Chronic tonsillitis
Discussion
I've had tonsillitis for 5 of the last 6 weeks, and I've been off work for the past two days with the latest recurrence. So far, my little girl has had 1 week of life without her dad feeling like crap, dosed up on painkillers and finding it difficult to swallow, eat, or talk.
I've had tonsillitis on and off for the past three years - probably something like 15 times over that period. After three bouts of antibiotics with the latest lot the doc has concluded that this is probably viral (no s
t) and that I just need to wait until my body gets over it.
I've had countless throat swabs, blood tests and everything else; negative for Epstein Barr or anything altogether more worrying.
Frankly, I'm at my wits end. I just cannot deal with this anymore - it is affecting my work, my home life and, frankly, my sanity.
I have an appointment with a BUPA ENT consultant next week. Has anyone been in a similar position and do I have any reason to believe that there's any other treatment that he'll recommend other than to whip them out?
Lastly, I'm fast becoming something of an analgesics expert for throat complaints, but anyone got any good tips for 1) killing the pain, and 2) Helping to give my immune system a boost? I'm doing the usual - echinacea, multi-vits, plenty of fresh fruit. I'm also using an antiseptic/anesthetic throat spray, gargling with TCP, gargling with soluble aspirin and taking normal paracetamol.
Next step - try and have them out myself with a sharpened spoon.
I've had tonsillitis on and off for the past three years - probably something like 15 times over that period. After three bouts of antibiotics with the latest lot the doc has concluded that this is probably viral (no s
t) and that I just need to wait until my body gets over it.I've had countless throat swabs, blood tests and everything else; negative for Epstein Barr or anything altogether more worrying.
Frankly, I'm at my wits end. I just cannot deal with this anymore - it is affecting my work, my home life and, frankly, my sanity.
I have an appointment with a BUPA ENT consultant next week. Has anyone been in a similar position and do I have any reason to believe that there's any other treatment that he'll recommend other than to whip them out?
Lastly, I'm fast becoming something of an analgesics expert for throat complaints, but anyone got any good tips for 1) killing the pain, and 2) Helping to give my immune system a boost? I'm doing the usual - echinacea, multi-vits, plenty of fresh fruit. I'm also using an antiseptic/anesthetic throat spray, gargling with TCP, gargling with soluble aspirin and taking normal paracetamol.
Next step - try and have them out myself with a sharpened spoon.
You have my sympathies, I used to be very susceptible to tonsilitis, mostly bacterial but also the viral version, so much so that I could feel the symptoms coming on ages before any visible signs broke out. I had it 4 times in a single year, after which, I've pretty much not had it again (since about 2003 ish).
I have, however, had a handful of occasions where I thought it was coming on, but it never did. My doctor did say that eventually I'd build up a resistance to it, which seems to be true. Not that it helps you, and I do know how unpleasant it is, I've had it in varying stages including hallucinating, pretty much inable to move from my bed, or eat.
I am led to believe that removal of your tonsils isn't encouraged, especially in an adult, as the procedure can be quite dangerous.
I have no idea how you get your body to build up its immune system to a level where it can combat the infection without you noticing (much!), but diet, stress, environment (the usual suspects) must, I'm sure, all play their part.
I could of course be talking utter nonsense, I'm not a doctor after all.
Hope you get well soon.
I have, however, had a handful of occasions where I thought it was coming on, but it never did. My doctor did say that eventually I'd build up a resistance to it, which seems to be true. Not that it helps you, and I do know how unpleasant it is, I've had it in varying stages including hallucinating, pretty much inable to move from my bed, or eat.
I am led to believe that removal of your tonsils isn't encouraged, especially in an adult, as the procedure can be quite dangerous.
I have no idea how you get your body to build up its immune system to a level where it can combat the infection without you noticing (much!), but diet, stress, environment (the usual suspects) must, I'm sure, all play their part.
I could of course be talking utter nonsense, I'm not a doctor after all.
Hope you get well soon.
Super Slo Mo said:
You have my sympathies, I used to be very susceptible to tonsilitis, mostly bacterial but also the viral version, so much so that I could feel the symptoms coming on ages before any visible signs broke out. I had it 4 times in a single year, after which, I've pretty much not had it again (since about 2003 ish).
I have, however, had a handful of occasions where I thought it was coming on, but it never did. My doctor did say that eventually I'd build up a resistance to it, which seems to be true. Not that it helps you, and I do know how unpleasant it is, I've had it in varying stages including hallucinating, pretty much inable to move from my bed, or eat.
I am led to believe that removal of your tonsils isn't encouraged, especially in an adult, as the procedure can be quite dangerous.
Almost identical to me, from around 14 to 32ish (40 now) it used to really affect me and knock me for six, but I've only had very mild symptoms over the past 4 or 5 years and not the full blown infection, in fact I feel cured, not that it helps you I'm afraid.I have, however, had a handful of occasions where I thought it was coming on, but it never did. My doctor did say that eventually I'd build up a resistance to it, which seems to be true. Not that it helps you, and I do know how unpleasant it is, I've had it in varying stages including hallucinating, pretty much inable to move from my bed, or eat.
I am led to believe that removal of your tonsils isn't encouraged, especially in an adult, as the procedure can be quite dangerous.
One tip, I always avoided drinking from any bottles, dirty cups and taking in sea water when swimming as any of these would almost certainly make the things flare up.
Gassing Station | Health Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff