Has anyone ever heard of tonsil stones? They are little white colored particles that come up into your mouth from the tonsil crevices. How does one get rid of them??? :eek:

Yes! I have had them for a couple years now and am getting more frequent and worse sore throats. I actually push on my tonsil with my finger and gross stuff (Doctor says it's decaying food!!!) comes out. He said it's fine to do that and follow with a good mouthwash. The only other alternative is surgery. So that's actually what I'm doing today - researching tonsilectomies (sp?). I also have frequent bad breath and it's not the sexiest thing to my husband. But it sounds like surgery is quite an extreme option. I'm not sure how long to wait before I go for it.

I've had these for around 2 years now, after getting them occasionally when I was quite young as well. I also get very frequent bad breath and have continual post-nasal drip that has lasted around 2 years (I think it sparked the tonsil stones). I seem to notice that my breath gets worse when I eat things like choclate, yoghurt and drink coffee or alcohol. The tonsil stones I have to push out of my tonsils about 2-3 times a week, which is always horrible.

I've been to an ENT about getting rid of the PND, as I think that could stop the tonsil stones as well. I was just getting over a cold and he had a look but said he didn't see anything. So, I think that was a waste of time, really. But he mentioned that if I wanted to get rid of the tonsil stones and (potentially) bad breath, I could get my tonsils removed.

Will getting my tonsils removed stop the PND and my bad breath at the same time? I'm considering doing it just to stop getting the tonsil stones because my patience is really wearing thin with them. Is it possible that my PND is being caused by allergies? I've never done any allergy testing but don't think I could give up chocolate and coffee! :eek: Advice would be great. My ENT certainly didn't seem to have much.

Look under the adult tonsillectomy section. I had my tonsils removed about 4 years ago Mainly ‘cuz I was really getting tired dealing with tonsil stones. I also suffered from horrible sinus headaches and after a really bad one, I’d notice my tonsils were even more productive. Prior to having my tonsils removed I took ibuprofen with a decongestant several times a day, practically every day. Was the only thing that seemed to work on my headaches or if I felt a nasty headache coming on, would nip it in the bud. I used to purchase my OTC sinus remedy at the wholesale club, by the bulk about every month, now I purchase a regular size package a couple times a year. However, having your tonsils removed is major surgery and the recovery isn’t a picnic. It’s horrible. But I wish I’d done it a lot sooner!

I used to call them white puss pockets. but tonsil stones sounds much nicer. and not quiet so nasty, I have been getting them for a while now my self. since I was about 14 and I am 25 now. until that started happening, I got tonsilitis every year and had to miss around 3 weeks of school. since they have started what I call rotting out, my tonsils are much smaller I literally have a huge hole in my tonsils. I usually take a q tip and push out the stones. If I don't, it causes my throat to be sore, because the stones are somewhat hard and your tonsils are tender. I plan to have my tonsils taken out soon rather than waiting for them to completely rot out.

I heard Therabreath Nasal spray is actually used to treat this. I just bought it, I'll let you know how it works.

Has anyone ever heard of tonsil stones? They are little white colored particles that come up into your mouth from the tonsil crevices. How does one get rid of them??? :eek:

I just started getting them right before I had my tonsils removed luckily for me I always had really bad strep throats so they were already comming out ot there.

Sorry I don't know anything about addisons disease you might want to do an internet search.

I've had these things for about 5 years maybe longer. Lately, I've been getting swollen glands or what feels like swollen glands to me, but my doctor told me I wasn't swollen. Maybe the word I'm searching for is sore glands. They ALWAYS come before I hack up the stones. Am I the only one who gets this symptom? Sore on both sides, just below my ear lobes and along my jawline sometimes underneath where my tongue is. (At one point I thought I was clenching my teeth at night to cause this pain but I don't think that's it) .My throat is not sore, most of the time, but I do have post nasal drip and congestion at times. Two days ago, I hacked up 8 or 9 stones and felt better, but now I'm trying to do it to relieve the pain but nothing is happening and I'm very sore.

