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Swollen tonsil on right side

I'm a bit concerned by my swollen tonsil on my right side that I've had for more than three months now.   I've also recently been treated for a sinus infection that lasted about 2 weeks (given two series of Azthromycin) which seemed to knock the sinus thing back, but over the past three days the tonsil has become a bit more prominant, and it's starting to hurt a bit when I swallow.  Within this time period, I've also seen two ENT's regarding a small, clear bump that I have on the right hand side (back quite a bit) of my tongue.  Both doctors said it was benign and likley a wart (papilloma).

I also briefly had some swelling in my right side ear (during the sinus infection) that has also since gone down with the antibiotics, but I can still feel something in my ear (probably slow drainage), but this is getting better every day.

Can drainage from an ear infection cause my tonsil to swell up and become painfull?
16 Responses
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Avatar universal
I came to this site yesterday and found many helpful tips here so I wanted to follow up with a treatment regiment that really worked for me!  

I'd had a slight pain when swallowing for 4 or 5 days.  Yesterday it was extremely painful, so I realized it was probably not going away on its own.  Got a flashlight and checked the back of my throat: no spots (no strep) but one very big swollen tonsil.  No doubt part of a Q-tip injury where I think I aggravated my ear and started a small infection (I know I shouldn't but it feels so good sometimes!!)

Started out by taking Advil (2 tabs..500mg?) and gargling with salt water.   Then took 1000mg of Vitamin C.  Taking a antihistamine to dry up the nasal drip helped a lot (I took a Aller-clear, like Claritin, thinking the nasal drip might be related to allergies.)  Rested all day and tried spitting into a cup to avoid swallowing.  Drank a veg/fruit juice with lots of Vit C.  Kept gargling with salt water all day and keeping mouth clean.  Took second round of Vit C capsule and Advil.  Woke up today and it is like 85% better!!  
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Avatar universal
I started several months ago with a little tremor on my upper lip. . at time it causes what appear to be a numbness and now is on my tongue. My tongue feel like sand paper at times. I have this post nasal trip at it sets off this numbness etc. I have been to neurologist, Chiropractors, and now my ear nose throat doctors, They all say it's nothing to be concerned about, it will go away  Is this true? When I eat there are times when my tongue feels swollen or little pimples appear. On my top lip also.
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Avatar universal
hello. i would like to ask about having pain in my right tonsil. it is not sore but i think it is swollen. im having difficulty to swallow because whenever i do, i can feel the pain. also, ive been having tonsil crypt on my right tonsil and im the one who gets rid of it. i would like to know what i'll do and if i should see a doctor for this. thankyou very much!
God bless you!
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1 Comments
I have the same thing I am 12 do you know how to get rid of it in the uk? Should I go to the doctor? I am really scared please help me
1148761 tn?1261934994
hey someone pls reply for my querry .
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1148761 tn?1261934994
when i exercise,my tonsils swell,and if i dont exercise for a day or two,they become normal.what is this?any medical condition?or it happens to everybody doing weights?
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Avatar universal
I will pray for all of you, but I tell you even though you don't have insurance , the pain and agony of going through everything makes you wonder if you should go hock what you can, search for financial help or whatever, i am going through some terrible pain, and what is money if i have to suffer?  i think i have sinusitus and or cluster headaches, i asked the men of my church to pray over me and i know i will get an answer from God, this may be a thorn in my side, i don't know, but i am currently going to a doctor to see if he can help, if i don't get better, i pray for the Lord to help me endure it. Prayers to you all.
ms mildred
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Avatar universal
Sorry I forgot to say I thought about getting an endoscopy but I dont have insurance and it is really expensive. All doctors didn't see anything with dental mirrors.
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Avatar universal
I had my tonsils out in 2001 and ever since, I have had a need to constantly clear my throat. I have a moderate amount of phlegm (but isn't there a constant posterior drip of nasal fluids?). I have seen so many doctors who don't know anything. I have been told it was everything from acid reflux to psychosomatic. I tried a GERD diet and Prilosec and etc GERD drugs I never had this problem before and I don't have the acid taste in my mouth. I didn't have any stressful emotional events in that time and I am not afraid to speak and don't have something I want to say but can't. Nothing to date has helped. I am currently thinking of two different causes at this point 1) I went to a Chinese Herboligist and he said that it is a viral caused inflammation of my esophagus (faucitis) and he gave me "Qing Yan Li Ge Tang" Arctium Combination. (but isn't inflammation of the esophagus the same as GERD? or are there other types) 2) a few days after my surgery in 2001, I woke up in the early morning and found to be choking on blood. I went to the emergency room and they used nitric acid cauterization swabs to stop the bleeding in my throat. I think that this could've caused scar tissue which is vibrating and irritating my throat (I clear less when I am home alone silent and before eating vs. out and talking and moving. Plus it is really bad when I exercise). What do you think? Have you ever heard of this?
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Avatar universal
I have the same issue..of having my left tonsil larger than my right. Also the upper part on the palate area there is more tissue. I have gone to three different ENT's and they said it looked normal. Although one ENT said that yes the upper part there was some tissue but they all seemed unconcerned. Sometime I will feel pressure on that side and I am not sure if it is because it is connected to that sinus.I will also at times feel pressure at the eye on the same side. I also have what seems to be acid reflux (although I do not eat spicey foods) and burning throat and chest cough.  This has all been going on for 4 months and like everyone else just wanted to have my healthy self back. I also have a deviated septum on my right side so I cannot smell or breath well from that side.

