Hi, apologies in advance for the length of this post but I feel that I need to get the whole story across.
Early in March this year I had the flu, I was bedridden for a few days but then the symptoms began to subside within around 10 days. A couple of days after I suffered from a horrendous pain in my throat and my tonsils were huge. I was coughing up yellow solid masses, I had suffered from tonsillitis before but never with symptoms so severe.
I went to see my GP who diagnosed tonsillitis and prescribed a course of phenoxymethylpenicillin. After taking the whole course the symptoms did not clear up at all so I went to a walk in centre who prescribed another antibiotic (begins with a 'c' cannot remember the name), again this had no effect.
I went back to my GP who said that the infection was just lingering and that it would clear up in the near future. Blood tests and a swab test were taken, both of which turned up clear.
I was subsequently referred to an ENT specialist who diagnosed my symptoms as mild subclinical tonsillitis and recommended salt gargles for 4-6 weeks. I was told not to worry and that it may just be down to stress and that it would clear up soon.
Again I did as advised and again the symptoms did not improve even slightly (I have kept up the gargles to this day). I went to my GP in Cornwall (I have recently relocated) as the symptoms appeared to be getting worse. She took another swab and gave me another course of antibiotics. This time the result of the swab came back as abnormal and confirmed the presence of steptococchus. I was advised that the course of phenoxymethylpenicillin should clear this up. I again took the whole course and the symptoms did not clear up but when I went back to my GP another swab was taken which came back normal.
Due to my ongoing symptoms I was referred to an ENT specialist in Cornwall. After examination the ENT specialist stated that this was just an ongoing viral infection that will pass eventually. I wasn't convinced and asked numerous questions regarding what else it could possibly be and whether any other tests should be conducted. The ENT did not seem to listen and maintained that it was just a virus and that sometimes these can last for a while. Blood tests were taken and I am due to see the ENT again on the 29th.
Essentially I am not convinced in the slightest that this is just a viral infection that will go away. I am generally a healthy person and have never been ill for longer than 3/4 weeks. I find it hard to believe that after this long my body will suddenly deal with the infection of it's own accord and it's clear that antibiotics will not solve the problem.
The condition is having a serious effect on my quality of life and although I can make it to work I feel that I am just surviving at the moment as my symptoms together with the fact that there is no sign of me ever recovering means that I am finding it hard to enjoy anything.
I feel that I am being fobbed off time and time again with doctors putting it down to stress and suggesting that I need to boost my immune system. I have done all that has been asked of me and have taken steps to lead a more healthy lifestyle, I now no longer drink and I eat very healthily, I am also resting up whenever I can but the symptoms just do not clear up. After so long I am beginning to get fed up with the lack of progress and it is hard to remain optimistic.
It seems clear to me that I will not recover without some form of intervention, either by way of strong alternative medication or a tonsillectomy. Furthermore there is always the worry that this may be something more serious and I am concerned at the length of time that has passed without an X ray or MRI scan being undertaken. I feel that I have to convince and push the doctors at every turn to take any action.
How long should this go on before a tonsillectomy is considered as an appropriate treatment? Is there anything else I could be doing or anything I could say at my next consultation to spur the specialist into form of action? Are there any suggestions as to what this may be? Should I be worried that it may be something more serious?
So far I have been treated by the NHS, should I consider going private?
Any help or answers would be greatly appreciated.
Here is a list of my symptoms:
Enlarged and swollen tonsils
Yellow pus-like areas on tonsils and throat (sometimes a little blood)
Ongoing tonsilliths (had these before but nowhere near the frequency)
White patch at back of tongue
Difficulty breathing, especially at night, partner says that she has noticed me stop breathing on occasion.
Fatigue (not sure whether this is actually a symptom of the condition of whether mentally I am just fed up with the situation and have no drive as a result.)