My primary physican is not reffering me to an ENT doctor and I desperately need to see one. I'm in pain and have not slept in two days. The pain/pressure comes and goes. Anyone else have this? No fever, nothing but this pressure and itchiness in my ears, sometimes a ringing in my right ear. If this soundsl like you, please respond.

Hi everyone, I used to get those awful disgusting things as well and my breath would be horrible !!!! So bad, I couldn't even stand it - it drove me crazy for YEARS (I'm now 35 and I would say it bothered me for almost 10 yrs) - I was also getting infections so I got my tonsils removed last Wednedsay Dec.16th - it has been a VERY painful recovery, but I know that after 2 - 3 wks I'll be 100% and the years of people backing up when I talk to them will be over. I'll keep you posted and let you know if the bad breath is gone once I recover. As crazy as it sounds - I had a huge gross tonsil stone stuck in my left tonsil that I couldn't get out before I went into surgery and of course I had bad breath - after the surgery - the odour was gone. (mind you it is back again simply because of the healing process) but, like I said, I will you keep you posted and in the meantime if anyone has any questions, let me know. :)

I too had my tonsils removed on December 15. The reason I had them taken out was because of tonsil stones. I was having to pick them out every night. When I would go a couple of days without picking them out, my glands would hurt and I would end up with an awful sore throat. The pain with the tonsillectomy is awful; however, I am looking at the big picture of No more tonsil stones!!!

Dompiz - how are things going?

Okay so I suffered from tonsil stones as well and had them out 5 days ago. I am not gonna lie tonsil stones was not the main reason for them coming out on top of tonsil stones I got reoccuring strep infections and suffered from chronic Tonsillitis. The Tonsillectomy was very uncomfortable but bearable. I had a much easier recovery than dompiz and nlh4msu so I would say If you are in pain from tonsil stones than I would have them out...you can read the Tonsillectomy and Adenoid Surgery II Board but I am warning you that there may be some things in there that may scare you because everyone in there has posted there recoveries and like I said some have had bad experiences and some like myself has had not so bad experiences so when reading it just remain open minded because I tell you that having them out is probably one of the best things you can do. Any questions or doubts read my posts on the Tonsillectomy and Adenoid BoardII... Well I hope that I was Helpful!

I've had these things for about 5 years maybe longer. Lately, I've been getting swollen glands or what feels like swollen glands to me, but my doctor told me I wasn't swollen. Maybe the word I'm searching for is sore glands. They ALWAYS come before I hack up the stones. Am I the only one who gets this symptom? Sore on both sides, just below my ear lobes and along my jawline sometimes underneath where my tongue is. (At one point I thought I was clenching my teeth at night to cause this pain but I don't think that's it) .My throat is not sore, most of the time, but I do have post nasal drip and congestion at times. Two days ago, I hacked up 8 or 9 stones and felt better, but now I'm trying to do it to relieve the pain but nothing is happening and I'm very sore.

My primary physican is not reffering me to an ENT doctor and I desperately need to see one. I'm in pain and have not slept in two days. The pain/pressure comes and goes. Anyone else have this? No fever, nothing but this pressure and itchiness in my ears, sometimes a ringing in my right ear. If this soundsl like you, please respond.

Hey Guys! Just wanted to update you and let you all know that while I do have tonsil stones..the pressure and pain I am feeling is from something called Eagles' Syndrome...it's named after the doctor who discovered it. Text book definition is: " Eagle's syndrome occurs when an elongated styloid process or calcified stylohyoid ligament causes recurrent throat pain or foreign body sensation, dysphagia, or facial pain. Additional symptoms may include neck or throat pain with radiation to the ipsilateral ear. In adults, the styloid process is approximately 2.5 cm long, and its tip is located between the external and internal carotid arteries, just lateral to the tonsillar fossa. It may develop inflammatory changes or impinge on the adjacent arteries or sensory nerve endings, leading to the symptoms described. Diagnosis can usually be made on physical examination by digital palpation of the styloid process in the tonsillar fossa, which exacerbates the pain. In addition, relief of symptoms with injection of an anesthetic solution into the tonsillar fossa is highly suggestive of this diagnosis. Radiographic workup should include anterior-posterior and lateral skull films. The treatment of Eagle's syndrome is primarily surgical. The styloid process can be shortened through an intraoral or external approach. We present two cases and review the literature. "

My ENT knew what it was right away..I think the tonsil stone really aggravate it though.

