That happened to me last year, it got so bad I could not talk or hardly swallow so I went to the emergency room and they said they were treating me for strep throat. They gave me two shots in the hip and put me on antibiotics.

gargle with salt water as hot as you can stand it

I was my tonsils removed when I was 16, best thing that ever happened to me... I had the same problem... Nothing seemed to work no matter what my doctor did.. You'll be better off getting them removed.. I actually didn't have any problems with pain after the first day, once they were removed I will admit I was in major pain. Come the next day and for a few weeks just avoid anything with tomatoes, anything with acid mainly esp. orange juice... Stay away from Chicken Noodle soup, sounds nasty but it will get caught in the holes and you'll gag... Just a word of warning LOL I hope all goes well for you.. :)