So I just started training again after taking a considerable ammount of time off training (1 year). After a few weeks of base work, I started getting a sore throat with swollen glands and a sore right tonsil, no fever, no cold symptoms or cough. Starting taking time off training, doing the whole vitamins, sleep, etc, which didn’t help, at which point I determined it was probably not viral but bacterial. At this point it had been about 5 days of easy training (1 hr/riding easy zone 2 per day) and non-improving symptoms.
Then I saw the doc, got amoxicillin (10 day course, 500mgx2 day), and I am on my fifth day of my course now. I have taken the last 5 days off any exercise whatsoever.
Today I started feeling a little better I think, maybe 20% less throat pain, and i’m wondering when I can start training again. Should I wait it out till the pain is completely gone, or can I ride/swim/lift easy now?? I have to admit i’m going really stir crazy not training at all after just having jumped back into training.
Let me know what your experience has been with sickness and antibiotics please! Thanks
I took antibiotics until a week before an IM (lotsa cash laid out already- flights, hotels etc., and in hindsight, the wise thing would have been to stay home!). 5 days before the race I felt 100%, but of course my body was trashed. Had a disastrous race, once passing out next to my bike, but avoided being pulled off the course by the medics. Was a stupid decision to compete.
My advice (from experience, and not though medical qualifications) is to do absolutely no training from now until at least a week after the course is finished. Your body needs all the sleep and rest it can get to recover.
If you are feeling good and have the energy to train, you are probably fine to do so. Just work back into it gradually. The 10 day course is somewhat arbitrary in length.
I’ve had a whole bunch of ear infections that have required antibiotics… guess what… never was a valid excuse to miss swim practice and I seem no worse for it.
Yeah, seems a bit of mixed advice here. In reply to earlier posts, I am NOT seeking to compete OR do harder workouts while still having a sore tonsil/sore throat, I’m just wondering if I can do a strength workout at home with bands, or an hour ride on my trainer z2…any more thoughts?
So long as you aren’t suffering too bad it’ll probably be ok. If you start getting super tired and feel crappy, you should either really push hard and give yourself the flu, or quit and take a hot shower.
The only common bacterial infection of the tonsils that requires antibiotics is classic “strep” throat and even that is debatable.
If it was bacterial, you should feel better than 20% after 5 days.
Usually strep isn’t one sided.
You probably have an apthous ulcer but hard to say without an exam and possible strep swab…what did your tonsil look like?
None of the above really matters - you are already on antibiotics and whatever the cause - you need to rest until you have a day near normal - then take it really easy the next day (like a super easy zone 1 10-20 min ride) and pretty easy the next and fairly easy the next and SLOWLY build. Trying to maintain or build fitness while sick is useless and harmful.
You most likely got sick from “jumped back into training”. Patience.
did you ask your doctor this question? (when I get ear infections that require antibiotics they say swim but put cotton balls in your ears then swim cap)
The only common bacterial infection of the tonsils that requires antibiotics is classic “strep” throat and even that is debatable.
If it was bacterial, you should feel better than 20% after 5 days.
Usually strep isn’t one sided.
You probably have an apthous ulcer but hard to say without an exam and possible strep swab…what did your tonsil look like?
None of the above really matters - you are already on antibiotics and whatever the cause - you need to rest until you have a day near normal - then take it really easy the next day (like a super easy zone 1 10-20 min ride) and pretty easy the next and fairly easy the next and SLOWLY build. Trying to maintain or build fitness while sick is useless and harmful.
You most likely got sick from “jumped back into training”. Patience.
For everyone to know for future reference re: tonsillitis, I have taken the advice posted here and decided not to train at all during my course and now feel ~80% better and have 3 more days of antibiotics to go. After that i’m planning to slowly build back into it.