It took me a little over one year to finally decide to have the tonsillectomy and I'm glad I did. I was getting Strep and Tonsillitis about every six to eight weeks apart. I kept thinking that it wasn't that bad and I really didn't want to have surgery. The though of being away from work for a week or two didn't appeal to me either. So I kept putting it off.
Then I finally came to my senses. I realized that getting my tonsil's out would end this cycle of sickness and pain once and for all. The suffering I was doing just didn't make sense. By the time I would start feeling like I was swallowing glass and when I could get a prescription filled and start feeling better was between four and six days. Mostly because I couldn't always get to the doctor fast enough. So if getting a tonsillectomy would only hurt for a few more days than my normal suffering, why not just do it.
If you get sick on a regular basis and you feel like you're swallowing glass, like I did, I would highly suggest you go through with the tonsillectomy.
Now that it's over, I am so happy that I don't have to think about another swollen tonsil.
Good luck,
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Robert - thank you posting this blog. My situation is so similar to yours - I am 38 years old, and had my tonsils removed due to recurring bouts of strep throat and tonsillitis. I'm also lactose-intolerant and I live in the Philadelphia area, like you. I had my tonsils out yesterday, April 1, 2008 (not an April Fool's joke, unfortunately), and even though I'm only one day into my recovery, your blog has mentally prepared me for what I am going to face. The pain is definitely there, but if I take my meds, drink as many liquids as I can and sleep next to a humidifier I'll get through this. Thanks, Robert.
ReplyDeleteTodd
Delaware County, PA
I've had 3 bouts of tonsillitis the past 2y, and last time my doc said to consider having them removed when another one came around soon, cause they might be overactive. I am hesitent about having too much antibiotics, don't want to contribute to making resistant bugs.
ReplyDeleteHaving the starting symptoms now of another bout made me look for more information. Finding this blog hasn't convinced me yet either way though...
Can you tell what sort of tonsillectomy you had, what technique was used (and perhaps why if your doctor can tell)?
thanks
Robert- thanks for getting this blog started. What I have concluded- having gone through a tonsillectomy at 33- is that the procedure is simply different for everyone. Every person responds differently due to a variety of factors- age, overall health, pain tolerance, reactions to anesthesia, etc. It is good to read ahead of time and prepare yourself for the operation, but at a certain point you just have to stop reading other people's personal testimonies because you will get too frightened and anxious. There is no way to predict exactly how your body will respond to the operation, so you just have to trust your doctor and know that he/she will give you every medication possible to help control your pain after the surgery. It is easy to feel alone in the process of deciding whether or not to have a tonsillectomy. I was comforted when I learned that on the day of my surgery, there were 9 other patients as well who were also there to get their tonsils out! Everyone I have talked to who has had a tonsillectomy agrees that the challenging recovery period is definitely worth the benefits you will reap in the long run. I'm only 10 days into my recovery, but I know I'll say the same down the road!
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