Well, here's what I "think" happened... It actually wasn't a wood splinter, more like a little piece of possibly something from knocking against a shrub in my gardens. The weather was so great (yes, I was wearing a shirt! LOL) and since I only had a thin, long sleeved shirt on - I may have been poked (forgetting that) and something came through the thin shirt..I am only guessing. Of course, I shower everyday - but just never noticed it until I felt a pinch the next day. When I looked, it appeared as mentioned "pin sized" and it was dark in color (thinking it may have been dried blood) so that's why I got scared. It is good, though, I think to be extra concerned than to just blow off things thinking everything is okay... So, vala - you were right in taking him to the doctor... better safe than sorry.... Carrie

I have had "tonsil stones" for many years, but only discovered what they were a couple of years ago, thanks to the lovely people on this forum. I would often get a sore throat and then cough up one of those lovely "pearls" that stunk like YUCK! Then I discovered that I could avoid the sore throat if I got rid of them myself before they became too large. At first I used a tiny crochet hook to pull them out, but hooked my tonsil once and made it bleed. That scared me, so I stopped doing that. Then I found out that if I pushed next to those ugly white things in my tonsils (sort of like squeezing pimples) they would just pop out on their own. Finally, now that I am becoming an old lady, they have really slowed down. They smelled so horrible - I know that my breath must have been awful. By the way, I call them "pearls" because my understanding is that they are formed much the same way as pearls are. Some tiny speck gets in the pockets in the tonsils (a doctor told me that I have more and deeper pockets than average) and layers of yuck are formed around them.

This happened to me years ago and although it’s an old thread, I wanted to comment in case it help anyone. I experienced the same symptoms as most on this thread- I went to see all kinds of specialists but when I finally went to my general doctor, he fixed me. Literally made a difference in 15 min. He is a general practitioner but also certified to do manipulations which is different than a chiropractor. He did tests to see if I may have MS or carpel tunnel. But those target specific fingers. He then made me stand up and checked my back. BOOM! I had three ribs out of place. Finally after 6+ months of my right hand tingling and bruising, I had an answer. Dislocated ribs sometimes don’t cause pain BUT if they pinch the right nerve, it can cause all the symptoms to your arm and fingers. Popped blood vessels etc. he adjusted me (again, different from a chiropractor) and within 15 min I felt relief in my arm hand and fingers. Now, anytime I feel tingling, I go see him and sure enough, my rib is out. People can displace ribs with a sneeze. Sometimes it causes pain and other times you can’t even tell. A miracle for me.

Sore throat is a "rare" side effect of Plaquenil (see link below). I took it for my RA for awhile and had my vision tested every 3 months by an Optomologist due to possibility of blindness. I also took gold shots which I regret. It caused me more health problems. I haven't taken ANYTHING since 1998. I don't take painkillers, anti-inflammatories, etc. I have enough to deal with with the RA that I don't need more health problems caused by these drugs. In fact, I feel better now than I did in 1998! For the person who said she takes Flaxseed oil. My naturopath did not recommend it cuz it's a "rancid oil", as is spinach is rancid too. You are better to take flaxseed as a "seed", not an oil. Also, pineapple is a natural anti-inflammatory as it contains bromelain. If u have high blood pressure, then it's not recommended. I'm amazed at the commercials that advertise RA drugs and tell you the possible side effects..."some cancers have been reported"... who would take them??? Gold shots caused me to become anemic and have possible blood cancer (myloma) cuz it caused my kidneys to leak protein in my blood. Something my rheumatologist failed to tell me! I have to get blood test every 6 months just to check. Nothing is going to take ALL your pain away. You will always have it. You just have to learn to live with it. I've had it for 16 years now. Pain management is a very important part of daily life and makes a huge difference. I know this guy who has RA and has tried all the meds, procedures, etc. He looks fine on the outside, but his insides are finished because of all the drugs. As for me, my hands are crippled up but my insides are fine! Believe it or not, marijuana is the only thing that takes the pain away. Unfortunately, I get paranoid so I don't smoke it. I've tried morhpine, perks, etc. Didn't help! Smoked a joint once and I was able to run a little bit (didn't realise I was LOL), and I was able to walk barefoot without pain in my feet. Believe me, if I wouldn't get paranoid while high, I'd smoke it! It's legal in Canada for medical purposes. Here is a link that might be useful: Plaquenil