I would have just made a post in the thread that's already up talking about this matter (BUT then not everyone would see that post as that thread is over 100 pages long), asking people to share their symptoms/concerns/problems (so that others can relate and hopefully be helped in finding answers to THEIR problems...like myself ;) ) So, why am I making another thread? Well, for one, I'm not getting any new major posts in my original thread http://www.healthboards.com/boards/showthread.php?t=206951 in regards to my breathing problem. I want to know ALL of the symptoms/problems/concerns, for those of you (or your family members, friends, etc.) who are going to, considering, or have had tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy surgery. The reason why I'm so interested is because I am considering getting my tonsils out. If you go ahead and read that thread I pasted, and the original "Adult Tonsillectomy & Adenoidectomy Surgery" thread, you'll see my posts, on page 99---> http://www.healthboards.com/boards/showthread.php?t=167224&page=99&pp=5 and then 100 as well, you'll see what my situation is.

I'll start it off. My symptoms are:

• Enlarged palatine tonsils; which are the tonsils most commonly removed due to problems
• Constant difficulty breathing through both my nose and mouth, which also leads to fatigue and shortness of breath when exercising and playing sports. This is really where I think I have messed myself up. I think I have often led my doctors to think that I have experience problems breathing ONLY when I'm exercising, which is NOT the case. It is only worse when I'm exercising, because by nature, when one is exercising, they need more air, and if there is some kind of obstruction (tonsils or adenoids possibly) and more air needs to get through, then there is going to be a problem. (Is that a good explanation/way of looking/thinking about it???)
• Mucous buildup in the morning, and throughout the day forms, and often having to spit up mucous throughout the day, especially during the winter.
• WAY too many sore throats and colds, especially during the winter. I'm thinking it could be tonsilsitis, as this next symptom (crypts) are caused by frequent tonsilitis
• Tonsil crypts, I believe due to the tonsilitis, which traps food and debris, and end up looking like little white spots on the (palatine) tonsils
• Constant redness in throat and on tonsils• More fatigued than I have felt in the past, when waking up and throughout the day
• Snoring in my sleep---this is probably caused by the tonsils or the adenoids or a combination of both. Since I'm probably going to be getting another opinion, that will buy me some time to perhaps go and buy a tape recorder, and tape myself sleeping, to CONFIRM that I do indeed SNORE when I sleep.
• Oftentimes, I get a bloody nose in the winter, more than I think I should be getting (I hardly got any of these this winter. I'm kind of surprised. I've hardly spent time outside doing acitivities in the cold though, in fear of getting sick. Because when I get sick, I REALLY get sick, and I'm sick forever it seems)
• No doctor has ever looked at my adenoids. A doctor I saw claimed the only way to look at the adenoids is when they are doing surgery to take out my tonsils, and then they would look at them and determine whether they too need to be taken out. That is not true. They can be looked at with a scope...which is why I don't trust that doctor, and I'm getting another opinion.
• This is a very minor one, but pretty much relates to everything else, with the concern of the tonsils and adenoids. I have noticed more recently, when I'm laughing, just a little laugh...for example..if I'm not talking, and I'm just listening to someone talk, and they say something funny...I'll try to let some air out of my nose real fast and abruptly. I've had this happen..where I try to let the air out of my nose...and it wouldn't come out!!
• Also, I JUST put 2 and 2 together. This may or may not be a significant finding. Okay, if you didnt happen to read any of my other posts, the Dr. I saw a few days ago agreed to take my tonsils out. However, not because she thinks they are causing a breathing problem, but because one is bigger than the other. Here is the thing though. The side that the tonsil is bigger on the right. I also experience more trouble breathing through my RIGHT nostril. I have trouble breathing through BOTH nostrils, but ONCE again, it is through the right nostril that I have more trouble breathing through!
• (NEW) I don't experience a LOT, but every now and then, I'll get a chest pain for apparently no reason. It is pretty sharp too. On a scale from 1-10, when I experience chest pains, I'd say the worse it feels is an 8, and the least unpleasant chest pains I feel are about a 6.


If any of you are still reading this.....I thank you from the bottom of my heart... :bouncing:

Please, go ahead and post your symptoms/problems/concerns/ for the reason I gave above!!!

Sincerely,
Dave J :)

By the the way, I am a young one..only 17..soon to be 18 this month..I notice there are quite a few older people on here, which is good in the sense that they are older and usually more wiser and experienced.

The reason I had my tonsils removed was because I was sick and tired of dealing with those nasty cryptic tonsils and all that gross stuff. Also, I had noticed a correlation between horrible sinus headaches that would knock me for a loop and the next day my tonsils would be even grosser.

My tonsils not only would drain and have tonsil stones coming out of them, but sometimes they would bleed.

I've never snored, but then I don't sleep on my back.

Adenoids weren't an issue for me, it's my understanding that as you get older they shrink; however, I do know of someone who had sleep apnea and snored terribly who had his tonsils AND adenoids removed at the age of 40.

When the ENT removed my tonsils, he said they were very enlarged, very scared and very full of infection -- infection that went very very deep. One tonsil was much larger than the other and therefore the ENT left a bigger hole on that side when he removed the tissue.

That's my story and I wish I'd been brave enough to have had my tonsils out years ago instead of waiting until I turned 34.

i'm posting my account of my coblation tonsillectomy on the 'Adult Tonsillectomy' thread but i figured i'd post reasons why i got the tonsillectomy here....

