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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 in reply to Zarab1234

    Thank you for replying, I really appreciate it. I will pursue this if the tonsil doesn't go down in the next couple of weeks but reading your post in the meantime has brought me down from panic level 10 to around a 4/5 which is much more bearable (and rational!)

  • Offline in reply to CharlotteT1234

    Hi, I'm a new poster...

     

    I had tonsillitis a few months this ago and now have one tonsil bigger than the other. I was tested for glandular fever (negative) via a blood test.

    The last few days I've also noticed the wierd sensation in my throat...

    I've recently sent photos to my GP and pushed, where I was then send by an ENT specialist as an urgent referal. Which if your GP recommends will get you seen within 2 weeks.

     

    From getting the referal I was seen 2 working days later. Though the ENT specialist was not too concerned, they were either always like that, it's due to infection or it could be cancer.

     

    I have a scan to be arranged within the next 2 weeks when reviewed the ENT specialist will call me and and advise next steps. If I need them out they are now opening clean off site surgery locations as of yesterday.

     

    Im 36, but keeping as level headed as I can be. It's just a note to say if you are waiting until COVID blows over - the situation is changing all the time. If you ask again, you may get seen and start the process of getting the answers you need.

     

    Best of luck to you all 

  • Offline in reply to Bashmonster84

    Please e let us know how you get on? Like I've said my right tonsil has been enlarged for the last year of what I have noticed although like you said could have always been like that. My ent wasnt concerned by my enlarged tonsil, and signed me off. 

  • Offline in reply to Zarab1234

    Or course - I'll update via this forum! 

  • Offline in reply to Bashmonster84

    Have my scan on Monday afternoon - amazed how quick it's all been, potentially due to the COVID situation. Hopefully get more of an answer within the days after. It's hard to not to overthink while your waiting...

  • Offline in reply to Bashmonster84

    That's good they got you in so quick! Routine things and non emergency appointments are not a priority at the moment. So leave room for the more high priority things. Am sure all will be ok.....its better to get these things looked at sooner rather than later x 

  • Offline in reply to Zarab1234

    Hey...

    Had the consultant called today and thankfully got told nothing sinister is going on.... 99.9 % certain. All looks normal, both are enlarged but similar size on the scan. Believes it's likely to do with original tonsillitis infection and to come back in a few months to see if it's gone down or if I want them out. 
     

    A big relief to say the least 

     :)

  • Offline in reply to Zarab1234

    Hi everyone . 
    I am in the exact same boat . I think I've always had a slightly bigger right tonsil but noticing it more now i have neck and ear ache. On the 2 week pathway which they have said could be longer due to covid :( I'm 41 , non smoker ... my anxiety is going through the roof! gp has put me on penicillin but it's doing nothing . 
    this that had earache and a swollen tonsil , what did the drs say about the earache? 
    xx

  • Offline in reply to Winnie14

    Hi Winnie,

    My swollen tonsil was probably always swollen due to scar tissue. I noticed it because I had ear and neck pain which in the end was caused by tight neck muscles pressing on a nerve in my neck. My tonsils were removed and tested and that was the result. I had some physo therapy to sort out the neck/ear pain. Try not to worry Winnie, it's unlikely to be anything serious, I know it's hard not to though.

    Jenny x

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