Tonsil Problems: Every month for 13 years, I had moderate to severe sore throats. I would get the sudden urge to choke or cough intensely, and out popped tonsil stones (also known as tonsilloliths). It was disgusting, and I tried every trick in the book. Do these sound familiar?
- Gargle with warm salt water
- Stop eating dairy products
- Squeeze out the stones from your tonsils with an object; I would use a tongue cleaner
My solution? After all else failed, I elected to have my tonsils removed. It took me at least one year to get my doctor to agree for me to see an ENT doctor. The procedure itself was not time consuming, but the post-recovery was horrendous!
Would I do it again? Probably, and unwillingly so. I vomited continuously after waking up from anesthesia and had to take anti-nausea medication. I felt sick to my stomach everyday. The healing process in my mouth looked, tasted, and felt disgusting. When you look inside your mouth, you will see greenish yellow stuff everywhere. That is the magic of the healing process!
Days 1-7 are spent in recovery mode, with pain on a 1-10 scale (10 being most painful) as:
Day 1: 6, Day 2: 7, Day 3: 8, Day 4: 9
Day 5: 10, Day 6: 10, Day 7: 9
Week two is much better once the spots in your throat are better healed.
Everything I ate and drank hurt so much. On day 7, after having liquids and no solid foods, I was still a bit out of it due to all the medications. I decided to eat a fish taco. It was the most delicious food I had tasted! I also didn't know it was a SPICY fish taco. It burned all the way down, but after that, I started to feel better.
The recovery varies for everyone. Some people have no problems at all, while others are in miserable pain. Tonsillectomies are riskier for adults than kids, since our tonsils are already developed.
If you're tired of the constant sore throats, tonsil stones, and halitosis, then I'm sure you are already considering a tonsillectomy. Remember to weigh the risks and benefits, and how much your life will be impacted.
It has been nearly one year since my procedure, and I am thankful I no longer have to deal with tonsil stones. On the down side, my throat is often very dry. If I don't have water every 30 minutes to 1 hour, my throat is parched and feels like a desert. Again, I made that decision and the dry throat can never compare to the severe sore throats or inflamed tonsils I used to feel.
I hope this helps you in your decision to improve your sore throat issues. If you have any questions, leave them below and I will get back to you as soon as possible!
Thanks for sharing your after surgery experience! I've started getting stones in the last year or so. I've had huge tonsils since I was a kid. Wish I had had them out as a child!
ReplyDeleteThanks for taking the time to read my experience! I was advised to stop eating and drinking dairy products and bread. Maybe that might help you with tonsil stones? Gargling with salt water after meals did help me, but it was hard to remember that after every time I ate. Hope your tonsil situation improves!
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