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Recurrent Tonsillitis

Darlogirl
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Hi 

This is my last resort as GP is useless. Been feeling unwell for months with white spots that come and go on my tonsils.I also have HPV which I know can linked to tonsil cancer it's come back on my last 2 smears so I'm waiting to checked by colposcopy clinic.  My throat is sore all the time but I didn't feel ill. I went to see my GP who did a throat swab which grew nothing. She did bloods and found my folate was low. I started on Folic Acid. Still feel tired all the time, and keep having horrendous headaches. Had another bout of tonsillitis 2 weeks later which was treated with penicillin. Still felt unwell. Now 2 weeks later I have tonsillitis again with fever , awhful muscle aches. As I'm a nurse I got my colleague to do some bloods for Glandular Fever which is negative. Told the GP this via an online consult. She had prescribed more antibiotics which I don't think will do any good. Not sure what to do. I can't keep having time off work. 

  • Hello Darlogirl and thanks for posting, 

    I am sorry to learn that you have been feeling unwell for a while now and have a continuously sore throat, fatigue and headaches. I can understand this is getting you down.  You can't help being ill, so try not to feel bad about taking time off work.

    I don't know if the antibiotics will help either, tonsillitis isn't always bacterial, I think it is viral more often, but if you don't take them you won't know, so arguably it might be a good idea to find out. If they don't work it could be easier to go back to the GP and push for more tests.

    As you are posting here I assume you are concerned about the possibility of cancer. If so, I think it is probably a good idea to be direct about this, remind the GP how long your symptoms have been going on for and specifically ask if you match the criteria for an urgent (2 week wait) referral for suspected cancer. You can read more about the criteria on the NICE website at the link below, but bear in mind most people referred using these guidelines don't have cancer at the end of the day.  

     www.nice.org.uk/.../ng12

    Do be persistent and frank with your GP and let them know how you are and what is worrying you. 

    I hope things either improve or you get some answers soon.

    Best wishes, 

    Julia

  • Offline in reply to CRUK Nurse Julia

    Hi Julia

    Thank you for your reply. I am concerned about it being something more sinister as I have had tonsillitis in my younger years & it doesn't feel like that. These white patches come and go. I also smoke about 10 cigarettes a day. I will get back in touch with my GP and I will read the NICE guidelines. I am a nurse myself and see many people who come in for Panendoscopies for similar things to myself so that's why I'm pretty concerned. This has been going on for a few months I also have night sweats quite a lot and have recently lost weight too. You just know yourself and you know when things aren't right. I just don't think GP's are seeing patients properly and lots of things are getting missed as it's all e consults & telephone appointments when people actually need to be seen. I'll let you know what happens. Thank you so much xx

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