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

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 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! 
 

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