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Really concerned... one swollen tonsil and other symptoms.

Dani22
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Hi all,

 

I'm new here…

I don't really know what I am looking for coming on here to chat, as I know none of you will be able to diagnose me… I guess I'm just looking for somewhere to vent and see if anyone can shed any light at all on my situation and what I am experiencing. It'd be great to hear from others who have been in similar circumstances :)

 

I'm 22 years old, and have been suffering for the past 2 months with an array of symptoms, which I believe could be either lymphoma or tonsil cancer. I have no risk factors for tonsil cancer (I don't smoke or drink and I am well under the age bracket) however I do for lymphoma (I had gladular fever when I was 18 and my great aunt has had lymphoma, although I realise this is not an immediate family member)

 

 Firstly, I noticed one day whilst brushing my teeth that my right tonsil was hugely larger than the other. It takes up I would say a third of my throat, and is hard to the touch. At the time, it was not painful and this was the only symptom I had experienced. I had been aware that my tonsil was larger than the other a few months before I started worrying about this so I have no idea how long it has been this way (although the first time I noticed it, it wasn't as big as it is now.) So of course as many do, I took to my best friend/worst enemy Google, and immediately found all sorts of horrible things this could be. Everything pointed at tonsil cancer or lymphoma due to the asymmetry in my tonsils… and so I then went to see my GP straight away.

 

He sent me away for a week to see if it went down on its own… it did not. I went back the week after and he put me on a course of antibiotics which did nothing to take down the swelling apart from making me really sick. He then took some blood tests and all my blood counts came back fine, except I was low on iron and B12 which he has prescribed me a 6 month course of tablets for. He referred me to an ENT however, as he could see how worried I was about this.

 

I do not have private healthcare so this referral was through the NHS, unfortunately after 3 weeks the appointment had still not come through, so I decided I really could not wait any longer and so booked myself in to see a private ENT consultant whom I used to see when I was younger for ear problems. I decided to pay for this. During this 3 week wait, I started to develop some more symptoms. My ears are very painful, and I feel like there is a constant pressure on them and on my neck and jaw (it is hard to explain). It has been quite intense and painful and difficult to ignore. I also keep feeling like my heart is stopping? (I know its not) as though someone is sitting on my chest and I cant catch my breath quickly enough. My GP said this could be due to my low iron however as this is a symptom of anemia. I have no swollen lymph nodes, however I did have one that was quite painful under my arm but that seems to have gone down now...

 

The ENT took a look at my tonsils and asked me lots of questions about my symptoms. He also felt my neck and head for swollen nodes but said they felt normal. He said I did the right thing by going to see him, and that he did not think my tonsils indicated anything sinister but that I should schedule a tonsillectomy just incase. I am due to have my tonsils out in 3 weeks, and they will send them for tests which will take a week to know if it is malignant or not.

 

I am super worried, and this is causing me unbelievable amounts of anxiety and stress. I am constantly miserable and cant help but think the absolute worst, especially now the pressure on my ears and jaw is constantly there, it is a constant reminder of how ill I feel. Whilst I know that realistically, the pressure and soreness in my ears, throat and jaw could be unrelated to my tonsils, I cant help but think that this is definitely cancer. I also realise that I do not have the classic symptoms of any swollen lymph nodes either so I could be overreacting for nothing.

 

I would just really like to hear from anyone who can possibly relate to how anxious Im feeling waiting to find out what is wrong, and anyone who has been in a similar situation. I cant talk to my family or boyfriend about how I feel as they just tell me im being crazy and fob me off. They're not interested at all especially my mum. :(

 

If you made it all the way through this horrifically long post, thank you! I wish you all the best, and thanks in advance for any help. :love:

 

Danni xx

  • Offline

    Hi Danni ...... and welcome to the forum.  I am sorry to hear about all your worries and that you are not getting any family support during such a difficult time.  There are many people here who will understand how scary this waiting time is - when you dont know a diagnosis and are awaiting surgery and results, it is probably the worst time of all.  Be assured that you have definitely done the right thing by getting seen swiftly - it sounds reassuring that the consultant was not overly concerned but also felt you were correct to see him.  I really hope all goes well for you Danni and that the results are negative - but never take chances with your health, too many people do!  Please keep in touch and let us know how things go for you and come and have a rant etc whenever you need support.  Also remember that the nurses on the forum are here Mon-Fri (free-phone) if you need any information or reassurance - they are brilliant.  Max x

  • Offline in reply to max56

    Hi Max,

    Thank you so much for taking the time out of your day to reply to me, I really appreciate it. It's nice to know that others have been through this waiting period I guess. Thanks for the info about the nurses, I think i will definitely give them a call. My anxieties are also heightened by the fact I will be going for surgery for tonsillectomy soon... I'm not looking forward to that. But I'm weirdly excited to hear news whether it be good or bad, as at least i will know for definite what the outcome will be.

