Tonsil Stones - not for the squeemish!

[Twogoodreasons]

Please take a look at the picture on my profile - not if you are having a late breakfast!.

I took my 7 year old to the GP because she is repeatedly getting one of these little buggers in the same crevice in her tonsil. They stink to high heaven and when they get as big as this they get uncomfortable. The GP basically fobbed us off saying that nothing could be done and she will grow out of it.

He also asked what happens if we just leave them. So I have left the latest one alone, partly because removing them is traumatic and also to see what happens.

I am worried about her getting teased at school for having bad-breath- she is already quite self-conscious about it. I am also unhappy with the thought that she will either have to put up with the discomfort or put up with me sticking a teaspoon down her throat every two weeks. I don't know how big they can get but this one shows no signs of making its own way out!

I have posted on here recently, but I thought you might like to see the picture (sporners) and I have done some research and found that lasering the tonsil crypt can be very successful. Does anyone know about this and whether we would be likely to be offered it on the NHS?

I tried to get in to see our good GP today or tomorrow, with no joy, but I will try again next week, by which time the stone will have its own post-code!

I can't see your profile but I'm on my phone so that might be why

I (hopefully) have made it public now!

still not public. as an ex sufferer of tonsil stones I can say the only cute is to have the tonsils out. you can't grow out of it. they are a build up of food etc which get stuck in the damaged craters of tonsils and start to decay. the smell is the bacteria and their waste products. the tonsils will only get worse with more throat infections. See a different doctor and get a referral to ent

Thank you coffee. I think you contributed on my previous thread. I would consider a tonsillectomy, if there were no other options, but the lasering suggestion sounded promising to me. It is expensive though, so that is probably why it is not readily offered.

My profile says it is public and I have allowed all Mumsnetters to see my photos, not sure what else I need to do .

I can see now. your poor dd.

Thank you. I keep wondering if I'm over reacting after the first GP seemed to suggest it was nothing! Appt booked for Tues with a different GP.

I think it becomes a huge deal when it effects quality of life and esp confidence in a child. I would imagine lasering is just as painful as tonsils out anyways...

Not overreacting. Your GP is being useless. I would seek a tonsillectomy and a new GP.

Speak to the GP again and tell them you want to see an ENT surgeon to get their opinion.

Thank you all. I'm reassured that I'm not being precious. The GP I'm seeing on Tuesday has a DD of a similar age and isn't averse to referring so hopefully we will get somewhere.