Do these tonsils need to come out? TW!

[OneBrightAzureBiscuit]

Hey,
so Ive always had naturally huge tonsils that have caused me issues my whole life pretty much. It started with tonsil stones deep deep in the crypts but then over the years I kept getting tonsillitis. I get it every month at least once without fail. I’m on antibiotics at the moment for it but I am short of breath and have asthma. My neck and face is very puffy and swollen, they have moved into my throat & I feel short of breath. Will attach a photo but they’ve been worse than this before!!! What do you think? Doctors just won’t take them out because of bleeding and op risks? Even though I’m immune to antibiotics as had tonsillitis and strep so much! Plz have a look and be honest, or should I suck it up? Sometimes they give me sleep apnoea symptoms too.

That looks so sore - you poor thing. No wonder you’re struggling so much

Don’t think you’ll get a proper opinion here!
Have you been referred to ENT?

I'm not an expert but my friend's dc has tonsils very similar and they are on the waiting list for surgery. I would have thought being so prone to tonsillitis would have made you a clear candidate. Have you been seen at hospital? If it's the GP that's refusing to refer can you see a different one?

Usual criteria for ENT accepting the referral, round here, are 6 episodes of tonsilitis needing antibiotics in a year, or obstructive sleep apnoea. Have you seen ENT?

Can they shave them down?

I had sleep apnoea symptoms with mine too. It helped by working in operating theatres as I asked the surgeon one day. Got them out about 3 months later. Keep pushing as it s honestly life changing. I barely even get a cold now let alone chest infections as I am also asthmatic so tonsillitis meant a chest infection too.

have a look at nice guidelines and insist on a referral.

No in adults they dissect them out. In kids they are shaved rather than dissected. Worked in theatres many years.

Thanks @DaveMinion I didn't know that.

I had mine out when I was 19. I was forever getting septic tonsillitis. Mine looked exactly like yours did, try ask for a referral off your GP to see the ENT. It hurt me like mad for weeks after them being removed, but once I got over it, it was soo much better. Tonsillitis is horrendous x

I had my adenoids and tonsils removed as a child- Remember waking up face down on a cot ( railed sides) with a really painful throat and a kindly Nurse 👩‍⚕️ by my side who offered a drink

They got infected later ( large white swellings )and I had to go back into hospital for agonising antibiotic injections in my buttocks-

I cried upon seeing the Doctor marching down the Ward towards my bed - I can still remember the pain in my bum cheeks

😩😖😰

@OneBrightAzureBiscuit I didn’t dare look- I remember the agony of childhood tonsillitis and having thick catarrh that I’d vomit up

After tonsils were removed- it was much better.
Id heard it’s a more serious operation in adults compared to children- I think as regards bleeding (?)
I remember adoptive mum saying a Surgeon asked if I was “ A bleeder” which made her 😳.

Of course she didn’t know.

we fixed bad tonsil problems by giving up wheat and dairy. Would that be worth a try?

wearing a scarf also had a really huge effect. I know that sounds daft.

Sorry I didn't look at the photo.

Have you had your thyroid checked?

I had constant tonsillitis and repeated infections before I found out mine was overactive. When that was treated it all went away.

Worth a blood test!

My tonsils look like that. They won't take them out due to risks.

I had Quincy throat last year, even though I was on antibiotics so be aware of that although it's very unusual