Me and my huge tonsils send their sympathies.

If you had a culture and it's not a treatable infection (like tonsillitis or strep), you're limited to palliative care. And palliative care options for your throat suck, because everything topical washes off.

Here are some ideas. They're not great, but I think it's the best you can do:
*Chloraseptic throat lozenges have a mild anesthetic in them. They offer the same relief as a throat spray, but in lozenge form, it lasts a LOT longer. Those throat sprays are a tease.
*Stay hydrated, but otherwise, try not to swallow too much. Your natural response to throat pain is to swallow, but doing that a lot can make your throat raw.
*Go to Bartell's and talk to a pharmacist. They can recommend some over-the-counter stuff that will get you through this.
*Slim-Fast is good. Any food bolus squeezing past your tonsils is going to hurt like hell, so a liquid diet isn't a bad idea. Ensure is also fine, but add in some fruit smoothies or warm soups.
*I know gargling with salt water isn't a long-term fix, but do it every few hours anyway.
*Get some rest. Let your body direct its energy towards healing and not stressing. I swear this helped me the last time I got sick.

Good luck! This too shall pass.

I had a bad sore throat a month ago and I read that apple cider vinegar coukd help throw off the pH of your throat to help kill off the bad bacteria which cause the hurt. I tried it and it worked somewhat. I still had to get rid of the post nasal drip but the vinegar did seem to reduce the pain.

Taking probiotics can't hurt either. Thoughout our digestive, respiratory tracts and our skin is a balance of beneficial bacteria to bad bacteria. Since your immune system was compromised by a virus that balance has been thrown off.

Ginger, yogurt, probiotic capsules, vinegar (tiny sips periodically; dilute with water and drink/gargle throughout the day), increase intake of B vitamins; eating garlic *should* all contribute towards putting things back in order.

Layoff refined carbs and sugars as they are known to interfere with immune functioning. Oh and cough drops, unless maybe they are sugar-free (but who wants to take fake chemical sweeteners), further promote what is growing in your throat and causing you pain -- I speak from my recent experience.

I hope you feel much better very soon.

((hugs))

The most famous name attached to Vitamin C is Linus Pauling and you may find it interesting to scan through the text of this site I found about Vitamin C from the Linus Pauling Institute of Oregon State University. The general guidelines are for daily intake of about 400 mg (in two doses) with the upper tolerable limit of 2 grams (2000 mg). They discuss the difference between current recommendations and the historical work of Dr. Pauling here.

You seem to be taking the broad approach to treatment but I note that there is no probiotic intake. Regular intake of active culture 'friendly' bacteria could not hurt and may help to out compete and replace the foreign invaders you are dealing with. Certainly the soothing aspects of yogurt could be pleasant but also don't look past some of the capsule forms of high potency live culture preps in the freezer or refrigerator case. Keeping up frequent intake could be helpful in avoiding these types of opportunistic infections in the future during the 'season'.

Additionally, take a look at the internal environment of your home this time of year. Now that we have 'buttoned up' our homes and turned on the heat, the relative humidity is often down in the teens and 20s (%) and it is easy to be getting upper respiratory tissues dried out and more prone to infection. If you find you are getting those static electricity shocks, then your relative humidity is too low for good health. I run a humidifier all the time just to keep it up in the 30s at my house (for my parrots) and have found my own nasal and throat health is quite improved.

Stressed? Anxious?

I once had an eye twitch for over two weeks because I was a total disaster of a stress case. That seems to be the most common cause (as far as I've experienced) for random muscle twitches.

From what I've also read muscle twitches are usually benign, but can be caused by dehydration, fatigue, or nutrient deficiencies.

If it continues more than a few weeks I'd consider talking to a Dr. - but no need to panic.

I would suggest investigating the local schools teaching massage therapy. All students completing their studies need to practice their skills on real patients. The Cortiva School has a booking page listing a student massage for $35/1 hour and I am think you could find similar services from other schools in the area.