Reasons I got my Tonsils Out:
-Both larger than they should be according to my doctors
-One almost twice as large as the other
-Very frequent mild sore throats (NOT tonsillitis and NOT strep throat)
-Two ear infections in the same side ear that the large tonsil is on in the past 1.5 years
-Tonsil crypts and stones that constantly accumulated in them
-Occasional bad breath resulting from tonsil stones
-I did not want to deal with removing tonsil stones for the rest of my life or worry about bad breath in a professional work environment
-I snore sometimes and that pisses my girlfriend off.... my ENTs said the tonsils might add to the snoring so it might help that as well
-I heard about this new 'coblation' method that didn't sound as bad as the electrocautery or laser methods so i figured it might not be so bad

i saw two ENTs and both said that most or all of these things would be improved if i got the tonsillectomy. they both said that the stones would definitely not go away unless i did get it. the first ENT warned me that it would be very very painful and lay me out for 10-14 days. she told me to think about it for 6 months and pay attention to all my symptoms then we'd discuss it later. i held out for 3-4 months and noticed that the tonsil stones were always there even though i cleaned them out w/qtips every other day. i asked my girlfriend and roommates if i ever had bad breath. they didn't outright say my breath stunk but they kinda hinted at it. (i needed honest answers and they gave honest answers politely... :D ) i went back to see the original ENT and she again seemed to hesitate on doing the tonsillectomy. she told me about the pain and suffering i'd go through. i asked her about coblation and she said they had one of the instruments at the hospital but that she had yet to use it. she also said that it probably wouldn't be that much different than the traditional method. that wasn't what i had read so i told her that i wanted to think about it more and consult someone who had used coblation on patients already. she told me to go for it.

i did more research on the coblation method. i found a local doctor who has used this method on around 15 patients already and got an appointment. thank god my insurance is pretty good and i can see whomever i want to. i saw her, explained all that i just did above. she took a really good look at everything and said, 'let's take them out. they shouldn't be that big and you shouldn't have to deal with the stones, etc etc' she also explained that i might be laid out for 10-14 days but said that the pain wouldn't be as bad with the coblation method. she also said that she used to use the laser method but found coblation to be even better. she's been in practice for 20+ years apparently and did her residency at one of the best places in the country. who was i to argue w/her?! (i don't want to name schools or hospitals here for privacy's sake)

anyway, a month later i was on the OR table and two days after that, here i am. i don't feel perfect but i'm 100% glad i did it so far. it only hurts a tiny bit when i swallow without anything in my mouth or with just water. soup, applesauce, etc etc all feel fine goind down right now.

good luck w/your decisions!

FYI, I am a 27 year old male. 5'8" and 170 lbs w/a muscular build. don't know how much my account would help someone who is entirely physically different than myself.

Weird...no breathing problems? Maybe it could be my adenoids that are causing my problem instead OR as well. Maybe then, if they are large enough to be causing a problem, the doctor who is scheduled to take my tonsils out, and said "I will determining whether to take your adenoids out when taking your tonsils out." And said that that is the only time she can look at my adenoids...which isn't true.

Anyone know if and how much adenoids can effect breathing if they become too large?

DJ Bucs: [removed]The weird thing about adenoids is that according to my doctor and other websites i've read, they're supposed to atrophy and virtually disappear during puberty. I'm sure you're past that seeing that you are almost 18 now. When I asked my ENT whether she'd be taking mine out, she basically said, 'your adenoids atrophy at puberty so you don't have any'. I know she took a pretty good look when I got my exams so I believe her. [removed] Regarding whether tonsils affect breathing, I thought that was a known symptom of very large tonsils. It did not affect me on a day to day basis, only at night when it caused me to mouth breath and snore. [removed]

Hi DJBucs2005,

I'll tell you my problems and my doctors solution. I've had enlarged tonsils my whole life, but they got worse over the last 7-10 years. I'm 33 y/o female, btw. I was told seven years ago to have my tonsils removed. There was no "go and think about it", or "we'll see how it goes", just they're big and ugly (bugly is what my doctor calls it) and they aren't going to get better. I convinced him to try some other things first; a course of steriods, allergy meds and longterm antibiotics, which did nothing. I apparently had breathing problems that I was unaware of from the tonsils and possibly the adenoids. I finally scheduled it on 10/20. My doctor said that if he was going to do the tonsils, he would automatically do the adenoids too. It was silly to go up there and not do both while you're there. Kinda like anytime someone has an abdominal surgery, the appendix automatically comes out too so it never has to be worried about later.
I guess I can see a doctor saying they may not remove them, but if the patient insists on it, it's ridiculous not to go ahead and remove them. It is an insignificant procedure next the tonsillectomy, in time and recovery, so why argue?

I did snore and breath loud during sleep and I don't anymore. I don't know if this is from the tonsils or adenoids, but I'm not heavy and I don't sleep on my back so I know it was from one of them. I was told by my anesthesiologist before surgery that I would breath so much better afterwards. He was shocked that I didn't have major breathing problems. He said the only reason I didn't was because I was so thin. Don't know what correlation that has, but he says my body was able to compensate and adjust because I was thin. But now there is no snoring or even loud breathing during sleep according to my husband.

I'm sorry I don't have more info on the adenoids. I can tell you that I've never had problems breathing through my nose except, of course, when I'm sick and I can't really tell a difference in the air intake through my nose post adenoidectomy. My doctor still removed them though. Hope I've helped a little.

OK, here it is. I am a 50 yr. old female and am scheduled for a tonsillectomy on Nov. 23. I have had problems with chronic tonsillitis and strep throat for many years. But the problem now is the swelling and assymetry. In a nut shell here's what my ENT says and the benefits do outweigh the risks.

He told me with tonsils that are constantly swollen and in my case, asymmetrical he wants to rule out lymphoma. He has done 1,350 tonsillectomies and only 3 came back with lymphoma. He said, most likely I have a bacterial or viral infection that has just taken up residence in my tonsil and will never go away. He also said with each flare up of tonsillitis and/or strep throat the infection can go deeper and it can become systemtic because of the amount of blood vessels in the area, particularly the carotid artery.

He also told me that the tonsil issues could very well be the underlying cause of my chronic fatigue and low grade fever.

That's my story and I'm stickin' to it. ;)

I had my tonsils taken out almost a year ago. Dec 12th 2003 when I was 18. My ENT took them out because they were constantly infected and was causing sleep apnea. He even asked why they weren't taken out a long time ago. My ENT told me that to see the adenoids they have to run a scope up there and it's less painful to do during the actual surgery. My adenoids were fine but there is a cartilage up there called turbnet cartilage and mine was inflamed so he caulterized it and I haven't had bad snoring since.

