I've had strep throat before and I have periodic sinus drainage that causes a sore throat. For the past week I've experienced a sore throat like nothing I've ever experienced. I just got back from my doctor who was of little help. He shined a light in my mouth to see my throat, said everything looked fine and I should take some advil and sleep with a vaporizer. I was in office for 4 minutes, no kidding.

Here is what I have. For about a week I had a little soreness/discomfort when swallowing to the left side of my trechea and a little lower than the trachea. For the past few days that has changed to severe pain to the touch of my throat, like I'm sticking needles in my skin in the area below my trachea. When I swallow there is more tightness and discomfort rather than soreness, but when I push or touch on my throat with my fingers, it really hurts. I've never had an experience like this and the fact that my doctor was of no help, I'm a little concerned. I am 33 years old. Pack a day smoker, and I have chronic sinus drainage. But I haven't had any trauma to my throat area, but that is what it feels like. THanks