It seems like when I exercise or do a strenuous activity thats when the stones come up.

Hi all.

Not sure If I actually have the same thing.

I have what is a small slit on my tonsils, I noticed it over xmas period and i touched it with my finger little white things came out. It actually looks as if my tonsils are falling apart.

My breath isnt too bad, but maybe I hadnt noticed it!
Chewing gum will be on hand at all times now!
Any easy cure to this

Fitz

I used to have stinky tonsil stones a couple of times a week. I got rid of them by scraping my tongue morning and night with a tongue straper, and doing a nasal flush each morning. I flush my nose out with warm distilled water and salt in a netti pot. These clean out the goo that accumulates on the back of the tongue (post nasal drip, food particles, bacteria). I believe the stones are formed from that goo which gets into folds of the tonsils and hardens/rots there. I also take allergy/sinus tabs to reduce post nasal drip.

Although this is controlling the problem, I wonder if the tonsilectomy would end it completely. To those that had the surgery, did it permanently end the tonsil stones and did it end bad breath?

Well, I promised to keep you posted and the results are AMAZING :bouncing: the bad breath is GONE !!!!! I'm now 5 wks post op and I feel great ! No sore throat, no bad breath - my confidence level has increased considerably, I was always worried people were being grossed out by my breath and now I know it is no longer there and they have no reason to take a few steps back when I talk to them !!!! The surgery is 100% worth it for that reason alone !

Dompiz, I'm so happy that the awful bad breath plague is out of your life! Could you explain to me what the smell of your breath was before you got your tonsils removed?

While I've never encountered tonsil stones, I'm sure they're probably there. My tonsils are super tiny and I can't even get halfway past my tongue without gagging. So, picking them out isn't even a option for me because I have the world's worst gag reflex. But I wonder if getting them removed would help end my chronic bad breath that I've had since I was 10.

Any other suggestions on getting rid of these gross things? I tried 'nasal spray' and to no avail.

Hope this thread is still up and running.....

I too have tonsil stones though not that my doctor or ENT consultant could care. Due to get tonsils removed on March 7th. I am hopeful that this will end the symptoms I have been experiencing since last summer. My ENT consultant thinks I have GERD and looking at the symptoms of LPR then it seems to fit. I am awaiting endoscopy and PH monitoring to get to the bottom of this. However, I personally feel that the tonsils are contributing in a significant enough form to my breath condition. I would be interested to hear from other sufferers if they experience the following symptoms and if so were they eradicated following surgery.

Symptoms

Frequent horrible breath and taste (fetid)
Semi-permanent white coating on back of tongue
Raised white spots on back of tongue which appear to sit on papillae
Globus sensation of something stuck in throat and throat clearing
Excess mucous
Tonsil stones now removed by finger and flashlight ...gag reflux gone
Frequent blocked nose in either nostril but rarely both

I have tried Therabreath et al but I feel they only benefit those with minor breath problems and not those that are systemic. I have used the Grossan HydroPulse but the sinus draining was sometimes painful which indicates no real sinus problem. The throat irrigator was unsuccessful though again for minor problems and general well being it no doubt has its uses.

I stopped alcohol for 5 months, monitored my dietand increased my water intake but to no real effect. I can highlight about 4 or 5 occasions in the last
7 months when I have felt OK usually for no more than a few days at a time. During these periods there is no taste or breath problem, no thick white coating on tongue, no globus, no throat clearing ...and no tonsil odor or stones. These periods do not seem related to any foods being omitted, medication taken or change to oral regimen.

Essentially I would like to hear from anyone as to whether they feel that the tonsil stones are a by-product of some other bacteria putrification process which would produce the same symptoms or whether the stones and their secretions actually cause the symptoms above and the problem.

Cheers.