     

    I will be sure to stay in touch through the process and will update over the next few weeks.:)

     

    Take care.

    Dani xx

  • Offline in reply to Dani22

    Coincidently my four year old goddaughter had her tonsils out yesterday and I was amazed at how simple it all seemed.  She went in at 7am, had her operation at 9ish and by 1215 she had eaten a ham sandwich and some toast and was up playing with the other kids on the ward.  Today she was home before lunch and I am off to visit her shortly.  Her Mum says she is absolutely fine and in no more pain than when she had recurrent tonsillitus (which is why she had them removed).  She told me on the phone that she had had a really nice time haha!!!!    Obviously I know she is a child and you are not, but it really does seem quite a straightforward procedure so please dont worry.  I agree that a call to the nurses is a great idea for you.  Much love x

  • Offline in reply to max56

    That is so sweet, kids are just brilliant :) What a relief it mustve been for her to have enjoyed herself lol! I work at a dance school and teach little ones your god daughters age, they are amazing :)

    I was never offered them out when i was little as I never had any problems. I got glandular fever when I was 18 and have had tonsilitis three times since then... but they said that the asymmetry is more than enough reason to remove them.

    Sadly, I am told that the older you get, the harder the recovery is for a tonsillectomy. Little ones are usually fine a couple of days afterwards, whereas I will be signed off work for two weeks. Theres a higher risk of bleeding after the surgery as the tonsils are bigger in adults, therefore the wounds are bigger. I am told by a friend who had hers out last year that the recovery is really rough, but after 2 weeks I should be back to normal.

     

    I can only hope the results will be good news and nothing to worry about.But if it is not... then at least I know I have somewhere where I can talk about it. Which is nice to know. Think I will call the nurses here tomorrow too to ease my worries. Have a lovely evening xx

  • Offline in reply to Dani22

    Hi dani

    Please try not to worry. I had tonsil cancer two years ago. I'm 47 and that is unusually young to have it and you are much younger.  Also I didn't have any of the symptoms you mention. I just had a lump in my neck.

     

    You are right to ensure that it's fully investigated though. 

     

    Let us know how you get on. The tonsillectomy isn't too bad - honest!

     

    debbie

    x

  • Offline in reply to Deb67

    Hi Debbie,

     

    Thanks so much for your kind reply,  It's so nice to hear from someone who has been through what it is i am fearing. I am happy to hear you do not think my symptoms are typical. You have helped to ease my fears somewhat but I think I will be very relieved once I hear the results back from the doctor next month after my op. 

    How are you doing now? I hope treatment went fine for you :)

     

    I hope you are right and I wont be in too much pain. As with every medical procedure you hear such horror stories, but I know I have to just be positive and I should be fine :)

     

    Dani xx

  • Offline in reply to Dani22

    Minor update: Just got the news from my doctor that my tonsillectomy will be pushed forward a week. So I'll have my diagnosis a week earlier which I'm sooooo glad about.

     

    Praying its good news!

  • Offline in reply to Dani22

    Just wanted to update here for anyone who may find this thread in the future.

    I am 2 weeks post my tonsillectomy (which may I add was the hardest recovery I have ever gone through, and I've had my jaws broken and reset before!) and got the results back last week.

    I got the all clear!! The results showed no malignancy, but instead that both tonsils were horrendously infected and I apparently had chronic tonsilitis. The infection in both was severe and my doctor said that this was likely to cause me to feel generally ill and cause a lot of the symptoms I had listed.

     

    I appreciate that others may not receive the news that I have had, and I would like to wish any future readers the best of luck for the future.  Please do not panic like I did, but make sure your concerns are taken seriously so you can ease your fears! If it is indeed cancer, then you will have great help in these forums with wonderful people to help you through. But it is very likely that it is not and is something less sinister.

     

    Thank you to everyone who replied to me and I wish you many years of health and happiness! Take care xx

  • Offline in reply to Dani22

    Hi just want to say thank you for posting your updates.  I went to see doctor last week about swollen ankles and came away needing to take antibiotics as one of my tonsils is swollen (thank good the Dr checked in my mouth!).  Anyhow like you I googled what it could mean and without any other symptoms whatsoever it was saying cancer cancer cancer.  Needless to say I am freaking out with worry.  I'm 4 days in to the antibiotics now and the tonsil hasn't gone down at all.  I'm fearing the worst, not sleeping, feeling breathless I guess with the dreaded overwhelming feeling of what could be.  Your post is the first positive outcome I have seen anywhere and in my desperate hope to find reassurance that it may not be cancer your status update has provided me with a glimmer of light so just want to say thankyou x

  • Offline in reply to Dani22

    Hi dani

     

    i am so pleased to hear your good news! Phew!

     

    debbie

    x

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