Here are some of the schools I located in the Seattle area:

Bellevue Massage School

BodyMind Academy

Cortiva Institute

Northwest Academy for the Healing Arts

Northwest School of Massage

Renton Technical College - Program for Massage Therapy

If no one answers on the cheap end this is the BEST massage therapist I've ever been too. Ive had all sorts of chronic pain and injuries and have seen at least 15 different people for it over the years. Alis is hands down the best I've ever seen. I would even make appointments when I knew I would be in town for the five years I lived on the east coast. I've mainly seen her for a combo of deep tissue and shiatsu for my chronic stuff but she does other stuff as well. You're looking at 90 bucks for an hour , but it is well worth it, I would much rather eat Mac and cheese for a month and see her than get a third rate for fourty bucks. And several of the broker times in my life I did do that. I end up only going to her about twice a year but it is when my body is absolutely broken and she fixes it. Contact her and ask if there is a first time rate or if there is a discount for referrals and I'll contact her. She sometimes does groupon type things too.
Here is her website http://www.fullbodybalancing.com/
You may be broke but it is soooooo wort it

The concern is not that the expelled material will cause a spread to surrounding pores. It is that the mechanical compression of the inflamed tissue may cause the pus and accumulated material to be driven downward or laterally to non-affected tissue and then the body has to deal with bacteria and new infection in previously stable (and sometimes deeper) healthy areas.

If the pimple is far enough along the material can be released with some gentle mechanical prodding but this is long after it appears. Most people go after the developing lesion when they first feel it or when it first becomes visible, and then with fingernails pressed tight and with vise-like pressure - a recipe for skin bruising damage and internal spread as described.

With the products available today I think the possibilities of keeping the skin clean and healthy are better than ever and treatment of developing pimples improved. Most kids (generally those most likely to go aggressively after a new zit) learn what kind of prodding and mechanical encouragement can move the process along and not create a huge worse problem. Social stigma and worry about personal image will allows be the overriding factor for the young in wanting to squeeze pimples. Encourage gentleness, restraint and the need to judge when best to help along the process mechanically. Perhaps you can also query about their skin care regimen and make suggestions on new methods or new products to try. The frustration of having socially interrupting face lesions can get in the way of reasonable actions and the long view of how to avoid them.

There are a lot of variables.
Acne - real acne, not just a few pimples - should never be squeezed or even touched beyond what is necessary to clean and maybe put on whatever topical treatment is being used. My experience is that squeezing acne will cause it to spread.

Blackheads - can be gently squeezed after a warm shower, to urge the plug of oil and dirt out of the pore. This is not recommended usually, because people go crazy and put a lot of pressure on the skin causing breakages, which then get reds, sore, infected etc.

Pus pimples - O my Captain has that covered.

Red lumps - leave em alone, they often go away without forming a whitehead, and if they get squeezed will take ages to heal, especially if a lot of pressure has been used to force whatever is in there out.

Hold on now, let's define our terms.
When you say "popping a pimple", we're talking about a white-head back-up in a facial pore, correct?

By definition, the oils and bacteria that are trapped within the pore are already festering, and an erruption is already occuring. The white head is basically the puss of decomposing cells and white blood cells that are amassing. Until they get out, or are carried away, the white head is likely to continue to grow.

Now, by "popping", if you're talking about gentle abrassion with a washcloth, soap and maybe a little asstringent, taking the top off this pimple and allowing it to remove the white-head, then the truth is that it is not likely to spread...unless the bacteria and dead cells get swept into another pore and back it up.

[This is one reason why they recommend that a kid wash their face regularly, with soap, multiple times a day, and to remove oils and as much of the stimulation that causes excessive oil production. (Pick your cause: hormones, excerise, greasy foods, chocolate, whatever you choose to believe...)]

IF YOU PICK AT THE PIMPLE, SQUEEZING IT, TEASING IT, COMPRESSING AND BRUISING THE SKIN AND CELLS AROUND THE PORE AND FOLICLE, you are likely to compress and irritate the surrounding skin, making additional back-ups, contamination, and flare ups highly likely.

So, good luck. If the pimple is already at the large white head stage, anytime to pick, pop or split the skin, you're allowing additinal bacteria access to the skin...and scaring can result.

I feel for you. These are not good times. I've had good experiences with Park Shore on Lake Washington, but it all depends on where you live. It's better to have something close to you. You'll wind up visiting several times a week.

Visit several within easy driving distance. Research the facility ahead of time so that you can ask questions. Some typical questions are at RetirementCommunity.com

My mom is at Exeter House Retirement Community, and they take good care of her there.

Science says that if you dose yourself with a lot of vitamin C at the first signs of illness you can either prevent the illness or limit the severity. This is born out in my personal experience (for what that's worth.)

Throw the echinacia away folks. It doesn't work. They've done massive studies trying to find evidence that echinacia helps in any way- and they couldn't.

gargle with grapefruit seed extract if you're not allergic to citrus. if you are or don't have any, cayenne pepper with honey and lemon is soothing and the pepper has an ingredient that fights the side effects of cold viruses. the roman army kept their troops going with cabbage and onion. eat mad fruits and veggies to stay healthy and keep your immune system happy.
and i'll say a prayer for you, too!
:)
GrannyDeepSea
beoneofthebillion.com
please sing with us!!!

