Possible Tonsillectomy? Advice Needed!
Recently over the summer starting my new job; I started with my first bout of Tonsil Stones which made me nearly vomit in the office bathroom (embarrassing). I coughed out a stone that must have been roughly and inch long- and scared of what it was; I flushed it and called my doctor. I spoke with the nurse who brought up a possibility of Strep (which I do not ever remember having)- and said if I developed a sore throat in a couple of days to give a call back to come on in. Sure enough a couple days later- I came down with a sore throat and coughed out an additional 3-5 stones which were a lot smaller than the first; but still quite large in size. I took the second day off of work thinking I had strep at a worse case scenario and got an appointment to be seen that day.
The doctor examined my throat and I showed her the stones; saying the stones (even though they were small to me) were quite large. My tonsils looked fine; although my throat was raw and "cobbled-stoned" from gagging on the stones and sinus; which in return the doctor said was now causing acid reflux for me. Having TMJ as well- it seemed like such a hassle to monitor these stones as I often have a lot of problems opening my mouth and jaw at times. My doctor said she would set me up with an appointment with an ENT to have them make the call; however she felt I would need to have my tonsils out due to problems and maintaining which would prove difficult as time goes on. I was always sick when I was younger; however (as I just found out) my old pediatrician advised against the tonsil surgery. I also found out this summer I tested positive for Factor 5 mutation as a carrier through a family history; and it seems in my family it runs the risk mainly with surgeries so I was advised if I do get the surgery- I will need injections for about a week afterwards to prevent any blood clots.
I never really had any other surgery except a growth on my foot removed and my 4 wisdom teeth about 4 or so years back (I am about 23 now). I do have problems with allergies now and sinus infections (I get about 1-2 sinus infections a year and last year I had a nasty one that lasted for 3 months). It doesn't help I found out I am allergic to my career (I work with print- and I am allergic to paper dust). So post nasal drip is very common for me even though I am on a sinus spray. I spend every day sneezing at the job from the paper dust which is quite unpleasant and annoying- but it doesn't limit me thankfully in what I do. I just always need a box of tissues beside me.
Anyways- I met with the ENT a little while later. He took one look and said he didn't see any stones- however the stones I had saved were indeed large and I have large crypts and underlying problems now because of the stones (acid reflux, TMJ is worsened trying to get them out, allergies and sinus contributing to them getting so large) and recommended me to get them out as well. He said my tonsils are of average size and he had seen a lot worse situations where tonsils were swollen; however he told me it would be a life long battle for me and it would greatly benefit me to have them out and given my history of catching everything under the sun- I shouldn't get as sick. I never suffered from bouts of strep or sore throats from my knowledge; however I did have a lot of ear aches when I was younger and I do tend to catch a lot of things.
What brings me to write this now- months later; is now it is turning towards winter and about a week or so ago I developed a sore throat where it felt like my gland was swollen on one side. Tried everything (gargling, got myself biotene mouth rinse, etc) and just yesterday when I was talking to my friend- I swallowed what felt like an extremely large stone (which I think might have been developing from my sinus infection I was treated for a few weeks ago) and started choking which again- is quite embarrassing. While my throat feels a bit better than before since the stone is gone- I feel like it has become a constant worry for me. I am a nut with my mouth (I have a lot of dental problems as is) and nothing seems to help. I am also currently a temp at my job so I cannot take off any time for the surgery as of yet; and I have heard stories where you shouldn't have surgery simply for stones; and yet I have heard others say you should. I have the OK from my doctor and the ENT who is just waiting on a phone call. I am petrified of surgery and going under; more than I am for the recovery. I am recommended to get it done now as I am still young; however I do not know of any people who seem to get tonsil stones I can talk to who also have secondary problems such as acid reflux or TMJ complications to see if this solution of getting them out will help. I also worry the surgery will put more stress on my TMJ and am not sure how to handle the blood thinner I will need to be on for the week or so after surgery as I hear bleeding is quite common after the surgery is preformed and I have never been on blood thinners before.
I often pop out a couple of stones here and there every month or two; sometimes I do vomit from it and often when I do throw them up- I cannot eat anything for the next three days or so.
I really want the surgery as I feel it will not only get rid of the stones; but also help with the acid reflux and other problems as well as maintaining them is difficult at times with the TMJ. I am also a mouth breather at night apparently due to my TMJ and resting position which does not help with post nasal drip. I do however, want to make sure I am making the right decision to do so. I have noticed a great difference in my breath since starting Biotene however. I just don't want to keep pushing it off- rather than diving in head first and sucking it up- getting it done and over with and moving on.
