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Original poster

Anyone had a tonsillectomy due to tonsil stones?

44 replies

MB34 · 23/08/2013 22:11

Recently I've developed tonsil stones, no apparent reason for them - not had tonsillitis/sore throat/infections - they just appeared 4/5 months ago and have got worse.

I went to see a consultant today and he seemed surprised that I had so many. I haven't popped any out since last weekend (to show him how bad they are) and my right tonsil had about 5 that he could see and about 2 in my left. After my appointment, I had a go at them and removed probably about 8 or 9 and can still feel a couple which I can't reach.

He said the only real cure for them was a tonsillectomy but he did say I could wait another 4 or 5 months to see if they clear on their own. Am leaning towards having them out but not 100% sure yet.

I know others have had them on here but has anyone had them clear up on their own or anyone had them out?

OP posts:
fengirl1 · 23/08/2013 22:18

IME, once you have tonsil stones, the holes never go away and just keep refilling. Mine gave me a sore throat about every six weeks and I eventually had my tonsils out. Not an operation to be recommended as an adult, but it did resolve the problem.

AvonCallingBarksdale · 24/08/2013 13:37

Sounds a bit drastic! I used to get them quite a lot, until I started regularly actually flossing every day. Hardly get them at all now, thankfully!

Original poster
MB34 · 24/08/2013 15:43

Thanks both for replying, was having them out as bad as I've read about fen?

Avon I do floss every day. My consultant said it was to do with glands not working properly in the crevices in the tonsils - nothing to do with teeth!

OP posts:
fengirl1 · 24/08/2013 16:15

MB, the first week after was ok really, but the second week I was waking in the night with pain and couldn't swallow a tiny codeine tablet... I had to get some anaesthetic throat spray which solved the problem.
After that it was fairly uneventful, but do make sure they give you decent painkillers as you will need them for a while.
Having said all that, I would push for it to be done. Digging around with a toothbrush handle to push them out and wondering if your breath smells is no fun! Smile

Original poster
MB34 · 24/08/2013 16:21

I know that feeling fen - I've used toothbrush handles, both ends of tweezers, my nails, am currently using the other end of an eyebrow/lash brush/comb thing. I did read about using a chopstick - I may be trying that too :-) I don't think I have a gag reflex anymore :-/

I am leaning more toward having them out, having two weeks off work will be worth the pain lol!

OP posts:
MrsSchadenfreude · 24/08/2013 16:52

I had mine out in my teens for this reason. The stink is revolting, isn't it? Grin I've never looked back.

3catsandcounting · 29/08/2013 10:23

I had mine out when I was 25 for the same reason. (I'd had constant sore throats and swollen glands for years followed by Glandular Fever). Having tonsils out was the best thing I ever did!! I was warned, because of my age, that it would be painful and recovery could take longer but I was back at work after a couple of weeks and 24 years later have had the odd sore throat/cold like everyone else. Do it!!!!

bevelino · 29/08/2013 18:36

My dd had terrible bad breath from tonsils stones and once her tonsils were removed it transformed her life. No more sore throats or seeing her excavating lumps of bacteria from her tonsils, which was revolting.

MaddestMother · 29/08/2013 23:34

I had this done when I was 24 (14 years ago). Post op was pretty awful but just keep on top of the pain relief and it's so worth while.
I've barely had a sore throat since and no more worrying about bad breath :) It will make such a difference to you, I have never regretted having it done.

valiumredhead · 30/08/2013 01:12

I used to get loads of stones, went on for years then I seriously upped my game when it came to gargling with salt water twice a day for as long as possible. Never had them since even though I have really pitted tonsils still.

valiumredhead · 30/08/2013 01:19

I've read that water piks are excellent for removing the stones. Quite expensive but rather that than surgery imo.

DalekInAFestiveJumper · 30/08/2013 03:37

I had my tonsils removed because of stones. It was a really hellish few weeks while it healed up, but I'm very glad I had it done. I've only had a sore throat once in the seven years since I had it done, and no more nightmare hassle trying to jab the stones free with waterpik and toothbrush handle.

Mariachi · 12/03/2016 07:14

Yes. My tonsils were permanently inflamed which was not necessarily a problem itself. However perhaps their large size caused them to produce large tonsil stones. I had lots of them and they were big and they stunk and I hated them! I had elective tonsilectomy at 24. There was a week of painful recovery, but in return I have gone 15 years without having to fetch disgusting stinky things from my throat daily. My elective tonsilectomy was so worth it.

