Hi, I am 29 and scheduled to have a tonsillectomy on May 19th. I've had tonsilitis at least 2/3 times per year for as long as I can remember. Since February I have been suffering with tonsilitis and am now on my 4th lot of anitbiotics. I've been tested twice in the last month for glandular fever, both tests have been negative. The Doctors have now finally decided that a tonsillectomy is the best option.
Just wondered if there was anyone else out there from the UK who has or will be having a tonsillectomy at a similar time? Maybe we could share stories?

Jane
Hi I'm in Glos UK, and I had my tonsils out (as an adult) sept 2006. I have a bit of advice for you if you don't mind...
Think very carefully before going ahead with this surgery, and make sure you are certain it's the only option. I say this because firstly the pain afterwards is unbearable and unrelenting for 2 weeks (I would rather have had a baby with no pain relief) But my main problem is my taste or lack of it - my life is totally changed I have taste disturbance/nerve damage from the Op (for example I can't eat chocolate spicy food, convenience foods, citrus or tomato based products, wine, fizzy drinks, juice.. the list goes on and on) this means that those foods and more change taste in my mouth and taste so foul, I also have over working salivary glands too. and although my problems are rare I have spoken to other people who have mild taste loss and are always throat clearing now (yes I do too) and they wish they'd left well alone.
My nerve damage is permanent, i've seen surgeons and a neurologist, I had no idea this could happen before I had my sugery, I would NEVER have had it done had I known it was possible, I would have lived with my tonsillitis it's changed my life - eating out is a total nightmare.
Just think you should know what is possible, my case is rare but it's happened to me and i'm a healthy 35 year old.

OH WOW lizf88 I wish I would have talked to you before my tonsillectomy 4 weeks ago. I lost my sense of taste thus far and I was never informed that this could happen and you are right..... had I known I would have not gone through with the surgery. I live off of water and mashed and fried potatoes. I was just at a family wedding this past weekend and I had a breakdown because I could not eat any of the wonderful food that everyone else was having. I have been depressed and cranky due to a lack of eating, not too mention I cant have my lifeline anymore which is pepsi. The surgery has changed my life thus far and I do regret the elective surgery I had. I am scared that this will last forever and be a life altering state..... I do hope I am wrong and I am being hopeful. I have yet to tell my surgeon that this has happened because I am afraid of what I might say in a fit of anger.....he should have told me this might happen.

Goofy71
Don't panic, all is not lost - it's only a few weeks I could eat plain food by about 8-10 weeks, It just never got any better than that. the nerves can become squashed and it just needs to wake up, time to recover from the surgery. Immediately after my operation I was very depressed and it took along time to shake it and then with the added problem of being unable to comfort eat...... absolute hell.
Just hold onto the thought that time IS on your side at the moment, your early days nerve wise, and book an appointment to see your surgeon asap because if you have scarring from the operation that can cause taste problems and they can do something about that.
good luck and please let me know how you get on.
Liz

Lizf88,
Thank you for the encouragement I do appreciate it. I did however talk to my surgeons assistant and she informed me that he says there is nothing that can be done to fix my problem and to give it at least two months. Well needless to say its been 6 weeks now and I don't see this getting any better in 2 more weeks. I will however keep praying and telling myself that one day soon I will taste again. I will admit this is very depressing not being able to taste the foods I enjoy so much.
I will post again soon.

I'm so sorry for the complications you guys have had, that stinks! I know the fact those complications are rare don't help you out any. But it may help Jane.

I think of how rare a complication is, say bleeding. Then here I read about two people who had these rare bleeding complications. In my mind, just by having contact with people having those rare cases decreases my odds of having that same complication. That actually helped me not panic the other night when I started bleeding. I thought, what is the possibility that after just reading about Mer and SoupGuy I would have the same rare issue? Not likely!

I know, maybe a crazy way of looking at it but that kind of thinking helps me through the myriad "What ifs" that could drive me nuts.

So thank you guys for sharing your stories. My heart goes out to you for the suffering you continue to experience. Please know that just by sharing your story you help others...and not just in the way you might think.

hey Goofy71
I'm wondering how you are doing? any change? has it got any better? I really hope it has.
Liz