I'm really glad I came across this post, I thought I was the only one who had to dig out white stuff from their throat. Its amazing how such a little thing can feel like a boulder in your throat. I believe that mine is caused by acid reflux, my tonsils get irritated from acid backing up into my throat. I am currently on Nexium, but it doesn't always help the acid production. My question is do the tonsils produce the stones or is it from food particles.

Zan

I felt that mine were caused from frequent sinus infections, but once I had my tonsils removed -- which BTW, the ENT said the were FULL of infection -- chunks of cheesy curdlike stuff that went quite deep he said, my sinus problems went away. I think my infected tonsils were causing what I thought were sinus headaches.

I am so happy I found this site! Ok Im 25 years old and had this problem for a couple years now. It started one summer after I got over a case of strep throat. I felt something in my tonsil....I looked at it in the mirror with a flashlight....I saw this light yellow thing coming out of my tonsil. I thought maybe it was part of a scambled egg I ate for breakfast. I got it out and thought okay thats done. But it wasn't. More and more would show up. I thought oh my god im a freak! I thought I was the only one in the whole world that this was happening to.... I tried looking it up on the net but only found one thing that sounded similar to what I was experiencing, that was two years ago..... It was my secret for two years until recently I told my mom about it after I found alot of info on it. I didn't know other people had this problem.....yes they are gross, when i would take them out and crush them they had this disgusting odor which i can never describe.... it made me want to throw up. I chew gum all the time cuz I thought if those things stunk that bad when they come out of my mouth then I can't imagine what my breath was like. But I asked my mom about my breath and she told me she never smelled my breath being really horrible....she said I would tell u. I know she would so that made me feel better.

something that helps remove them easier than a qtip is a blackhead remover, it looks like a little spoon that has a hole in the center, mine has it on both ends and i think i got it at the drug store.

2 weeks post tonsillectomy op....and back at work. First week pretty bad but more to do with the awful breath and infected mucous. Pain not so bad. Key is to overcome reluctance to eat early as possible. Took Flagyl syrup for the anaerobic infection which i thought had cleared it up. For at least 5 days had no noticeable globus sensation, blocked nose or mucous....and no stones or bb. Last two days...globus has returned a bit, nostrils seem partially blocked, have some mucous at back of throat....though no where near as much as before., have thicker white coating on tongue than when felt ok......and bb seems to have returned. It seems fairly mild....but I am beginning to think that the PND is still happening. There is no tonsil stone odor but more what you would call traditional bb. I am hoping it is just the remnants of the infection resurfacing and I will go back on the Flagyl syrup today.


Would like to know if anyone else has or is experiencing thsese symptoms post op and whether the recovery process including proper elimination of the infection takes longer than I have described.

Replies much appreciated. :(

Symptoms

Frequent horrible breath and taste (fetid)
Semi-permanent white coating on back of tongue
Raised white spots on back of tongue which appear to sit on papillae
Globus sensation of something stuck in throat and throat clearing
Excess mucous
Tonsil stones now removed by finger and flashlight ...gag reflux gone
Frequent blocked nose in either nostril but rarely both

Cheers.

I have the same symtoms. Also morning breath is like freeking nerve gas/rotting poop. The other day I sqeezed out about 3 from my left, and 4 from my right. Throat felt great. I could breath again. Morning breath was gone. 3 Days later, I drink a few beers (nice cold Bud's, yum), swallow hard. Then, ahh crap what's in my throat this time. Look in the mirror. OH hello there mr white nasty stinkbom chilling in my tonsil! Freeking nasty.

On my first g00gle search a few weeks ago I found this (a link to the old health boards) http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/Forum126/HTML/002251.html

It has some very good info. How it can be a error in your body relating your tonsils, nose, and thyroid. And how it can make you feel like crap and always tired (liek me) even when you get enough sleep and eat healthy.

So I'm going to buy a waterpick today, and try the grape seed extract. If that keeps the stones away cool. Also if that helps me breath, and feel alive again awesome. Otherwise maybe getting the tonsils removed are the only solution.

BTW thank God for these threads and the members here!