GAsleeping · 29/09/2016 02:05

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GAsleeping · 29/09/2016 02:07

Thank you all

I'm due to have min removed soon solely due to tonsil stones. I hate the sodding things, they've suddenly gone from 1 a year to 5/6/7/8 in a day and I'm miserable. I'm constantly aware I've got bad breath and it's making me so self conscious Sad

Can't wait to get the stupid things removed. Even though I'm scared witless about the recovery!

greenlolly · 29/09/2016 02:51

I did too. It was really unpleasant for 2 weeks, the horror stories about adult tonsillectomy are true. But totally worth it. I don't miss the smell, the taste or the daily gagging over the sink extraction process.

LivingInTheBackOfBeyond · 01/10/2016 19:06

I'm prone to getting them but they stop completely if I gargle with mouthwash when I clean my teeth morning and night.

MistressPoldark · 01/10/2016 19:10

Just make sure you eat as soon as possible after the op! Don't not eat because you're scared to or because it hurts - take painkillers so you can manage it. Secondary bleeds are the big issue with adult tonsillectomies and they often happen when someone's been too scared to eat and then they eventually do so after too long. They're not seriously dangerous, but a complete a rush back into hospital and another op.

Twirlstwirlstwirls · 01/10/2016 19:41

I had mine out about 5 years ago when I was in my late 20s. Partly due to tonsil stones and partly due to recurring tonsillitis. I'd been poking about at the back of my throat for months and months OP (with cotton buds mainly) but never seemed to get to the bottom of things. I hadn't even appreciated that the horrid tonsil stones may even have been linked to my recurring sore throat. Finally I monitored how many times I had tonsillitis (I think 3 times in 6 weeks) and my GP agreed to refer me for the operation. Then, when the consultant explained to me that tonsils are like sponges (once the holes are there they get filled up time and time again with the stuff that causes tonsil stones) it all kind of made more sense.

So before I go on, I would definitely recommend anyone offered the operation to go with it (now I'm 5 years down the track) but I really wasn't prepared for the immediate recovery post operation tbh.

Anyway, before the operation (which was under a general anaesthetic) I had thought I'd be up and about after 4 days. I mean, I thought once they'd been snipped out, what was there to bother with?? How naive I was... It was 10 days of pain and discomfort but the drugs helped hugely and after a fortnight I started to feel much better. In the end it was 3 weeks before I returned to work. So, be prepared for a rather rubbish week at least once you get home but I swear, I've had one really sore throat in 5 years and it's been v v worth it!!! Good luck Flowers

Onsera3 · 01/10/2016 19:47

My sisters had their tonsils removed and still get tonsil stones.

I get them too but find I can greatly reduce the occurrence by reducing dairy.

I was going to get mine out due to chronic infections but I stopped dairy completely (for sinus issues) and the tonsil infections stopped.

I heard you can get the tonsils lasered smooth and this can help?

A dr told me my tonsils are pitted with craters from the infections- like acne scarring

winnybella · 01/10/2016 19:55

What about having them lasered? My doctor recommended it but I chickened out in the end. It basically scars the surface of the tonsil so there's no more crypts iyswim.

Somanyillustrations · 04/11/2016 15:54

I had my tonsils out yesterday for tonsil stones. I'm feeling pretty grim at the moment, and woozy from co-codamol. Wasn't expecting to be so wiped out by the anaesthetic, or to have such a sore neck/shoulders. I have very cracked corners of my mouth from the gag they use, and a numb tip of my tongue!

Am so pleased to have got it done after years of stones and terrible breath, but really not looking forwards to the next couple of weeks!

intrusivethoughts · 06/11/2016 17:45

Somanyillustrations
hope the recovery isn't too bad for you Flowers am watching with interest as my 17 yr old dd is waiting for a consultation with ENT.
It really gets her down, the constant sore throat and feeling of having a lump in her throat.

Footle · 06/11/2016 21:35

I had mine out in my late 30s, many years ago. It was a very busy time in my life ( small children ) and it really didn't slow me down for long. Huge relief to have them gone.

Somanyillustrations · 08/11/2016 09:55

Thank you thoughts

Day 6 today, and I have to say last night was the worst so far. The pain comes and goes, it has been mostly bearable as long as I take my painkillers every 4 hours and drink lots.

I wish I had pushed to get it done when i was younger- I had so many years of ongoing infections, and it's the scarring from these that has led to the damn tonsil stones. That feeling of having something stuck in the back of the throat is awful. Would much rather have recovered without a toddler demanding my attention!
Good luck to your DD with her appointment.