Sore throat right side and enlarged right lingual tonsil for a year

Posted , 65 users are following.

im really out of my mind and stressed about my situation.

im 32 yr old male, smoking for 14 years but light smoker for the past 9 years (5 cig a day)

anyway its all started a year ago with numb throat pain on my right side. i thought its something viral that will go away and after arround 2-3 months it did ease abit but never went away, 3 months ago the pain started to intensify only this time i started to feel pain in right side of the tongue along with the right sore throat but i couldnt see anything suspicious, a month ago i have pulled my tongue out and saw a lump, deep on the right side, i went to my gp wich was very concerd about it and send me to a mouth specialist, while waiting for my appointment to the specialist i went to th ent wich saw it and gave my antibiotic and cream for the lump and sended me to urgent us scan of thyroid..

couple days later i went to the mouth specialist wich said its not likely to be cancerous and identified the lump as an enlarged "lingual tonsil" but with not special pathology. she told me that she though that i have acid reflux as she saw traces in my throat and also told me to not take the antibiotics that the ent gave me as it wownt help for the lump. she also thought she feel some enlarged lymph node in my neck so  she sended me to do a us neck scan and continue the check with endoscopy from ent and also a gastro specialist to make endoscopy to see if there gerd problem and prescribed nexium. meanwhile 2 weeks passed and the nexium has no effect , the pain is still there in my right side throat and also back in my right side tongue. i had a neck ultrasound a week ago  wich said no evidence of enlarged lymph nodes wich is so weird as i fill like my neck is swallen, tight. i should have an ent appointment this week but im suffering so much i have no idea what to do next.  i feel alone in this as i have found anyone on the internet with same problem as mine, i searched many places but couldnt find a similar person with same symptoms and im out of my mind for what this could be. im very concernd about cancer as this started a year ago. also im almost sure that my throat pain is related to the tongue pain from the enlarged lingual tonsil.

please if anyone can advise or help me or have any similar symptoms please reply my thread and share, im desperate this ruining my life and i dont know what to do anymore or whats going on.

1 like, 167 replies

167 Replies

Prev Next
  • Posted

    the lingual tonisls are what is left after you have your tonsils removed.

    ?they are each side and cannot be seen really by a gp. and only by an endoscope by ENT. the pattern shown on the screen is what shows if it is Chronic lingual tonsillitis.

    ?I have been having this everytime i get sick for a few years.

    ?the Second ENT also mentioned to look at allergies  and immune building .. i saw a naturopath, but nothing changed.. it is clearly related to bacteria as i responded to the penicillan so quickly. stronger dose for longer period.

    ?i had a friend who had tonsillitis for ages and she was in hospital a few times they said. was not infectious tonsiilitis. HOW WOULD THEY7 KNOW ?

    ?eventually they iv'd the antibiotics. i think she went back 6 times. they gave her pain relief. they said they were huge. she responded to antibiotics really quickly.

    ?they also mentioned something about having smaller.. passages or something.

    ?i have small ear holes and small nasal passages, the scope wont go down one.

    ?i was already on Tramadol and it did nothing for the pain.  that is how p ainful it is.

    ?always go back .. or get second opinion. dont diagnose yourself. You need to see a specialist.

    on the scan. it shows as a wavy pattern. to be lingual tonsillitis.

    ?blood tests would indicate if it was bactheria or pus on tonsils. for tonsilitis.

    ?but even theni thin they get it wrong.

    ?CLT is rare.

    • Posted

      well then i guess we have mixed things here, because as far as i understood the lingual tonsils are the bumps you have in the back of you tounge, they are deep in the back and you also have then on both left and right side of your tongue, ive added a photo for the post so you can see what i mean

      if you see here you can see what im refering to as lingual tonsils. 

      those on the right side of the tongue giving me hard time + also in the throat same side. 

      im really in deep anxiety as i have no clue what going on. ive been allready to 3 ent (last one a month ago + endoscopy), been to a mouth specialist couple months ago. had ultrasound test to my neck and nothing. only thing i got from all those tests are that i have redness in my lining throat and inflamed lingual tonsils (tongue)

      now i need to see gastro to rule gerd wich im almost possitive has nothing to do with my condition. i realy dont understand whats going on and what else should i do. i had other medical problems not related to mouth throat issues wich im starting to question whether all those things have common cause. i wish someone could guide me step by step who to talk to, what tests to ask for, im really down on my knees to solve this or know whats going on.

    • Posted

      Jordan you are right. The lingual tonsils are on the back of the tongue. Have you asked for a possible needle aspiration/biopsy? To see what's causing the inflammation.

