I'm 39 and getting my tonsils removed next month - any advice?

why are you getting them removed?

They are constantly inflamed and I get strep throat often.

They lie when they say you can eat all the ice-cream you want, truth is it hurts so fucking much you will want to give up breathing entirely, the good news is it gradually gets better but really 1,000 paper cuts to you tongue would be a better alternative.

I had the same problem as you about 10 years ago. However, ever since I just gargled salt water I haven't had much problem with them. I know it sounds ridiculous, but try it could work for you too.

Yeah it's gonna hurt. What helped me was an ice cube tray filled with little bitty ginger ale ice cubes to suck on. (you can get a tray like that off Amazon, I think) You won't want anything else, swallowing is difficult the first few days. Good luck!

instead of getting them out you need to strengthen your immune system. try taking some echinacea or echinacea/goldenseal to heal yourself first. vitamin c is also good. gargle with colloidal silver or even just salt water. look into natural remedies before getting them taken out. they are your first defense when you get sick. your body is telling you that you really need to rest.

here is a search for natural remedies for tonsils. start reading and taking care of yourself.
[link to www.google.com]

I was a kid when I had mine removed.

It was painful but looking back it wasnt that bad...

It gave me hell for 3 days?

But as I hear it... it does suck for adults.

My advice is to have crushed ice on the ready before you have the surgery.

Its rather nice to have afterwards!

And icecream and jello...

Make sure you rent some good movies you like. Comfort films as I call them.

I wish you luck and send a few prayers ur way :)

Last Edited by Dr. Acula on 11/24/2012 10:13 PM

This.. surgery should be a waaaaay last resort.

Tonsils themselves have health contributions as well. Having them removed was popular when quack-science had convinced people they were useless vestigial organs.

Be careful that they don't implant mind control brain implants in while you're under.

Have you tried changing your diet? Tonsils help in fighting bacteria maybe your immune system is low.

Putting some 3% hydrogen peroxide in a mister and shooting it at the back of your throat should help. i did that on my rotten teeth for a couple of years and no infection at all. If you use a nasal mister make sure you tape the lid on as you don't want that shooting into the back of your throat as that would kill via choking, making the whole exercise a big waste of time.

It hurts like hell. You'll feel like your swallowing razor blades for about 7 days.
I ate a ton of jello and yogurt. The coolness on the throat helped a lot. Of course make sure you get something a bit stronger than vicodin. I took 15mg of percocet every 4 hours.

On the upside, I haven't had strep since they have been removed.

Good luck to you, the pain is temporary and it is worth it in the long run. Remember this, if DOOM comes, due to the lack of antibiotics, strep will kill you.

Holy Shit I am right there with you brother! Same age and and same tonsil problems. I have been putting it off for years.

I have no advice, but I wish you nothing but the best in a flawless procedure and a very speedy recovery.

Good Luck my friend.

Wife just had operation last week, tonsils removed and they shaved off something else in there also (I`m useless at medical terms).

I stayed home and helped her recover.

A herb ice tea, coconut water and sports drink for electorites where the drinks we already had onhand.

Food was vegtable broth, mashed potatoes and gravy went down well. soups, scrambled eggs chit like that.

Gargling salt water every hour was very important too, that helped her a lot.

Within a couple days she was eating almost normal,, pasta and stuff.

For 4 days I was there to do every chore she needed so she could rest rest rest.

We had heard the stories of how painfull and bad this operation was for an adult but it turned out not to be the case at all. Don`t get me wrong, pain pills are what got her through it but it wasn`t as bad as she heard..

I hope it goes well for you too.... cheers

Well, the all you can eat ice cream, is a lie! They won't give it to you because it produces mucus, they will have you eat a normal meal before you go home. I was released the following morning, and forced to eat scrambled eggs, toast, and drink water. OUCH!

Another word of advise.. don't watch "the Wizard of Oz," while coming out of the anesthesia. It messes with your head..

Adenoids, the other thing they shaved off was prolly Adenoids. I had my removed when i was a kid at the same time as the tonsil surgery

[link to kidshealth.org]

The above link tells you some about Adenoids :)

1. lots of shaved ice

2. get your doc to write you a script for a compounding pharmacy (not one in MA) to make you up a pain killing mouthwash with some paregoric or lidocaine in it, if you can. if not, chloraseptic spray will have to do as a poor second.

3. NSAID painkillers, such as Anaprox / Aleve

you donot have "tonsils", and havenot had "tonsils" since you developed sinuses, and i believe that was in your early 20's.

Why do you want your "tonsils" removed that you donot have?

Do you smoke or drink hard liquor?- if you do, before any CUTTING is done in your throat you need to check in with a cancer specialist for tests, or better, yet, a Homeopathic Doctor for some pre-treatment before going to the money-grubbing butchers.

I was told I needed triple by-pass surgery 5+ years ago or I would be dead if I tried to leave the hospital that same day.

I checked out and I am still here today.....

Point is to build up your immune system with supplements,on a daily basis.

Also reduce your stress load!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Surgery is NOT the answer my friend.

Good luck OP

Adenoids, the other thing they shaved off was prolly Adenoids. I had my removed when i was a kid at the same time as the tonsil surgery

[link to kidshealth.org]

The above link tells you some about Adenoids :)


Thank you, that sounds like it.