I had my tonsils taken out almost a year ago. Dec 12th 2003 when I was 18. My ENT took them out because they were constantly infected and was causing sleep apnea. He even asked why they weren't taken out a long time ago. My ENT told me that to see the adenoids they have to run a scope up there and it's less painful to do during the actual surgery. My adenoids were fine but there is a cartilage up there called turbnet cartilage and mine was inflamed so he caulterized it and I haven't had bad snoring since.

Could you please expand on what exactly the "turbnet cartilage" (I think you may have misspelled it, or not quite picked up how to spell it it just by hearing it; I think it is spelled "turbulent cartilage") is and what kind of problems it can cause. Would it cause any of the problems I am experiencing, other than snoring in my sleep?

THANKS

Alleycat...or anyone else...do you think you could answer my question?

Or, if anyone knows of a site where I could find some good, comprehensible information on this such matter, I would be VERY appreciative. I found one site, but it was prepared by a doctor, and has a lot of lingo that I have no idea as to what some of the words in there mean.

THANKS!

I think it's turbinate, if I recall correctly.

DJBucs2005, you're just going to have to decide for yourself if you think you'll be better off without your tonsils or not. A lot of us here had chronically infected tonsils that were full of nasty stuff and were most likely making us sick. In my case, I was suffering from horribly sinus headaches. It was amazing how much better I felt after the surgery. How much better I could breathe. I just decided that I was sick and tired of big cottage cheese chunks of stuff that smelled like poo coming out of my tonsils. I'd be talking to someone and I could feel a piece of that stuff break loose and would be soooo worried that my breath smelled putrid. So I did whatever I needed to to do get those things removed 'cuz nothing helps -- gargling, water pik they're always there.

So that's my story. It's major surgery with risks involved. I flip flopped back and forth because I was afraid I'd bleed after the surgery, was afraid of the pain. But once it was done, I wished I'd done it a lot sooner.

I think it's turbinate, if I recall correctly.

DJBucs2005, you're just going to have to decide for yourself if you think you'll be better off without your tonsils or not. A lot of us here had chronically infected tonsils that were full of nasty stuff and were most likely making us sick. In my case, I was suffering from horribly sinus headaches. It was amazing how much better I felt after the surgery. How much better I could breathe. I just decided that I was sick and tired of big cottage cheese chunks of stuff that smelled like poo coming out of my tonsils. I'd be talking to someone and I could feel a piece of that stuff break loose and would be soooo worried that my breath smelled putrid. So I did whatever I needed to to do get those things removed 'cuz nothing helps -- gargling, water pik they're always there.

So that's my story. It's major surgery with risks involved. I flip flopped back and forth because I was afraid I'd bleed after the surgery, was afraid of the pain. But once it was done, I wished I'd done it a lot sooner.

I understand what you are saying, but it seems like there is a large number of potential causes of my problem. I want to know what some of the more common causes (but probably unknown to the average person, like myself) of such symptoms (see my first post in this thread for symptoms) that I experience, so that when I go to see a Dr., I can say "Okay, I want you to look for this:, so then if that isn't the cause, then we can eliminate that.


MUCH THANKS!

Sincerely,
Dave J

DJBucs2005 ~ Unfortunately, you may have to go ahead with the T&A and see if this alleviates your problems and then, if this procedure does not, pursue other possibilities. It is very likely that this will help and even if it doesn't, you have concrete evidence that the tonsils were NOT the culprit. I know you don't want to go through a needless surgery or have surgery and then go back again for something that could've been performed at the same time, but that may be your only option at this time. I went into my T&A wondering if that was the root of my problems too because I had several varying symptoms and the major ones were not recurring strep or throat infections. I put it off for several years thinking I would figure out what the cause my problems were and find someone to fix them. It turns out that my tonsils (and possibly my adenoids) were the problem and I'm great now. I'm sorry I can't be of more help. It's just something to consider.

DJBucs2005,

I'd dealt with tonsil stones and constantly draining tonsils most of my life. A year and a half before I had my tonsils out, I had the "summer of the headache from hell" I had a horrible sinus headache for several months -- apparently my ears were affected because I had waves of dizziness and felt like I was drunk and/or had a hangover. I went to several doctors and an ENT who ordered a CT scan. Basically told me my head was fine, except one of my nasal passages was very small. He gave me a steroid nasal spray that smelled/tasted horrible and told me to irrigate my sinuses. It was around that time that I started to keep track of how badly my tonsils drained after a particular horrible headache.

If you haven't already done so, make a daily log -- if you get headaches, keep track of those, keep track of what you've eaten -- sometimes certain foods can cause headaches...

DJBucs2005 ~ Unfortunately, you may have to go ahead with the T&A and see if this alleviates your problems and then, if this procedure does not, pursue other possibilities. It is very likely that this will help and even if it doesn't, you have concrete evidence that the tonsils were NOT the culprit. I know you don't want to go through a needless surgery or have surgery and then go back again for something that could've been performed at the same time, but that may be your only option at this time. I went into my T&A wondering if that was the root of my problems too because I had several varying symptoms and the major ones were not recurring strep or throat infections. I put it off for several years thinking I would figure out what the cause my problems were and find someone to fix them. It turns out that my tonsils (and possibly my adenoids) were the problem and I'm great now. I'm sorry I can't be of more help. It's just something to consider.

Could you be so kind to go ahead and give me a detailed list of the problems you experienced (that you think were fixed by the surgery) before you had your surgery, and which ones have been relieved? I wouldn't mind going through a few of your posts..but you have MANY posts.

Much thanks,
Dave J

EDIT: I thought of looking in here after I made this post. Here is an earlier reply you made in this thread.

