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Hi Everyone!
I was told by an ENT, after YEARS of having chronic cryptic tonsillitis, (or those white smelly stones, as people have put it), that either I have to constantly use a water pik or have my tonsils removed. I am tired of these things and I think I am leaning towards removal, but I hear for an adult that it is very painful. If anyone has had this surgery, would you mind, please, sharing your experience? This whole thing is making me crazy! :dizzy:
Thank You!
Christine :cool:

Hi, Chris! I recommend reading the "tonsil stone" page, as well as the "tonsillectomy" page (you may have to go back in history a bit for that thread). There's already LOTS of info on those pages on the procedure, and that's how I learned what I needed to know to make my decision (I did have the little buggers out, by the way, and very glad I did). Good luck to you!

Chris, I was 21 when I had my tonsils out and Am so glad I did up to that point it was constant drainage from my tonsils and infections there was a bit of pain with them coming out at that age but it really wasnt any worse than the constant infections get them out you will be glad you did and by the way sherbet is far better than ice cream afterwards or popsicles.

Hi, I am 35 and had my tonsils out a month ago today. I didn't really have a choice about it--I had a cysts that they had to check out--it is a tough 2 weeks but you'll be glad you did it. I will be happy to answer any questions you post. Good Luck and read thru the history for more good info!

NotHappy is happy again.

I had mine out on my 21st birthday, which didn't make for a great time, but I'm glad it got done. After the surgery I couldn't swallow ice cream or any frozen stuff. I did better with jello and lukewarm pasta or mashed potatoes. The best part was I lost almost 15 lbs. in two weeks :) and it hurt some, but not as bad as I thought.

Hi, Chris! I recommend reading the "tonsil stone" page, as well as the "tonsillectomy" page (you may have to go back in history a bit for that thread). There's already LOTS of info on those pages on the procedure, and that's how I learned what I needed to know to make my decision (I did have the little buggers out, by the way, and very glad I did). Good luck to you!
Thank You, Midlifewife!! I apprecciate your well wishes! :angel:
~Chris

Chris, I was 21 when I had my tonsils out and Am so glad I did up to that point it was constant drainage from my tonsils and infections there was a bit of pain with them coming out at that age but it really wasnt any worse than the constant infections get them out you will be glad you did and by the way sherbet is far better than ice cream afterwards or popsicles.
Thank you, Delrae! I hear the sherbet is better, too.
~Chris

Hi, I am 35 and had my tonsils out a month ago today. I didn't really have a choice about it--I had a cysts that they had to check out--it is a tough 2 weeks but you'll be glad you did it. I will be happy to answer any questions you post. Good Luck and read thru the history for more good info!

NotHappy is happy again.
Hey NotHappy!! I, too, am 35 years old and I am really worried about the pain that does come with this surgery. What were you able to eat afterwards and will it be hard to swallow medication? I am on daily meds and can't skip them, but will I be able to swallow the pills?
Ooooh, I just can't wait to just get this over with!
Thanks for the luck & letting me ask you questions!
~Christine :jester:

I had mine out on my 21st birthday, which didn't make for a great time, but I'm glad it got done. After the surgery I couldn't swallow ice cream or any frozen stuff. I did better with jello and lukewarm pasta or mashed potatoes. The best part was I lost almost 15 lbs. in two weeks :) and it hurt some, but not as bad as I thought.
Thanks, Maggie!! I hope I don't have a lot of pain as I am expecting, too! And I also hope I lose weight, too! I can stand to lose a few pounds!! LOL! ;)
Thanks for your input!
~Chris

