[JoshuaZ]

Was feeling like crap on Friday night, woke up on Saturday and couldn't swallow. Somehow dragged my ass, via a very slow bike ride, to the clinic in my area with an English speaking doctor. I walk in, looking like ****, and make some very weird gestures to my throat to the nurses, and then almost pass out in the waiting room. You see, I already have massive tonsils. Like two big meatballs crammed down my throat. Now that one of them is massively swollen, I can't really swallow at all.

Though on the upside, one of my pills that I got looks like a lifesaver and tastes rather good!

Any advice on how to get over this? Besides the usual: sleep a lot, drink lots of fluids, and take your medication?

[cjrivera]

Originally Posted by JoshuaZ

Besides the usual: sleep a lot, drink lots of fluids, and take your medication?

You got it pretty well down.

The only other thing that the doctor may have recommended is something for the pain or swelling of the tonsils. Something like an NSAID (ibuprofen or Alleve)? They can help if you take them round the clock (with food if your stomach upsets easily) for the first 2-3 days. Call your doctor and ask him/her if there is anything else to take for the pain.

[JoshuaZ]

I have some over the counter pain meds I brought with me from the US, and the only reason I'm still able to move is thanks to them.

I think the life saver shaped pill I got is anti swelling. I still have a fever, but I can't complain too much. Feel a bit better now.

[wdlove]

You are very wise to follow your advice on care. Just have to let the infection runs it s course, Happy to hear that you are feeling better, JoshuaZ.

[yakkiebah]

Originally Posted by JoshuaZ

Any advice on how to get over this? Besides the usual: sleep a lot, drink lots of fluids, and take your medication?

Cut 'em out?

[hayesk]

Originally Posted by JoshuaZ

Any advice on how to get over this? Besides the usual: sleep a lot, drink lots of fluids, and take your medication?

What did the clinic recommend?

If they didn't recommend anything, go see a better doctor. It sounds like it's time to have them taken out.

It's an easy surgery - you'll wake up and have a sore throat for a couple of weeks, and you won't be able to eat anything but ice cream and jello for the first week.

[buffswin]

Best cure is tonsilectomy.

[Hash]

no way, its proven that in long run it is more hazardous to health (though helps in short run).

[hayesk]

Originally Posted by Hash

no way, its proven that in long run it is more hazardous to health (though helps in short run).

Uhm... in what way? I know lots of people who have had a tonsilectomy when they were kids. None of them have any ill effects because of it.

[flabasha]

Well, I'm a bit of an expert on this unfortunately... I, like you, have chronic tonsillitis (they never get below small meatball), but I can tell you something VERY IMPORTANT...

If just one tonsil is much bigger than another, and/or if the tonsil gets big enough to move the uvula (that thing that hangs in the back of your throat) to one side, YOU PROBABLY HAVE A PERITONSILLAR ABCESS.

This is a bad time. It sounds like what you've got (sorry). What it is (cover your eyes if you squirm easily) is a large - and increasing - pocket of pus forming behind the wall of your mouth, behind the tonsil. What's important to know if you do have this...

- Ask about it sooner rather than later. You will NOT GET WELL until it is drained. Yes, drained. (It only takes a minute, but you get to see nice needles full of yellow pus. Yipee!) NO amount of antibiotics will cure you, because you're being reinfected constantly by a substance that can't disappear without removal.

- It can get dangerous if let go too long. George Washington died from his, when it ruptured and he swallowed the, well, you know.

- once you've had one of these, your chance for getting another skyrockets. I've had two. Now I get to look forward to surgery and Vicodin for two weeks. Yay.


So the moral of the story is, ASK ABOUT THIS IMMEDIATELY. And search for "peritonsillar abcess" on google. You'll see many disgusting pictures, but you'll recognize very quickly if you've got it. Anyway, I hope you don't have this, but if you do it's very easy to solve, and you'll feel a MILLION times better the moment it is. Good luck!