"Hi DJBucs2005,

I'll tell you my problems and my doctors solution. I've had enlarged tonsils my whole life, but they got worse over the last 7-10 years. I'm 33 y/o female, btw. I was told seven years ago to have my tonsils removed. There was no "go and think about it", or "we'll see how it goes", just they're big and ugly (bugly is what my doctor calls it) and they aren't going to get better. I convinced him to try some other things first; a course of steriods, allergy meds and longterm antibiotics, which did nothing. I apparently had breathing problems that I was unaware of from the tonsils and possibly the adenoids. I finally scheduled it on 10/20. My doctor said that if he was going to do the tonsils, he would automatically do the adenoids too. It was silly to go up there and not do both while you're there. Kinda like anytime someone has an abdominal surgery, the appendix automatically comes out too so it never has to be worried about later.
I guess I can see a doctor saying they may not remove them, but if the patient insists on it, it's ridiculous not to go ahead and remove them. It is an insignificant procedure next the tonsillectomy, in time and recovery, so why argue?

I did snore and breath loud during sleep and I don't anymore. I don't know if this is from the tonsils or adenoids, but I'm not heavy and I don't sleep on my back so I know it was from one of them. I was told by my anesthesiologist before surgery that I would breath so much better afterwards. He was shocked that I didn't have major breathing problems. He said the only reason I didn't was because I was so thin. Don't know what correlation that has, but he says my body was able to compensate and adjust because I was thin. But now there is no snoring or even loud breathing during sleep according to my husband.

I'm sorry I don't have more info on the adenoids. I can tell you that I've never had problems breathing through my nose except, of course, when I'm sick and I can't really tell a difference in the air intake through my nose post adenoidectomy. My doctor still removed them though. Hope I've helped a little."

That surprises me that you didn't notice your breathing problem, because I DEFINITELY notice mine! I'm not fat either. I'm an 18 year old male, about 5'7, 125 lbs.

Okay DJBucs, you asked for it! :) No, my list of problems really isn't that long and most of them were mentioned previously, but I really don't mind at all going through them for you. I'm glad to help you in any way I can, and I hope I'm able to. My major problem was swollen tonsils, one bigger than the other, but even the small one was huge all of the time. I snored (so attractive, I know) and had loud breathing while sleeping all of the time. They NEVER got small. They would, on occasion, get so big that I had a lot of trouble eating and swallowing more than usual. I always had trouble swallowing though. I had a headache every day, not severe most of the time, just nagging. It felt like my head was screwed on wrong, if that makes sense. I also had a sinus headache a lot over one of my eyes. My throat just ached always. It was miserable. I didn't notice breathing problems, as I mentioned before, but I'm not near as tired during the day as I was before. Of course I also had the pitted tonsils that had the tonsil stones, but that was one of the least of my concerns, even though they were gross. I didn't worry about my adenoids and don't know if they were a problem since they were removed simultaneously. But like I said before, I think just about any doctor should go ahead and remove them if you request it if you're having a tonsillectomy anyway, just to be sure. What's it going to hurt? I didn't even ask for mine to be removed. It was just an automatic. I used to work in surgery and there weren't very many tonsillectomies done that didn't include the adenoidectomy, even when performed on adults.

Now that I've had my surgery (it's been 43 days) I'm amazed at the difference. I waited so long because I thought my problems couldn't be from my tonsils (headaches from tonsils??) but I have complete relief from my daily headaches and sleep much better. I don't know anything about the cartilage you have been asking about. Sorry I can't help you there. But like I said, if you can't find anyone to look into that for you, there's a good chance that the T&A will cure most of your problems anyway. I hope my list helped you a little. I know our symptoms are different, from what I've read of yours, but it definitely sounds like you should seriously consider just getting it over with. Easier said than done, I know. I waited forever, but I'm so sorry that I did now.

Very glad to find this board in particular because my tonsil problems arn't so extreme that it's been an easy choice to go ahead w/the surgery, and there's a sinus issue too...but it's finally scheduled for the 28th after waiting a year to decide.

My doctor said it's 'my choice' and that i could easily live with the tonsil problems i have but that if he were me he'd have 'em removed.

My problems probably started years and years ago, but it was last year that i really noticed the chronic infections/white spots/mild fevers and took antibiotics more times than i could count. That's when the 2nd doc said maybe i should get the tonsils removed. One is larger than the other too.

I'm 32 years old. I was convinced that my sinuses were the real problem and made them do a CT scan, which showed some pocket of my sinuses having no drainage so they suggest making a little window to it.

Anyhow, i'm babbling here and not sure if anyone is listening so i'll stop for now.

I have breathing problems related to my tonsils. They are so large there is only a small gap that air can pass through. I am 29 years old.

Tonsils come out via cobolation on Jan 3rd.

I originally had an appointment to have my tonsils taken out, but I cancelled it. However, today, something made me realize that I should have just went through with it. It was scheduled over my Christmas break. One reason I didn't want it was...if it didn't solve the problem, I would be feeling miserable, and STILL my problem would be unsolved. However, Christmas break is there to relax anyways and this is a risk taking surgery. Also, my Dr. said the reason she was taking out my tonsils (after I asked her to) is NOT because she thought they were causing breathing problems, but because one was bigger than the other. That made me have doubts about whether or not I should go through with this. Also, if my tonsils AREN'T the problem, this would at least elminate the possibility of the tonsils being the cause of my problem. The tonsils are also not a vital part of the body. They used to just yank them out of kids years ago. So, if they were taken out, and they weren't the cause of the problem, then there wouldn't really be any big problems there.

A question for everyone who has had their tonsils removed, or were considering getting them removed. Did your Dr. say that the problems you were experiencing would not be alleviated by the surgery? I'm trying to question this in a general way...because that is the situation I found myself in. My Dr. said she didn't think my tonsils weren't causing my breathing problem..

Much thanks

I'm going to bump this up to the top.

Let's try this again..

I'm going to be having another Dr's appointment on Tuesday, January 11th for my breathing problem. It's hard to remain optimistic. I hate to get real excited about the possibility of a Dr. even saying "there may be a problem here" or suggest having my tonsils out for this problem, as I'm leaning towards that, and give me confidence in that the tonsils may be the problem. Because, thus far, I've gotten NOTHING from the Doctors I've seen.

