Tonsil stones misery

[overitnow]

I've been getting tonsil stones for the past 6 months and I'm miserable. Anyone else had these? Tried everything and nothing works. I have bought every removal product going with very little success and I've been gargling with salt water 2-3 times a day for months and still get them. I have a GP app next week as I can't live like this any longer, it's seriously impacting everything. I've lost a stone as I am not wanting to eat as my mouth tastes disgusting all the time and I feel them in my throat. I avoid talking to people and I am more or less mute when I'm in bed with my husband- I can't get close to anyone. I have always had excellent oral health so it just came out of the blue. I am going to ask GP for ENT referral and hoping they will remove my tonsils or laser them as I read that can be done. Please tell me someone else on here has experience of these awful stones and can advise

[littleV58]

THIS IS LIKE ME 😭

Im awful and try to remove them myself. I'm pregnant, suffering badly with sickness and trying to remove them makes me vomit.

I even had a dream about them the other night that I pulled one out and it was about 5"s long and the relief in my throat was amazing.

It's horrid...

[PeterPiperPickedWrong]

I hate them, I just have to periodically press my tonsils with cotton buds to push them out. I have no clue how to prevent them. They stink!

The criteria for tonsillectomy in adults is really strict so I doubt they will remove them for tonsil stones. I hope someone comes along with a solution for us all.

[overitnow]

I've read that there's an alternative to getting the tonsils removed - it's a laser used to burn away the crypts on the tonsils and can be done with a local anesthetic but struggling to find out if they do it on the nhs :( surely they can't just ask you to live like this? It's honestly making me miserable 😭 sorry to hear you are experiencing it too but glad I'm not alone

[spugzbunny]

If you can't get it on the NHS, is private an option?

I've heard water tooth picks are good for getting them out? Also keeping very very hydrated. They had the water picks on sale in Lidl a few weeks ago

[overitnow]

If you can't get it on the NHS, is private an option?

I've heard water tooth picks are good for getting them out? Also keeping very very hydrated. They had the water picks on sale in Lidl a few weeks ago

Tried every removal tool possible including water tooth picks but they are just so deep that they don't get them and even when I am lucky and remove a few they return so quickly

Private just isn't an option as I am on mat leave and returning part time so money will be really tight as it is

[overitnow]

THIS IS LIKE ME 😭*

Im awful and try to remove them myself. I'm pregnant, suffering badly with sickness and trying to remove them makes me vomit.

I even had a dream about them the other night that I pulled one out and it was about 5"s long and the relief in my throat was amazing.

It's horrid...*

Have you ever been to the Doctor about it? I will keep this thread updated on what happens when I go next week. Mine started a month after I had my baby but I'm now thinking I may have had them for longer but maybe just couldn't feel them yet

[littleV58]

@overitnow I actually haven't because I didn't think they'd do anything about it. But after I've had this baby I'm going to go. Yes please keep us updated xx

[PeterPiperPickedWrong]

I haven’t bothered going to see GP because I assumed they wouldn’t do anything.
Please come back next week and say I’m wrong!
There was a mouthwash I heard of that was supposed to prevent them but the cost was ridiculous and no way could I justify buying that every month.

[Mumshappy]

I get them. I push my tonsils when i have one to the point where its so painful and blood everywhere.

[CandyPuff]

Following. I've had them for years. Would love to know if there is a solution. My breath stinks

[icycoldlake]

I got rid of mine after years by melting a teaspoon of coconut oil in warm water and gargling with it. After 2 nights IIRC they disappeared overnight. They were starting to get stubborn to poke out typically with a chopstick. Word of warning, though, don't let oil go down the wrong way as oil on the lungs is NOT good!

[rosydreams]

i have had them for over a decade =/

[PennyMordauntsLadyBrain]

I had them until I got my tonsils out.

I was working as a manager in a call centre and I began to notice that my throat would start to hurt if I’d been talking for a while (which was often). Added to the frequent sore throats, and the fact my tonsils were very very swollen even when not infected, my GP straight away referred me to the ENT at the hospital to review with a tonsillectomy in mind. I got them out after waiting for about a year.

This was only 4 years ago so have things changed that much where they’re much stricter?

[overitnow]

I see my GP on Tuesday so I will keep you all updated!

[overitnow]

@PennyMordauntsLadyBrain

How did you find the op and recovery? Was the laser treatment ever discussed? Did it completely resolve all issues for you?

I know they are a lot more strict on removing tonsils now but if it's impacting quality of life I can't see how it wouldn't be deemed as serious enough. I am going to be asking for an ENT referral and really going to push to have something done . I am also a people manager and the thought of going back to work and having meetings with people makes me feel so terrified as I absolutely stink so matter what I do

[rosydreams]

life is constantly feeling like stuff is stuck in my throat it makes swallowing uncomfortable but i am not sure what to do.Last time i got checked they didnt seem to care

[WeAreGerbil]

I had my tonsils out, in the end I actually paid privately to get it done sooner but I had been referred on the NHS. I'm not sure whether mine were tonsil stones or the remnants of cysts, but I had them out because they were generally manky rather than getting recurrent infections.

[overitnow]

@WeAreGerbil how did you find the recovery?

@rosydreams a decade 😮😭 that's awful, I really hope that I have some luck getting it sorted and can pass on the info to you so you can do the same! I've only had this feeling for about 6 months and I'm at my wits end with it so I don't know how you've put up with it so long

[Nat6999]

I used to get them, cut out sweets & biscuits & they cleared up.

[goose1964]

Mine just disappeared

[Rememory]

I'm having such bother with mine too. Am terrified of the op and the pain afterwards

[WeAreGerbil]

The operation and recovery wasn't as bad as I expected - it was difficult to eat, but I managed to eat much more than I expected I would. They did say eat hard food, but I ate mostly yoghurt and berries, avocados, can't remember what else but other soft stuff. It did look absolutely horrific as it was all white and green at the back of my throat! I did make sure I kept myself topped up with painkillers though. I would do it again. Tbh I enjoyed two weeks on the sofa instead of having to go to work!

[PennyMordauntsLadyBrain]

@overitnow I won't lie, I found the operation and recovery pretty grim. I didn't regret getting it done as my health afterwards has really improved, but it wasn't a nice process.

I had three weeks off work instead of the usual two, but I wasn't very prompt with taking my painkillers before the previous dose wore off, so it was partially my own fault!

On the plus side, I lost a stone and went back to work looking amazing

[Applecrumble79]

I feel your pain. It’s awfully disgusting. Smells awful and gross. I used to have to pick mine out. I also used to get tonsillitis a lot so I requested to have mine out. I would highly recommend it. Problem solved. It’s a painful recovery but well worth it.

[Lemoneeza]

if it's impacting your life as you say then they need to come out.
ask your doctor nicely for a referral to ent. if he says no, say you will be making an appointment every week until you get one.
I did this for my dd. ent took one look and agreed they need removing. improved her life no end.