[JoshuaZ]

Originally Posted by flabasha

Well, I'm a bit of an expert on this unfortunately... I, like you, have chronic tonsillitis (they never get below small meatball), but I can tell you something VERY IMPORTANT...

If just one tonsil is much bigger than another, and/or if the tonsil gets big enough to move the uvula (that thing that hangs in the back of your throat) to one side, YOU PROBABLY HAVE A PERITONSILLAR ABCESS.

This is a bad time. It sounds like what you've got (sorry). What it is (cover your eyes if you squirm easily) is a large - and increasing - pocket of pus forming behind the wall of your mouth, behind the tonsil. What's important to know if you do have this...

- Ask about it sooner rather than later. You will NOT GET WELL until it is drained. Yes, drained. (It only takes a minute, but you get to see nice needles full of yellow pus. Yipee!) NO amount of antibiotics will cure you, because you're being reinfected constantly by a substance that can't disappear without removal.

- It can get dangerous if let go too long. George Washington died from his, when it ruptured and he swallowed the, well, you know.

- once you've had one of these, your chance for getting another skyrockets. I've had two. Now I get to look forward to surgery and Vicodin for two weeks. Yay.


So the moral of the story is, ASK ABOUT THIS IMMEDIATELY. And search for "peritonsillar abcess" on google. You'll see many disgusting pictures, but you'll recognize very quickly if you've got it. Anyway, I hope you don't have this, but if you do it's very easy to solve, and you'll feel a MILLION times better the moment it is. Good luck!

Oddly, a friend of mine one town over had that exact problem a few weeks ago. I'm going back to the doctor's on Monday for a followup and more drugs, and I'll be sure to ask about it.

As to removing the bad boys... well... thats been up in the air since I was a child. At first the doctors were all for taking them out, then when we moved up to Iowa opinion in the medical community changed and they were recommending that people leave them in. Usually the only problems I have with them is having bits of popcorn get stuck on them every now or then. Though in all honesty I would not mind getting them removed. Especially now that I have government health insurance and paid sick leave.

[MOTHERWELL]

Originally Posted by Hash

no way, its proven that in long run it is more hazardous to health (though helps in short run).

I had my tonsils removed when I was young, around 6 or so. It has only had a positive effect on my health.............I can't get tonsillitis!

[Hash]

ok, i read an article that tonsils do have some useful functions (as any other part of human body)

[cheery7upper]

I have big tonsils too. Once when I was in middle school ( feeling fine) I showed my gym teacher my tonsils and it got me out of running the mile :-P hahahaha

[Fyre4ce]

Originally Posted by Hash

ok, i read an article that tonsils do have some useful functions (as any other part of human body)

The tonsils are part of the human body's immune system. Removing them without cause is definitely a bad idea. But because of their location, they are prone to getting overrun by infection, and if the infection is severe, it is sometimes better to remove them. I'm not a doctor, but the general consensus among the medical community is to leave them in unless there is a strongly compelling reason to do otherwise.

[JoshuaZ]

So its been 30 hours since I started the medication. Still running a fever, and I think my other tonsil is starting to get infected as well.

I think I may try and eat some soup. The last time I ate was two almost 48 hours ago. Thank goodness I got myself some tomato soup this week (at 210 yen a can).

[Nicko]

dude, go to emercency ward or something, not macnn!

[JoshuaZ]

Easier said then done when your only form of transport is a bike, and you're not sure where the hospital is.

I'm going back to the doctors tomorrow. Not quite dead yet.

[hayesk]

Originally Posted by JoshuaZ

Easier said then done when your only form of transport is a bike, and you're not sure where the hospital is.

You should have that put on your epitaph.

[Hash]

As far as I know, you can easily can find a hospital nearby in a such large city as Nagoya and with national insurance, it will be much cheaper too. Anyway, remember you are responsible for your health. You can also call ambulance (do not remember the phone number, though). And you can order some food like pizza for your home delivery. You can also buy ready self-service lunches (bento) at local convenience store, and there are must be plenty of them. From what I read, you sound pretty lazy and stupid, especially about that tomato soup cans.