But, is there anything I could suggest he look for, maybe via CAT scan, or using any kind of equipment, that may reveal what may be wrong, aside from the tonsils, as all he has to do is take a look at them. Perhaps look at the adenoids, I believe w/ a scope.

I'm going to be having another Dr's appointment on Tuesday, January 11th for my breathing problem. It's hard to remain optimistic. I hate to get real excited about the possibility of a Dr. even saying "there may be a problem here" or suggest having my tonsils out for this problem, as I'm leaning towards that, and give me confidence in that the tonsils may be the problem. Because, thus far, I've gotten NOTHING from the Doctors I've seen.

But, is there anything I could suggest he look for, maybe via CAT scan, or using any kind of equipment, that may reveal what may be wrong, aside from the tonsils, as all he has to do is take a look at them. Perhaps look at the adenoids, I believe w/ a scope.

I found it strange that immiediatly after my tonsilectomy last week, I was able to breath better through my nose. I did not have my adnoids removed. But I am thinking I got atleast a 30-40% improvement in nose breathing for some unknown reason. Come to think of it, my nose hasnt been stuffy once since last week. And normally I cant breath through my nose at all.

From 12-4-02---->I am 27, and have had tonsil "problems" pretty much all my life. The doctors rather put me on hoards of anti-biotics, then actually fix my problem.. Until now.. lol..

I get tonsilitis about 5-8 times a year.. For the last 2 years, my tonsils have been kissing at the bottom.. Thats what my ENT doctor calls it.. When I get tonsilitis, almost the entire tonsils are touching each other.. Which sometimes has the doctor questioning weather or not I can breath.. lol..

Though I have gotten used to the pain, and the tounsilitis really doesnt bother me much anymore..

My ENT says it's time for my tonsils to find a new home in the nearest biohazard trash bin... I am kind of concerned about the pain, and re-couperation time involved with this operation.

Anyone had this done as an adult? Please share your ADULT stories if you have one.


From this thread--->I found it strange that immiediatly after my tonsilectomy last week, I was able to breath better through my nose. I did not have my adnoids removed. But I am thinking I got atleast a 30-40% improvement in nose breathing for some unknown reason. Come to think of it, my nose hasnt been stuffy once since last week. And normally I cant breath through my nose at all.

It seems you and I are in the same boat brother!!! Both you and I, it seems, have had problems for a bit of time, and a problem in common. A breathing problem, believed to be caused by the tonsils. Could you do me a huge favor, and list your full symptoms that you believe were caused by your tonsils?

I'm in 12th grade now. I've had this problem since I was in 7th grade, and it's almost hard to believe. I know there are more serious problems, that are unfixable, but I truly believe this problem is fixable, and I think it's quite sad that the doctors have yet to find anything..it really says something for some doctors out there.

Getting back on topic though. I too have been prescribed plenty of meds, inhalers, nasal spray. Nothing has worked. That's a big reason that makes me think it's my tonsils, but really the only thing that has prevented me from going ahead and having them taken out is because, it's hard for me to believe, that JUST my tonsils are causing the problem, in addition to doctors saying they don't think the problem is my tonsils. And yes, they are inflamed, if you go ahead and read the first page of this thread, and the rest, you'll find plenty of info on my situation.

REVISED

I would have just made a post in the thread that's already up talking about this matter (BUT then not everyone would see that post as that thread is over 100 pages long), asking people to share their symptoms/concerns/problems (so that others can relate and hopefully be helped in finding answers to THEIR problems...like myself ;) ) So, why am I making another thread? Well, for one, I'm not getting any new major posts in my original thread http://www.healthboards.com/boards/showthread.php?t=206951 in regards to my breathing problem. I want to know ALL of the symptoms/problems/concerns, for those of you (or your family members, friends, etc.) who are going to, considering, or have had tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy surgery. The reason why I'm so interested is because I am considering getting my tonsils out. If you go ahead and read that thread I pasted, and the original "Adult Tonsillectomy & Adenoidectomy Surgery" thread, you'll see my posts, on page 99---> http://www.healthboards.com/boards/showthread.php?t=167224&page=99&pp=5 and then 100 as well, you'll see what my situation is.

I'll start it off. My symptoms are:

• Enlarged palatine tonsils; which are the tonsils most commonly removed due to problems
• Constant difficulty breathing through both my nose and mouth, which also leads to fatigue and shortness of breath when exercising and playing sports. This is really where I think I have messed myself up. I think I have often led my doctors to think that I have experience problems breathing ONLY when I'm exercising, which is NOT the case. It is only worse when I'm exercising, because by nature, when one is exercising, they need more air, and if there is some kind of obstruction (tonsils or adenoids possibly) and more air needs to get through, then there is going to be a problem. (Is that a good explanation/way of looking/thinking about it???)
• Mucous buildup in the morning, and throughout the day forms, and often having to spit up mucous throughout the day, especially during the winter.
• WAY too many sore throats and colds, especially during the winter. I'm thinking it could be tonsilsitis, as this next symptom (crypts) are caused by frequent tonsilitis
• Tonsil crypts, I believe due to the tonsilitis, which traps food and debris, and end up looking like little white spots on the (palatine) tonsils
• Constant redness in throat and on tonsils
• More fatigued than I have felt in the past, when waking up and throughout the day
• Snoring in my sleep---this is probably caused by the tonsils or the adenoids or a combination of both, or even a deviated septum. Since I'm probably going to be getting another opinion, that will buy me some time to perhaps go and buy a tape recorder, and tape myself sleeping, to CONFIRM that I do indeed SNORE when I sleep. (I still didn't do this. The doctor asked my mom if I snore, and she said "no", but I've been told that I do.)
• Oftentimes, I get a bloody nose in the winter, more than I think I should be getting (I hardly got any of these this winter. I'm kind of surprised. I've hardly spent time outside doing acitivities in the cold though, in fear of getting sick. Because when I get sick, I REALLY get sick, and I'm sick forever it seems)
• This is a very minor one, but pretty much relates to everything else, with the concern of the tonsils and adenoids. I have noticed more recently, when I'm laughing, just a little laugh...for example..if I'm not talking, and I'm just listening to someone talk, and they say something funny...I'll try to let some air out of my nose real fast and abruptly. I've had this happen..where I try to let the air out of my nose...and it wouldn't come out!!
• A Dr. I saw a few months ago agreed to take my tonsils out (which I later cancelled). However, not because she thinks they are causing a breathing problem, but because one is bigger than the other. Here is the thing though. The side that the tonsil is bigger on the right. I also experience more trouble breathing through my RIGHT nostril. I have trouble breathing through BOTH nostrils, but ONCE again, it is through the right nostril that I have more trouble breathing through! It could also be realted to this next problem.......
• A deviated septum. Whether it is causing problems or not, I don't know, but I think an indication that it may be the cause, is that I have more difficulty breathing through a nostril (my right). The doctor said it is not too bad, but I really have a hard time believing them, considering I'M the one with the problems Here are some symptoms of a deviated septum:
• Blockage of one or both nostrils (have this)
• Nasal congestion, sometimes one-sided (have this)
• Frequent nosebleeds (I used to have this, but not as often)
• Frequent sinus infections (I don't believe I have this)
• At times, facial pain, headaches, postnasal drip (I have this)
• Noisy breathing during sleep (in infants and young children) (I have this)

