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Tonsillitis-how many times do I have to get it?!

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  • 29-01-2009 8:25pm
    #1
    kavanaa1
    Registered Users Posts: 55 ✭✭


    Im a 21 year old male. Healthy in all other regards but over the last 12 months I have got bad tonsillitis on six separate occasions(the sixth time being at the moment!). My doctor just puts me on antibiotics and says no one really gets them out any more. I really dont want to go on getting it as it knocks me for six everytime I get it, causing me to miss college, matches etc.

    Anyone know if they really have stopped removing tonsils from people affected by repeated tonsillitis?


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    #2
    Agent Smith
    Moderators, Regional East Moderators Posts: 21,502 Mod ✭✭✭✭Agent Smith


    speaking from experiance, i'm in the same boat as yourself, male,23, relitivly healthy

    i was told that unless they *MUST* come out, they dont, because of our age, recovery time can take up to a month :(


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    #3
    Sleipnir
    Registered Users Posts: 5,514 ✭✭✭Sleipnir


    kavanaa1 wrote: »
    Im a 21 year old male. Healthy in all other regards but over the last 12 months I have got bad tonsillitis on six separate occasions(the sixth time being at the moment!). My doctor just puts me on antibiotics and says no one really gets them out any more. I really dont want to go on getting it as it knocks me for six everytime I get it, causing me to miss college, matches etc.

    Anyone know if they really have stopped removing tonsils from people affected by repeated tonsillitis?



    People do get them out, it just doesn't happen as much as it used to. Much better idea then pumping yourself full of ABs 6 times a year.

    Tell your GP that you want a referral to a specialist.


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    #4
    Alun
    Registered Users Posts: 21,434 ✭✭✭✭Alun


    I was always under the impression that tonsilectomy was one of those operations that gets more difficult and risky as you get older which is why it's not recommended for adults. I had mine out aged 9 or 10 if I remember correctly.


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    #5
    bakedalaska
    Registered Users Posts: 26 ✭bakedalaska


    I was in the same position as yourself until I told my GP i wanted to get them out. I seen a specialist and had them out within 2 months. It did take about 3 weeks to recover but I have absolutely no regrets, no colds, no flus , no sore throats and much more energy. I highly recommend gettin them out!


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    #6
    r3nu4l
    Registered Users Posts: 17,399 ✭✭✭✭r3nu4l


    Yup specialist referral is a good idea, an ENT appointment would be good. The reason they don't like taking tonsils out any more is partly because we have a better understanding of their role in our immune system. They are quite handy to have around. :)

    It's really annoying and painful so definitely look into getting a referral if it's happening all the time.


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    #7
    kayos
    Registered Users Posts: 2,494 ✭✭✭kayos


    I got them out when I was 7 (23years ago) I was on AB about every 2 months from about 6months of age for them. It was nto until my father told the consultant he was either going to agree to take them out or my father would do it at home....

    My OH is getting regular bouts of it for the past while and I think the GP has said one more and she's getting refered.

    Do I miss mine? Not at all its great that having to take AB's is a once in a very blue moon thing now. Compared to being a AB addict and most likely a breading ground for the little germs to mutate and become immune to the meds.


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    #8
    r3nu4l
    Registered Users Posts: 17,399 ✭✭✭✭r3nu4l


    One other point I wanted to make, years ago I had several bouts of tonsilitis, one after the other, the doc told me he would refer me if I got another bout. I never did get another bout! :)

    /crosses fingers, touches wood.


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    #9
    JUSTaCURIOCITY
    Registered Users Posts: 72 ✭✭JUSTaCURIOCITY


    Doctors always refere to strep throat. so they stuff you with Augmentin anybiotic and then it all ment to be ok , when later you still have swallowed throat


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    #10
    rondog
    Registered Users Posts: 594 ✭✭✭rondog


    My sister and I both suffer(ed) from tonsillitus.She was getting it 5-6 times a year so the doc took them out.Back then i wasnt getting so many recurrent infections so didnt bother.i still get tonsillitis and strep throat which is a killer and i want to get my tonsils out but my doc advised as stated i need to have a record of the number of infections per year before he will refer me.like a previous poster when i get it i have to go on AB which ruins me for a week or 2.Obvioously AB are not advisabel to be taken often and people build tolerances to ABs which is what i dont want so im pushing to have them taken out.Now i have Abs on standby so the first moment i feel it coming on i take them which is not best practise at all.


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