Hello everyone 

I know they're a lot of posts about similar stuff but wanted to ask a couple of questions. I'll briefly go over my concern first. 
 

I'm 32, female. Ex smoker but vape daily. I had a really bad painful throat (mostly on one side 2-3nmonths ago) I didn't see anyone and carried on as normal. The throat pain stopped and then started again a couple of weeks later. Its been on and off for around 3 months now.

Recently I haven't had any pain but just some discomfort on the left side. Two weeks ago I noticed one tonsil was swollen. Felt well in myself. Went to the GP to get the throat looked at, especially the one swollen tonsil.  He had a look and said there's no sign of infection. And as I'm well in myself to just wait it out. If in 2 weeks it's still swollen he will refer to ENT.

Went back today and saw the same doctor. It's still swollen but he said if I want to see an ENT I should just go private!? He made me feel like it's suddenly not so important, when it was his idea to refer me if nothing changed. He said my nose is congested and that could be causing the tonsil to swell. He said I don't fit the criteria to be referred as I'm 32 and haven't suddenly lost any weight or anything else alarming. He was very assertive telling me to go private. If my husband wasn't with me and pushed for a referal I don't think I would have got one today.

My throat (occasionally) the swollen tonsil side feels dry and scratchy and occasionally there's a dull ache. Sometimes it feels as if there's something stuck in my throat. I get my symptoms aren't that crazy but I don't want to play it down either. Especially as an ex smoker. He did say I'll warn you now, they might do a biopsy and you might be treated where they are lots of people around with cancer. Not sure why he mentioned all of that to be honest. 
 

so anyway, has anyone had anything similar and it turned out to be an issue due to a congested nose? (I don't feel like my nose is that badly congested at all) Are they likely to do a biopsy on my first appointment? Have I wasted my GP's time because he made me feel like I did. I'm not worried its cancer, I've learnt not to worry about things without facts but I do want to rule it.  I've got two young children I have to think about. So any similar experiences? What happened at your ENT Appointment?

sorry for the long post and thanks for reading