Recurrent Tonsillitis!!!!! HELP

[CinnamonPreztel]

I am on bout SIX of it since September. I am at my wits end. Feeling pretty sorry for myself right now tbh, my doctor has referred m to ENT but from what I am told they are highly unlikely to take my tonsils out and even if they do the operation is said to be horrific for adults. I will be 23 in a few weeks. What on earth can I do to protect myself?! No one ever catches it from me, and I never know anyone with it so I have no idea where I'm contacting it. It is ruining my life- taking constant time off work, I have a young son who I struggle to care for when tonsillitis hits (and he never ever gets it from me despite sleeping in my bed/hugging me etc). Please please someone help.

[PoppyWearer]

I don't have any advice, but have had it recently myself - it seems to be everywhere at the moment - and it's horrid, so I just wanted to send (((hugs))).

I hope it gets resolved soon x

[Graciescotland]

I had recurrent tonsillitis in my late teens and the only thing that stopped it was to take them out. It did take being hospitalised due to dehydration (tonsils so swollen I couldn't physically swallow) before I got a referral to the ENT so your ahead of me. The reason they don't like to take them out is that they're your first line of defence against infection and it may mean you get a lot of throat infections but I just had to agree that I knew the risks and that my life was being adversely affected to such an extent that it'd be worthwhile. I had the OP when I was 17 so almost an adult? It wasn't that bad, just sore for a week and I could only eat dry toast. Never had a throat infection since.

The only thing I found that would head off tonsillitis, or slow down it's advance at least was gargling oraldene (antiseptic mouthwash for mouth ulcers) and soluble aspirin would keep the swelling down. I also found that I became fairly immune to penicillin from having so many doses. Get your GP to prescribe you amoxicillin or some other variant instead to see if it helps. Also get him to test for glandular fever, I tested negative at the time but a complete viral workup when I was pregnant showed that I'd had it previously so mines may of been down to that. There's nothing they can do for it but people tend to be more understanding as it's quite a nasty virus.

Hope you feel better soon.

[CinnamonPreztel]

Thank you for your replies. I just cannot believe how often I am getting it- Last had it in April and expected a summer off! When I was 18, I had it so bad I got septicaemia. That was my 1st major bout. My immune system was never the same since, I fell pregnant a few months after my recovery from the septicaemia and feel my poor body just took a complete beating. Before then, my immune system was excellent.

However I began to get recurrent ear infections for a year (had never had one before). These have stopped, now it's this bloody awful tonsillitis.

[PetiteRaleuse]

Do your doctors not advise taking them out?

[CinnamonPreztel]

No they just say if I get them out I will be vulnerable to chest infections

[surabayajenny]

My daughter had this at about your age. Kept coming back. Local health food shop recommended cinnabar pyrites. Normally I have little faith in alternative remedies and wasn't expecting it to work but it did. You take it as soon as you feel the first signs. We had to order it and I don't know how easy it is to get hold of these days, or whether there has been any adverse research since then. Can only say that it solved the problem for her.

[Fluffycloudland77]

I had it 6 or 7 times, not as bad as you but off work with it each time with antibiotics.

I cured it by avoiding coffee, alcohol, I dont smoke anyway and I drank a lot of cold water during the day.

I drink alcohol now and it doesnt make me have a sore throat in the mornings anymore.

[slowlyburningcalories]

odd thought from my DH who recently had three lots in three months but he reckons it was his toothbrush. he now has a new one every 2-3 weeks and .ni issues since.

[TheFarSide]

I used to get tonsillitis regularly as a child, then periodically throughout my 20s, then it peaked every couple of weeks in my 30s and early 40s. It seemed to be triggered by stress and I worked hard at boosting my immune system (eating well, taking vitamins). I also found that sometimes I could stop it developing by gargling antiseptic at the first sign of infection. Also agree that a manky toothbrush, and the sorbitol in some toothpastes and mints can trigger ulceration. Giving up smoking made a huge difference.

Sounds like your immune system is a bit battered, as you say. You have my sympathy - it's a miserable illness.

[crazynanna]

I have had tonsilitus once a few months back..and got Quinsey

Jesus H Christ! One of the worst experiences of my life!

[MelangeATrois]

I feel your pain. I blame school!

When I started teacher training 4 yrs ago, I was off for the 2 weeks over Whit with it. Never been so ill in my life. Cannot imagine how you manage with your son whilst ill.

The next year, I was off for the exact same 2 weeks, then back to school , got it again within 3 days, it started to turn into Quinsey, caught it in time, then had it again in the summer hols.

Didn't get it last year as not in school - pregnant with hyperemesis instead...

Have just returned to work after mat leave and currently have sore throat but don't think its tonsilitis. Think I shall dread every whit hols for some years to come.

Hope you feel better soon.

[rockinhippy]

Spurlina pills are a good all round tonic + immune booster - health shop, worked amazingly well for ny own. DD

Also, may sound odd, but are they really sure its tonsiliris?? - similar recurring throat problem@ can becaused by H.Pylori infection of the stomach - acid deeps up + burns when ur sleeping + causes the inflamation, sore throats etc - it even caused sinus infection symptoms for me too - its a blood test to diagnose -
My GP missed it for 9 yr, new GP tested strsightxaway + treatment has made a huge differences to the infections - HTH

[cocolepew]

I had mine out aged 40. Nobody mentioned that it wouldnt be a good idea, they were making me ill. Why would I want to keep them? The Dr said my were ragged from having tonsillitis so often

The op is awful, but only for 10 days. It isnt much worse than having tonsillitis tbh.Its been 3 years and I've never even had a sore throat since then. Bliss .

Id ask for them to be removed if I was you

[CinnamonPreztel]

MelangeATrois wow we sound so similar, I had hypermesis in my pregnancy also. I work in a college and have a young son, but neither of these seem to be the cause. I am not working through summer so obv not from college, and my son never gets it. Plus I've been at uni for years and seemed fine then.

The toothbrush thing came to me today actually so that is really interesting. As soon as i am recovered from this bout I will change toothbrushes. Also thinking of gargling with salt water once a week?

I am definitely up for trying alternative medicines, I actually never thought of this so that is a really good idea thank you, will get down to Holland and Barrett asap. This is probably my only real hope.

Really really pleased with all of your suggestions they have helped me more than I'd imagined!

[rockinhippy]

& THAT is why I never usually reply from my phone

Spirulina is the supplement I recommended [http://www.resorthealth.com/herbs/spirulina.html INFO HERE]

& I really would recommend asking if you've had a Heliobacter Pylori test - according to me ENT specialist, its not that uncommon for it to be the real cause of throat & sinus problems

[rockinhippy]

[INFO HERE www.resorthealth.com/herbs/spirulina.html]

Opps - link...

[rockinhippy]

I BLOODY HOPE INFO IS HERE THIS TIME

[jmquinonesf]

These combined things prevented my chronic tonsillitis from coming back:

• Drinking 3 litters of water per day
• Drinking water before and after drinking coffee.
• Apply propolis spray on the throat every week.
• Take daily multivitamin
• Avoiding alcohol when my throat fills itchy
• Mouthwash everynight

[Blahblahblahyadayadayada]

Might not be your issue but I have a bad intolerance and probable allergy to soya.
Was prone to frequent bouts of reflux/indigestion and tonsillitis. Touch wood, since stopping soya (beware of soya flour in bread and unexpected sources) and have been much better in both respects.