Rejoice , for your strep throat after strep throat misey will end soon

if you have chronic tonsilitis, especially if you have deep holes in them with 'cheese' you can squeeze out - then NOTHING can fix it except removal

the pain post operation will be no worse than any one of your cases of strep - and you can celebrate that it will be the last time you have this pain

likely your overall health will improve dramatically, as your body doesnt have to fighter 24/7 with the tonsil infection

you will sleep better, eat better, breathe better, and your breath will smell better

and you (possibly) wont catch a cold or fever for years

please update us a month from now and tell us how happy you are

Instead of just gargling the salty water, add also some baking soda to the solution. That can be alternated with peroxide gargle. The method will work for acute inflamations.

If the inflamation is chronic, the bacteria has entered the low activity/low nutrient stealth mode (spores) which makes it virtually impossible to eradicate (with anything).

In this case you want first to entice the bacteria to exit the spores and switch back to low defense mode, "mode of plenty." To trick it into that state, you first gargle some sugared water at body temperature for several minutes. Then leave it alone without eating for half an hour, then finally blast them with a very warm salt+baking soda solution. As before, you can alternate the latter with peroxide gargle.

It's best to do either procedure (acute or chronic case) right before going to bed, after brushing, since your immune system is more active during sleep. (Note that sugered water will rinse off with the salt+baking soda solution in the final phase, so you wouldn't want to dilute the residual solution with additional tootbrushing.)

in chronic cases, tonsil surgery IS THE ONLY ANSWER . It is nearly risk free, and the benefits are staggering. with deep tonsil infections, including enclosed bacteria pockets, it is impossible to fix with salt water, or vitamins, or immune system improvement

popsicles

Had the same problem until I had issues with to bottom wisdom teeth.Had the teeth removed no more tonsil problems so far.

OP, its time for them to go, you know it. No more chronic sickness. Dont listen to these fools. Enjoy the surgery

your tonsils are permanently storing a chronic infection, and preventing your body from being healthy
time for them to go

don't do it

tonsils are necessary

why do you think Mother Nature gave them to you?

When I was a child, it was routine for children to be marched into the hospital to have their tonsils removed, but lucky for me, my parents were into alternative healing and had a very good friend who was the head of the homeopathic medical association

He gave them a prescription to give to both my sister and myself, and we did not get strep throat, we did not lose our tonsils, and to this day we get very very few colds or flu

This was years ago and my parents are gone, so I do not recall the name of the remedy, but I'm certain a good homeopathic physician would be able to help you, as strep is more of a chronic condition and homeopathy is most effective with chronic illnesses

You have time to explore other options, and encourage you to do so

just my two cents, since you asked

Adenoids, the other thing they shaved off was prolly Adenoids. I had my removed when i was a kid at the same time as the tonsil surgery

[link to kidshealth.org]

The above link tells you some about Adenoids :)


Thank you, that sounds like it.


what the hell?

That was me... why I was logged in... but why did it post as an AC? oh well

I had them out as an adult a few years back...

I love natural medicine but sometimes surgery is the only option. I screwed around for years. My tonsils were so inflamed even in a "healthy" state it was hard to swallow vitamins... I had bad sleep apnea even though I was at a healthy weight. Surgery was the only answer and truly the answer to prayers. I have NEVER regretted my decision...

Suggestions: make sure you get liquid hydrocodone/oxycodone pain reliever... Screw the pills... You will not stay up/ahead on your pain cuz for 2 days you will dread the thought of swallowing anything "solid"... If your doctor will prescribe patches, take them however I doubt he will but worth a shot to ask.

I second the opinion on the analgesic mouthwash but use it as a last resort since it can delay healing... They also sell analgesic gum, but it can cause bleeding so avoid that if possible. Prescription 1000% better than chloreseptic...

If you tend to get nauseous from medicine or lack of food, also get a precsription for an anti-emetic - phenergan is a good one since it relieves pain too... If you can deal with the gross get a suppository in this...

Get your scripts prior to surgery and fill them at least 2 days before especially if getting suppositories or liquids - not all pharmacies stock them...

In post op and for a few hours after while the good meds are in, you will be tempted to talk... DON'T... It will increase swelling later and prolong healing...

If you're in good health this will probrably be day surgery... Make sure you have help. You won't be having fun with it but with all this you will be high as a kite and it will be unsafe for you to be alone... You might need help walking at first between the drugs, pain and anesthesia... At least a day or two...

When you can handle it weak saline gargles will comfort you... Be ready for lots of strained broths and juices, teas, yogurts and gushy jello... Sherbet was great but avoid dairy for a bit so no ice cream. After a few days try mashes or soft eggs - don't rush it... Baked mashed bananas or potatoes... For me it was a week before I could eat anything else and two to get completely better... Whoever said they were forced to eat toast before they could leave the hospital must have had Dr. Jekyll... Geez...

Mostly try to sleep through as much as you can... It will be seriously painful but doable... Better than a kidney stone at least! But no meds are gonna take away every bit of this kind of pain...

But like I said, I have never regretted it and it was one of the best decisions - my health and energy improved 10000% from it...