Recurrent tonsilitis - is there any other cure besides having them out?

[lurcherlover]

I have had tonsilitis three times in the last year and can feel it coming on again now. It's bacterial (I've had swabs) and the gp gives me amoxicillin. Last time she gave it me for a fortnight in an attempt to kill it off but it seems it hasn't worked. I've had it on and off my whole life, but am getting it more frequently now. Absolutely fed up with it. Is tonsillectomy my only option? I'd rather not as we are ttc, and then I will be breastfeeding (fed DS for 16 months so am planning on doing similar with dc2) - it's not an ideal time for an op! I know it's ultimately going to be the only cure, but is there anything else I can try in the meantime?

How old are you OP?

It's just that I used to get loads of episodes of quite severe tonsillitis right up until my late 20s - and then my tonsils, sort of, disappeared.

Tonsils get smaller as you get older generally, but mine never did - they stayed large and round well into adulthood, like a child's. But then one day I looked into my mouth and they'd gotten very small - and I haven't had any further problems at all.

So, this may happen to you. But that's not really going to help you right now, I know.

You should really consider the tonsillectomy. The risks are comparatively small compared to the risks a) of bacterial infection and b) the antibiotics that you're continually having to take.

You have my every sympathy. The only time in my life I have ever really been ill is with tonsillitis, and every episode was terrible :(

*All of the above may be utter nonsense from a clinical/medical point of view, but it's what happened to me, so thought I'd share .

I'm 30, and they're still the size of Polaris missiles- my gp says they're the biggest she's seen . Thanks for your advice - I guess the op is inevitable, but I am dreading the day...

I am quite a bit older than you and suffered terribly in my thirties - I don't think people who haven't had it can really appreciate just how ill it makes you. I was referred to an ENT surgeon in my late 30s and he was quite ambivalent about taking them out. He said he sees far fewer people plagued in their 40s and hardly anyone in their 50s so his advice was for me to wait it out. I have only had it once in last 4 years (now 44) and that was when immuno-suppressed because of some other drugs. A long time for you to suffer though?

Please have them taken out - push for it if necessary. I had mine out at 19 and it was a massive relief - the consultant said they were the absolute worst case he'd ever seen in a thirty year career and got me into surgery within two weeks (!)

He was furious that I'd been left to suffer as long as I had and I am eternally grateful to him for sorting it out.

Repeated severe infections moving up from the throat had scarred my adenoids so he took those out as well... Then they discovered that over the years the infections had even spread into my sinus cavities causing major narrowing of the tubes that drain them, meaning I had to have sinus surgery too, albeit about two years later.

Joyous stuff!

I can't tell you how my general health improved after I had the little sods out: I used to get loads of throat / chest infections and was on antibiotics many times every year - since my last surgery, I have not had a single course of antibiotics. In fifteen years. Not.One.

Remember that the bacteria that cases tonsillitus is streptococcus - a really nasty little bug that can cause heart and kidney failure.

Don't let them fob you off, get them out!

get them out - fantastic. I had it done a year ago.

I used to get it every year in my twenties, every two or three years in my thirties, not had it at all in my forties. Might be worth waiting a bit to see if it dies down. One thing I learnt to do (which you probably already know) is once there's the slightest sign, gargle in soluable aspirin a few times a day. Sometimes I could ward it off before it got bad.

I was offered removal at 28 and decided to wait and see. After I changed careers and was working less with children, it settled down a bit. I think it's very much linked to your overall immune system and state of mind ( don't mean it's psychological) - just that when you feel down it can strike.

I don't know but suspect that BF is putting a big strain on your overall health.

I did read somewhere about some sort of lazer resurfacing which gets rid of all the bumps and cracks where bacteria etc thrive, it is supposed to be quite effective. Mine look like a moon crater. I wish mine had come out when I was younger, but when you are older it is a bigger operation than when you are younger. I think I am getting tonsillitis less, is still v painful when I do have it and am now getting tonsil stones in them!

I have had tonsillitis I think 4 times in a year (having previously not had it for several years). The last time it was septic and I had stronger antibiotics - the doctor reckoned that the previous bouts had not been fully cleared by the usual amoxicillin. I haven't had it since, so here's hoping!

But then I think, if I am still prone to it, I'd rather have them out. I am 25 and have heard that the operation is harder the older you get so if I'm going to have them out at some point it would be better to have it ASAP.

Definitely agree about being run down in general meaning you are vulnerable to it

Get them out, its only an over night stay and a couple of weeks when you feel bad, but thats it! Better than having it over and over again. At least you can plan around an op.

Thanks for your advice everyone. Amelia, I'm not bf now - I did feed ds for 16 months but stopped then and he's 21 months now. I plan on feeding dc2 for longer though...found out on Sun that I'm pg again, so the tonsils will have to stay in for now! Duracell, I too have lovely craters and get tonsil stones in but I've never spent a satisfying hour digging them out with a cotton bud, oh no Hopefully mat leave will help me get my immune system sorted out (can you tell I've forgotten what life is like with a newborn? )

Maintenance antibiotics. Just had it recently. Nasty.

Ooh congratulations! :)

Congrats :)