I have heard horror stories about tonsillectomys- however most of the stories I have heard- the individuals would say they would do it again in a heartbeat. It also is quite embarrassing when I am vomiting in the office bathroom from a stone and people hear me and ask if I am ok (or pregnant- had one person ask that before).
I would appreciate any advice on my situation! Especially if anybody also has in conjunction with tonsil stones TMJ, Acid Reflux, Allergies Sinus, and/or Factor 5.
Thank you for reading!
The doctor examined my throat and I showed her the stones; saying the stones (even though they were small to me) were quite large. My tonsils looked fine; although my throat was raw and "cobbled-stoned" from gagging on the stones and sinus; which in return the doctor said was now causing acid reflux for me. Having TMJ as well- it seemed like such a hassle to monitor these stones as I often have a lot of problems opening my mouth and jaw at times. My doctor said she would set me up with an appointment with an ENT to have them make the call; however she felt I would need to have my tonsils out due to problems and maintaining which would prove difficult as time goes on. I was always sick when I was younger; however (as I just found out) my old pediatrician advised against the tonsil surgery. I also found out this summer I tested positive for Factor 5 mutation as a carrier through a family history; and it seems in my family it runs the risk mainly with surgeries so I was advised if I do get the surgery- I will need injections for about a week afterwards to prevent any blood clots.
I never really had any other surgery except a growth on my foot removed and my 4 wisdom teeth about 4 or so years back (I am about 23 now). I do have problems with allergies now and sinus infections (I get about 1-2 sinus infections a year and last year I had a nasty one that lasted for 3 months). It doesn't help I found out I am allergic to my career (I work with print- and I am allergic to paper dust). So post nasal drip is very common for me even though I am on a sinus spray. I spend every day sneezing at the job from the paper dust which is quite unpleasant and annoying- but it doesn't limit me thankfully in what I do. I just always need a box of tissues beside me.
Anyways- I met with the ENT a little while later. He took one look and said he didn't see any stones- however the stones I had saved were indeed large and I have large crypts and underlying problems now because of the stones (acid reflux, TMJ is worsened trying to get them out, allergies and sinus contributing to them getting so large) and recommended me to get them out as well. He said my tonsils are of average size and he had seen a lot worse situations where tonsils were swollen; however he told me it would be a life long battle for me and it would greatly benefit me to have them out and given my history of catching everything under the sun- I shouldn't get as sick. I never suffered from bouts of strep or sore throats from my knowledge; however I did have a lot of ear aches when I was younger and I do tend to catch a lot of things.
What brings me to write this now- months later; is now it is turning towards winter and about a week or so ago I developed a sore throat where it felt like my gland was swollen on one side. Tried everything (gargling, got myself biotene mouth rinse, etc) and just yesterday when I was talking to my friend- I swallowed what felt like an extremely large stone (which I think might have been developing from my sinus infection I was treated for a few weeks ago) and started choking which again- is quite embarrassing. While my throat feels a bit better than before since the stone is gone- I feel like it has become a constant worry for me. I am a nut with my mouth (I have a lot of dental problems as is) and nothing seems to help. I am also currently a temp at my job so I cannot take off any time for the surgery as of yet; and I have heard stories where you shouldn't have surgery simply for stones; and yet I have heard others say you should. I have the OK from my doctor and the ENT who is just waiting on a phone call. I am petrified of surgery and going under; more than I am for the recovery. I am recommended to get it done now as I am still young; however I do not know of any people who seem to get tonsil stones I can talk to who also have secondary problems such as acid reflux or TMJ complications to see if this solution of getting them out will help. I also worry the surgery will put more stress on my TMJ and am not sure how to handle the blood thinner I will need to be on for the week or so after surgery as I hear bleeding is quite common after the surgery is preformed and I have never been on blood thinners before.
I often pop out a couple of stones here and there every month or two; sometimes I do vomit from it and often when I do throw them up- I cannot eat anything for the next three days or so.
I really want the surgery as I feel it will not only get rid of the stones; but also help with the acid reflux and other problems as well as maintaining them is difficult at times with the TMJ. I am also a mouth breather at night apparently due to my TMJ and resting position which does not help with post nasal drip. I do however, want to make sure I am making the right decision to do so. I have noticed a great difference in my breath since starting Biotene however. I just don't want to keep pushing it off- rather than diving in head first and sucking it up- getting it done and over with and moving on.
I have heard horror stories about tonsillectomys- however most of the stories I have heard- the individuals would say they would do it again in a heartbeat. It also is quite embarrassing when I am vomiting in the office bathroom from a stone and people hear me and ask if I am ok (or pregnant- had one person ask that before).
I would appreciate any advice on my situation! Especially if anybody also has in conjunction with tonsil stones TMJ, Acid Reflux, Allergies Sinus, and/or Factor 5.
Thank you for reading!
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