Question: I woke up 10 weeks ago with soreness in the below the chin area and feeling like the throat was swelled. Diagnosed as pharyngitis. It didn't go away; became worse, with fatigue, occasionally very ill at night with fever; missed quite a few days of work; jaw and jaw muscles are sore, and general ill feeling. Multiple Dr Appts and blood tests showed negative. A dental x ray showed a small abscess on a front lower tooth; I had a 2 part root canal; regret not having it pulled then; the dentist and oral surgeon say it is healing (still shows plainly on x ray) and is local. My Dr and ENT believed my normal size tonsils were the likely culprit and I had a painful tonsillectomy 10 days ago; still not feeling well (tired, dazed, sore and swelled uvula); in the last few days the canaled tooth has become sensitive (it wasn't before). I keep wondering if the canaled tooth has been the problem all along. Hoping you can give advise?

Hi XXXXXXX or other ENT,
Thank you for the above reply.
Eleven days after the tonsillectomy, my uvula and throat continue to be fairly sore, especially when swallowing. The soreness is less than it was a few days ago. Since the tonsillectomy, I cannot lay on my back, because upon exhaling though the nose, the uvula closes the airway. But the airway is open when I open my mouth; and laying on the side is fine. I do have photos of the back of the throat on my XXXXXXX phone; can text them; can you send a phone number to text to? Does the above sound normal for an adult tonsillectomy?

On the tooth that had the 2nd part of the root canal about 4 weeks ago, I went to my dentist yesterday and had a new x ray taken of that area; dentist said the x ray shows that the area that was abscessed is healing, and that the tooth may be sensitive to tapping for up to 6 months or even a year until it fully heals. I have receded gums, so some of the roots are exposed. The tooth next to it is sensitive to flossing, on the side next to the canaled one; dentist believes that is due to the exposed root. I feel mild pain from that area much of the time, but can't tell if it's from the canaled tooth or the sensitive one next to it. Dentist believes they are fine, and need to finish healing. I am unsure whether the whole problem starting Feb 26 was due to the abscess or pharyngitis, but now that the root canal and tonsillectomy are done, and having the dental check up, am thinking keeping the tooth makes sense. Yesterday I had been wondering if I should consider having it pulled. What do you think?

So the throat and tooth are likely separate now; what do you think?
Again note if you send a text # I can send photos.

Thanks, XXXXXXX