• (NEW) I don't experience a LOT, but every now and then, I'll get a chest pain for apparently no reason. It is pretty sharp too. On a scale from 1-10, when I experience chest pains, I'd say the worse it feels is an 8, and the least unpleasant chest pains I feel are about a 6.


If any of you are still reading this.....I thank you from the bottom of my heart... :bouncing:

Please, go ahead and post your symptoms/problems/concerns/ for the reason I gave above!!!

Sincerely,
Dave J :)

By the the way, I am 18. I notice there are quite a few older people on here, which is good in the sense that they are older and usually more wiser and experienced.

NEW

My latest examination was a trip to downtown Detroit (Tuesday, January 11th) at a hospital/facility there. Unlike other doctors, the 2 doctors (1 younger, 1 older) actually took a scope and checked me out rather thourougly, looking at my adenoids and adenoid tissue, and they didn't see anything wrong. The scope basically feels like a piece of spaghettit roaming around in the back of your throat and in that area, but they spray in your nostrils, to numb you up,is numbed up before they do it. I'm still not 100% convinced that there is nothing wrong back there though. I could definitely notice a difference between the younger doctor and the older doctor I saw yesterday. The younger one explained things better and seemed more sympathetic. The older one was more rushed in his explanations. It's understandable, but still, shouldn't be so. Both were still better than othe doctors I've had in the past.

They suggested that it might be a problem with acid reflux. I don't think is the problem, since that doesn't cause breathing problems 24/7) or a problem with my lungs. I don't know if that would be causing the problem. I know my body, and I know how I feel. It doesn't feel like there is a problem with the lungs, it feels more like congestion. However, you never know..just to not totally rule out that possibility.

I'm 34 years old and starting at age 31 was my first ear infection. I get at least 2 horrible ear infections per year. I saw an ENT due to the severity of my infections. She thinks I should have my tonsils removed. Has anyone been diagnosed with severe ear infections and the remedy being the tonsils removed? Did it help??? Please let me know.

Does anyone know what percentage of adults will have major post operative bleeding? Like enough to go to ER or have another operation to cauterize. I'm trying to decide wether or not to go through with it. I want to but the two things I'm concerned about is bleeding and being put out. I've never had anesthesia before. My doctor is leaving it up to me, saying either I deal with my problems or just get it over with. Maybe you all can help me decide: I have very large tonsils but not enough to interfere with breathing. One is bigger than the other and shaped differently which has me concerned. I get tonsilitis a lot, and have those disgusting tonsil stones which drive me insane. I always get sore throats and apparently my throat is always red and irrated (even if it doesn't feel sore) according to the doctors and my dentist that I see. I am 36 years old and in pretty good health otherwise. I really want to get it over with but I am scared! If anyone has any advise please respond!

czwolf, I used to get constant ear infections as a child, didn't have them for years and now suddenly I'm getting ear infections again. I wonder if it's related to tonsils?

TO MOM22

I am 36 also with 3 kids and I got my tonsils out 6 months ago. My problem was always getting strepp throat. Anyway it is very painful but well worth it. I had never been under either. The one thing I didn't like was that they didn't warn me or walk me through the whole going under thing. I did experience bleeding on the 7th day and had to go to urgent care but I think it was my fault because I ate a french fry and it scratch my throat. Ironiclly I am due for another surgery in 2 weeks to cut out a hole that never closed up after the tonsillectomy and have to go under again. It does stress me out but they do give you something to relax you before. Don't worry, the hole in the throat is very rare that this happened to me. My best advice is to go for it but make sure you have someone to watch the kids. The DR told me not to get out of bed for 10 days and that is what I did. In fact seeing that I couldn't eat I was so weak I couldn't do anything if I really wanted to anyway. Good luck :)

Well..seeing that this thread is bumped up again, I thought I should make another post.

Still, nothing has been done about my problem. I want to focus on the two things that I think may be causing this problem.

After reading my symptoms, I feel that a deviated septum and tonsils/adenoids could be causing this.

Has anyone with symptoms similar to mine, had problems with a deviated septum and tonsils/adenoids?