I would also like to know what a normal adult tonsil looks like and if it is normal to have one different than the other. One of the ENT's said yes it was "asymetrical" but again unconcerned.

Sometimes Dr.'s don't listen but just prescribe medication.
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2 Comments
I seem to have complaints that are a complete replica of what you described. This has been going on for a few years and I have noticed that it gets worse in the evening and at night. Also, when I I'm out and about talking to people, it constrains the flow of speech and sometimes I jest feel like I do not want to talk. Mine is on the right side though and I have a deviated septum. The constant pressure on the tonsil, excessive tissue on palate and discomfort that radiates to right eye is bothersome. I also suffer from excessive fatigue. Did you get better, and if so, what got you better? Thank you.
I seem to have complaints that are a complete replica of what you described. This has been going on for a few years and I have noticed that it gets worse in the evening and at night. Also, when I I'm out and about talking to people, it constrains the flow of speech and sometimes I jest feel like I do not want to talk. Mine is on the right side though and I have a deviated septum. The constant pressure on the tonsil, excessive tissue on palate and discomfort that radiates to right eye is bothersome. I also suffer from excessive fatigue. Did you get better, and if so, what got you better? Thank you.
Avatar universal
me  too,  i have what appears to a swollen left tonsil.  it protrudes out beyond the pillar about an inch and appears engorged.  although,my right tonsil is barely visible (if retract my tongue it seems somewhat similar in size to my left, but not as swollen-like.  the left tonsil, as i said appears, engorged, shiny, has surface stuff (creavaces, small clear blisters) on it and easily visible.  the tissue looks the same color on both, pinkish/white. ive been to my gp and he said it was swollen from infection, viral probably. i do have other symptoms a fullness to my left ear and constant need to clear the throat. no fever

my questions are
what does a normal adult tonsil appear like and ?  
and can a healthy adult have one tonsil larger or appear to be larger than the other
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1 Comments
i have the same symptoms as you have, what happened to your tonsils now?
Avatar universal
it sounds like  have the same problem, im worried sick mine on the left side what can i do its been like this for 5weeks now doctor said is a cysts
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242516 tn?1368223905
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
it can take a loooong time.  many weeks, to months.
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Avatar universal
Thanks for the coments Dr. Choi.    How long should it take for the tonsil to return to it's normal size?  I've never had tonsil swelling last this long.

Thanks again for any insite that you can provide.

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242516 tn?1368223905
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
if you had 2 courses of zpack that's reassuring that the infection should be gone

post-nasal drip can cause the lymph tissue (tonsils being lymph tissue) to swell and be painful

help3 is right, steroids help a lot
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Avatar universal
Thank you very much for your reply, and have a great Christmas!!
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364841 tn?1198214359
sounds logical. but your ear and nose and throat are all connected. so most likely whatever infection you had, has spread to all of those spots. tonsils will go down last because mouths are so dirty and agitated so often.   if it doesnt go down have your doctor give you an rx of corticosteroids! they work wonders, trust me.....ive been where you are many times     rawn
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