Tonsils out for repeated tonsillitis?

[nonamemummy]

Has anyone on here actually had their tonsils taken out for having repeated tonsillitis? I’m getting fed up of it keep coming back

I had mine taken out when I was little - I hadn't ever had tonsillitis but it was just the norm.

However, I did get tonsillitis about 8 years ago (apparently there is still a tiny bit left that can still get it), so I suppose there are no guarantees.

Has your doctor recommended it?

DD did but she had tonsillitis 24 times over the years before they agreed to it (was 10 times in the year she had it done)

Recovery was rough for her, and is meant to be really really rough for an adult, so they don't unless things are dire. How often are you I'll?

^ 24 times over three years

Yes as an adult, best thing I've done.

I had mine done in 2002 aged 21. Dreadful op, dreadful recovery experience, lots of bleeding issues.

I was getting it 7-12 times a year and it was knocking me for six each time. I had to have the op or I would have failed uni and never been fit to work in any job, but don't underestimate how awful the recovery can be.

I got it nearly every 6 weeks, followed by a chest infection, for about 18 months. Had them taken out at 15. Recovery was horrendous but I’m very glad it was done.

Yup - when I was 25. Recovery, as the doctor warned me, was going to be much harder for me than it would for a child. And it was - really sore throat for a while. V pleased I did it though.

I haven’t had it as many times as the rest of you. I’ve had it here and there in the past but 4 times in the last 7 months so far. Its so horrible I’d happily have them taken out now but know that isn’t an option yet so wondering how many times you really do have to have it before they even consider it. Thanks for all your replies

Obviously not applicable just right now in the current climate, but how do you go about it? Just ask your GP? I'm starting to end up with tonsillitis on average every three months at the moment, and my sickness record is starting to raise flags (despite the fact half the time I'm in looking visibly I'll!) I'm also getting a bit concerned about many repeated doses of antibiotics!

So basically, the op and the recovery is no where near as bad as actually having it??

I don't know, DDs were so fibrosed they struggled to remove all of them and she ended up having a blessed on day 14 post op which was scary as she was then blue lighted to a big Central hospital and kept in for 4 days, that was worse than the op. If she had had the op dinner that may not have happened.

She's been getting ill a lot and it looks like part of a tonsil has regrown so I am hitting the bullet to pay for her to see a private ENT - even for adults I don't think the whole op costs more than £3k and they offer payment plans, is this something that you would consider?

I don't normally but her school attendance is suffering again and it is just not something I think the NHS can/should be dealing with at the moment

I realise how awful it is to be left to get on with it

@Notlostjustexploring look at the CCG ENT guidelines for your area online, they should show the thresholds for referral/surgery in your area. How far you'll get with that at the moment though I'm not sure but at least you know if you would qualify

Yes me! I’d always had one big one and one small one. After the birth of my dd I was exhausted and got one tonsillitis Infection after another (about 10 times in a year). I was on and off antibiotics for that year and ended up with a quinsy- tonsil abscess. At 31 I had them out, it was more painful than childbirth afterwards BUT the best thing I ever did. I still get an occasional sore throat that feels like a very mild tonsillitis but it’s nothing like the real thing.

Dd had hers out a year and a half ago. She has to be getting it five times in a year for three years before they would refer her. Only the times when she needed antibiotics counted, as I believe there are different kinds of tonsillitis.

She got them out and the doctor said he gets a lot of kids who don’t really need them out but he said hers were a mess and absolutely full of scars and scar tissue. She also had quincy which had to be removed.

The surgery wasn’t too bad for her, she was very distressed when she came round though. She was also in a lot of pain at home for the first week or so and had to be prescribed stronger painkillers.

But she says it was so worth it. Not being on months of antibiotics each year, not feeling like crap, not having to miss out on everything.

Sorry to derail slightly, but if you know any adults who are going to have their tonsils out when this is all over, tell them not to let the hospital try and fob them off with just paracetamol and ibuprofen after the operation - it's not enough!

I was 28 when I had my tonsils out, best thing that ever happened, very rarely do I have a sore throat now.

I had mine out a few years ago when I was 18. Recovery is not pleasant and I lost quite a bit of weight due to barley eating but after 2 or 3 grim weeks I was pretty much back to normal. I would recommend it if they will do it.

DH lad his out aged 27 having had near constant tonsillitis from aged 19 after catching glandular fever. His op was text book and his recovery way too. No bleeding, no real pain - are the rough food as instructed and has never had a problem since. I'll never forget the large craters that were left from where they had been - his breathe improved no end too!

My suggestion would be to stop thinking about it as best you can, then when it’s safe/possible to think about elective surgeries you see how you feel.

I had mine out as a child. I don’t remember having tonsillitis, but apparently I did, frequently, but my mum said she’d asked about it previously but had to wait until it was frequent enough. I remember very little about the recovery except for being spoilt by family (I was 7 and this was the ‘70’s so a colouring book & a few pencils was a HUGE treat and being allowed crisps & ice cream! 😊.

But as I said, you won’t get it done now, so give your brain a break & think about it when it’s a possibility

Keep well 🌷

Of course I wasn’t thinking about it now. There’s a lot bigger things going on right now than my tonsils!

I was just curious as to how many times you’d have to have it before being considered. I know I would’ve even be considered now anyway.

This is the criteria for Devon and Cornwall:

Referral
Referral Criteria
Tonsillectomy will only be routinely commissioned in adults and children in Devon in the following circumstances:

Peritonsillar abscess (Quinsy)
Tonsillar enlargement causing or contributing to acute upper airways obstruction
Recurrent acute sore throat due to tonsillitis with the following criteria:
Documented evidence of:

7 or more episodes of tonsillitis in the last year; OR
5 or more such episodes per year in the preceding two years; OR
3 or more such episodes per year in the preceding three years;
AND

There has been significant impact on quality of life indicated by documented evidence of symptoms that act as a barrier to employment or education or carrying out carer activities; OR
Failure to thrive
In line with NHS England guidance (2018), after appropriate specialist assessment tonsillectomy may be considered at a lower threshold than the above for the following indications:

Acute and chronic renal disease resulting from acute bacterial tonsillitis (assessment to include renal specialist)
As part of treatment of severe guttate psoriasis (assessment to include dermatology specialist)
Metabolic disorders where periods of reduced oral intake could be dangerous to health (assessment to include paediatrician or endocrinologist)
PFAPA (periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis, cervical adenitis) (assessment to include paediatrician)
Severe immune deficiency that would make episodes of recurrent tonsillitis dangerous (assessment to include paediatrician, or haematology or immunology specialist)