I started getting the stones (which I found out are called "tonsilliths") last summer after having taken a barrage of antibiotics prescribed by an ENT who diagnosed me with chronic sinusitis. I have since had sinus surgery and though my sinuses feel much better and I am sleeping better, I am still getting the stones. My next move is to find out if I still have sleep apnea and if so, have my tonsils removed.
Since there are a few folks on this BB that have had the proceedure done I am interested in finding out what tonsillectomy type was performed. I read on a website that there is a Bovie Proceedure and a new "PITA" Technique. According to iTonsil.com the PITA technique is much improved from the Bovie proceedure, as the tonsils are not removed down to the neck muscle, and this improves the post op healing and reduces the pain and recovery time.
I am tired of having a sore throat, stones, snoring and the rest of the business going along with all that! Next time I see the Doc I am asking about having them removed and who in my area is using the PITA Technique.
I hope everyone resolves their throat problems and can return to good health.

brad, I too developed tonsiliniths after taking anti-biotics (amoxicillin) for 10 days (I have a pilonidal cyst, had to stop the pus).






I've had those white spots on my right tonsil for over 10 years. They came and went. I have never noticed that they immediately respond to antibotics or antifungal medications. I have read that they are related to food getting caught in pockets in your tonsil. But I no longer believe that is true.
I have watch my spots develop very carefully and it is now clear that these spots begin under the skin of my tonsil and slowly work there way out like a blood blister does on your finger. I think these tonsil stones are actually dead cells that have calcified because your tonsil has been fighting an infection. When they break onto the surface some food particles stick to them, but I think that is just incidental. If you break them open they are soft and sometimes smelly just like the stuff you sometimes get out of a rather large zit that is healing over.

In both cases I think they are the debri of a fight your body had with an infection. I had a 10 year battle with tonsil infections that finally stopped when it was discovered I had low thyroid and my immune system was screwed up. Since that time, my tonsil has been slowly shrinking in size and as it does so I get many of these white spots coming out of the tonsil. When the spot drops off, it often leaves a hole that goes some considerable distance into my tonsil. That hole slowly closes and disappears.

So if you have those white spots I think it represents an infection that you had or currently have. If your tonsil is even the least bit swollen then you need to first have your thyroid checked to make sure you have a normal immune system and then to on some long term antibiotic like doxycyline for a month or more to kill and eliminate what ever infection is causes your problem.

In my case I had to take 3 different antibiotics (penicillin, zithromax and cephalexin) one after the other followed by 3 months of Sulfatrim and an antifungal to kill the yeast that started from all those antibiotics. But my infection is clearly gone now and as my tonsil steadily shrinks it is showing more and more of those white spots. Which I think is a good thing because it is the residue of past infections.

Hope it helps.



I agree that these stones represent infection, the tonsils being lymphodal tissue. However, I do not believe that long-term antibiotics is the way to go, as it will only serve to weaken your immune system further. A natural product such as GSE is a powerful germacide and at the same time, an incredible immune booster. Everyone has crypts to some degree (the tonsil holes) but they are larger in some people and are also stretched by the stones. Also, a good indication of whether or not the environment in your mouth is suitable for stones is the coating on your tongue...if it is thick and whitish-yellow, you are more likely to have stones.
To answer the previous poster, I dilute about 6-8 drops of the GSE in 2 oz of water and swish and gargle 3 times a day, as well as dilute 6 drops in 3 oz and take internally 2-3 times a day. Then when the infection is gone you can lower it to 2 times a day if you want simply as a prevention and good health aid. It is a great breath freshner because it kills the bacteria rather than masking the odour.

Do you realize that the stones are composed of the same bacteria that coats the tongue? People who take longterm antibiotics upset their natural balance of bacteria and end up with yeast infections (which includes oral infections, not just vaginal). This would only serve to worsen the problem of tonsil stones in the longrun. Antibiotics are certainly not a healthy alternative for you.



Both make points. But I from what I have also researched julia is "more correct". These quotes were takin from the old healthboards.com forum.