ALSO, for the rest of you guys..I'm sorry..but I'm very desperate for help, as I've had none from doctors, and had no surgery. Nor have I experienced ear infections. Sorry I can't be of any help to you CZWolk or Mom22greatkids

DJBucs....I had my tonsils taken out when i was 19 years old. All through highschool i had tonsilitis and strep throat all the time. I would also SNORE like you wouldnt believe. My sophmore year in college i went to the doctor almost every two weeks with a sever sore throat, they would always give me antibiotics and send me on my way. I was snoring so loud due to having trouble's breathing that the people that lived on my hall in the dorm room could hear me at the opposite end of the hall. Finally, i went to the doctor before Christmas break my sophmore year with yet another sore throat, they gave me antibiotics and sent me on my way. I was tired of that, so i called my doc back home....where i was going to be for christmas break and i told him i wanted my tonisils taken out. He said "you have to have 3 documented cases on insurance in one year for them to come out," I said no problem look at my records i've been in about 20 times for tonsilitis or strep throat. He said " Come home we'll take them out on 12-23. So i went home for Christmas break had them taken out on 12-23, he said before i went in, "chances are you do not have your adnoids anymore, they usually disappear after puberty but if i go in and they are there i'll take them out too. So i had the surgery, came out and i was in incredible pain. Got out of the hospital the next day. Now i was in so much pain for over a week i could have gone insane. However, it's been 4 years now and i can honestly tell you i no longer snore, i no longer have breathing problems, 1 or 2 sinus infections and if i do get a sore throat it lasts maybe an hour. In the 4 years since i've had them out i've probably had 3 sore throats and all are gone in the matter of a few hours. If i get colds now i never get a sore throat!! To me, the pain was awful, i wouldnt wish it on anyone, but the benefits are so much better, i'm so happy to not have the problems i had before! That out weighed the pain i went through for the week after they were out. I hope that helps and gives you some info....i think you should have it done but only you can decide that!!

dajama, sorry to hear about your difficulties. Now I'm really scared! Hope your second surgery goes well. Let us know how it goes. I'm trying to get the courage to call and book the tonsillectomy. They have openings for Mar. 22nd.

DJBucs, your chest pain may be caused by acid reflux. I don't think it is related to the tonsil problems you are having. Have you been tested for asthma or allergies? I hope you get answers soon.

Hey All -
Thank you for your words of wisdom and experience, I'm seeking some insight as well. I am 33, had my tonsillectomy on Friday morning, it is now Tuesday night, day 5. The pain is still substantial when I'm at the end of my liquid medication perscription (2 tsp every 4-6 hours). I've been trying to only take it every 6 or even 7 hours, but the pain does get nauseating by then. I am eating only jello, mashed potatoe, mashed sweet potatoe, water, apple juice, an odwalla protein shake. Other foods smell so good, but i can't eat them. I drink a lot, probably 20 glasses of water.

My question - what should I be seeing in the back of my throat? I look back there and I see a white/yellow mucus covering everything behind the Uvula. The whiteness, like a fuzz sorta, is even lining the sides of the Uvula. In the back of my throat, under the white stuff, are some dark red or black dots. There isn't any bleeding. The white stuff seems to cover the whole back of the throat. Sometimes I cough up a little flemmy tasting stuff (sorry, gross), but no blood. The throat feels raw, but looks scarier. Is this right? I'm taking my antibiotics as well! Any help is appreciated.

i havent had a tonsillectomy done yet but it's my understanding that that white stuff is scabbing.. maybe someone else can verify that. but if it is, it's normal.. and will eventually come off when it's time.

Hey All -
Thank you for your words of wisdom and experience, I'm seeking some insight as well. I am 33, had my tonsillectomy on Friday morning, it is now Tuesday night, day 5. The pain is still substantial when I'm at the end of my liquid medication perscription (2 tsp every 4-6 hours). I've been trying to only take it every 6 or even 7 hours, but the pain does get nauseating by then. I am eating only jello, mashed potatoe, mashed sweet potatoe, water, apple juice, an odwalla protein shake. Other foods smell so good, but i can't eat them. I drink a lot, probably 20 glasses of water.

My question - what should I be seeing in the back of my throat? I look back there and I see a white/yellow mucus covering everything behind the Uvula. The whiteness, like a fuzz sorta, is even lining the sides of the Uvula. In the back of my throat, under the white stuff, are some dark red or black dots. There isn't any bleeding. The white stuff seems to cover the whole back of the throat. Sometimes I cough up a little flemmy tasting stuff (sorry, gross), but no blood. The throat feels raw, but looks scarier. Is this right? I'm taking my antibiotics as well! Any help is appreciated.

Wow, this is so weird. I don't know if it's just a coincidence or a sign from above. I am subscribed to this thread (and still have not forgot about it or this site in general) and checked my email a few minutes ago and received a message about a post in here :eek: . I was thinking about posting in here again, because I just recently had work done on my upper airway. I had a tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy, septoplasty, somnoplasty, and my turbinates worked on.

As for you jsantolyons, I will quote the material I was given for tonsillectomy instructions (post).

"A scab forms where the tonsil was. It is grey in color. If the scab comes loose, early bleeding can occur. If bleeding occurs, the patient should be taken to the Emergency Room of the hospital wehre the surgery was performed, if possible. If the bleeding stops, the patient should be checked because it is often a warning of more significant bleeding."

Mine were more white at the beginning but have now become more of a faded grey. I had my surgery done on May 3rd.

The only thing is, I still am congested through my nose!!! I am feeling better airflow through my mouth though, although not GREAT. Maybe it will take more time. Or maybe the cause of the problem is something else.

I may make another thread if I do not get the desired response (and since this thread title suggests it's only for tonsils/adenoids) but how long should it take before I feel the results if this surgery is indeed going to help my breathing to a condition that is normal.

I have also been thinking of just really delving into this site, and try to find others who have had similar problems/experiences to that of myself. I know though, that it would it would probably be time consuming, and the percentage of info I would be sifting through that would be helpful (since my case is probably not all that common, unless I am mistaken) would be low.

Even with that said, I think I will have at it! Getting this problem fixed, I swear, it is like a long journey that seemingly has no end. I just have to keep the faith. I've lost it. It dwindles away, only to come back to life. This little posting has certainly helped!

jsantoslyons, you seem to be recovering ok. Days 5-9 (even perhaps after that too) are the worse though. That's when I started experiencing great pain in my ear (especially when swallowing while eating). I have not been having any significant pain though, just mild pain here and there and I am no longer taking any pain medication or narcotics. I am surprised your Dr. did not prescribe any narcotoics. That numbed me up pretty well.

