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Children's health

Tonsilloliths or tonsil stones...

14 replies

Twogoodreasons · 29/04/2013 12:24

DD (7) is suffering from recurrent tonsil stones. Either she complains of pain in her throat or I notice that her breath smells and then I see one of the blighters has formed again. I can remove them with a flat teaspoon handle, but DD is traumatised by the process. She seems to have a large crypt in one tonsil which is where the stones form.

We have a doctors appointment booked for this afternoon, but my question is - has anyone seen their doctor about this problem and what solutions/treatments have you been offered and have they worked?

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coffeewineandchocolate · 29/04/2013 12:27

only treatment that works is to have themout. otherwise they just come back and get worsewith each throat infection. I had mine out for this reason in Sept. was the best thing I did!

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VivaLeBeaver · 29/04/2013 12:30

Dunno, but there are amazing videos on YouTube of people removing their own stones.

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Twogoodreasons · 29/04/2013 12:32

If it was me, I would have them whipped out in a flash, but I'd like to avoid putting DD through that if I can help it. I wondered if they could do something like lasering or cauterising the large hole to close it over? They do only ever form in this one gaping chasm in her one tonsil.

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Twogoodreasons · 29/04/2013 12:34

I get a weird sense of satisfaction when I manage to dislodge one. They can be as big as a piece of sweetcorn and pong to high heaven!

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coffeewineandchocolate · 29/04/2013 12:42

it's a sign of damage to the tonsil which will keep happening with each infection. they can prescribe antibiotics but its a temporary measure

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Twogoodreasons · 29/04/2013 14:03

I thought they might suggest antibiotics, but she gets them so often I don't think that would be a viable long-term solution.

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rubyslippers · 29/04/2013 14:07

if you can see and then actually remove stuff from the tonsils they must be huge and visible?!

does your DD not gag on the spoon??

my DS had a permanently enlarged tonsil as well as other probs and he had them out in Feb - only way to get rid of the problem

the surgery is straightforward as is over in less than an hour

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CloudsAway · 29/04/2013 14:40

I used to get them tons. Probably still do but I don't try to get them out as often, and actually I do think they have lessened.

A longish course of antibiotics - a month, say - is supposed to help, and I think it did, as once I had recurrent tonsilitis and had them for quite some time, and I think they've been better since. Had to be consistent, not with a few weeks/months off in between infections.

I agree it can be quite satisfying when you can manage to dislodge one!

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Twogoodreasons · 29/04/2013 14:41

They are huge and yes you can clearly see them. She has one growing now, but I have a photo of a full-sized one to show the GP- I'm sure he'll be thrilled. She doesn't gag,but she doesn't like it, but she wants rid of the stone so puts up with it.

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Twogoodreasons · 29/04/2013 18:26

We got rather fobbed off. He didn't seem to think that having breath that smells of faeces is a problem, or pain and discomfort when swallowing. He offered antibiotics when he picked up on the fact that I was not happy, but she can't start taking antibiotics every few weeks. Back to the teaspoon and salt water option.

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CloudsAway · 29/04/2013 18:40

You don't want antibiotics every few months if you can help it, but a long course now might be just what she needs.

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Twogoodreasons · 29/04/2013 19:06

He didn't mention a long course, he just said "I suppose we could try some antibiotics" when I summarised that she would just have to put up with it and hope that she would grow out of it. She is very concerned about the smell on her breath and I hate how upset she gets when I have to try to remove the stones.

I guess it is a case of a tonsillectomy being too drastic a step and nothing more simple being available.

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greencybermummy · 29/04/2013 19:47

Did GP not suggest referral to ENT consultant to discuss? Your poor DD can't put up with bad breath, how will her confidence be affected long term? I would be demanding an onward referral to discuss with specialist.

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Twogoodreasons · 29/04/2013 19:53

I came away feeling like a bit of a time waster. I think I will see what happens over next few weeks as they seem to be occurring more often rather than her growing out of it. The is a good GP at he practice who I will go back to if things don't improve and I'm sure she will refer. I'm trying to post up a picture of the blighters to give you an idea.