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LilMissSunshine
25-01-10, 13:41
Hi

I felt the need to post as I am currently struggling to concentrate on anything that I should be at the moment.

I've read through a number of posts on tonsils on here, and I know they can be a source of worry for many, but I have managed to get myself to the point of randomly bursting into tears as I am so scared as to what it is.

Just after Boxing Day, I had a couple of days of a really bad 'flu bug' - high temperature, muscle aches, shakes, sore throat etc. I noticed a few days afterwards, that my left tonsil was noticeably swollen - my right is almost not visible at all.

As far as I know the actual tonsil looks ok other than being much bigger than usual (not that I'm an expert on tonsil appearance!) - it's pink with some little dark red lines/splodges on, and a bit 'lumpy' towards the back. My throat isn't sore, but have had a bit of neck tightness and ear discomfort on that side.

I went to see the Doc last week and she said that she had no idea what it was. She gave me a week of Cephalexin in case there was some underlying bacterial infection, and sent me for some blood tests (for glandular fever, ESR, FBC, U&E, LFT and CRT), and I have a follow up with her on Wednesday.

It's been swollen for 3 weeks now and whilst I don't *think* it has got any bigger, it hasn't reduced in size either. I made the fatal mistake of googling when I found it swollen, and of course found the immediate causes to either be lymphoma or tonsil cancer. I am 35 and have a toddler, and keep thinking I am not going to be around to see him grow up.

I am not expecting lots of reassuring diagnoses, but had to tell someone how I am currently feeling. I will post an update after my visit with the Doc on Wednesday.....

Angel27
25-01-10, 21:12
Hello,

I have been through this worry - please dont worry it does not sound like anything serious at all. After a cold or flu tonsils can take weeks and weeks to go down and also tonsils are rarely same size. Red spodges are common too on tonsils. Tonsil cancer is very rare and you are only 35!.

I hope you can sleep easier now. I am sure your ENT or GP can out your mind at rest too. Ears are often effected by infection when tonsils are.

A:yesyes:

LilMissSunshine
26-01-10, 11:56
Thanks Angel - really appreciate the comments :-)

LilMissSunshine
29-01-10, 14:01
Hi - just an update, as posting on here makes me feel a bit better ....

The blood results came back negative for glandular fever. They were all within 'normal range', with the exception being 'raised inflammatory markers'. I don't think the tonsil has changed size for better or worse. I still have on and off earache and jaw/neck pain on that side.

The doctor got another of the doctors at the practice to have a look at the tonsil, and she said that it was much bigger than it should be, but didn't look sinister. If it hasn't shown signs of going down in a fortnight, I have to go back and then will be referred to an ENT specialist.

I'm still very scared, especially having the other aches and pains in the region on the same side.

Thanks for listening :-)