DD's MASSIVE tonsils (gross pic included). What to do?

[CharleyDavidson]

DD(11) has complained of a sore throat since last week. At first I followed the advice I've previously been given by our gps... no white patches = no treatment. But her tonsils are massive and she was complaining that she felt unwell and like it was choking her, so off to the GP we trotted.

He said she had no temp, her glands weren't up and yes, they were massive, but no treatment needed.

That was Thurs last week. She's still sore and they are still huge.

I don't know whether a repeat appointment is needed or a waste of time. What would you do?

Have you looked at them when they were not sore to get a measure of normal for her? I know DS just has massive tonsils even when well, doctors always comment on them. Not as big as your DC's but still a lot bigger than normal.

I would probably give it another couple of days and give painkillers.

They are usually quite big, but not as large as this, or as sore.

I'm dosing her with ibuprofen or paracetamol and she has something for sore throats too.

The doctor didn't seem concerned, but I don't know whether a repeat visit is in order if they don't go down by the weekend. Perhaps they can stay huge for ages.

Try gargling with soluble aspirin/ paracetamol rather than just taking tablets. My DD has frequent trouble with her tonsils and this helps. (The gargling also dislodges foul tonsil stones if those have built up.) GP has never been bothered except when they're visibly infected, hope your DD feels better soon, it's a horrible feeling.

Does she have any other trouble with breathing at night or her ears?

My 2yr old has obstructed sleep apnea and glue ear due to her massive tonsils and adanoids.

After a referral to ENT she's going to have an operation to have them out early next year.

Please don't use aspirin for anyone under 16.
It is related to a Reye's syndrome.

Use soluble paracetamol.

Luckily, she seems unaffected by anything that could be related. No adenoid or ear problems. She occasionally snores very lightly, but nothing I'd relate to apnoeia.

We don't have asprin and I knew she couldn't have it anyway. She is gargling with the calpol before swallowing it so hopefully it's along the same principles.

After being sent home from school again, I got an appointment at the doctors. There was talk about the pros and cons of prescribing antibiotics and I thought we were going to be sent away again with no clues. But then the gp expressed a concern that it had been lasting for a long time and he prescribed antibiotics in case it's bacterial rather than viral in nature. He's also sending her for a blood test to see if it's a sign of glandular fever rather than a tonsil infection.

Get her to Gargle with dilute hydrogen peroxide. I promise you, it'll clear it super fast if it's bacterial and you save having to give her antibiotics.

If it's viral it can take a couple if weeks, sometimes more to pass.

Antibiotics seem to be having an effect. The tonsils are going down a bit, but are still very red and sore looking. She had her test today bravely. :)

We've had to make our own ice cream as she has to avoid foods with guar gum in them because of the antibiotics and every one in the shops had it in.