Also I got a waterpik today. Cleaned them out good, (there was still some left, mainly smaller pieces). But it feels like there is one in my nasal passage (if thats possible). Seems like post nasal drip could be adding to the problem. Which would be from my not so good diet, 6 animals in one house, and me not getting outside much. :dizzy:

I had really bad tonsil stones, to even think about them now makes me feel sick but I thought I would write in to let you know how I dealt with them. For a long time they made me miserable, and I would only eat liquid foods and I got very ill. They can get very big and they are totally gross, anyway, I had my tonsils removed and they have gone. Tonsillectomy was rough, but the problem is gone. Trouble is, I have an uncomfortable throat on one side now, ever since the tonsillectomy. So it is like I traded one problem for another, although, it's a more tolerable problem. I would suggest that if you can't stand it, have your tonsils removed. I was poking them out for a long time beforehand, and my doc would not let me get my tonsils removed, but when I went to an ENT, he said that I could have them removed. These stones can be surprisingly large and ruined my life.

i have suffered from tonsil crypts and stones for about 2 years now,

after visiting many doctors i was told there was nothing wrong even though i had ear ache, a constant sore throat and a feeling that tehre was something stuck each time i swallowed, eventually i got to see a ENT consultant and he explained that i could either just put up with the annoyance or get my tonsils out,

i am having my tonsils out on tuesday and cross fingers , hopefully the ear aches and sore throats will stop, :wave:

Wow, I am glad that this topic has brought so much information to the people who need it. I started this topic a long time ago and since have had my tonsils removed. I can honestly say it was worth it. I was 25 when I got the surgery and yes my throat hurt for about 3 months after the surgery but it wasn't nearly as bad as years of a constant sore throat and the feeling of stones stuck in them! Eventhough I had to change pain medication & couldn't even swallow my own spit for 3 months, IT WAS WELL WORTH IT. Plus I lost bunch of weight =). The stones did embarass me so bad sometimes and it definately eliminates bad breath (if that's what was causing it). My ENT said he'd never saw a tonsil so bad 'with all that stuff' in it. Needless to say yet again, I am so happy now!! Good luck to all!

xylitol

natural sugar

alkaline

glycemic index=7

prevents bacterial adhesion, non nutritive to bacteria

try as gargle and in nasal wash

ive been using for years but started using as oral irrigant and nasal wash(saline) about a year ago. staining on tongue gone and tonsils shruk to nada

try it and if it works for u-spread the word

doctors are mostly well meaning but mostly uninformed about good alternatives. tunnel vision:D

hi guys, i just joined the forum and i'm wondering if i have tonsoliths as well. it was sooooo hard to find any information on this. here are my symptoms and pls tell me if they sound anything like a tonsolith (i did read the posts but am still curious). i'm making an ENT appt as well.

a brief past history - i used to get tonsillitis as a child a lot but grew up in india and no one really looked into tonsillectomies back then. i also get a lot of colds in the winter and even in the summer and get lots of sore throats.

my current symptoms - this started about 6 months ago (i am 27 years old). i randomly produced (not coughed or vomited) this tooth-sized (and it almost looks like a tooth too), white/tan, extremely stinky, spongy THING from the back of my throat. at first i thought, "huh" and thought it was old food. but voila, a few weeks later, a similiar THING came out. this kept happening every few weeks and now i'm concerned. the last time i had it (last week), i KNEW it was there...i had this funny sensation in the back of my throat (kinda like when popcorn gets stuck to the back of your tongue) and i kept trying to find it by looking in the mirror (but it was too far down) and tried to push it up with the back of my throat. i also had a cold at the same time. after reading all your posts, it seems that you guys get it during an infection (i will have to keep a close eye on that). i told my husband that i was about to give birth to that THING and sure enough, two days later, the THING came out in the middle of the airport of all places. it was bigger than the other ones in the past (still, tooth-sized). i showed it to my husband and mmmm, he sure finds this sexy!!

my only worry is that its a zenker's diverticulum, which is in the esophagus. but those cause trouble swallowing which i do NOT have.

what do you guys think?

oh, i also wanted to add this -
unlike most of you guys who can actually see the stuff on your tonsils...i have never been able to see ANYTHING. i can just feel it and then it comes up in a few days.

gwen try looking deeper w/a flashlight.

