How did you handle your strep throat?

[cindybubbles]

I've been having a really bad sore throat since Tuesday. I thought that it was a viral infection and took standard OTC cold medications until it got so bad today (pus included) that my mother took me to see my family doctor.

We waited 2 hours because 1. the walk-in clinic was closed, and 2. she only sees patients who had appointments, but was willing to see us anyway.

My throat is so bad that liquid cough medicine burns it. Lozenges are better. My doctor and my mother believe that I have strep throat, so now I'm on antibiotics and taking Strepsil to help numb my throat. My mother has ground up everything into a soup for me because it hurts when I swallow.

What about you? How did you handle your strep throat?

[Sapphire Silk]

Last time I had strep, I was offered a choice between an oral antibiotic (Erythromycin IIRC) and a one time shot of penicillin. Not wanting the shot, I took the oral med.

It did not . . . sit well . . . with my innards.

Next time, I'm taking the shot. It was that bad.

[AnaKhouri]

Unfortunately strep is one of those things you have to power through. I remember the doctor gave me a corisone spray (not for strep, but when I was recovering from mono my throat was pure agony) so if it's super-bad maybe you ask about something like that. But once you start antibiotics the soreness usually clears up pretty quickly.

At least it's an excuse to drink lots of milkshakes!

[JPD]

The few times I've had it, I've lived on popsicles, and ice cream. I found the all natural fruit ones didn't hurt my throat as bad as. Also drinks I tried to keep as cold as possible without being frozen, as for me hot food hurt worse then cold food.

[MamaMootz]

Last time I had strep, I was offered a choice between an oral antibiotic (Erythromycin IIRC) and a one time shot of penicillin. Not wanting the shot, I took the oral med.

It did not . . . sit well . . . with my innards.

Next time, I'm taking the shot. It was that bad.

If you don't want to opt for the shot next time, just remember that if you are taking the erythromycin you need to eat yogurt with it. That will keep your innards from exploding

[cindybubbles]

Would frozen yogurt count as yogurt, even though it's more like ice cream?

[suburbandecay]

I used to get strep about once a year from high school into my mid 20's. I normally subsisted on cold ginger ale, saltine crackers and chicken noodle soup/ramen. That and all the sleep I could get. My theory was that if I slept through it, I would be less miserable.

[cindybubbles]

I'm now on to coughing fits and nose-blowing since I've been on antibiotics. I'm still spewing big brown chunks of mucous.

[NorthernZel]

I'm now on to coughing fits and nose-blowing since I've been on antibiotics. I'm still spewing big brown chunks of mucous.

Could sound like it's bronchitis and not strept throat. Have you considered consulting your doctor about that?

[cindybubbles]

Could sound like it's bronchitis and not strept throat. Have you considered consulting your doctor about that?

I still have trouble swallowing. Regardless of whether I have bronchitis or strep throat, I've been prescribed amoxicillin (a form of penicillin).

[raudf]

Hmm.. The last time I had it, I caught it from my niece who is the Typhoid Mary of Strep in our family. Throat hurt, but hot liquids helped me a lot. So did banishing Typhoid Mary from my house for a week.. and her older sister. *sigh* I also used soda pop to clear off the throat too. Anything but 7Up, though... *shudder* Had waaaayyy too much of that as a kid.

I really don't need to keep catching it. I used to have it all the time as a kid and wound up with scarlet fever with rheumatic fever symptoms at the age of 6. Joints still bother me from that, but the rheum panel comes back negative. *shrugs*

[Seshat]

Would frozen yogurt count as yogurt, even though it's more like ice cream?

As long as it has live lactobacillis, yes.

[cindybubbles]

Update: I no longer have trouble swallowing. Now it's my palate that is problematic.

Hoping the antibiotics are working now.

[Kheldarson]

I second the milkshakes idea.

It was about all I could get down when I was awake last time I had strep.

[cindybubbles]

I can now eat soft solids like crumbled crackers and soft-boiled eggs in pea soup. In fact, I'm eating that right now!

I still need to drink my pureed fruit, though.