growth on tonsil - -urgh! (long, sorry)

[littlelamb]

Ok, first a little background. I have been having recurrent tonsillitis since 1999, but until now they have refused to do anything about it. I went to the doctors two weeks ago with pussy tonsils so swollen i couldn't talk and could hardly breathe. I was told it was not policy for them to prescribe antibiotics and basically was given the impression that I was wsting their time :( The next morning I was rushed to hospital in an ambulance as my pulse was twice what it should be, my temperature was sky high and I couldn't breathe as there was no space in my throat. I stayed in for four days while they sorted me out. My glands were so swollen I couldn't even open my mouth to show them. Needless to say I am not happy about the attitude shown towards me at my GPs practice, but I now have another problem. I have finished the shedload of medication I was given when I was discharged but my right tonsil seems to still to have a huge growth on it. I know they won't take them out if they are infected, and I now have a date for my tonsillectomy. Under these circumstances should I go back to my GP? I just felt so belittled last time and was shocked at how quickly I went downhill. Will they actually be able to help me and should I complain about my treatment? Or would I be better going to the walk in centre at the hospital on the offchance a specialist would be able to look at it? They speared my tonsil in hospital to try and drain it (didn't work) and I think maybe I have an infection where the needle went in :( Also, while I realise I can't have it both ways, I am trying to write my disertation and I am not sure I could handle more medication, whatever they gave me before has left me feeling like a zombie, is there anything I could try myself? I am used to treating tonsillitis but this is different

[Piffle]

It sounds like Quinsey littlelamb. I had this years ago and nearly died (sorry) as they gave me amoxil for tonsillitis and all the use it was as I could not swallow.
If it is quinsey it is an abcess that joins your tonsils, it needs draining.
It might not be that but it is worth googling and seeing if symtoms fit, I was very ill with it also and remember it very well, the pain and everything.

[foxinsocks]

I would go to the walk-in hosp if I was you. Your GP sounds useless HOWEVER, if you could be seen quicker at the docs and could emphasise the fact that they wouldn't give you antibs and you ended up in hosp for 4 days, you might be surprised by how willing they suddenly are to help you.

If you are under a consultant for the op (presume it is an ENT surgeon) I would consider giving the secretary a call and seeing if she could fit you in one of the consultant's clinics.

[foxinsocks]

sounds awful btw, and honestly, just thinking about it more, I would really give the consultant a ring. You don't want to have to go and stay in hosp again.

[chapsmum]

google, peritonsular abcess.
You should be seen by an ENT consultant ASAP if you are having ongoing prblems. Ideally your GP should referr you as an emergency.
The drug of choice in tonsilitus is penicillin not ampicillin (amoxil) as the symptoms of glandular fever and tonsilitus are very similar and amoxil can have bad side effects in a person who has gf.
Tosilitus can be bacterial, in some countries (particularly australia) they are less likely to prescribe antibiotics for tonilitis as in most cases the infection is usually self limiting.
A peritonsular abscess is very different.
Usually tonsils with pus on them would warrent an antibiotic. I would certainly be asking their reasons for not prescribing perhaps in a formal letter???

[littlelamb]

Piffle- they thought I had quinsey, which is why they tried to drain my tonsil, but all they got after three attempts was a mouth full of blood :( I feel really let down by the whole system. I went to my surgery today, saw a doctor that was not my own and he gave me a diagnosis of a swollen gland before even looking down my throat. No questions about my other symptoms, just 'oh yes that'll be...its quite common' Literally no examination whatsoever, just a quick peer in my mouth, no light or anything :( I hardly ever go to the doctors so why do I feel like they're treating me like a time waster. Tomorrow I am going to write a letter of complaint. It's not just me this has affected, I've told them all along that I'm on my own with a two year old so I cant afford to be ill, and all that seems to do is make them even more patronising. I am new to this practice, so do I assume that this is not exemplorary, or do I say sod it all and register somewhere else? I really have no confidence in them whatsoever :( I think I will ring my consultant tomorrow and get some proper advice.

[figroll]

Sounds awful - hope you feel better. I used to get recurrent tonsillitis and once I didn't go to the doctor's because they kept on about not prescribing antibiotics. I suffered for over a week with it and two weeks later I got a condition called guttate psoriasis all over my legs, arms, body - thousands of bright red spots. I looked like I had some terrible illness and it lasted over a year. I would now go to the doctor's (if I got it again) and hammer on the desk until I got some antibiotics! However, this was in 2001 and I haven't had it since.

[Bugsy2]

You should really push for them to remove your tonsils. I had recurrent tonsillitus and had no problem being referred for a tonsillectomy. It is not the most pleasant of ops but after 18 years of problems, I have had my most healthy winter ever.
Is there another doctor at your surgery you could ask to see?

[Piffle]

You need a proper investigation by an ENT consultant
If it is not quinsey then you need to know what it is, ffs its your throat! You swallow eat and breathe through it, all vital life force type things!
I was on iv anti b's for quinsey and morphine, if you are not getting better and the growth is not subsiding or even worse enlarging then A+E again until you get some results.
Hope you are feeling better though today ?

[littlelamb]

Thanbks for all the advice. If anything I feel worse today because I know I am getting ill again and noone will HELP me The problem has been my right tonsil mainly, but today my left has started to feel very sore as well, so it looks like things will get worse before they get better. I also feel really hot and generally very physically tired. It is just so ridiculous. When they took me to hospital I was in a major panic because I literally couldn't breathe, and my panic only made that worse. It seems I will have to get in that state again to get any help

[foxinsocks]

Phone the consultant now woman - seriously, don't wait till it gets as bad as it did last time