..to ask the NHS to pay for this?

[username8000]

Around a year ago I started getting tonsil stones. Started with sore throats and the feeling of something caught in my throat but progressively got worse and for the past 9 months I've more or less always got a putrid taste in my mouth 24 hrs a day, feeling of very little space to swallow or eat in my throat, weight loss due to the taste and not wanting to eat, and a huge impact on my mental health. I have went from a happy confident person to a recluse. I don't want to go anywhere that involves me speaking to people at close range as despite brushing my teeth up to ten times a day, changing my diet, rinsing with warm saline solution several times a day, I absolutely stink and there's nothing I can do to mask the smell. I have tried every single remedy possible including trying to address the root cause such as allergies, reflux etc but nothing works. I've been back and forward to my GP and been given antibiotics (didn't work), stomach tablets incase of acid reflux (didn't work and I had already tried this myself with over the counter medicine so knew it was pointless- I don't have reflux) , Antihistamines etc nothing works. My GP said they wouldn't remove my tonsils for this and scoffed at the suggestion as if this was a minor problem, which absolutely broke me. I know this isn't life threatening but it is ruining my life and affecting every aspect of it. I honestly don't know how long I can take it for. I haven't even been given a referral to a specialist but my GP insists they would remove them. I know it's a horrific recovery as an adult and there's reasons why they don't remove so often now but the alternative is just unthinkable for me- so I jus accept this as my life now? It sounds dramatic but I can't explain the depression this has given me when I have never experienced depression in my life. Can anyone offer me advice? AIBU to think that tonsil removal should at least be considered? I know people go private but I honestly can't afford it at all. Thank for reading

I see this has already been mentioned. Soz.

Dramatical, you are being dramatic. You are not "entitled" to a referral for anything. The whole point of a GP is that they go through years of medical training to make that decision based on evidence. Not because you insist, persist, are firm, cry, shout, threaten, abuse, etc etc.

Oops, I mean Bunnybaubles, not Dramatical 😳

And of course the NHS has not stopped doing tonsillectomies. There are circumstances that require tonsil removal but the criteria for this have changed.

Antibiotics won't help. It's not an infection. Some people unfortunately have tonsils with large cavities that capture food debris and plaque. You can express them with a cotton bud or other implement. Once you get over the gag reflex that is. It's quite satisfying! I used to get them occasionally but I never go now. It may be something to do with being diagnosed coeliac and cutting out all gluten. But you day you've tried elimination diets already. But first off I would express. Press gently right next to each stone and try to press under.

You say you've lost weight. Maybe go with this angle. Say you can't eat as the pain is so bad. Keep going back. Keep losing weight. Eventually they'll have to do something.

I would write to the GP and ask for the letter to be added to your notes. I would outline what is wrong and the impact it is having on your life. I would directly and unequivocally ask for a referral to a specialist for options/op if no other options.

If they do not agree to a referral then I would be surprised as this us having a dramatic (and understandable) impact on your life and MH.

If they don't agree I would start the complaints procedure:

https://www.ombudsman.org.uk/sites/default/files/Howtooraiseconcernssaboutaageneralpracticee0.pdf

As it says on the leaflet your local healthwatch may be able to help you with advice and complaints advocacy.

@JudasIscHarriet maybe it's different depending on where in the country you are? My son was referred with no issues despite the doctor only knowing about 2 of the many tonsil infections he had over the previous year.
And the consultant who oversaw his referral was also the surgeon who said altho his recurring infections were not serious he would be happy to carry out the operation.
Maybe it's just my GP practice? I've had quite a few referrals to different departments all with no resistance from any of the GP's.
Only resistance I have encountered was from the department of cardiology, which my GP had to write several letters to as my condition was worsening and required investigation.

I have problem with this tonsil stones for 3 years now. Before, i was in denial and i saod, theres nothing wrong with it. It started a year ago when my partner keeps on complaining regarding my bad breath. I just shrugged my shoulders and ignore hime. It becomes worst now and affecting our relationship to the point of waking me up at night to be asked to gargle because the stench is horrendous. I went to my GP and luckily had the referral to ENT. The consulatant was very rude as if im just making a drama. In her letter to my GP she said i was hysterical and tonsillectomy might not answer my problem (the effects on my relationahip to my partner). I poured all my concerns and the effects of this bad breath to my life and mental health. I was just prescribed with corsodyll which i told her before that i tried several mouthwash but no benefit at all. She's insisting ajout nhs funding. That my case wont be considered. She suggested to see private clinic but the price is extortion. I just wonder if any of you here have this problem too. Its depressing

FWIW I really think you deserve the surgery OP
I would persist with NHS
And consider a loan from
The bank you use
Interest rates are very low
£4000 over 3 years could be worthwhile

I had my tonsils out last year after lifelong recurring tonsillitis (I’ve never had tonsil stones). I had asked for the last few years about being referred for tonsillectomy as I was fed up of the recurrent antibiotics (also asthmatic so chest infections mean I had a lot of antibiotics). They always said I didn’t meet critieria which was 6 boughts in 6 months. I always had 5 and never quite qualified.

Anyway, I only got a referral after I started waking up not being able to breathe as my tonsils were blocking my airway and I have allergies so usually have a blocked nose too. Also got my colleague to look at them (I work in operating theatres and he ended up being who I was referred to) who agreed with my assessment they were huge (they were grade 4). Also said I should’ve met criteria due to having recurrent tonsillitis and the numbers aren’t fluid and been referred years before.

So anyway even though I did eventually get referred it took a completely stupid reason that may have even meant I was seen as a higher risk of anaesthetic than I actually was too.

However, in your case, with tonsils that small and no tonsillitis I don’t think you’d meet criteria. Sorry to say it. It’s not a nice operation as an adult. The pain is horrendous and lasted about 3-4 weeks. I luckily had no complications (which actually are very rare compared to the amount of tonsillectomies we do). I needed it and I almost backed out last minute. But my life is much improved with it. Haven’t had a cold since (or subsequent chest infection).