Health problems, cancer? Please help.

[jeremybailey]

Hi,

I understand that this may not be the right place to put this but I'd really like some views.

I'm 18, male and suffer from depression and more so intense anxiety, so much so that sometimes all I want to do is go to sleep to get away from it all.

I must admit I panic about everything concerning my health however I don't tend to panic about other things like jumping off big cliffs into water etc.

About 4 weeks ago I came over very dizzy, disorientated, sick, flushed face and generally not very good, this then lead to a bad stomach that lasted a good 10 days which went away but left me with a sore throat which lasted another good 10 days. It had almost gone now, still some pain in throat and occasional coughing etc.

Here is what I am most concerned about though, before that happened I was eating tea one night and felt my left tonsil become inflamed, happened very quickly. Went to dr's, he thought it was nothing to worry about, ran a blood test, all fine. I ignored this for the period of illness stated above but now I have felt it come back again, however it may not have gone away at all.

My tonsil has now got some small whitey/yellowy marks on it, is enlarged compared to the other and the lymph node in my jawline below my left tonsil seems to be larger than the one on the right of my face.

My question is: could this be related to my recent unwellness (is that a word?) or could it be a sign of something more serious, e.g. tonsil cancer? I am going to try to get a dr's apt for this monday coming but i'd still like to know your opinions. I also have a dull, constant headache which is at the front of my head, above my eyes on both sides. I feel as if i'm slightly removed from reality, i have to hold on to a banister if standing above a drop etc. I have also become very sensitive to light.

THANKS A LOT!

I have also attached a picture, tonsil in question circled in red. Note the difference between the two.

Jeremy.

[lou60]

You should most definitely seek further advice from your GP, from what you say you have become very rundown, also mention to the Doctor your anxiety you can get help to deal with this please do this you can't do it alone and nor should you try to. Wishing you all the best. Lou

[amateurwriter]

I went through a similar experience one of my lymph nodes on my right hand side of my neck was swollen to the point where people could physically see the lump, as soon as I noticed it myself I booked an appointment to see my GP because I thought the same as you do, I thought it was cancer it wasn't it was because I was anemic and a little bit under the weather,

I'd do what lou has suggested and book an appointment to see your GP to get it checked out they will be able to run any necessary tests and exams that you may need, I hope it comes out that it's just a simple virus and it goes down,

Take care,

Siobhan x

[Hidden]

All looks ok although you may have had an infection of the throat sometimes the tonsils and adeniods can become infected and generally the doctor may be reluctant to take the tonsils out. So if you are concerned have another word with Him Generally infections like that lasts for about two weeks.

[McCord]

Hi Jeremy, I'd definitely go to the doc. Do tell him about the anxiety as well as you can get some help with this. There's no need to have to suffer with it. All the best

[Hidden]

Tonsils are the throats policemen, there to keep the problems of bacteria and viruses from getting any further.The fact that your is swollen is, in a strange way good, as it means your immune system is busy fighting of the general bugs that are about especially in the winter months. Tonsils get larger when they do there job, yours only looks mildly swollen. As other members have suggested, you sound run down, gargling with salty water will help your throat, take over the counter pain relief if you need it, if it has not cleared up in 2 weeks go back to your G.P and tell him what you have been doing to help yourself, eat well, drink plenty of fluids, not alcohol ! and get a good 7-8 hours sleep a night. Most of all, gets some help with your anxiety, it is very hard to take any advice from anyone when your are in a constantly anxious state, it won't go away on it's own and can come to dominate your every thought. Anxiety is a very real problem, you can't just shake it off, or pull yourself together, you need professional help. You are much too young to live like this.

[angelrobert]

Just go to visit you GP and tell him all about your condition as well as the anxiety.