I'm new here and am looking for information. First of all, I've already got a referral to an ENT specialist, but I have to wait one month and that worries me!

I'm 37, female, lifelong non-smoker, very moderate drinker (one glass of wine or less per day), excellent oral hygiene and few health problems. Tonsillectomy (palatine and pharyngeal) at age 6, no complications. Mild seasonal and animal dander allergies.

Three months ago I had a strange episode of nausea and chills, like the flu but without any fever (at least when I checked it). Right after that I started feeling a tickle in my throat and developed a dry cough. When I looked in my throat I saw something like a pimple on my soft palate. (Pink swelling with yellow center)

The cough lasted a month without any other obvious symptoms. I had two GPs look at my throat and they both said, "It's a virus, give it time." I waited it out and the cough did gradually go away.

It's now been at least six weeks since I stopped coughing but the swelling in my throat is still there. Over time it has lost the yellow center and is now pink and smooth and soft but fixed (slightly smaller than 1 cm?). It looks very much like the "accessory tonsils" I've seen on some website pictures, except it is closer to the tonsillar pillar and not by the base of the uvula. Of course I am worried that it will turn out to be something else instead, so I am going to see the ENT.

My questions:

1. Do tonsillectomized people get accessory tonsils more often? Why and how do these tonsillar structures develop? Do they shrink over time?

2. What procedures should I expect and demand when I see the ENT? Is it possible to recognize a benign growth without testing or should I ask for testing, and if so, what kind?

Thanks to anyone who can share advice, information and experience! The anxiety is almost too much to bear.

Zora

I am posting a followup to my previous message in case anyone else happens across this thread and finds it useful.

After nearly going crazy with worry about the worst possibilities, I went to the ENT clinic and pushed for an earlier appointment. They were gracious enough to squeeze me in yesterday afternoon.

After a thorough exam the doctor felt that he could definitively say that my soft palate lump is hyperplastic lymphoid tissue, i.e., a tonsil regrowth. He found nothing else wrong with me and told me I could stop worrying.

Of course I feel very relieved today, but I still have lingering questions. Why would this regrowth happen now (31 years after I had a tonsillectomy)? Should I still have insisted on a FNA or biopsy? (He felt pretty confident and I trust him because he's the expert, but one always has doubts and fears.)

And of course I definitely encourage any of you that are having problems without a definitive medical answer to keep probing at the issue until you get an answer--don't be afraid of looking silly or making a big deal out of nothing. Your health and peace of mind are worth it!

Zora, I just saw your post - it's great you followed up with another post. It's a shame that a lot of people seem to explain their symptoms, ask a few questiosn get some replies and then don't give any idea of outcome.

I think that's a shame since other people searching this forum might find a post with the same symptoms they have and then see the thread just ends.

A followup post could help others so much.

Good to hear you are OK.

CC