Here's my story: As a child I would occasionaly hack up this lil' hard white particle. Never knew what it was, my sister (a nurse) told me it was a worm egg - GROSS!!! and it was caused by walking barefoot in the grass. Needless to say, for years I always made sure I wore shoes when outside, but this never stopped me from hacking up the "worm eggs." As I got older, I formed allergies and was seeing an ENT and recieving allergy shots every wk. About 3 years ago, I had a severly soar throat and so I checked my throat and saw a white spot way in the back, went to see my ENT and he said that it was food particles stuck in the back of my throat called tonsilliths. Anyways when I went home I took a flashlight and looked deep inside my throat and finally saw my tonsils. (I never knew what tonsils looked like, I always thought it was that punching bag hanging from the back, hehe) I am still battling w/the tonsil stones, occassionally pushing it out w/a qtip but sometimes I would gag so badly I would throw up. My gagging reflex seemed to get worst, so I would stop pushing it out as often. About 2 weeks ago, my throat started bothering me again, got the ringing in my ear, itchy ear, throat and eyes, the whole deal and sure enough I had a huge tonsil stone sticking out. I tried for nearly 30min trying to get it out, pushing and gagging. Finally I was too tired to continue. The gagging does wear a person out. Just when I was about to give up, I was gargling and realized each time I gargled it would push the tonsil stones out far enough for me to get it w/the qtip. This had to be the mother of them all...it kept coming and coming...finally my throat felt a whole lot better. And I thought to myself, I have found the "Technique" that would change it all. Tried the gargling yesterday, it didnt work :confused: So now I am contemplating having my tonsils removed. Altho I had them as a child I think they have gotten worst since I started the allergy treatment. I am still constantly battling w/nasal congestion, itchy eyes, etc. I wonder if removing my tonsils would elminate it all. I'm thinking of having my surgery sometime in March '07. Will let u guys know how it turns out. I'm really scared, but so fed up w/the stones.

Hey guys
I have had problems with tonsil stones since I was 17, ever since I had a bad case of mononucleosis, I am now 24. To be honest I never had any problems with my tonsils until after the mono. Then I continually had sore throats and tonsil stones thereafter and eventually started haveing problems with strep throat. I only get the tonsil stones in my right tonsil, which has very deep pockets. Both of my tonsils are very big but only the right has the pockets. I was scheduled for a tonsillectomy on dec 8th but chickened out after I read all the horror stories. hopefully I will brave it out and go ahead with the surgery b/c my ENT says they need to come out.
Christy

I'm 18 & I got my tonsillectomy a month ago. Everybody reacts different. I was actually excited to get them out & even enjoyed my hospital prep time. Everybody (my family) seem to be concerned but I was very happy. I can say I was completly heeled 2 weeks after surgery. This is my personal account but I say it's better to live with pain 2 weeks than have to deal with tonsil stones. I also had other problems with them but I think it's best to say goodbye to them for good.

Best Wishes

ok, i am going to do it!!! i have my surgery scheduled in 2 wks. Wish me LUCK!!!

I have the little white stones as well....Dr says they are bacteria from having many infections ie:strep throat and tonsillitis.. They smell like plaque from your teeth.. Right now I am waiting for surgery. My tonsillils get so swollen from being impacted I can feel it.. The Dr. said for now try to get it out, so I use a Q-tip with the fluff pulled off one side.. Seeing as I have holes in my tonsils that I can push the stones thru..so very gross.. Just take a small mirror and a small flashlight and poke away! haha just don't puke lol. take care ;)

Im_so_scared-
I am 26 and had my tonsils removed 2 years ago...well almost 12/22 would be 2 years. Having the surgery was painful but not unbearable. I was able to eat small things by x-mas which was 3 days later. By one week I was able to eat lasagna and sausage and by 2 weeks I was completely healed. Like I said there will be pain but It was worth it. I still get a sore throat every now and then but it's nothing like before. Having them out was the better choice so I hope you can muster up some courage and reschedule the surgery cause it will be for the better.....well hope I was helpful

One of the best things I have ever done, was having my tonsils out at 16.
I insisted!!!!
BECAUSE, I did not want to face a life, with revolting stones!
Go for it, take your tonsils OUT! Its soooooo worth the pain....

