UK nhs tosillectomy?

time4change · Post by **time4change** » Tue Aug 07, 2012 9:32 pm

Hey everyone im a new member, but have been on this site nearly everyday reading all the posts and trying out some things. So i have been inspecting my tonsils and have had some tiny tonsil stone (less than 1mm) but the main thing is when i squeeze my tonsils i get a foul smelling yellowish liquid come out near the top of them.

Has anyone had this problem and had a tonsillectomy which has helped? I think it might be chronic fetid tonsils or something, but when i went to my NHS Doctor he said he'd never heard of tonsil stones or pus coming out. Ive never had tonsillitus and the DR said that with the financial state of healthcare in UK he cannot refer me to an ENT especially without even had tonsillitus.

Has anybody managed to get a tonsillectomy on NHS, or even been referred to an ENT, I am finding it impossible, have been to 5 doctors - was laughed at the first time and left in tears, but am trying to persevere, just not sure how to persuade them?

Private tonsillectomy is at least £2000, im living off £60 a week atm, and confidence is so low have been to job interviews but no luck.
Thanks for reading

Gooner · Post by **Gooner** » Tue Aug 07, 2012 11:34 pm

The NHS will do it you just need to exaggerate. See a new doctor, complain of sore throats and tonsil inflammation. Say you had a private consultation verifying this but coudlnt afford to go ahead with treatment. Obviously if your tonsils aren't inflamed the ent will see this but claim that you have it on and off weekly. If that were true and you went in saying that confidently there would be no issue. Its not nice but lie, at the end of the day this could be life changing and you have to play the game. There's no guarantee it will work as the underlying cause may remain but if you have ruled out other possibilities go for it. Another member dolittle had it done I think by suggesting it solely as a cure for his BB, I think it all depends on how forthright you are with your doctor.

aues · Post by **aues** » Wed Aug 08, 2012 1:05 am

I'd recommend not to lie as long as it's possible.
Instead go to the next ENT and talk to him/her about your problem. Say that it's something that's diminishing your quality of life very much.
If the doctors can't find a reason what's wrong with you they just have to do something like taking your tonsils out. Don't let yourself down if it doesn't work with the first doctors you see. Hope you'll find a compassionate doctor soon.

time4change · Post by **time4change** » Wed Aug 08, 2012 1:35 am

Thanks for the replies, think I'm going to have to lie a bit, have been to 5 GPs at my surgery and none of them would even refer me to an ENT specialist.
One of them did say that if I could get some liquid out of my tonsil then they could swab it, don't know if that will make a difference though.

MrChips · Post by **MrChips** » Tue Oct 02, 2012 10:15 pm

I used to suffer from tonsillitis atleast twice a year for as long as i can remember. I also suffered tonsil stones. I spoke to my doctor about it and he had a look at my tonsils and told me they seem fine. I asked him if i could see an ENT specialist and he agreed.
The ENT specialist examined my tonsils and noticed huge crypts (holes/craters) had developed from my repeated bouts of tonsillitis. I was subsequently booked in to have them removed 6 months later. On the NHS free of charge.
The 2 week recovery period was of intense throat pain. This was 2 years ago. Im glad i had them out because iv not had a sore throat since, and i can rule out tonsil stones etc causing my BB.... But, it did not cure me of my halitosis unfortunately. I would think twice about getting them removed if you dont suffer from sore throats.... But if you got your heart set on having them out.... Lie, say what ever. Say your having repeated bouts of sore throats 3 or 4 times a year,
Im gettin my wisdom teeth removed next week. Might be my cure.... Fingers crossed

FedUp · Post by **FedUp** » Wed Oct 03, 2012 4:58 pm

I was told on my last doctor visit (last month).

tonsillectomys are only performed if you've had severe tonsillitis which has hospitalised you several times. and when you complain of tonsils stones I was told to live with it lol WHAT.

