Hi I'm in the same boat. I've had a persistent sore throat just on my left side for 5/6 weeks now with a stabbing pain in my left ear like a constant earache. I'm always clearing my throat. I've got no redness or anything but I do have 1 big lymph node that is enlarged also on the left that's been there for around 12 months I have had 1 scan on that and they wanted a rescan but covid kicked in so I didn't get another appointment. I called my gp on the 15th of March she said gargle salt water it's probably viral. I called again this week and she said because of the length of time it's been going on she will prescribe me a weeks worth of antibiotics amoxicillin just to be sure there's no infect (I'm day 4 with absolutely no improvement) and if that doesn't work she will be giving me a referral to the ENT. My issue is I know they are not being very prompt with appointments at the moment and they are limiting things ect so I don't even know if I will be seen or if it's even serious enough for them to give me an appointment. 
 

anyway hope it helps to have a buddy who is going through the same thing I'm a 29f btw x

Thank you so much for your reply. I think I've finally got through to a Dr on Thursday (third one) first step got my bloods done and he has put me on some antibiotics. If there is no improvement he will refer me to an ENT. I really hope either something shows up in my bloods or the antibiotics work. Feeling okay today but I have days like that, so not feeling over confident. I know if it's serious I want to catch it early. I completely know where you're coming from with the ENT wait! This really freaks me out too. 
 

fingers crossed things will be okay and sorted for the both of us soon.

xx

My symptoms eased dramatically about 5 days ago and by Wednesday they appeared to have gone, however, today (Saturday 20th February) I sneezed a couple of times and there was a sharp pain in the glands on the upper right of my neck/throat.  This disapeared after a couple of minutes.

My symptoms begain a week before Christmas, so lasted for approximately 8 weeks.

Interestingly, 3 days ago there were calls for the list of symptoms which trigger a COVID-19 test to be expanded to include a sore throat, fatigue, headache and diarrhoea.  I wonder if some of us here have been suffering from COVID-19 symptoms without being diagnosed?

Here's the report:

www.itv.com/.../seven-symptoms-should-trigger-a-covid-test-new-evidence-shows-so-what-are-they

Hi 

I've been having similar issues with having to pull my top away from neck as I feel I'm being strangled. I've been having a sore throat, only mild for weeks on and off. I've been having issues eating the first two bites are painful the pain starts in my mouth and raidiates into my throat/neck. My dentist couldn't find any issues so told me to see my gp who thought I had a salivary gland infection I was given antibiotics as the doctor noticed my glands were swollen (how I didn't notice). I finished the course but neck is still swollen and still having issues eating. The sore throat is now back but feels worse this time and I've got neck pain on my right side. Plus I've been experiencing earache and pain in the right side of my face. I have an ultrasound this Friday. My bloods showed elevated bilarubin levels so have had to be repeated I'm currently waiting for results of the repeat bloods I had done Monday. 

Hi all

I've had a continous sore throat for nearly 6 weeks. I tried most of the things which others on here tried. Then it went, then it came back. I had tests. I've had 2 courses of antibiotics (albeit for chest infection) they solved the chest issue but not the sore throat. I had xrays blood tests etc which were all clear 

Anyway after a combined on and off for nearly 3 months it seems to have now gone completely...Might have just been mask wearing. Maybe nothing

Thought I'd sign up to reply to this thread, as I am yet another one with very similar symptoms.

Haven't had covid as far as I know (haven't had any tests)

Had this for about 9 weeks now. Throat doesn't really feel sore at all though just very red and angry all the time. Tonsils have been swollen the whole time, occasionally white stuff on them but nothing like usual tonsillitis except after the second set of antibiotics. Glands don't feel particularly swollen or painful. Quite thick mucus/spit in my mouth and due to my throat being swollen is causing me sleep apnea at night. At one point I got an extremely painful ulcers on exact opposite sides of my mouth just where the teeth finish. These took about a week or so to get better and damn they hurt like hell! Also get occasionally dizzy/headache/cloudy spells

I got better for a week after the second Antibiotics but it came back again last weekend. 

I have started taking antihistamines to help with the mucus which seems to have helped and my throat very slowly seems to be healing, but I'm not getting my hopes up.

Right now it is completely different to how it was at the start, it feels like my neck is full if I lean my chin on my chest which is a new thing. Tonsils are swollen with the very occasional tiny bit of white stuff which is usually gone within a few hours.

During the time I've had this I have done quite a few things to rule them out like change my toothbrush, deep clean my room, change my bedsheets for new brand new ones, change my water bottle I use daily. The only one I didn't think to change was my mask as I only use it once a week for about 20mins while doing the food shop and probably 2-3 mins every day or so in the petrol station. I've chucked it away and not worn one, so far so good, maybe it is that causing it?

