I have recently, like one day ago, gotten diagnosed with strep throat. Which you would think would mean that my throat would be killing me, right? But no, my friends, it is my ears that are killing me.
Apparently, due to the sinuses built up, your ears hurt a ridiculous amount. No seriously, this is the worst pain I have ever experienced in my life. I mean like crying as if you're a baby and all you can think about is getting the pain to stop. Also, forget sleep, that won't happen if you're in pain.
Well, these are a few of the things that helped me while I was in the middle of this insane period of just wanting it all to end.
1. Sit up in bed.
When you are in bed trying to sleep and your right ear, the traitor, decides to act up, it's time to sit up.
I don't know if it's because shit drains or what. Frankly, when you're in so much pain you're considering taking another pain pill, you won't either. Why it works doesn't matter. Sit up as straight as you can and breathe. Slouching won't work - you have to be sitting up straight.
2. Stretch your neck.
This is just like number one in which I don't know why it works or how it makes things feel better, but it's a miracle worker. I went from crying in pain to being able to finally sleep thanks to this trick. It's the best thing I can think of giving you for almost instant relief.
It won't be the fastest thing ever and it will cause you some discomfort, but the end result is the light at the end of a tunnel. It's how I managed to get an hour of sleep because somehow it was finally better.
3. Wash your hands.
Strep throat is one of the most contagious diseases ever. Okay, I'll stop being dramatic for a second. It's probably not, but it is super easy to catch and super annoying to deal with.
Wash your hands and make sure to not touch anything someone else will, or he or she may catch it. Or even worse, you get better only to get sick again because someone else didn't clean the surfaces touched while sick.
4. Go to the clinic.
Seriously, it's on campus and super easy to use. I got to see a medical professional on the same day I walked in. The process was super easy, and I managed to get everything I needed taken care of.
I signed a few forms and got to see a very nice doctor who also told me about many of the other things UCF Health Services offers. She prescribed me some pills I had to take and it was all over in a matter of minutes. I even picked up the prescription downstairs without giving them my name!
I hope this helps anyone who is in pain and desperately needs some relief. Strep throat is the worst and I feel bad for anyone caught in the middle of it. I am with you. Hopefully, our pain eases soon.