YOU LIVE WITH SHIT BACTERIA IN YOUR MOUTH YOU TWAT!!!

sorry lol I still get mad.

so basically unless you can afford private you will have a tough time getting one on the NHS. it sucks being poor, If I had money Ii could sort this shit out.

time4change · Post by **time4change** » Wed Oct 03, 2012 11:05 pm

Hey I went back to the doctor and she told me there was nothing she could do except prescribe more antibiotics. She refused to refer me to ENT as well. I started crying saying its ruining my life and she said to try the pills and come back.

It's such a let down the way some people react, I haven't booked another appointment i can't face it. And yeah I agree with you that they're really not giving many people tonsillectomies, you have to match the criteria of having certain amount of tonsillitis recently. And without a job I can't afford it private lol

FedUp · Post by **FedUp** » Fri Oct 05, 2012 9:05 pm

i can't believe how GP's and doctors can think about money before quality of life. it makes me question why they're in health care, you'd think they'd want to help people.

The majority are unsympathetic towards things. handing out antibiotics does not make you a doctor. they must think halitosis is something that's just a minimal thing to live with, the paranoia and low self esteem that comes with it is much too powerful at times. a simple thing as to not smell like shit is turning life unliveable at times.

FedUp · Post by **FedUp** » Thu Nov 08, 2012 12:02 am

the best bet is doing what I did. go to an ENT doctor privately. I know it costs money but it's worth it. no fucker GP would refer me either for months.

The same GP that said to me "well some people have bad breath" actually HAD to refer me once my ENT specialist sent him a letter telling him what needed to be done.

What GP has the right to send you away depressed with no hope. You only get one life, who has the right to tell you to live with your condition.

time4change · Post by **time4change** » Thu Nov 08, 2012 9:59 am

I'm still being refused a referral to an ENT specialist point blank, I've emailed a few and they all require referrals from a gp so not sure what to do.

My first wisdom tooth will be taken out in 2 weeks, and the rest will be done a few weeks later and after that if there's still bb my next step will be ENT, just wish it wasn't so hard to get a referral! Thanks for replies

Born To Suffer · Post by **Born To Suffer** » Thu Nov 08, 2012 7:14 pm

lol funny post, I know exactly what you are going through.

I think ENT don't remove tonsils because the surgery is risky, and maybe they know something we don't? It's weird how they won't do it.

I didn't even wait for a gp to refer me, I just looked up an ENT around my area and went directly. Of course you have to be smart. Just say you suffer from tonsillitis 5-6 times a year, ear aches etc, they have a strict requirement - no surgery if you have less than 4 infections.
DON'T make it seem that you are there for bb. If he should mention tonsil stones, or bb, just pretend you don't know what the hell he is talking about.
"tonsil stones? What's that?" lol. play it cool, and do some research on tonsillitis.

time4change · Post by **time4change** » Thu Nov 08, 2012 11:21 pm

Thanks for the reply Born To Suffer, did your ENT specialist write a letter of referral to your gp as well, and then you got it on nhs?

Or did you pay for it? Sorry for personal questions, I'm thinking I might have to take a loan out if the wisdom teeth removal doesn't help, and then I can just pay privately. I can't afford a loan lol but I'd do anything for no bb right now !

Born To Suffer · Post by **Born To Suffer** » Fri Nov 09, 2012 5:09 pm

Oh truthfully I don't even have a GP. When I get sick I don't take meds or see a doctor. I know my body can handle it, so I let it

When the ENT asked me who referred me, I just lied and said my gp is in China. I found the ENT online.
I'm not from the UK so I don't really know what nhs is.

At first he was suspicious but when he looked at my tonsils, well it wasn't really healthy so in the end he believed me.
Just before you go to the ENT eat a lot of unhealthy food, like pizza, or drink pineapple juice, because it makes your tonsils a bit inflamed, so it'll look more believable.

Oh if you have suffered from pnd or not, make sure you take out your ADENOIDS as well, a lot of bacteria can be lurking there as well.

My health insurance will cover the average amount, but because I choose to do it privately, I'll have to cover the outstanding amount. If you have a choice - go do it privately because honest to God when you take out tonsils/wisdoms you want the best person to do it.