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Both tonsils have disappeared

Posted by tricia7 @tricia7, Aug 21 7:49am

I contracted Lyme 4 years ago and have been fighting viruses ever since. HPV and EBV reactivated, I developed Chronic Sinusitis, have fluid behind both ears, post nasal drip and a sore throat. I’ve been struggling trying to get better. I recently discovered my tonsils are gone when I checked my most recent sore throat. They were there a few months ago. I practice good oral hygiene and salt water gargle when throat is sore. I’m 61 yo and wondering if anyone has heard of this happening. I can’t seem to find much information. Thank you.

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Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Aug 21 8:11am

@tricia7 Have you had this confirmed by your PCP? Is it possible that all the irritation you are suffering has caused swelling at the back of the throat making them seem to be gone?

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1 reply
tricia7 | @tricia7 | Aug 21 10:49am
In reply to @sueinmn "@tricia7 Have you had this confirmed by your PCP? Is it possible that all the irritation..." + (show)
@sueinmn

@tricia7 Have you had this confirmed by your PCP? Is it possible that all the irritation you are suffering has caused swelling at the back of the throat making them seem to be gone?

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Yes. I visited an Urgent Care last week because my throat pain and swollen glands were getting worse. It was a NP who informed me I didn’t have my tonsils. They thought I had them removed. I couldn’t believe it. I’ve been fighting something awful since Lyme. I think my neck glands swelled when my tonsils gave up about 8 weeks ago.

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thomason | @thomason | Aug 22 5:25am

Hello @tricia7. I am surprised that no-one has informed you that tonsils atrophy away with age. My tonsils did, and my ENT said that it is a perfectly normal phenomenon! At age 60, they began shrinking, and now--five years later-- are not visible.
Some things actually do get better with age!

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1 reply
tricia7 | @tricia7 | Aug 22 7:03am
In reply to @thomason "Hello @tricia7. I am surprised that no-one has informed you that tonsils atrophy away with age...." + (show)
@thomason

Hello @tricia7. I am surprised that no-one has informed you that tonsils atrophy away with age. My tonsils did, and my ENT said that it is a perfectly normal phenomenon! At age 60, they began shrinking, and now--five years later-- are not visible.
Some things actually do get better with age!

Jump to this post

Thank you for your reply. I knew they shrink with age but did know they completely disappear. It seemed odd they were there a couple of months ago and disappeared when my neck glands swelled up. It seems like the lymph nodes in my neck have taken over for my tonsils. Thanks again for the reassurance.

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