Help, I think I'm getting strep throat....

[Petie1104]

Honestly, 2 days ago I felt like I was getting a head cold.  Yesterday I had a low grade fever and a cough.  This morning I woke up and my sinuses were huge, my throat hurts, and my ears are hurting.  So here's where it gets difficult....

We just moved here, I just got signed up for my PCM so I CAN set up a same day tomorrow.  I just really don't want to.  DH just flew out this morning to get my mom out of a bad situation (long story and not pertinent) and he won't be back until next weekend.  The kids go to school at about 8, and get out at 1:45.  I would have to fit the appt. in that period of time which is possible, but with same days you never know.  PLUS the 4 yr. old would have to tag along, which I'm not sure how this clinic views bringing a child in with you.  Now if this is strep I may have no choice, but I'm hoping that someone knows of a more home type remedy I can use to get this cleared up.  If I'm totally crazy and there is no such thing then tell me I'm nuts and make the darned appt. and who cares what the clinic says about ds coming along.  If there IS some sort of method you know of PLEASE help me out.

[Purple*Lotus]

Make the appointment.  I have had strep.  It is vile and miserable and I always take antibiotics for it, because it isn't worth the risk.  I hope you feel better, soon!

[la mamita]

Originally Posted by Purple*Lotus 

Make the appointment.  I have had strep.  It is vile and miserable and I always take antibiotics for it, because it isn't worth the risk.  I hope you feel better, soon!

Exactly. I have gotten strep twice this year and it is WRETCHED. I can't remember feeling sicker than that, ever. I'm very natural, minimal antibiotics, but I don't play around with strep. Just take probiotics with it to rebuild your gut.

[tanyalynn]

If it were me, I'd start my usual routine of supportive stuff, vitamin C to bowel tolerance (which can be a whole lot when you're sick, if you haven't done that before), extra zinc, something specific to help with my throat--I like Aviva Romm's garlic lemonade--lemon juice, honey, garlic, water, slowly sipping it warm feels very nice.  Some people take high dose vitamin D for a few days, I think along the lines of 50,000 IU/day, I haven't tried it but I _do_ think that last year, overall, our illnesses were milder because I'd worked on our vitamin D levels since spring.

I wouldn't go to a doctor unless I'd tried all my usual stuff and I wasn't noticing improvement. 

[Petie1104]

I was just reminded by dd that her class has a play they are doing later this week.  So it looks like I'm going to have to make the appt. anyway because I need to be on antibiotics for at least 24 hours before her play otherwise I'll be exposing everyone in her school to this.  YUCK.  So, if the clinic has an issue with ds there then I guess they'll have to get over it.  UUUUGGGHHHH, I hate the doctor especially going to a new one. 

Thank you all for your input anyway, I guess that was going to be the consensus anyway so no big deal.

Tanyalynn, I'm writing down what you wrote for next time.  I wish I could try it but even now my throat is hurting worse than this morning and my lymph nodes are getting larger. 

I'm assuming I'm probably going to end up on antibiotics tomorrow, I just hope it's not that pack thingy where you take x amount on day one and then down to one for a few days.  Last time I had that I was sick to my stomach until I was almost done with the med anyway.  

[HRJ]

I agree - I avoid antibiotics at all costs, but I do them for strep.  AND I would get yourself in there as soon as you can before it gets out of control.  I had strep so bad once that I couldn't drive myself to the dr and had a 103+ fever.  I was lethargic and couldn't take care of myself until about 12-24 hr after the antibiotic.  you don't want to get that way with your hubby out of town and kids to take care of. 

[EVC]

Two thoughts: 

First, if it is strep, Manuka honey is supposed to be quite effective in killing the bacteria. If you do a quick search, you should be able to find out more about this. I've also read that it is not AS necessary for adults to do abx for strep as it is for children. When I had what I suspected was strep, I didn't do ABX. But when dd got it this September, she took them. So I'm fairly comfortable with that. If you want to avoid ABX, then Manuka might be a good natural alternative. 

Second, it may not be strep. We've been dealing with mono around here. Something to consider, especially with the swollen lymph nodes.

[Petie1104]

Well the quick test came back neg. The md thinks its the change in climate from lots of humidity to an extremely dry climate that is causing some of this, plus I do have a sinus infection. So no strep. Thank you all for the advice.