Swallowing knives ...
 

My throat feels like this ... absolutely horrible. I woke up from a nap like this yesterday afternoon and it has been sore ever since. I slept sporadically last night and have already consumed a 1/2 gallon of OJ. I can't go to the doctor because I am between medical coverage. My mom has suggested a blend of hot tea, honey and whiskey, but the problem is I hate whiskey with a passion.

Anyone have any advice?

Thanks and have a great and safe New Years!!!!

Poor thing - I had the same problem last week and it turned out to be strep throat. :( Hope it isn't the case for you! Try lots of hot tea, ginger ale (the bubbles felt good on my throat), chicken broth, etc. That concoction your mom suggested sounds helpful but if you can't handle that try some Honey Lemon Tea losenges from Robitussin - great cough drops will help you through a lot. Make sure you don't get any other cold symptoms, too! Keep up with your zinc and Vitamin C tablets, and eat right. The last thing you need is a full-blown mid-winter cold!! Feel better soon! :)

The whiskey helps numb the throat. Depending on your Mom's portions, it really isn't a bourbon taste.

Have you tried he cloroseptic spray? It really does help numb, but can turn your stomach if you get too much. Anything warm seems to help ad the salt water gargle is good. BrownEyedGirl's advice is as good as you're gonna get.

If you get high fever, go to a clinic and at least get a throat culture. You don't want to be penny wise but pound foolish!

I knew JAM would chime in with some great motherly advice! ;)

I forgot to add, alphachiohmy, that drinking OJ might feel like murder on your throat in a while. Try some Vitamin C drops/lozenges. They taste fruity and sometimes you can find them with zinc mixed in. They're a lot easier to handle than juice! Stay away from anything even slightly acidic and stay inside and warm! (Now *I* sound like a mom!!) :)

Ooh, I hate those things! I almost threw up on the last one.

Anyways, ice cream or slush tends to help my sore throats.

Yeah, throat cultures suck (they suggest you 'pant like a dog' to make it easier but that would make me feel ridiculous!) but they're better than spending a week in agony! It's very worth it for three seconds of gagging....believe me, I know. I seem to get strep every winter! :(

another idea
 

to clear my nose, i have often had luck with green chiles or jalapeno peppers.
also chilled light beer is nice.
happy new years
mmcat

:D :p

Re: another idea
 

How incredibly awesome is college???:D :D :D :D :D

try brandy instead of whiskey, it's good...i drink it with hot chocolate all the time.

I have found that Throat Coat tea (can get it in a grocery store) to be particularly helpful. Five days before a recital I came down with a cold, without it I would have had a much harder time singing.

Sorry to hear it. :( Lozenges are your friend. Try a little B&B, that may help. And get lots of rest.

I had one of those bugs a few years back. Went to the school's med center at 3am. The doc on call "decided" I had strep without even doing a culture :eek: and prescribed penicillin. Well, whatever I had didn't respond to the penicillin, so I was stuck swallowing these huge horse pills 4 times a day for 10 days down my sore throat, and they weren't even doing anything for me... I lost my voice and all :( So if you do end up going to the doc, make him/her take a culture.

I can turn any thread into something about me...
 

On not feeling well....


Last night I didnt even overindulge, but had some homemade tamales that I think made me sick. Cause I got home and yacked. fortunately I felt it coming, so I made it to the bathroom in time, but holy god I hate throwing up. Have been nautious all day. if theres anything worse than throwing up, its nausea. You know the kind, where the simple act of breathing makes you wanna throw up. UGH. Its all about the clear liquids today for me......

I have to say that I have not barfed since I was 15 (that was 14 years ago:( ) when I decided to drink a bottle of MD 2020, wild Turkey and everclear all in the time span of about 2 hrs. I HATE vomiting. I find that lots of carbonation helps with nausea, so coke is my drink of choice when I am feeling the need to spew.

I am sorry that you feel ill Rhonda, hope you feel better soon, you too Lifesaver.

feeling a lil better
 

Lozengers are my friend. I think I have od'd on zinc and vitamin c drops, and dayquil and comtrex. I made it through New Years alright however, my nose is becoming stuffy. They say however you spend the first day of the new year sets the tone for the rest of the year - I hope being sick doesn't count. Otherwise, I spent today sleeping, watched When Harry Met Sally, went to Red Lobster with friends and then to a sports bar to catch the first bit of the Illini and LSU game.

Thanks for all your advice. I tried the salt water yesterday and had cup o' ramen noodles with hot chicken broth. Instead of swallowing knives, I think I feel more like swallowing stones. So thats an improvement ... right?

Paging Dr. Daniels, Dr. Jack Daniels...
Hmm I just found another excuse to drink!!(as if I needed an excuse)

If you do get a full blown cold, Advil Cold and Sinus has saved my ass many times!!

get well soon!!