[JoshuaZ]

Originally Posted by Hash

As far as I know, you can easily can find a hospital nearby in a such large city as Nagoya and with national insurance, it will be much cheaper too. Anyway, remember you are responsible for your health. You can also call ambulance (do not remember the phone number, though). And you can order some food like pizza for your home delivery. You can also buy ready self-service lunches (bento) at local convenience store, and there are must be plenty of them. From what I read, you sound pretty lazy and stupid, especially about that tomato soup cans.

Wow, that hurts. And why knock the tomato soup? What did it do to you?

And what part of "Can't eat solid food because throat is swollen thanks to massive tonsils" would be solved by eating pizza or connivence food?

Also, not being able to talk thanks to swollen throat does prevent me from calling for a cab. Luckily I have friends who kindly respond to text messages.

When you've not slept for two days, not been able to eat much at all, and have been in bed with a fever, then you can call me lazy. Ass.

[wdlove]

Originally Posted by JoshuaZ

Wow, that hurts. And why knock the tomato soup? What did it do to you?

And what part of "Can't eat solid food because throat is swollen thanks to massive tonsils" would be solved by eating pizza or connivence food?

Also, not being able to talk thanks to swollen throat does prevent me from calling for a cab. Luckily I have friends who kindly respond to text messages.

When you've not slept for two days, not been able to eat much at all, and have been in bed with a fever, then you can call me lazy. Ass.

I wish you all the best with your doctors appointment tomorrow. Should be able to give you medications to relieve the discomfort.

[JoshuaZ]

Originally Posted by wdlove

I wish you all the best with your doctors appointment tomorrow. Should be able to give you medications to relieve the discomfort.

Thanks. Hopefully they can give me something different to deal with this, because the first batch of stuff doesn't seem to be helping all that much.

[Hash]

OK, did not notice the part about solid food.. my bad, sorry. Nevertheless, I recommend you to visit a doctor immediately. They have kind of medicine, forgot its name, but they will spray your tonsils directly by that medicine, should be very effective. Instead of tomato soup, I would recommend you japanese miso soup, which is very good when you tired. All in all, wish you the best in your fight with tonsils.

[JoshuaZ]

I went back to the doctor today, as was scheduled, and they gave me an IV seeing as how none of the drugs they gave me seemed to have worked. Then they called my boss and now I'm checking into the hospital for a couple of days to get round the clock drugs.

Wish me luck. Looks like a lot of time to play Sim City 4.

[wdlove]

Originally Posted by :

I went back to the doctor today, as was scheduled, and they gave me an IV seeing as how none of the drugs they gave me seemed to have worked. Then they called my boss and now I'm checking into the hospital for a couple of days to get round the clock drugs.

Wish me luck. Looks like a lot of time to play Sim City 4.

Wishing you all the best. The doctors seem to be giving you the best of care. Just be sure to listen to their advice, nurses also.

[goofticket]

Originally Posted by JoshuaZ

Was feeling like crap on Friday night, woke up on Saturday and couldn't swallow. Somehow dragged my ass, via a very slow bike ride, to the clinic in my area with an English speaking doctor. I walk in, looking like ****, and make some very weird gestures to my throat to the nurses, and then almost pass out in the waiting room. You see, I already have massive tonsils. Like two big meatballs crammed down my throat. Now that one of them is massively swollen, I can't really swallow at all.

Though on the upside, one of my pills that I got looks like a lifesaver and tastes rather good!

Any advice on how to get over this? Besides the usual: sleep a lot, drink lots of fluids, and take your medication?

Take EVERY PILL prescribed. DO NOT STOP IF YOU FEEL BETTER.
The human imune system has a memory, like your mac does. If you do not completely kill of the bacteria, it can learn to resist the medication.

If after five or seven days you still feel bad, go back to the doctor, he may have not diagnosed it correctly and can run further tets to see what you've got.

