Recurrent tonsilitis - what would you do?

[Minxy]

I've got it again It's every 6-8 weeks at the mo and I need very strong anti-b's to shift it. It doesn't leave me ill for very long but I feel poorly for a day or so and under the weather a little longer.

I've tried vitamins but once the weakness is there it's easier to get it apparently. My GP is referring me to the surgeon 'for a chat' but I don't know what to do.

They don't like taking adult's tonsils out, it's a tricky area and of course no surgery is without risk. And then there's the recovery, not easy when you're working and a mum.

But all this tablets aren't good, and my sickness record at work is suffering from the odd days here and there.

I know the decision's ultimately mine, but what would you do? Has anyone here had a tonsilectomoy as an adult?

 

[Urchin]

def. whip 'em out, if you're prone to it and its affecting time off work etc it may be something you will continue to get forever, definitely better to get them out now while you're young and fit and can bounce back. I can look after Stanley if you need me to

 

[daftscotslass]

Can't say I had them out as an adult, I had mine out (as well as adenoids) when I was 7. I rarely get sore throats - perhaps 4 or 5 times since I had the op, so 20 years now. Docs say they're an essential barrier against infection - load of tosh if you're ill more with them. I rarely get ill (and when I do it's only because kids at work keep giving me various lurgies).

One of my friends gets recurrent tonsillitis and they dope her up with antibiotics every time. They won't give her the option of surgery but I know she would jump at the chance if offered. Few weeks of recovery vs tonsillitis several times a year for the rest of your life?

 

[beanie]

I'd get them removed, have had several bouts of tonsilitis and it kicked the crap out of me

 

[purple13]

i've only ever had it once, when i was 21 and it hospitalised me i got septicaemia from it and was really quite poorly. i voted get em out!! its so nasty and you must be feeling really rotten with it my mate had them out a couple of years ago cos she was getting regular recurrences too and she said it was the best thing she'd ever done - she was completely over the op within a couple of weeks. i think better that than to be consistently feeling rubbish? xx

 

[elaine22]

I had it about 3 years ago and it was awful! Thankfully not had it since but I thought if I had it several times a year I would want them out - until OH's brother who is a surgeon told me they remove them by scraping them out which made me cringe. But if it's really affecting your work, etc and you don't mind the op and recovery then I would vote for having them out.

 

[ninjawomble]

I had mine removed at 22, and it was the BEST thing Ive ever done.

I was in hospital for just the day, yes it hurt for a couple of days, but I was getting tonsilitis every 6 weeks and was so painful and tiring.

My advice is get them out!! Yes theres risks, but there is with everything..I was hospitlised one coz the infection of my tonsilitis got so bad...and believe me you DONT want this to happen!!

 

[kellie80]

whip em out! I had tonsillitis all the time when I was a kid and up till a couple of years ago I still used to get it about 4 times a year. I still get it sometimes now and I would still jump at the chance if they offered but they never do. My 8 year old has got her pre op in the morning for her tonsils and adenoids to be removed. I don't want her suffering for years.

 

[Squiglet]

I get horrid bouts of pustular tonsillitis, basically I get huge ulcers on my tonsils that ooze pus makes me really ill... The last time I had it my tonsils were so swollen I had trouble breathing... I have a bad sore throat ever couple of months but that has gotten better with the move to Spain and I only really get it now ever 3 or 4 months... but every year (Usually around xmas time) I get really ill with a particularily bad bout that lays me up for a couple of days... literally I cannot move....

So I feel your pain .... I desperately want mine out but my doctor here won't entertain it...its too dangerous apparently... But if you get the chance... get em out. I did know someone who had their tonsils out as an adult and its a LONG recovery time so be prepared... But knowing how sh*t it is to have a constant sore throat and sickness... I'd still do it.

 

[mary70]

i had mine out when i was 7, my cousin had them out last year at 41 and she was only in a day and was bk at work after 3 days

 

[LaineyG]

Whip em out!

Horrible little things!

I was in the same cycle as you. Tonsilitis, antibiotics, infection moved to my chest, more antibiotics, thrush. Better for two weeks, then start it all over again.

They took mine out, no, it wasn't pleasent, but I've not had a sore throat since, and my asthma even improved because my body wasn't constantly fighting infection.

Recurrent tonsilitis in children can actually affect their growth. So just think what it's doing to your body!

 

[Lola's Mummy]

I'd have them out

I had mine out when i was about 9 cause i kept getting infections all the time

 

[babyroo]

Certainly whip them out, I had mine taken out a few years ago because I got to the point where i literally had tonsilitus 24/7 and on permanent antibiotics because I had to wait to get mine out. (the whole cjd thing and had to wait for the single use intstruments to be made and come into use and when they were ready I had a couple of dates cancelled due to being too ill to operate.) Please get the little blighters out.
I was in hospital a day and had a few weeks off work after then i was fine.

 

[Minxy]

Wow, that's certainly comprehensive girls Lits of food for thought, thanks

 

[BountyBoo]

I'd have them taken out. My sister is 15 and has just had hers taken out as she was getting Tonsilitus all the time, so bad they were making her constantly sick. I think one week of pain is worth it for a lifetime free of it!

 

[MummyJess]

My mum had hers out as an adult and it was really hard for her so you will def need to make sure you have support in place while you make your recovery . But then at least it'll be over and you won't keep going through the cycle of infection anymore.

I had mine out as a child and I know it is easier the younger you are but I remember the relief of not having that excrutiating sore throat anymore . I'd say get them out, but be prepared for a longer recovery than a child would need. Good luck

 

[Mummy-D]

I had mine out when i was 17. It wasnt nice but i was at that age where i just felt sorry for myself lol!!

Kieran has had tonsilitus and ear infections on and off since he was a baby. I got fed up of him missing school and for some reason, he would always end up with an ear infection on christmas eve or easter etc and miss out on the fun because he was miserable. I am a working mum, so i felt awkward having to take days off work every month too.

I demanded a 2nd opinion last year and was referred to the hospital where they agreed that they needed to come out.

They took his toncils and adenoids out just before Christmas last year and he hasnt even had so much as a cold since they did!!