To want my tonsils removed?

[Ibloodyhatethomasthetankengine]

Long story short, years of tonsil trouble now has come to a point where they're starting to affect my day-to-day life. Adult tonsil removal seems to be a pretty grim experience by all accounts (no seems to quite understand why when children don't seem to have as difficult a time of it with tonsillectomy) but I am now at a point where I am seriously considering the short-term agony for the long-term gain.

Has anyone else had this done as an adult and if so, would I be foolish to do it? I would likely have to go private as I don't think my local GP would be very supportive, but I am now at the end of my tether (sitting here with bleeding tonsils right now) and need to know there is light at the end of the tunnel!

X

I'm 31 and had mine out four months ago.

I got referred easily by my dr (based on getting tonsillitis 3-4 times a year) and the consultant just ticked boxes and I got a date for 8 weeks later. Easy peasy.

I've never had an operation and was very scared and nervous. It was horrible going under. I bled a lot so had to stay overnight. And was nil by mouth for 36hrs so had a drip. It wasn't that bad, I was off my face on painkillers. My mouth felt battered and sore as if I'd been punched in the gob but eating at first wasn't bad.

I was on maternity leave with a 9 month old and also a 3 year old so my mum came and stayed for a few days to help and my husband WFH for 2 weeks. The care from others for at least 2 weeks is vital.

For me, swallowing and drinking was no worse than having tonsillitis. And I took paracetamol and codeine for about a week. A cold/hot compress and wearing a scarf helped loads, as did using a humidifier in the bedroom and just resting lots. Days 4-8 were the worst because of the ear and jaw pain. I've never even had a filling and have a low pain threshold. I couldn't eat because of the pain in my ears rather than my throat. I didn't wake up in the night in pain because of the humidifier.

I lost my sense of taste for about 3 months but took zinc tablets every day as that apparently helps.

I'm glad I had it done. The fear of getting tonsillitis and being debilitated always worried me and I always got it at important times eg holidays, my wedding, Christmas.

No lookin back for me. So relieved to know I'll never have tonsilitis again. No more tonsil stones. And I don't snore any more which my husband is thrilled about

There's always horror stories and good stories. I would rather give birth than have a tonsillectomy again (& my babies topped 10lbs each) but it is definitely short term pain for long term gain; my advice would be get it done, push through the discomfort and then you can relish knowing you'll never suffer with tonsillitis again.

Knowing you'll never have tonsillitis again makes it so worth it and the pain is equal to having tonsillitis so you are kind of expecting it, if that makes sense. I had mine out at 24 after only having it a few times but my tonsils were enormous so they thought it prudent to remove them. I had a temp spike whilst recovering in hospital so was in 5 days and stayed at my parents for a week after (as lived alone) then after the 2nd week was fine. I ate toast as that was recommended but also ice cream / lollies as it numbed the throat a bit. I slept loads though so maybe my pain killers were drowsy type ones but sleeping definitely helped. I do remember the pain but don't remember it any worse than tonsillitis abut then it was over 15 years ago.