Please I need a hand-hold. Can't tell DC and no one to confide in.

[snales]

So about 2 years ago I noticed:

One tonsil bigger than the other
My ear on that side felt blocked and irritated
Sensation of 'something' there, worse when swallowing

After about 6 months of this (April 2021), went to GP, who referred me to ENT.

Because of backlogs etc, I did not receive an appointment until this October. It was cancelled and rescheduled for 7th of this month, cancelled again and now 19th Nov.

I should've gone back to GP, because it kept getting worse over these 18 months. Tonsil still swollen but hasn't grown any further, however the sensation of 'something' there when swallowing has gotten gradually much worse, ear on that side totally blocked whereas other ear is fine, and now I am getting strange pains when I move jaw or eat. I do not have health anxiety, I'm more of an avoider, 'something' is 100% definitely there.

The past month or two, I have been more tired and also my lymph nodes / glands (??) started being swollen in different places on and off - neck, groin, armpit. Again, they are visibly swollen and sore, I'm not imagining it.

I am praying it's not cancer. I am 35 so you'd think unlikely, but I was involved in things I shouldn't have been from age 20-28 , and I had literally 100s if not even over 1000 unprotected oral sex partners. Reading the links between oral sex and hpv, I am probably riddled with it (I was too old for the vaccine roll-out).

I am praying it is just a saliva gland stone.

I've no one really to tell this to. I have teenage DC who have no idea. I've told my family (my mum dead, but dad and sisters alive) who are supportive but they don't live near. My best friend has just found out she has epilepsy and I have other friends in work but not that close yet as not long in the job. I'm single.

I'm usually quite stoic, but I am scared. My sister says just wait and see, but I am worried, and kicking myself that I should've pushed to be seen quicker.

Just need a hand hold, and if anyone has any idea how long it will take until I know. Struggling to concentrate on my new job (trained for years to get this).

Thanks.

It sounds like you have something that needs to be fixed; it is now also constantly on your mind and that never helps, and your body is telling you to sort it out.
That is what you are doing and it will be fine.
For what its worth, I do not think it is cancer, and we all do odd things in our late teens/twenties.
Congrats on your job, get going with it...you're going to be around and working for a long time yet! x

It could just be that whatever is there is now causing a low level infection hence the lymph nodes. Please do get seen asap 💐

I have one very large tonsil, lump in neck, permanent blocked ears and nose. Frequent swollen gland and cold. Seen ent in hospital about it all and he says it's nothing to worry about. One swollen tonsil will get you a 2 week fast track appointment to the ent at hospital. Take comfort in that. Its usually nothing.

@HyggeandTea Thanks, and I like your name. Yes, I had a colourful past for sure. I had no idea at the time about hpv and the cancer risk. I've been out of that life for over several years now and feel like I am finally getting somewhere. I just pray that this isn't what I know it could be..

@Cuppasoupmonster Thanks also for hand-holding. Yep, there is definitely something 'there' alright, even one side of my neck is a little swollen now. For ages I kept thinking "is something there or is it not", but now undeniably there is. I am really praying it is just a saliva gland stone. I did try to get seen ages ago, it's been 18 months since I was referred to ENT by GP. If this appointment gets cancelled for the 3rd time, I am going to complain urgently.

@Morechocmorechoc Thanks too, that is reassuring because it sounds similar to what I have. I wish I was seen within 2 weeks though - I've had one (visibly and noticeably) swollen tonsil for 2 years now, and still haven't been seen by ENT. What did your consultant say it was for you??

Sorry you've had such a horribly long wait.
As you're worried about HPV, have you had regular smear tests? When was your last one? If it's been a while, you could book one at the GP or go to a sexual health clinic?

@NameChange30 Yes I have regular smear tests. I'll be blunt in saying that in the industry I worked in for those years, oral sex 'without' condom service is very very common, however vaginal sex 'without' protection is very uncommon and rarely practised, so in that respect I have had much less hpv exposure to cervix than my throat - only from non-commercial encounters.

That said, I have had a 'normal' amount of unprotected vaginal sex partners, and I did have a smear test come back with 'minor changes' in 2017. By 2019 the smear was 'normal' and so no cells changes anymore (??) , and my most recent smear this year was also normal thankfully but 'high risk hpv' was found, said the letter (I think this was the first time the NHS where I am test for hpv specifically).

I hate to be so blunt. It's a part of my life I hoped to leave behind. However I am scared and worried with these throat issues.

Also there is the issue of how the hell do I explain things to the consultant when I (finally) get to see them..

Luckily this is somewhere you can be open and honest and get it off your chest.

Pls be open with the consultant. I really think you should be.

I hope it’s nothing that can’t be sorted easily. Must be horrible feeling in limbo x

@snales

🤚🏼freshly washed, lovely & dry & moisturised... just for you.

just explain it to the consultant as you have here. The truth is important & they shouldn't judge, but even if they do, do what?? I know a top ranking oncologist (overseas unfortunately) who funded her student years as an 'escort'. 💁🏻‍♀️

I hope it's the least serious thing it could possibly be! 🤚🏼

I'm sure you've been Googling lots, but this article might help give you some reassurance whilst you wait. It's much less common in women, and the cure rate for all stages is very high

Wishing you speedy answers.

If it gets cancelled again then can you afford to go private for an initial appointment?

I had constant swollen lymph nodes for months, with a few other symptoms and scary blood test results. That was 6 years ago, it was all clear in the end, and went back to normal after about a year- but I really stressed myself out with worry!

@Autumnmoonshines Thanks for your reply. Yes it is difficult to be open and honest. I got into that lifestyle when I didn't have enough money to get by, and it took me a while to get out of. I don't even think the risks were known then.
Either way, it could be nothing to do with that, but somehow I do need to tell them the additional risk factor.
It does feel like limbo. There is definitely something going on, I just hope it is benign.

@SkylightSkylight Thanks. Yes I agree the truth is important and it is a risk factor, so I will tell them.

@Twinklenoseblows Thank you. I have read about it being less common in women, and also the cure rate seems way better than some other forms of cancer. I suppose I'm just worried because I have let it get to 2 years and now very recently the tiredness and lymph node swelling. I have been very much head-in-the-sand about it.

@Angelofthenortheast That sounds scary for you, I am so glad everything was okay. I cannot afford to pay privately. I will be complaining if I have my appointment rescheduled yet again, after waiting 18 months to see consultant about this.

Sorry you are so worried OP as an aside you have been worrying for 2 years now, that’s a long time for constant low level stress, it can really affect your immune system so that could be playing a part in your symptoms. As for telling the consultant just keep it brief and factual as you have here.

He just said its common and wasn't swollen enough to be a concern. My gp did ent referal stating one enlarged tonsil. He did a standard referal but the hospital picked up it shoukd be fast track and called me. Ask you gp for referal and tell them that nhs guidelines are clear for that it shoukd be fast track.