      I'm not sure what you're talking about Rhonda. When the palatine tonsils are removed they are not called the lingual tonsils. Palatine and lingual tonsils are in two different locations and are different sets of lymph nodes.

      Keeping you in my thoughts Jordan. Please check back soon.. I am having a tonsillectomy in 3 weeks to biopsy the tissue. I will be sure to update.

    • Posted

      thanks alot melissa for your input and reply i really appriciate it. i have made a new appointment to the ent wich is only on the 1st of feb, i will try to get a an appointment before that though. regarding your condition when you say your going for a tonsillectomy  that means you will get your tonsils removed right? can i ask if you also have pain the lingual tonsils and what is your condition? what is your problem/pains?

      again thank you in advance

    • Posted

      Yes, tonsillecty is surgical removal of tonsils sad

      Current symptoms are R sided throat and neck pain, R sided palatine tonsil swelling, R sided back of tongue swollen and red (looks like its cut and keeps rubbing against my molars in the back of my mouth), jaw discomfort, feeling of lump in throat, and occasional R sided ear pain.

      Lots if luck.. Keep us posted.

    • Posted

      im sorry to hear that your in pain, i can feel you and know how much it can be frustrating to suffer for long period of time. im happy though to hear that you have progress and getting it checked. please keep me and others updated 

      my heart with you and wishing you all the best and just to feel healthy again

  • Posted

    YES you are right they are at the back.  but usually one sided is referring to the part where tonsils were.  i have seen mine. so i know what they look like.

    ​only once did i have one sided.

    ​i have suffered pain for ages with both sides. and doctors saying there is nothing wrong with your throat.  and then going to ENT 1. who said GERD

    ​no response to medication. and as it comes on with a cold. ( which can also cause Gerd but lasts for months ) no 2 ENT from same practice - diagnosed Chronic lingual tonsillitis.  He said it is what is left when you have your tonsils removed.

    ​i dont know what the back bit is. 

    ​but an ENT can biopsy them or see from picture if it is cancer or not.

    ​it is very painful. i dont think Doctors realize how painful it is.and when it goes on for a long time.

    ​of course ENT suggested allergies. smoking. etc.  but its starts post viral illness.

    ​and then said. he has two other ppl with it.  who like me have auto immune disease. my immune system is compromised.

    ​my GP read the guidelines that said to have them removed. i have a referral to go back. but i want to see it happen one more time before i go down that path.,

    ​as having tonsiis removed.

    ​my other GP was an ENT in Poland was better at being able to see it, but neither doctors had heard of it.

    ​THe second ENT said .. the first younger ENT has probably never seen a case of it. so must not be taught at medical school. where as tonsilitis is pretty well covered.

    however the ENT who is a surgeon never mentioned surgery.

    ​BUT YEST YOU ARE RIGHT. i was going to mention the bit at the back but this was about one sided CLT  and it is not tonsillitis. it is different. but usually only in people who have tonsils out. 

    ​it is .. i cant think of the word but.....  tissue..? ...matter...

    is that ENT online DR Park. ?? he mentions it. (usa )

    ​it also affects my voice. when they are both sore and red. and painful and inflamed.

  • Posted

    if you google dr Steven park ENT.  you will find his page. he has a free book and some you can buy online. i have not read them all

    ​but to the question can tonsils grow back. yes. a bit.  he says Lingual tonsils.

    ​anyway he mentions them as a reason for snoring, which is something else i looked at . having lazer surgery but that was many years ago, and i dont know if it is related to lingual tonsilitis at all.

    ​i have sinus infections that would take longer to get over a cold. 8 weeks even.

    ​i also have PND.

    ​and RLS.  and really bad snoring.  deviated septum .. surgery 1 has not worked.

    ​really tiny nasal passages and ear canals.

    ​bit at the moment i am free from CLT and i am scared of it coming again with another virus.   the pain every day for months is just awful.

    ​i always said it was past my normal places for sore throats..

     

    • Posted

      i feel you rhonda and i hope you feel better and get your pain sorted asap. i assume your refering clt as to Hashimoto syndrom. i really hope you feel better and please update with your further tests and feelings.

      thank you for posting and refering me and others to all this information you have shared.

