possible link - tonsil stones and GERD / acid reflux / LPR / stomach problems? - Ear, Nose & Throat Message Board

saratron · 05-31-2009, 12:45 PM

So, I have tonsil stones and chronically infected tonsils that have gotten worse over a bout the last year. I am scheduled for a tonsillectomy. I have also developed burps and a bit of acid reflux/indigestion/acid coming up into my throat at night time. I am trying to control this through diet and on no meds for it at the moment. As tonsil stones are a sign that the tonsils (which are part of the immune system) are not working properly to keep germs out, and as they have become infected chronically (making me feel run down and tired a lot of the time).... is there any possibility that my body is trying deliberately (with little luck) to destroy the germ sacs in my throat by making too much acid from the stomach and pumping it up into the throat??? Stomach acid does have a role in killing germs on food to prevent infection if they get past the tonsils? What do people think? I apologise if this link has already been discussed, it just popped into my head though...

Has anybody out there had tonsils removed due to chronic infection/tonsil stones and had significant reduction/change in acid reflux or an improvement in their digestive system? Hmmmm!

P.S. I also have a very low white blood cell count at the moment, which the doctor says needs investigating before I have my tonsils out - has anyone else experienced this? I am hoping it is low as all the white blood cells are trying to fight the infection in my tonsils (which is currently pus-filled, smelly and bleeding slightly at the moment...grrrr I just want them out!!)

martyboots · 06-21-2009, 11:35 AM

your infected tonsils are being caused by ur LPR reflux. ur problem is both ur spincter muscles are loose and not functing properly.
i have the same problem. u need meds. proton pump inhibitors. to cure lpr.
and antibiotics for 6 weeks to cure ur tonsils and tonsils stones.
if these dont work after 6 months then get the operation to tighten ur spincter muscle in ur stomach and throat.

saratron · 06-22-2009, 06:00 AM

martyboots - how do you know that it is reflux causing the tonsil problems and not the other way around? just interested!! what would make the valves too loose? the only thing i have taken around the same time this all started for me 9 months ago was a course of an antibiotic called azithromycin for food poisoning. what do you suspect triggered your reflux? i am other wise so healthy diet and exercise wise, and I am only 29 too and female, which makes me such a low risk for acid reflux, unless it is triggered by a bacterial or viral infection in the first place. i am scheduled to have my tonsils out in 3 months rather than fuss about with antibiotics as i believe they can do a lot of damage to your body (although i understand that tonsillectomy is also a major op!)

even drinking water at times will make me belch though or have hiccups or trapped gas in my food pipe for ages.
lets compare stories and see if we can get to the bottom of this!
thanks. also - how is antibiotic treatment going? do you not feel that as soon as you finish the medicine you may get another infection or it may come back again? stomach acid should KILL all germs - that is the point of it so i dont understand how reflus CAUSES tonsil infections....

saratron · 06-22-2009, 06:01 AM

also - i have had treatment for H pylori - finished it about a month ago - i was on PPI (omezaprole) for one month which did nothing for me interms of belching/acid taste in mouth so i dont believe it is at all effective for my "condition".

Janaenae · 01-28-2010, 09:17 PM

Hey there,

I'm not sure if you will get this, since this posting is over a year ago, but I pretty much have had your exact same symptoms. I developed some sort of chronic burping condition, combined with inflamed tonsils/tonsil stones. I ended up getting my tonsils removed, thinking that would solve my problems--it didn't. I have a hypothesis as to what is going on with us, but reply first so that I know that you are still on here!

Janae