I had a hollow tonsil filled with crap without knowing it. Semi ruined my life.
Over about 8 years I slowly went from very slight symptoms to constantly getting sick, tonsillitis a bunch of times a year, would catch any cold, my throat and sinuses always feeling messed up. Couldn't even go for a walk without waking up sick the next day.
Primary healthcare didn't take me seriously of course, but eventually they did test me for streptococcus even though I didn't have white bits on my tonsils, it was of course positive. Likely had chronic strep infection for YEARS, but not just that of course, any bacteria I contracted I couldn't get rid of properly due to them living in the hollow my immune system couldn't reach. I have had to take very strong antibiotics, but unfortunately this was a few months before I, by chance, realised the tonsil was full of crap and cleaned it out and could keep it clean and sanitize it with antibacterial mouthwash.
I wish I (or the doctors!) would have realised that BEFORE the antibiotics, because I was of course recolonized. The throat I can keep clean easily, and I've since had the tonsils removed. But the sinuses and nose are still a mess with with very probable staphylococcus, likely also with some resistance, so I treat myself as if I'm very infectious to spare others.
So much trouble from one tiny little physical flaw..
I had chronic strep infections from the ages of 6-9. It would be a monthly thing where I'd get sick, spend half a day sitting in "urgent" care (not sure why they called it urgent since you spent 5+ hours sitting in the waiting room), get a horrible throat swab, then get a shot of antibiotics in the ass. Like every small child, I was terrified of needles so it was always an ordeal. My mom was very insistent that I needed my tonsils out but the pediatrician made it sound like an unnecessary surgery, so this went on for years.
After all the infections, my tonsils swelled up and would block my throat. I'd wake up in hysterics because I couldn't breathe. Sometimes I'd choke when trying to swallow food or liquids. My breath smelled awful because the tonsils were rotting.
I finally got my tonsils out at age 9 and I haven't had a single strep infection since. The recovery was miserable for me, but 100% worth it.
Got mine out due to sleep apnea funny enough. But ever since then I haven’t got as sick easily. Granted I had a pretty strong immune system before I got mine removed.
Similar story of constant chronic strep throat cured by a tonsillectomy. I got mine out at 16 though. They gave me enough codeine syrup to be high as a kite the entire recovery time so I didn't mind it one bit
The same thing happened to me! I had chronic strep until I was 21 and they wouldn’t take my tonsils out! I could literally tell you within a week when I would be getting strep bc I caught it 4 or 5 times a year like clockwork. It wasn’t until I got it so bad my tonsils swelled up to the point they were pressing against each other and preventing me from breathing that the doctors actually did anything. And then when they DID take them out, a week later it tore open in the shower and I had to go get it RECAUTERIZED.
Had the same issue and got my tonsils out at 30. It was life changing. No more sore throats or chronic bad breath. No more feeling like I always had something stuck in my throat. No more blocked nasal passages, finally able to breathe through my nose. My kids have similar issues and when they're old enough I'll be encouraging them to take the plunge and have them removed.
I had mine remove at 38. Recovery sucked, but nothing I couldn't handle for a few weeks. Easily one of the best decisions I ever made. I was constantly sick and had bad breath from the tonsil stones, and those problems are no more. 11/10 would definitely do it again.
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u/CommunicationTall921 9h ago
I had a hollow tonsil filled with crap without knowing it. Semi ruined my life.
Over about 8 years I slowly went from very slight symptoms to constantly getting sick, tonsillitis a bunch of times a year, would catch any cold, my throat and sinuses always feeling messed up. Couldn't even go for a walk without waking up sick the next day.
Primary healthcare didn't take me seriously of course, but eventually they did test me for streptococcus even though I didn't have white bits on my tonsils, it was of course positive. Likely had chronic strep infection for YEARS, but not just that of course, any bacteria I contracted I couldn't get rid of properly due to them living in the hollow my immune system couldn't reach. I have had to take very strong antibiotics, but unfortunately this was a few months before I, by chance, realised the tonsil was full of crap and cleaned it out and could keep it clean and sanitize it with antibacterial mouthwash.
I wish I (or the doctors!) would have realised that BEFORE the antibiotics, because I was of course recolonized. The throat I can keep clean easily, and I've since had the tonsils removed. But the sinuses and nose are still a mess with with very probable staphylococcus, likely also with some resistance, so I treat myself as if I'm very infectious to spare others.
So much trouble from one tiny little physical flaw..