What is this in my mouth?? (Picture)

[asblackasyoursoul]

For a week I've had a very very painful sore throat on my right side. I just left it alone hoping it'd go away but yesterday morning it woke me up and was so painful I couldn't fall asleep again. I then looked in my mouth and saw this, my right tonsil swollen and with some stuff on it.
I'm absolutely freaking out, never had anything like it before. Painkillers just aren't working and I've been gargling with warm salt water. Other symptoms is just that my airways feel a bit more blocked and I'm bringing up mucus.

[cariadisnaehappy]

I can't see a picture (on phone) but could it be tonsil stones?

[ImperialBlether]

From what I've read on MN, I think it's a tonsil stone.

[Lurleene]

Can't see a pic either but could it be a quinsy?

[Mrsmorton]

Tonsil stones aren't usually painful.
Have you got a temperature or a cough at all?

A post nasal drip will cause tonsil inflammation and sore throat.

Don't stress about it, are you planning to see your GP?

[asblackasyoursoul]

It wont post and I'm on my phone so had to tinypic it.
tinypic.com/r/20hoetk/9

[Monkeybabiess111]

It looks like tonsillitis I'm not long back from out of hours getting antibiotics and a diff lam spray for mine,one is also mainly on the right and I'm really ill right now with it.

[Mrsmorton]

It looks like tonsillitis, the other side is swollen as well?

Is there a history to why you are freaking out? Do you have a history of health anxiety or any other medical issues that would make you think this is something awful?

[asblackasyoursoul]

On the laptop now, easier to type.
I'm freaking out because the other side is absolutely fine. Left side of mouth/tonsil/throat is all good. It's just my right tonsil that is enlarged and has this stuff on it. It's so painful. And no, I just worry a lot ;(

[Mrsmorton]

GP?

[asblackasyoursoul]

I'm going to the doctors tomorrow as soon as it opens at 8:30 but there's no guarantee I'll get an emergency appointment at all, it's VERY busy and you usually have over a two week wait for a normal appointment.
So if I don't get an appointment I have no idea what to do. Can't go to A&E with that, can I?? It's not really helpful that I'm gonna have to miss school too. Argh.

[PacificDogwod]

The 'Centor Criteria' for bacterial throat infection are:

History of fever
Tonsillar exudates
No cough
Tender anterior cervical lymphadenopathy

What pain relief have you taken today?
Are you gargling with something?
Could you get to a chemist to get some Difflam spray? Or Tyrocets?

Sore throats should not routinely be treated with antibiotics, whether bacterial or not, unless you meet the above criteria. A sore throat can take well over a week to begin to settle.
If you feel unwell, or cannot swallow (not just pain, but you have to spit out your own saliva) it may be Qunisy and this would be an A+E worthy emergency.

Hope you feel better soon.

[PacificDogwod]

Sorry, just noticed you said you are taking pain killers and are gargling

[asblackasyoursoul]

It's okay and thanks for the help. Like I said, if I don't get an emergency appointment I don't know what to do. I'm going to have to take the whole day off school aren't I??? This is so not ideal, I've already had quite some time off due to a massive personal issue and now this. Brill

[Elibean]

OP, it could be an ulcer? I have had throat ulcers - just the same as mouth ulcers - and they are excruciating. No temp, slightly unwell/tired, pain?

Gargling with aspirin only thing that helps with mine, or voltarol.

Good luck at GP xx

[asblackasyoursoul]

Don't think I have a temp. Tired, as usual. Definitely VERY painful.
Like I said, I've not ever had anything wrong with my tonsils before so I have no idea. I guess I just need reassurance that it's something easily treatable and not something serious. But I also don't know whether I should go to A&E tomorrow if I cannot get an appointment?

[GinAndSonic]

A&E is not appropriate for a sore throat, but a walk in centre is. But your gp is a better option, see them if you can but if not, go to the nearest walk in centre.
But yeah, tonsillitis, antibiotics might help but your immune system can probably sort it out in a week or so. I'm usually given antibiotics as otherwise I end up with it for weeks and weeks and it doesn't get better. But im a freak.

[asblackasyoursoul]

There is no walk in centres near me due to living in a remote place in Scotland. Is it definitely tonsillitis then, so maybe I can sleep easy tonight?? (or try!) I have had the sore throat since last Tuesday but I have no idea how long this sort of ulcer/patchyness has been on the tonsil nor how long it has been swollen. It's only on one side.

[PacificDogwod]

Nobody here can diagnose you.

More sore throat info

[LIZS]

I've had those, not necessarily accompanied by a sore throat or cold . I think it is a build up of plaque/bacteria in a scar from previous infections. Eventually it detaches and is coughed up - bleugh.

[NannyR]

Sounds a lot like the quinsy I had earlier this year. I ended up in hospital on IV antibiotics and I was (gently) told off for leaving it so long, apparently I should have called the 111 number over the weekend rather than waiting for a gp appointment on the Monday morning, as the abscess can block your airway. The good news is that within a couple of hours of antibiotics and steroids and having the abscess drained I felt so much better.

Give the 111 number a call, that's what it's there for. As an aside, I didn't have a temp although I had symptoms of a fever in that I was shivering and feeling spaced out, the doctor said all the paracetamol and ibuprofen I was taking was masking the temp. Can you talk normally? I had really distorted speech due to the swelling which is another symptom of quinsy.

[asblackasyoursoul]

My voice is just very hoarse and I can actually feel the mucus buildup in my nose and throat, I have to keep getting it out. I don't have any other symptoms you speak of such as shivering and feeling spaced out. I'm trying not to talk too much as it's quite sore.

[Passmethecrisps]

Pacific is right in that no one can diagnose you here. You sound desperately anxious so I suggest you call NHS 24 for a chat.

Going to school will not help and you will be no use to anyone anyway.

Stay in bed and let it get better itself.

I often get sore throats when I am stressed and rundown - could this be your issue?

[asblackasyoursoul]

I am definitely very stressed right now, been going through a very stressful situation these last few weeks. But it doesn't explain the stuff on my tonsils, I've never had that before. I'm 16 years old. Growing up I was quite prone to sore throats so I know the 'pain' difference between a normal sore throat and something worse, and this pain is definitely worse.

[winnybella]

It looks like tonsillitis to me. Just try to see your GP tomorrow, I think if you say you've got white stuff all over your tonsil ( ie symptom of bacterial infection) they'll give you an appointment.

[asblackasyoursoul]

I really do hope it is just tonsilitis and nothing more serious. I'll update tomorrow with what's going on. My dad says he will take me to the nearest smaller hospital (not the main hospital) if they cannot give me an appointment at my local doctors. Fingers crossed.