Wishing the best for you and your recovery,

Dave

dj, i know you don't believe that your problems could be caused by acid reflux but i think you should maybe look into something called Laryngopharyngeal Reflux (LPR). after a while of having my breathing problems, and posted on here.. someone suggested this to me, the symptoms all made a lot of sense and i did look into it. it turns out that this of course is not my problem, but it may be what's causing your breathing problems. i'm not really sure what lpr is or does, it's some type of acid reflux, although not just your every day ordinary type. it would maybe explain your random chest pains, where it does not involve your tonsils, but rather it may be envolved with acid reflux. my problem is of course my tonsils, something i've had a problem with apparently for years, my symptoms deviate a bit from yours, but i do have some difficulty breathing/swallowing, snorting while breathing and so on.. but these are all caused by chronic cryptic tonsilitis as my doctor calls it.. he said that with tonsillectomy my breathing problems would be cured. i was never scoped.. he looked down and said "either gargle salt water or talk to me about getting them removed". i tried gargling.. then decided to get em out. if they can't see anything when scoping, i'm not saying that it's 100% effective, but maybe take their suggestion to heart and persue that. from what i understand LPR is treated very specifically, and if not done properly then you won't get any relief and you'll be led to believe that lpr isn't the problem when it really is. anyway, sorry for the long post.. i had just read a while back where the doc's mentionned acid reflux, and your symptoms sounds like those that had been described with lpr. i really don't know much about all this stuff.. just thought i'd toss that idea into the mix. good luck with it all.

Hey Dave,
Good to hear your response. I'm not sure though if the white stuff in the back of my throat is a scab or not, it looks like such a large area, that is what has me concerned. I can start to taste/smell the foulness, and the pain is shooting to my ears and eyes at times. I'm wearing contacts agian, but maybe I'll switch to glasses.

I haven't had any difficulty breathing through my nose, and in fact have been pleasently suprised at the limited feeling of throat and mouth dehydration. I have had the humidifier running, and have tried to take a hot shower each day. That also helps. Lots of water though, that is the key. It is hard to get sleep as we have a new born, but it is a blessing in disguise as if i sleep too long without water my throat definitely hurts.

What do others think?

Joseph

infection maybe? i think that there is quite a large area that gets cut up.. but as i said.. i wouldn't really know so someone else needs to verify this.

The white stuff is normal. Just like when you fall and skin your knee when it starts to heal you will begin to see a scab. That what the white layer is in your throat. Our throat are moist and since its not dry the white layer forms, and when it starts to heal you will see less and less of it. It may become more raw after the white layer has came off. I'm 14 days post-op and very minmal white stuff. Now it hurt like hell to yawn but today was the first time eating solid food :bouncing:. So don't worry about the white stuff. I'm surprise the DR didn't tell you what you would see. My DR told me about that but forgot to mention about the horrible ear pain that started 1 week later. OMG both ears were in so much pain. but the liquid roxicet helped wonders. My hear pain as of 14 days is so much better. Now if I can figure out why it hurts so bad to yawn and my tongue still hurts in the back. I'll ask the Dr this afternoon, 2 week post-op appt.
So don't worry white stuff is normal and ear pain. Hope that helped

Thanks so much Shay, that does make sense, and I figured it was a scab. I wish we could share pictures here. Last night was so painful however, combined with newborn baby cries. My ears have really begun to pick up in pain sensitivity. I still wonder what the stops behind the white scab are, maybe they are just the areas where the tonsil was surgically removed. Anyway, I just woke up, after struggling to sleep by 3am, and the lack of water really makes my throat and tongue hurt like hell. Drnking water really is key!

I'm thinking about a tonsillectomy as well for chronic cryptic tonsillitis. But I'm only interested in the coblation technique. If any of you had a coblation tonsillectomy, would you please respond and let me know. I'd like to know if it does indeed cause less pain for an adult - I'm 32.

Well today was my 2 week post-op and my Dr said things looked good. He told me to take Motrin for the pain I am having when I yawn. That the pain is coming from a liagment. My tongue doesn't hurt that bad, and I haven't had any problems with my taste buds. I've just started eating solids yesterday and WOW I missed eating. He also told me that I would beable to go back to work next week. I am a DJ. But I don't wanna push it, so I'm going to give myself another week or two and see how things turn out. He told me to talk to were I could build my muscle back up, i'm taking it slow. And he told me to eat whatever I wanted. I'm taking that slow too.

I beleive I had the Coblation procedure done. I will have to call my doc and see, but my procedure was a new one. It was some kind of laser. So it might be that one. I 31 and it took 30 minutes for the surgery to be done. I will say the first 2 days I was like I can do this. But then on the 4th or 5th day I thought I was going to die form the pain. But looking back its not as bad as I thought it was going to be. Don't get me wrong I'm not 100% yet. I guess I will have to see a couple months from now if it was worth it. They do say the older you are the worse it is. But I have a very LOW tolerance for pain and I manage it. good luck to all

I'm thinking about a tonsillectomy as well for chronic cryptic tonsillitis. But I'm only interested in the coblation technique. If any of you had a coblation tonsillectomy, would you please respond and let me know. I'd like to know if it does indeed cause less pain for an adult - I'm 32.

Someone in an earlier post had this method performed. They said it was fine. You can perhaps try looking it up on this message board via the "search" option or via a search engine.



I have another appt. with my new PCP (primary care physician) coming up. There are times when I experience pretty easy breathing through my mouth, but lately, it hasn't been too great.

I've been taking a pill for acid reflux and it seemed to have helped my oral breathing, but there are still times when I have breathing difficulty through my mouth. My nose is still congested too, but it feels a bit better at times than in the past. I will ask my PCP about the LCR though. It MAY be a problem. There just seem to be so many possibilites, that I don't know where to start in my research so I can be educated before a visit. Allergies may also be a problem though. I am going to hopefully get tested for this too. I'm not taking a "Well, I'm going to prescribe this medicine...." No, I'm not taking that B flipping S anymore. I will take that..but not meds ALONE. I want some testing done!!