Tonsil Stones

[hyacnth]

Man, oh man, did I think I was the only freak out there! I've been battling these hellacious things for 10 years! I can't tell you how reassuring it is that it is as common as it seems. Tried the waterpik, and it's too rough. So, if you have any access to such a thing, the disposable instruments that doctors use to remove ear wax build-up (there's like a set of tools...loop-ended probes, scoops about 3mm wide, etc.) are the bomb at removing the little devils. I just disinfect them after each use. My hubby is a doctor, and I have another doctor friend, and neither have heard of this before. Years ago the ENT I went to knew immediately what they were, and prescribed Clindamycin for whatever anaerobic organisms may have been brewing at that time. Like, did an infection cause the crud, or did the crud cause an infection? I sure can sympathize with everyone who wants to get a tonsillectomy....it would make me feel so much more confident when talking to people knowing I don't have putrefying yuck hanging around!

[LoriGymnast]

Originally posted by HSJay76:
"Hello. My name is Jason. I'm a tonsilolith sufferer."

Wow. I never imagined so many people had this! I've had tonsil stones since I was 13 or 14. I am now 27. I always thought it was something that I had to 'deal with' as my family doctor told me the same story that may of you got -- "It's just food..." I refused to beleive this, but decided to try and cope with it.

For over ten years I've been picking them out spitting them out and sometimes, in the absolute worst situations, having to SWALLOW them. (your cue to gag) I simply could not put up with it anymore, so I went to see an ENT about a year ago. He told me it was...you guessed it... f.o.o.d. and that my tonsils were healthy, that I shouldnt be concerned.

I found this site last week and immediately printed out the entire contents (for 'backup' or PROOF). I made another appointment with a different ENT; a somewhat younger and more hip doctor. She immediately recognized the fact that I had TONSILOLITHS (amen?) She diagnosed me with chronic tonsilitis and said that the tonsils need to be removed. I agreed. I get them removed in 3 weeks. I know that recovery will be more difficult because I am older, but it's either that or pick, gargle, swab, spit, pick, every day until death. I opted for removal thank you.

Oh, by the way. I gave my wife a flashlight and showed them to her. Her eyes got huge and she dropped the light. Now she gets freaked out when I kiss her. Perhaps I should have waited until a few days before surgery to show her. Oh well.

I hope the rest of you fair well your tonsil stones, aka tonsiloliths, aka vomit varmints, aka puke fluff, aka tonsil rocks, aka "WHATTHEHECKISTHAT!"

I'll post more during and after surgery recovery.

Later
JJ

[LoriGymnast]

Hi I really want to know how your doing since having your surgery. I am 41 years old and have had these tonsil stones since I was 26. They only seem to be getting worse. I am afraid to have them surgically removed at this stage in life. Will you please post everything about the surgery and the after effects no matter how bad they might be. Just please be honest, I want the truth to decide if I should be brave and have them taken out. Looking forward to hearing from you, hope your doing well.

Originally posted by HSJay76:
"Hello. My name is Jason. I'm a tonsilolith sufferer."

Wow. I never imagined so many people had this! I've had tonsil stones since I was 13 or 14. I am now 27. I always thought it was something that I had to 'deal with' as my family doctor told me the same story that may of you got -- "It's just food..." I refused to beleive this, but decided to try and cope with it.

For over ten years I've been picking them out spitting them out and sometimes, in the absolute worst situations, having to SWALLOW them. (your cue to gag) I simply could not put up with it anymore, so I went to see an ENT about a year ago. He told me it was...you guessed it... f.o.o.d. and that my tonsils were healthy, that I shouldnt be concerned.

I found this site last week and immediately printed out the entire contents (for 'backup' or PROOF). I made another appointment with a different ENT; a somewhat younger and more hip doctor. She immediately recognized the fact that I had TONSILOLITHS (amen?) She diagnosed me with chronic tonsilitis and said that the tonsils need to be removed. I agreed. I get them removed in 3 weeks. I know that recovery will be more difficult because I am older, but it's either that or pick, gargle, swab, spit, pick, every day until death. I opted for removal thank you.

Oh, by the way. I gave my wife a flashlight and showed them to her. Her eyes got huge and she dropped the light. Now she gets freaked out when I kiss her. Perhaps I should have waited until a few days before surgery to show her. Oh well.

I hope the rest of you fair well your tonsil stones, aka tonsiloliths, aka vomit varmints, aka puke fluff, aka tonsil rocks, aka "WHATTHEHECKISTHAT!"

I'll post more during and after surgery recovery.

Later
JJ

[fred47_2001]

my tonsil stone story. For years I have had a problem with an occasional tonsil stone but in the last 8 or 9 months an explosion in numbers along with a persistant soar throat and ear aches. Finally went to two ents who both down played the stones {said tonsils looked fine } but diagnosed acid reflux as the source of my discomfort. I have my doubts. my own observations seem to show a correlation in the number and side thier on as to the degree and location of the pain. am currently on nexium. one ent linked acid reflux to post nasal drip, I am again skeptical, but waiting 3 or 4 weeks to see any improvement with the drug therapy. any way one ent suggested and is willing to do the radio frequency coblation to elimenate the crypts in my tonsils { no more stones } I will most likely go with it if i dont improve as I cant stand the constant irretation caused by these damn things

[SpikeyMikey]

Originally posted by DrSpliff:
I haven't yet seen a doctor specificly about my tonsils, but im sure he'll just say some BS story about how it's bits of food getting stuck in there etc. But I really think my tonsils need to be removed, they've been giant ever since I can remember, and theres allways the feeling of two golf balls stuck down my throat... Not to mention my breath constantly smells, sure I could gargol 8 times a day, but thats just too much to ask.

Any ideas about persuading the doc to get my tonsils removed... im only 16 so the recovery shouldn't be too bad. They are way too big, causing a constant dull pain, maybe I have some form of constant mild tonsilitis?

Your condition would convince me to recommend removal if I were the doc! I say you go in for a diagnosis, and describe it the way you just did here...