Hi Christine: No doubt, there is a lot of pain with this, but there is lots you can do to help it. I take daily meds too--only 2 smaller pills--the first couple of days I stuck them in a glob of sherbert and just swallowed it. That was easier than with just liquid. I also take a packet of vitamins daily and just skipped those for about 4 days. My pain medication for the tonsils was a liquid so that wasn't a problem at all. The first couple days I only ate: sherbert, LOTS OF LIQUIDS (no citrus), my hubby made me grape gatorade slushies in the blender which for some reason tasted really good, mashed potatoes (watch spicy gravy), mac & cheese cooked really mushy, scrambled eggs, canned pears (nothing citrusy), applesauce and jello. After about day 4-5 I gradually added things as I felt adventerous. You'll find that you try stuff and it won't go down well and you'll decide the mashed potatoes aren't so bad. I also spent a lot of time with a fabric ice pack (the hospital gave it to me--courtesy of my insurance company) tied to my neck. Really helped with the pain. Stay on top of the pain, going without your pain med will get you nowhere. Hope this helps!
Mary

PS-I do lose about 9 pounds in 5 days, however it is all back now (which is fine with me)! :-)

I just wanted to say how much I love this site. You guys and gals are the greatest!!

I am scheduling my tonsillectomy for January. I have had it with those annoying tonsil stones. I have tried other possible soluitons, but nothing seems to do the trick!!

Thank you all for sharing your experiences. I have an idea for a shopping list and what to expect!!!

Amy

Hello people, I'm 26 years young.

I'm brand new to this site and wanted to share my experience and ask if you can give me any help. I've had a long going situation and finally a new doctor told me it was my tonsils and they need to come out.

So I just did the tonsil surgory last week Tuesday. Now so far I'm at day 8 or 9. Now the pain is pretty much gone. The liquid pain killer the doctor prescribed for me really helped and I'm already off that. But my problem now is that entire time, I have not been able to eat any food, maybe 4 sips of soup and 3 spoonfuls of mash potato and thats it. I'm even having problems with liquids. If I try to drink water, I can maybe get the first sips down and then it feels like my throat closes up and the water goes up my sinuses. I gag and usually throw up. Its even worse with food. I've tried apple sauce, mash potatoes, yogurt, ice cream, chicken soup broath only, soft scrambled eggs, soft chicken and same issue. Becauses I'm swallowing and gagging so much, the only thing that make my stomach settle down is carbonated soda.

Now I know thats BAD but like I said, the pain is gone and it really settles my stomach. Part of the issue also is there is alot of mucus forming in my mouth and it feels disgusting. The doctor says I usually swallow that but because I'm not really swallowing, it builds up.

I have had 2 follow up visits and the doctor just says keep trying keep trying. I'm trying so hard its actually starting to make my throat hurt again. I've lost so much weight and people say I look like a different person. I can't miss that many more days from work.

I really don't know what to do and I'm thinking I should just go to the hospital. Is there any tips any of you can give me ? I just feel so frustrated because the doctor is making me feel like I'm not trying hard enough but I'm doing everything he's told me to do.

Ahhh.. the nasal regurgitation. Been there myself in Oct 2006. So has my son just in May 2006 four months before my experience.

Many times in the case of REALY large tonsils, when they are removed the uvula and soft pallet must work to learn to seal of the nasal passages during the swallowing process. My son thoat shooting water out of his nose was fun.. I ended up with a lot of stuff up there that was not good for my healing sinus cavities..

What to do?

Well there are some tips that may help.. but know gaurantees.

1) First swallow as often as possible.. each time you swallow your a performing physical therapy for your uvula.

2) Chew gum.. this will help with the soar jaw muscles if you have hit that stage, the ear pain and generate spit to swallow.

3) Take small bites of food chew well and wash down with water or some other fluid.

4) Position when eating is important. If you are leaning forward or bending over a water fountain persay.. the chance go up dramatically that you are going to fill your sinuses versus your stomach.

My son (4+ now) finally has lost the ability to shoot water out of his nose after drinking out of the water fountain, praise be.

Maybe some of the tips will help you. I know you are weak, miserable and thoroughly in the get over it already stage. You will. Day ten seemed to be the day things made a dramatic turn around for me..

Best Wishes.
MG