get sore throats for months on end as well and I also have this damn swallowing problem too that a lot of us get.

The doctor said they "could" remove my tonsils but this was a very last resort as it wasn't an operation they did willy-nilly in adults!

They never offered me any explanations for it either.

Do you cough a lot or clear your throat constantly?

[vernon]

Smokers cough a bit but that comes and goes. But last few days even pain killers dont help it gets realy raw. Cheers nic xx

[nomorepanic]

Vern

The reason I asked about the coughing or more specifically the constant clearing the throat is that the doc said everytime I did this I was effectively scratching the throat which would irritate it as well.

Hope you get yours sorted mate.

[RLR]

Okay, this would be a bit outside the scope of what would normally be posted to this forum, but we'll answer.

Pharyngitis can sometimes take several months to fully resolve, particularly if other factors are present that continue to irritate tonsillar tissue and other tissues of the esophagus. Factors would include snoring, sinus drainage, allergies, GERD, chronic cough, etc.

It's important to remember that pain is most typically the last symptom of carcinogenic processes and persistent soreness in the absence of other more salient features would not suggest cancer.

You're going to be fine.

[Hip]

Try an internet search on "Chronic Sore Throat / Mood Virus"

[iancook]

Hi Vern

I used to get sore throats for months on end as well and I also have this damn swallowing problem too that a lot of us get.

The doctor said they "could" remove my tonsils but this was a very last resort as it wasn't an operation they did willy-nilly in adults!

They never offered me any explanations for it either.

Do you cough a lot or clear your throat constantly?

Hi Vernon,

I too have had a sore throat for 3 months and after xray and blood test (both negative) I have just been to ENT clinic and had a camera up my nose and into my throat. After reading other comments I asked for a spray before the camera was inserted. The doctor said only 1 in 10 ask for that but he did it anyway. The camera was inserted and unlike a lot of the other comments on this site I felt virtually nothing. It only took a couple of minutes. I too was worried about cancer but the doctor said I was all clear and suggested it was a silent reflux. Much relieved I bounced out of the clinic. Hope this helps you and anyone reading this . Ian

[rak_05]

Hi I have had a sore throat now since November that’s over four months now. Went to see doctor after about 6 weeks and he sent me for some blood tests, He said white cells where slightly raised indicating could be infection, so done a course of antibiotics. This did nothing. I asked if it could be throat cancer as I have never really known an adult suffer sore throat for so long and he didn’t seem to think so, but he has referred me to ENT But as they have just built a new hospital here and moving everything things seem upside down and a lot of waiting. My throat can feel very row and at times my voice is horse, but I haven’t felt any signs of a lump in my throat and it doesn’t hurt to eat and drink, If doctor is pretty sure it isn’t throat cancer does anyone know any other conditions that cause long term sore throat, or has anyone out there had long term sore throat? Thanks for reading and take care. Vernon

Hello Mate,

I have exactly same throat issue since November 2009 more than 13 months, Having throat pain mainly on leff side and remain sore throat since November 2009(15months). I have visited GPs more than 25 times, Visited ENT consultant two times and had camera view in throat( had to wait for 4 months to see any specialist in UK, Problem can worsen be for you see MDs), And was discharged from ENT without any symptoms of cancer or ulcer. In year I had blood test 2 times all came normal, including thyrod and many more were normal, have also gone through barium swallow test for oesophagus test came normal too. And finally recently been to endoscopy because of I had very very sever chest pain( reflex), and some tissue were taken, again came every thing normal and dont have any chest pain since endoscopy. But my throat pain remain all time, I do smoke, but when This sore throat started year ago, I have been completely away from smoking.

It does pain and remain very dry in morning, but also remain bit less sore and pain still persist all day, When I take any alcohol It goes very worse next day. To make a point, I have not lost any weight in this pathetic period of pain of more than one year. Please any one know about it or any one had same problem please let me know. I will appreciate any response.

Thanks
Rak

[melvin]

i have had a sore throat since last yr on and off now i feel like something is tight is around my throat like im wearing a shirt and the collar is to tight and i feel it when i swallow like something is stuck . i do cough a lot which i thing sets off my sore throat. last yr around this time.i had a neck x ray with a dye injected all clear iv had a biopsy on my throat and they had a good look around while i was put to sleep all clear . they did say my voice box was all burnt and i have acid reflux. i went for chest x ray last wk because of this cough again all clear i do smoke. im going back this wk as iv still got sore throat and im worried it may be cancer . any thoughts anyone

[ruud]

Hello Mate,

I have exactly same throat issue since November 2009 more than 13 months, Having throat pain mainly on leff side and remain sore throat since November 2009(15months). I have visited GPs more than 25 times, Visited ENT consultant two times and had camera view in throat( had to wait for 4 months to see any specialist in UK, Problem can worsen be for you see MDs), And was discharged from ENT without any symptoms of cancer or ulcer. In year I had blood test 2 times all came normal, including thyrod and many more were normal, have also gone through barium swallow test for oesophagus test came normal too. And finally recently been to endoscopy because of I had very very sever chest pain( reflex), and some tissue were taken, again came every thing normal and dont have any chest pain since endoscopy. But my throat pain remain all time, I do smoke, but when This sore throat started year ago, I have been completely away from smoking.

It does pain and remain very dry in morning, but also remain bit less sore and pain still persist all day, When I take any alcohol It goes very worse next day. To make a point, I have not lost any weight in this pathetic period of pain of more than one year. Please any one know about it or any one had same problem please let me know. I will appreciate any response.

Thanks
Rak

Rak,

I have had similar symptons since June 2009. Mine started however immediately following a severe viral infection and the sore throat has never gone away. I have a raw sensation in my throat, worse on day after alcohol and better seemingly on random other days, but never clear compeltely. I have been for endoscopy and blood tests with all normal.
I have however noticed that when my mucus is runnier, i.e. when i have a cold that the throat is not as painful. to this end i have been using a saline solution through my nostrils with limited success, it can but not always alleviate the symtons. I did try treatment for reflux at the suggestion of an ENT specialist, however this did not help at all.

I recently had a severe chest infection and am finding that my throat is worse since then. Due to go back to ENT in Jan. Not sure what they will suggest next, I suspect the barium meal thing may be on the cards.

Ruud.