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I had a tonsillectomy in June 2023 with lasting complications.
I had a tonsillectomy in June 2023 due to excessive tonsil stone formation. I am now experiencing taste distortion and a sensation of a ball of phlegm in my throat which I cannot clear or swallow away; these symptoms persist still after 4 months post surgery. I also have extremely sticky thick spit/phlegm in my mouth and throat. I must drink with every bite of food to swallow effectively. My ENT suspected silent GERD but at his direction, doubling my Lansoprazole dosage for 4 weeks did nothing. He now has scheduled a swallow test, speech therapy & a esophogram in 2 weeks. Looking for answers. Hoping nothing like cancer is going on. Is this anything anyone else has experienced as an adult having a tonsillectomy at 50+ years of age? I am 57.
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Hi @jas0950. Really helpful post. Also going for a tonsillectomy at 47 because of the same tonsil stones reason. You say you would not elect for it again if you had to do it again, but what other options are there? Thank you!
None unfortunately except popping the tonsil stones out manually which was a daily task for me with a Q-tip or water pik. So disgusting and the smell always offensive. Always on guard wondering if others could smell my breath everyday. In that regard I’m glad I had the tonsillectomy because all of that is now gone. However it left me with a whole another set of challenges and issues. You’ll need to weigh what’s most valuable to you. Good Luck
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1 ReactionAgain remember my post tonsillectomy issues may not be the sane for you. I’m sure every case is unique by person.
My wife is 72 now and she got tonsillectomy at UCLA Medical Center at the age 66. The surgery was to remove a benign tumor. Since then she's been suffering exactly same symptom as you have experienced. No clear solution until now. Visited Mayo Rochester, Sinai in NY. Now developed to Dysphagia and weight was down from 100 to 70. Been through many swallow tests, GERD, Neurology etc, , etc. Before meal she must wipe out thick phlegm from mouth which she can't swallow or spit out. Dry mouth. I gave her Zylitol. After many years of unfruitful efforts, I've reached to my own conclusion that muscle got damaged or weakened. Will visit again Dysphagia specialist in Colorado because we relocated to Colorado. Wish you would get well and should you have any concern please feel free.
@robbiebert
Tonsil stones are unpleasant, but full tonsil removal is rarely needed—especially in adults. The surgery can cause lasting swallowing problems in some cases. Many people do better with gentler options like salt-water gargles, water-flosser cleaning, or laser cryptolysis from an ENT who treats tonsil stones specifically. It’s worth trying those first before considering a tonsillectomy. Only if they were infected without another remedy would you consider surgery. An ENT can resurface the tonsil area --its less risky than removal because nerves that are next to the to tonsils can be damaged. When considering tonsil surgery less tissue removal is better than more so muscles and nerves are not damaged and you then have difficulty swallowing.