  • Posted

    Update (14t jan 2017)

    so i havent been to another checkup yet but what ive found while invetigating with a torch at my right side of the tongue at the lingual tonsils today was that ive found a specific painful tiny white dot just 1 milimeter next to one of the lingual tonsils on the side of the tongue. i can describe this tiny dot barely visible to the naked eye and would not have seen this without proper light. ive found that spot while i ran my nail over those lingual tonsils and when touched right at that spot it was painfull, thats when ive looked closely and saw that tiny white dot.

    i can describe this dot like the ones you will sometimes get on the tip of the tongue sometimes and usualy it heals within 2-3 days. i will also note that i have been sick for the last week as i caught some kind of a cold (fever, nasal, sore throat), my cold is almost over but the pain in my right throat is still there as usual. i will also add that 3 days ago ive devoped another 2 tiny white painfull dots on my tip of my tongue but they are in healing process as they are much better  now and less painfull but the one on my lingual tonsils is still there. im not sure whether this tiny painfull dot on my lingual tonsil cause my pain and been there all the time or its just something related to the cold i had this past week.

     

    • Posted

      Hi Jordan,

      Have you done some research about food intolerance? I have similar symptoms only throat pain on right side of my throad for nearly a year. All exams came clear so far (gastroscopy, barium swallow, x ray) going to do a neck scan next week. I am starting to consider food intolerance (not food allergy) or something like that.

  • Posted

    Hi Jordan,

    I am also having the exact same problem from June 2016. I have seen around 6 different WANT and 3 GP, bug of no use; but with time intensity of pain reduced.

    I used to smoke and problem started when I quit smoking and then again tried it some times.

    All EnT said there is nothing to worry it is only congestion / redness.

    2 weeks back I met with another ENT he, he prescribed me anatacid liquid and tablets (he thought it is due to acid reflux) it solved problem for around 3/4 days, without pain) then again slowly pain started:-(.

    Please keep me posted if you find any solution, I am tired with this problem and wanted to get rid of this problem.

    There is also some etching in the neck on right side ( the place near to thyroid ), do you also have this issue!?

  • Posted

    Here's by update. Hope it is useful to someone. After my PET showed clear they still wanted to do a biopsy as one sided throat pain is suspicious. They removed my left tonsil and left lingual tonsil (base of tongue) for biopsy and tested for hpv (main cause of throat cancer in younger people). Thankfully they both came back negative. Apparently one sided pain and swelling does sometimes just happen. However I would say always push for a biopsy as it is the only definitive way of knowing. 

    • Posted

      Georgina,

      Thank you for the update. So happy to hear it was not the "C" word. What a relief.

      Scheduled for a tonsillectomy (palatine, not lingual- doctor doesn't seem concerned with the lingual and I don't know why) on February 8th. Will post after I get the results.

      Melissa

    • Posted

      Hi Meilssa

      Best of luck for the 8th. My recovery wasn't nearly as bad as I had expected.

      Unfortunately all my symptoms have come back post tonsillectomry so I'm going to have pursue another ENT appointment. I wish he had removed the right side also and had taken multiple biopsies from various locations of the oropharynx. I would advise you to ask for this, it just removes any niggling doubt afterwards.

      Georgina

    • Posted

      I'm having both sides removed.. I'm so sorry to hear that your symptoms are back. That is my worst nightmare at this point- to go through with this surgery only to have the symptoms return.

      I will be back when results are in.. thank you Georgina. Keep us posted on your progress as well.

    • Posted

      Hi friends...had my tonsils out on Wednesday. They are being sent to pathology to biopsy but the surgeon told my family that when he used a surgical tool to pull my enlarged tonsil out of the bed to electrocautery it out that it oozed with pus. I know that is TMI but I am praying that the biopsy results come back clear and that the infection was deep inside the tonsil. I saw 3 ENTs who told me there was no sign of infection, so just hearing that it oozed with pus makes me so happy and offers me some hope in the situation.
    • Posted

      That's great news! Hoping all clear and that's the end of it.

      My ENT has decided he can do nothing more as all my tests are clear despite the fact all of my symptoms are still present. Now I am seeing a Maxfax surgeon next week for a 2nd opinion.

    • Posted

      Please keep us posted on your progress... I am still healing up from the surgerysad hoping symptoms go away..

    • Posted

      How did the maxfax go? I'm day 18 post op. Biopsy came back normal thank God. And symptoms are slowly returning as I heal. I want to cry. Now I feel like I have something constantly stuck in my throat on the right side. I don't know what to do.

    • Posted

      happy to hear that you biopsy came back normal! how are you feeling now?  
    • Posted

      Can I ask how the biopsy was of the lingual tonsil? I have had an oral surgeon look at it and said it is just lymphatic tissue that is inflammed and will go down with time. I don't like waiting I worry about cancer. Did it hurt alot? Was there a lot of blood? Thank you!

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.