Thank u, You were very helpful. I'm gonna trymy best just not to think about the pain and do it.

Im_so_scared-
Just try not to think about the pain....it's hard but you can get through it. It is better that you have them out now at 24 ( like me) then later. We still heal a little better than those who are a lil older and take longer to heal.
My advice to you if u choose to go through with it-
Is get a humidifier it will help you sleep better

ask for liquid codiene it soothes the throat, helps you fall asleep and eases some discomfort

stick to soft foods that are warm- softly scrambled eggs, a runny texture mashed potato...as they dont burn as much as broth or ice cream or sherbert.

Having this surgery will be the best thing you can do for yourself....just wait till you stop getting tonsil stones and sore throats you will be so happy you did it!

Well Good Luck and Here's Hoping that Everything Goes Smoothly!

will doctors let you have surgery for something like tonsil stones? or does that have to be a secondary problem to a bigger issue? It seems like doctors wouldn't perscribe something that extreme for tonsil stones. I'm just trying to figure out how i can try to convince my DR. to approve the surgery.

grovegreen,

Normally you need something chronic in addition to the stones.. like 4-6 sinus/ear infections in a 6 month period... reoccuring strep... sleep apnea.. chronic sore throat, tonsillitus, or swollen tonsils. Talk with your ENT and see what you need to do to get them removed. I am sure that cane explain the particulars to you.

Sincerely,
MG

will doctors let you have surgery for something like tonsil stones?

Mine did. I explained that I felt like I had bad breath all the time and was really self conscious, and that by picking the stones out with my nails, I was tearing my tonsils apart, causing them to bleed and making bigger crypts! By the end of the first appointment, he had suggested a tonsillectomy. He told me that there is no other way to get rid of the stones. Although I'd never have the surgery again, because I had a really bad experience, I am very grateful every day that I no longer have the stones.

Good luck and it can't hurt to try to ask your doctor - see what he says. :)

i got my tonsils removed on april 6th and it was possibly the best decision i made in my life.

since i was young, i used to get random tonsil stones. i couldn't for the life of me remove them. i had to wait for them to fall out on their own.

also, before surgery, i had a horrible gag reflex, so getting these tonsil stones used to always cause me to gag and throw up.

it got the worst at the beginning of 2006. i was so sick that i had to quit my job and i was stuck in bed for months.

the worst was it took 4 doctors appointments for the doctor to diagnose me. as soon as i went to an EMT, he was like "OH GOD, get your tonsils out"

so, here i am. i've only had one cold since then, and i didn't get strep! it was awesome.

as horrible as recovery from the surgery was (i couldn't eat AT ALL for two weeks. i lost 20 lbs. (which came quickly back)), i recommend it to anyone.

I just had my tonsils out 2 days ago( ow!)Had tonsil stones for about 10 years. Got quite long nails so would scoop them out with my nail......vile I know. They stink when you get them out, and if I didn't get them out my throat would start to hurt and sometimes I would get all itchy. huge feeling of satisfaction when I got a good big one out tho...!

Hi there. I have been getting tonsil stones for years now. After lots of online research I finally found out what they were and realized I was not alone. I took someone's advice from this site and tried the Water Pic which you can buy for around $20 at Walmart in the toothbrush aisle. It gently sprays water into the little caves in your tonsils where food is getting trapped and rots. I know this is true because after I eat broccoli then use my Water Pic the next day I will see tiny pieces of green florets come out in the sink when I spit out the water. The Water Pic has really helped me. My breath isn't perfect all the time, but I haven't had to buy chewing gum since I used it and I used to chew gum all day every day to mask my terrible breath. The only other thing to do as far as I've come across is surgery but I've been reading that it is very painful. Try the Water Pic first and see if it helps you. One tip though - it comes with different head pieces, practise spraying in the sink first and find the one with the lowest water pressure or you will really hurt your tonsils. Good luck.

Hey there. I tried the Water Pic from Walmart to gently spray the gunk out of the pockets in my tonsils where food was getting caught and rotting, causing terrible bad breath. It has worked well for me and I don't need to chew gum anymore.