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A tonsil/ENT/immunity mystery... Can anyone please help?🙏

5 replies

Terribletonsils · 12/08/2025 18:09

I've been dealing with a recurring mystery illness for 10 months. Every 2-4 weeks, I feel completely run down with body aches, exhaustion, and often an upset stomach. A day or two later, I get a sore throat, usually on one side, with tiny white dots on that tonsil. My glands often swell and my ear often hurts.

I've been to my GP multiple times and seen two different ENTs, but I still don't have a clear answer.

Antibiotics haven't helped, and I've tested negative for glandular fever and allergies.

The first ENT suggested removing the tonsils wasn't the answer as it might be an immune system issue. He did not say what though, this was a vague comment.

The second ENT diagnosed tonsil stones from my photos (typically both times I saw ENTs my symptoms were not there on the day so I relied on pictures) and said they were causing the sore throats. She insisted, however, that the full-body illness I feel every time is unrelated. But this has happened over 15 times, and the timing is too consistent to be a coincidence. She said I could have my tonsils out to prevent the stones recurring but that she had no reason for why I keep feeling ill.

My blood work shows some signs of infection, but nothing specific and the GP doesn't know what else to do.

Has anyone else experienced feeling so unwell with tonsil stones? Should I get my tonsils removed and hope for the best (I am reluctant to put myself through this surgery when 2x ENT's have told me they don't think it will help the symptoms) or is there another explanation?

OP posts:
TracyBeakerSoYeah · 13/08/2025 02:57

If you are having menstrual periods & with you getting your symptoms every 2 -4 weeks it sounds like it could be 'Period Flu'
It is an actual thing & usually related to endometriosis but can also be caused by other things.
It's called Period Flu as you get flu like symptoms & that can include a sore throat happening anytime before your period.
I get it a few days before most of my periods but luckily it's only for a day or two & bearable with painkillers, though women can get it much worse.
I haven't got endo & never suffered at all with painful periods until I had a c -section birth.
However you can get scar adhesion after c sections which then cause the usual period pains (my uterus feels like it's doing the Mexican Wave at that time of the month) & some people get flu like symptoms too - like myself (aches everywhere but particularly down my thighs, sinuses hurt & sometimes headache, sore eyes & shivers)
Then have my period & for the rest of my cycle I'm fine.

You can read more about it here:
https://www.toplinemd.com/comprehensive-obgyn-palm-beaches/period-flu-10-main-symptoms-and-causes/

https://www.everydayhealth.com/womens-health/period-flu/

Disclaimer: However if you're not having periods (menopause or being a male) obviously this won't apply to you.
Also your symptoms could be related to something totally different.

Period Flu – 10 Main Symptoms and Causes | Comprehensive OB/GYN of the Palm Beaches

Period flu can be rather uncomfortable, but there are many things that women can do to manage the symptoms effectively. Learn more about it from our blog.

https://www.toplinemd.com/comprehensive-obgyn-palm-beaches/period-flu-10-main-symptoms-and-causes

TracyBeakerSoYeah · 13/08/2025 02:59

Bizarrely it was on a Mumsnet thread several years ago when I first came across 'period flu' & that other women had the same symptoms as me

BrentfordForever · 13/08/2025 03:07

Perhaps look at your whole body inflammation (the older we get the worse it gets)
turmeric , liver health and good anti inflammatory diet should balance immune and reduce overall inflammation

Terribletonsils · 13/08/2025 18:06

Not strep, I previously wondered this.

@TracyBeakerSoYeah I never knew period flu was a thing. Sorry you are experiencing this - it sounds awful! Thanks for the links. I will look into this further.

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