Most of what I do when I feel illness coming on is probably hokum and nonsense, but here it is.

I combine any number of the following:
Pho with lots of hot sauce
Almost any other spicy food, especially Thai soups
Ginger juice: grate ginger with a fine grater, place the grated ginger in cheesecloth and squeeze the juice into a glass, add sugar and water and maybe some lemon juice
Hot tea
Hot toddies: hot black tea, honey, lemon, whisk(e)y
Lots of vitamin C, especially EmergenC

If I miss the boat (I often confuse oncoming illness with allergies) or get sick anyway, I continue consuming the above and combine it with hydrotherapy. If I have a really bad cough, I alternate hot and cold in the shower; supposedly the switching of temps loosens the phlegm and helps you expel it. If I have a fever, I take as hot a bath as I can stand it, bundle myself up in warm clothes after I dry off, then get in bed with hot tea. It's the only thing that gets me to sleep when I'm feverish.

You're in school right( previous post mentioned a math class) I don't know about your school but there is a nasty cold/flu whatever circulating the one I work at that has a sore throat connected. While you're there make sure to was your hands a lot. Make sure to also get lots of rest if it starts to feel worse, the students who have been pushing it too far (either because it close to midterms or parting) are more susceptible to getting sick so if it gets worse STAY HOME and sleep. Boost up on some vitamin c/ zinc/ echinatia and don't spend too much time around the students who are sick. It's hard in school because attendance policyies are strict and you feel like you have to go but if you take a day to rest when you feel like it's coming down you'll be better off. If your symptoms get worse look for homeopathic stuff called oscillococcinum you can find it at pcc or whole foods. It has an orange and white package. I've had good luck if I take it when symptoms start. One of my co workers swears by a Chinese herb called yin chiao that you take at onset as well , it's 4 tablets with tea several times a day, and he's pretty healthy.

It could be you're just adjusting to the heat being on, as the others have said but if somethings flying around your school better to be safe than sorry and take care to punch it in the nose before it gets worse. Rest is such a key to anything cold related especially if you're living in a Petri dish

This time of year when we are starting to hunker down, close up the house, and turn on the heat, the quality of the indoor air changes and we react to those new conditions.

Typical relative humidity values in good weather times here fall in the ideal range which is sometimes referenced as 40-60% or similar. I have a digital readout hygrometer that I use to monitor levels indoors. Right now, using only a little heat via room space heaters (gas stove is still not necessary) the level is still around 50%. Once the heat is being used regularly it can easily drop down to 20% and below quickly. These drier conditions can really affect your nasal passages and throat. Just the feeling can remind you of the discomfort of coming down with a cold (scratchy throat, etc.).

We use an ultrasonic humidifier to keep the indoor air moisture content up in the winter as well as drying clothes on indoor racks (good for the clothes and the nose). If you are experiencing increased static electricity buildup (getting shocked after crossing the floor and touching a metal surface or good electrical ground), then the relative humidity in your home is probably too low. Ever since paying much more attention to the quality of the indoor air environment because of my parrots I have found my own health and comfort through the winter to be better. Air filters, humidifiers, and regularly airing out the house (good to get a change of air) has really made a difference for us. We also pay intense attention to what products we use in our house, eschew aerosols, don't use open flames or incense (candles, lanterns, etc.). All of the perfumes and scents added to products and sold to the public to cover up odors and make your home smell good read like a Frankenstein-ish chemical soup and certainly aren't necessary or probably healthy in the levels that multiple sources add to the air we breathe. Heck, I think about having a window open and where my birds are before I use a bleach containing scrubbing powder in the kitchen sink or glass cleaner and make sure I rinse well and toss the paper towel into the garage afterwards.

As far as a scratchy throat or dry nose goes, gargling with a little mild warm salt water can have a real effect at keeping you well as well as using a mild saline nasal spray (buy at any drug store). This abstract lists some of the more effective practices to keep you well. 

Two things right away. 1)Netti pot. That'll clear out the sinuses and wash away potential infection. Always helps me. 2) Gargle with warm salt water. Don't know why this helps. I know some throat pathogens are halo-phobic. So, it messes up their otherwise perfect environment...and it's just plain soothing. Just don't swallow a lot of salt. Get well soon, Kristin.