[Monique]

The medical community is often wrong, and it is not a part of the immune system; this is totally ridiculous, find a doctor that will yank them out. I had mine remove when I was 5 and no problems since then. Of course he will feel bad until he has his tonsils removed.

[flabasha]

Unless it's just about life or death, doctors won't remove tonsils when they're actively infected, it's too dangerous. You have to kill the infection, then wait about a month before they'll go ahead with it.

[cjrivera]

Originally Posted by Monique

The medical community is often wrong, and it is not a part of the immune system; this is totally ridiculous

http://www.entnet.org/healthinfo/throat/tonsils.cfm

"Tonsils and adenoids are masses of tissue that are similar to the lymph nodes or "glands" found in the neck, groin, and armpits. Tonsils are the two masses on the back of the throat. Adenoids are high in the throat behind the nose and the roof of the mouth (soft palate) and are not visible through the mouth without special instruments.

Tonsils and adenoids are near the entrance to the breathing passages where they can catch incoming germs, which cause infections. They "sample" bacteria and viruses and can become infected themselves. Scientists believe they work as part of the body's immune system by filtering germs that attempt to invade the body, and that they help to develop antibodies to germs.

This happens primarily during the first few years of life, becoming less important as we get older. Children who must have their tonsils and adenoids removed suffer no loss in their resistance."

[Fyre4ce]

Originally Posted by Monique

The medical community is often wrong, and it is not a part of the immune system; this is totally ridiculous, find a doctor that will yank them out. I had mine remove when I was 5 and no problems since then. Of course he will feel bad until he has his tonsils removed.

Have you ever gone to medical school? If you want to want to disregard the opinions of doctors because of your own medical theories, go right ahead, but please don't try to persuade others to do the same. What this man needs is to find a good doctor who speaks english and who can treat his condition, not necessarily one that will "yank them out."

[Abit667]

Oh man this thread brought back some bad memories.

Last year, my freshman year of college, same thing happened to me. My tonsils got huge, nothing was keeping them down. I finally went to the doctor who just assumed I had a cold or something and gave me some shitty antibiotics. That helped a tiny bit but they were still pretty big and hurt like hell. It was very hard to eat, drink, breath, plus the pain was terrible. I put up with this for about 3 weeks until it finally started getting unbearable. I ended up going to the hospital at like 1am and they got some guy to come in. What he did was the most painful thing I have ever had happen. He tried to inject some numbing stuff into them, but it didn't really do anything. He was going to have to drain the puss out. He goes into the back of my mouth with a scalpel and small scissors and literally just cuts part of them. Then gets this pick thing and starts pulling some of the most foul **** out I have ever seen. I bled a ton and all this nasty black stuff was just pouring out of them. By the time he was half done the second one I passed out from the pain, but after those cuts healed up my tonsils were back to normal size. It's been about a year now and they haven't swollen up like that since. They got a bit bigger when I had a cold a while ago, but never swelled up again. I was going to have them taken out totally if it ever happened again, but since it hasn't I haven't bothered since it's such a crappy operation.

[ironknee]

i miss my tonsils...(parents had the whole 50-60's thinking--take em out, and you'll never get sick)

[JoshuaZ]

I'm back after about 4 days in the hospital, and 4 days of constant iv drips. Weird experience being in a Japanese hospital. I would complain about not being able to communicate with the nurses, but then again I couldn't speak at all for most of my time there. I'm back home now, but still have to go in once a day for three days to get iv drips.

I had to be the tallest person in that hospital, and clearly was the butt of many jokes made by the nurses who thought it was funny that my feet hung off the end of my bed. At least it got me better, and at a rather low cost as well.

[Artful Dodger]

Glad you are ok. Stay well! What was the final diagnosis?

[JoshuaZ]

It was just a horrible case of tonsillitis. Really really horrible case probably partially caused by my massive tonsils.

[David Lightman]

Just get off your silver-fillings

[JoshuaZ]

Off my silver fillings? Hmmm... that makes no sense at all. Does anyone here speak 'crazy' and can translate for me?