I'm just hoping it goes soon because I've had enough. I will be trying the doctors again next week if it doesn't get any better

Hi, I am glad I have came across all of this!

I have been having recurring sore throats since the start of the new year. I’ve never had it before and have otherwise always been healthy. When it started it was so painful I couldn’t talk or swallow, that lasted a day or two, but I’ve had sore throat recurringly now for about 10 weeks. Every four hours I take a lemsip, a strepsil, a spoonful of honey, and gargle Salt water, it eases the symptoms then tends to go away after a day or two, then at some point it comes back!

It’s so frustrating as I don’t know what’s triggering it. I have quit vaping, cut completely down on alcohol and drink two or three times a month, diet is healthy.

Spoke to doctor he told me to just keep doing what i am doing with the salt water etc. He has referred me for ultraso7nd but cannot get an appointment. Seems all this has become very common during lockdowns, maybe our immune systems have weakened from staying indoors too much.

I have turned into a hypochondriac with all this, it’s gave me anxiety, heart palpitations all of which are fine, I’ve had ECG and it’s was fine, just waiting on blood tests to see if it may be due to thyroid problem.

I am exactly the same! 
 

my friend had Covid and I tested negative 3 times however I've had a sore throat and hoarseness to my voice. Saw the doctor everything else fine just can't seem to shake this sore throat and change to voice. ENT confirmed not cancer so apparently it's a virus. Very frustrating as been 5 weeks now

I've managed to go over a week now with no sore throat at all! Take lemsips, warm drinks, strepsils, lozenges, swallow a teaspoon of honey a few times a day and gargle salt water 3 times a day, do all this for a couple days even after symptoms have subsided, I only took lemsips when it was quite sore and when it subsided I would take a lemsips in flask to bed with me in case I woke up during the night in pain. Be careful in case you are allergic to any of that stuff too. I've also upped my intake of vitamins and also tried relaxing as stress can cause problems on the body. Hope it all helps

How are u getting on now?

hi just wanted an update. How are you doing now pete, and di you find what the issue was?

Hi sorry to bother you but please tell me you resolved this or found out what was going on as I'm in pieces with this exact issue 

Hi sorry to bother you but please tell me you resolved this or found out what was going on as I'm in pieces with this exact issue 

Hi sussexmb

im also 6 weeks into a horrible sore throat - had ulcers too - treated for infection. Antibiotics did not help - then started on reflux medication. My throat has improved but it's still sore and swallowing is painful. My Gp said they've exhausted there avenues and is referring me to ENT. Just awful isn't it and totally consuming 

Hey 

Yeah I don't get it... do the glands under your neck swell and do you have the feeling of strangling tightness around your neck area 

Yes I do have that strangling sensation and also glands are up - I have. Good days and then truly dreadful ones. - today has been bad - burning sensation in my mouth and furry tongue and the pain swallowing is horrendous- feel utterly helpless 

Hiya, 

just wondering how you all got on? 
I am also having the same symtoms .. I've had a persistent sore throat for a while, I've been having ear aches also and been prescribed sprays that usually clear it up but now both ears feel blocked and my ears sometimes and ringing along side the sore throat. I seem to have red lumps on my throat but not with yellow or white puss just red blobs .. I do have a lump in my neck but I have had a fatty lump in my neck since I was young and assumed it's the same fatty lump. I'm going to try see the dr tomorrow but I'm just so anxious! I am a smoker but am quiting now due to the high anxiety! I tend to often get sore throats in the cold weather in the mornings but it goes away fast and assumed this was the same but it's been going on for way to long.

please keep me ups dated on how you get on! 
 

Hi Mart, 

  I'm really sorry to read you are also suffering ! It's really awful and totally consuming -  I have an ENT appointment on Thursday - I will let you know how it goes. My throat is not as sore but it's still not right,  swallowing is still uncomfortable. 
think I've bought every sore throat remedy known to man kind !! 
I will keep this thread updated

I have to say I'm kinda relieved to find this thread I am on a similar one and amazed at how many people have the same issues. 
I've had a sore throat and post nasal drip four times approx a week at a time since January. 
Routine blood tests are negative but I don't know if anything sinister would show on these. 
My mum died of oesophageal cancer so I'm terrified. 
I'm a perfectly healthy 52f normally currently awaiting a further doctors telephone consult. 
I hope everyone is doing well x

I seen alot of people are suffering withe same thing I seen alot of post about the covid but non about the vacancies so I thought I would put it out there as thats when mine all started I have had two courses of antibiotics. Not touched me still feel the same also getting sweats and head aches. Using numbing spray and strepsils at the moment. I have found gargling warm salt walter eases the iritation slightly. Just hope I get the ent appointment ASAP