Moon Rock Massage!! I've only been to Sarah, but she is really nice and very much down to earth.

http://moonrockmassage.com/

Hot House! http://hothousespa.com/HH1.HTM

So so wonderful.

I've had this problem for over 6 years now and this is the first time I have found someone who has the same as I do. I immediately recognized what you describe here. And don't mind Basil, it's understandable that people think you might exaggerate. I have had a very hard time explaining the feeling over and over again. Nobody will ever understand it until they experience it on their own. But I guess you could compare the level of annoyance to a constant itch.

Wearing different kind of clothing isn't a solution, it's a necessity. I have to constantly touch my neck and anything close to a t-shirt will just drive me crazy. Exposing my neck seems impossible at times and resting my hand near my neck seems to calm the beast down. Some days are bearable, some days are not.

I have visited several medical experts like doctors, psychologists, OCD expert, acupuncturist, haptonome (I don't know the English word, it's a specialist in touch / feeling). None of them were able to help me. I have also gotten the advice to just not touch my neck or get used to it.

I found 2 other persons on the internet who have the same problem (they might both be you):

- http://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/enmhe/anyone_have_a_sensitive_or_ticklish_neck/ (there's another one too on Reddit)
- http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090921133814AAVzoHx

The rule goes: Ice for swelling, and heat for inflammation. Ice prevents and reduces swelling. Heat draws blood to the area that is injured/inflamed speeding the healing process.

Flexior? Is that maybe Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine)? It does wonders with back sprains, but I gotta tell you, don't do them unless you have to and don't over-medicate with them. It's an awful hangover the next day.

My doctor tells me to get in a comfortable position, take the medication, use heat when necessary, and remain sedentary until the spasms are gone because in the process of trying to overdo and avoiding the pain of your spasms, you may sprain another set of muscles in your back.

Get well soon.

I broke my coccyx (and many other bones) in a motorcycle accident. I could feel that it was broken and the pain was excruciating.

The best advice I can give if you are broke is to head to Carolyn Downs and get some medical help.

Your coccyx may not be broken, however. The glutes are big muscles and when they get bruised they can hurt like hell for weeks. The getting worse after two days part is very common with bad muscle contusions.

Has your ass begun to discolor? Reds, purples, yellows, etc?

If you must sit down, like at work, use a donut like sublevelthree mentioned. Whenever you have the chance, lie down on your belly or on your right side. Take some mild painkillers. Use some ice. Take it easy. That's probably the most you can do.

I had a similar accident a while back, although it mostly jarred my back and didn't cause any swelling. I pretty much stayed in bed for a couple of days until it felt better.

If it keeps bothering you see a doctor.

If you've broken your tailbone all they can do is give you a donut to sit on. There is no " butt cast"
If it's still hurting by all means see a dr but ask them before they take the xrays ( if you have no insurance) they may just tell you to get the donut and forgo the expensive X-rays

Freikja, srlsy, you should know that q-land is not a safe place for responsible medical advice. Do you really have a broken coccyx? Then go the hell to an emergency room right now!!!
Or do you not have insurance and you don't want to pay $500 to get some x-rays and be told that "yup that must really hurt, here's a prescription for tylenol-3"?
These are pretty much the only two options (other than giving them a fake name at the emergency room) and this is the worst part of being uninsured, do I go or can I ride it out?
Your call, if it was me and the "other afternoon" was less than a week ago and I could still walk (if you really have a "broken ass" you're not walking anywhere) my uninsured ass would ride it out (and walk it off, hah!) arnica, weed, booze, heat, ice, rest, and movement are all non-prescription and awesome for that sort of thing.

Only you know though, if it hurts that much go the fuck to a doctor, get a butt cast, and sit in a wheel chair for six weeks. Odds are though, if you're asking the internet instead of crying face down on an examination bench you don't need to.
It's weird how it hurts more two days later but
you know how when you go running for the first time in awhile and the second or even third day is so much worse? Lots of times bodily trauma is like that.

I really hope you feel better soon, but like I said, your call, and q-land is not a doctor.

lt depends entirely on when the spasms began. For acute injuries, cold ONLY for the first 48 hours. Otherwise, any inflammation you already have will be exacerbated by the heat, and will prolong the healing process. After this time period, alternate heat and cold. lf the injury is chronic, use heat.

Also, if you have the money, consider checking out a massage school and sign up; they are trained in how to deal with muscle spasms in particular, and can help prevent them for returning. The massages are discounted since students have particular stages of their education they're practicing, but they'll address your issue in the process, and this will improve both circulation and healing.