Tonsillectomy

Faith

I was just discussing tonsillitis with some friends who're medical students, and they said that tonsils are no longer being removed. Is this true? What is the reasoning behind it, if it is?

smashey

All I can say is that I am on the waiting list to get mine removed and my doctor never mentioned this.

/Edit. How do they propose to treat it?

Dr Strange

Hello,

yes I have heard that some years ago back in Germany. Apparently the tonsils do have something to do with our immune system and if tonsilitis is not too severe they rather leave them (tonsils) alone before removing them. I always had some problems with tonsilities, got it at least once a year. My former GP in Germany always told me that he would not recommend removing them if the tonsilitis clears up after a couple of days (using medication).
I came over here in '99 so the theory behind not to remove tonsils right away in cases of tonsilitis is some years old.

Best,
P.

smashey

In my case, I get it about three or four times a year. It clears up after a few days of antibiotics but this has been happening for about ten years now. I think of it as an inconvenience rather than an ailment.

Dr Strange

Hi smashey,

yes, I agree, it is more an inconvenience. I used to get it on one side first and it would transfer slowly to the other side after a day or two. When I get it now I just use something antibacterial and antiseptic (Strepsils for example) as it rarely gets to a stage where I need antibiotics nowadays.

Are your tonsils comparatively large? If you have tonsilitis from time to time you will probably see some of the marks left by their "fight" against infection. The surface of the tonsils can look quite scarred and with lots of depressions (not really holes...more like cul-de-sacs).

Best,
P.

EDIT: 10 years is about right for myself...maybe even 13-14 years in my case.

smashey

Sounds pretty similar. Every now and again, it mutates to include an ear infection. Now that is an ailment.

Dr Strange

Ear infection? Nasty, didn't have that. But I had it sometimes transferred to the gums around my wisdom teeth. Although it had nothing to do with the teeth themselves I had some swollen gums in that area for a day or two afterwards...and quite painful.

Oh dear, and I always thought I wouldn't become like one of those OAP's, talking about my ailments (and that at 30!)

Best,
P.

Faith

I feel better about mine now! Although when I get tonsilitis, it lasts for about a week. Last time it came with a fever, and that was pretty unpleasant. But penicillin doesn't agree with me really, so I generally choose not to take anything for it. My GP told me before that anti-biotics only shorten the course of it by a day or so.

By the sounds of it, they're still doing the procedure in Ireland. Maybe they only do it in extreme cases over here or something. If it's not that bad, I guess you just have to resign yourself to it!

casita

ow it went: Today is day # 9 after the procedure, and still not able to swallow fully! still hurts when im try to drink liquids so lets dont mention food! pain killers (Vicodin liquid) is ok...it takes my pain away., but puts me too sleepy afterwards! im F/32

I heard for someone my age, full recovery takes about a week and a half to two weeks. Its very annoying cus is summer, people invite you to BBQ"S and you are not able not even to flavor or savor your food! sometimes the sides of my tongue hurts too...I have checked it but nothing vissible appears. maybe some redness!

Tonsillectomy is a procedure you must do only and only i repeat...if you need it! in my case was frequent infections and a possible link to increased BUN AND CREAt. (kidney function markers).

I'm able to talk. but eating soft things is still a battle..every day...I hope by day #14 im fully recovered!
To those getting it done, be ready because you will encounter lots of pain, mostly of it discomfort...and be ready to lose at least 5 lbs..since your not able to eat or drink! but you must at least drink, since you dont want to end up in hospital with a diagnosis of Dehydration.
Good luck! i hope this info has helped!