Tonsilitis

SeanKev

Sorry if this is the wrong place.

I have large tonsils and they are very prone to infection, Ever since I was young I would be getting regular infections 3+ times a year. I'm 17 now and nothing has changed. I would get antibiotics if it was very severe, normally I would get a anti bacterial spray/strepsils, and it would clear up.

I have a healthy diet and lifestyle. I brush my teeth and I use mouthwash which has alcohol in it. I don't eat rancid dog ****e (which my doctor seems to believe)

My tonsils are strangely shaped, they have many holes/flaps of skin. They are a breeding ground for bacteria, and I shouldn't have to put up with this numerous times a year!

I am seriously considering getting my tonsils removed at this stage, has anyone else had this procedure? Could you give me a bit of a walk-through, or what to expect?

taram

I had the exact same problem, and the worst bit was I had tonsilloliths every single day for years too. Only thing I did different from you was to use a mouthwash without alcohol as it dried my throat out a little and made it worse.

I got my tonsils out when I was 16 as my tonsillitis was so bad sometimes I got to the point I found it hard to breathe at night if I had a blocked nose. I felt like absolute s**t the day after, but I think that was mostly the anaesthetic messing with my head. I took two weeks off school, ate lots of soup and since then have maybe had six attempts by my body to give me a sore throat in the last decade, but nothing even vaguely like what I'd consider a mild tonsilitis attack for me was before!

Maybe see a different doctor, explain your history, if they think you're suitable for removal, I'd go for it, I didn't even realise how much pain I was in constantly until I had them out.

Obriens1000

Guys,

Tonsillitis is a quite serious infection, whereby toxins built up by a bacterial infection are being treated by the white blood cells in your body. This build-up generally levels your tonsils swelling and becoming very painful.

This infection recurs until your tonsils are removed. Medication and old wife's tales like salt treatment are only a temporary solution.

Doctor's in Ireland are generally like German comedians - they both have no idea what they are doing.

Go to a specialist in Eye, ear and throat

Also, if you can afford it take out private health insurance as Public Health Service in Ireland is 3rd world standard. Irish people will tell you everything is "grand" and that you just need to " get on with it" or better still " get over it" which basically means "don't complain" or "I couldn't be bothered to actually help you solve your problem".

I lived abroad in Germany, France, USA, Italy and have seen different health service standards. I had my tonsils removed at 30 yrs age. When in Ireland I was continually given Penicillin which is a very hash drug to clear any infection.
When I went to work in Germany, I was referred to specialist who took 3 blood samples and confirmed I had Strep Coc infection and recommended treatment was to have he tonsils removed to avoid repeat of tonsillitis and potential heart issues later on in life.

11 years on and I have never had a recurrence of tonsillitis.

All above is my own opinion from life and personal experience. I generally believe you have to rely on your intuition and persevere do get to the bottom of your illness. Don't accept second best when it comes to your own health or those of your loved ones. We Irish, are too accepting especially with doctors when it comes to challenging conventional wisdom.