This website has been so helpful

[dragonbreath]

-Be forwarned. This is a long post.-

Newbie to this board but not BB. I just found this board about 3 weeks ago, and been lurking here since. This board has been a wealth of information, so thank you all. I now understand so much more about BB.

I do not post on message boards much, but feel compelled to post here. I've been a BB sufferer ever since I was in elementary school when kids were commenting on my breath. I'm 34 yrs old now, and I think it's gotten worse. A safe distance for me would be 5 ft away from whomever I'm talking to. Even today when a coworker was forced to be in my cubicle backed up and ended the conversation abruptly when I opened my mouth. This made me feel horrible inside.

I used to be so proud and confident when I was younger, and did not really care when people made comments about my breath. But ever since about 8-10 years ago, it starts to take a toll. My confidence and self esteem plummeted. I'm so anti-social now. BB was one of the reason I was so depressed before. I think I'm still mildly depressed. I'm so ashamed about these conditions that I do not talk about it to anyone.

I used to do the lick test, and it would smell so horrible back 6 yrs ago. I've done so much to improve my oral hygiene, I can't even smell anything from the lick test anymore. Either that, or I smell it so many times that I cannot smell it anymore. I know my BB still persist, and worse than ever. Even when I use a q-tip to rub against the back of my throat and tonsils, I have to bring it right next to my nose for me to smell it.

I tried numerous products, Tri-Oral, Smartmouth, Therabreath, etc, and none of them works. I've even spent $600 to visit Dr. Dailey (horrible experience that I'll tell more about in another post if interested). Lately I've been using the Tung Brush (thanks to this site) and my tongue is so much pinker. However, it did not eliminate my BB. So now, I think my BB originates from my Tonsils. I never knew there were such things as Tonsils stones before reading this board. I looked at my throat and see white things on my Tonsils. And now to think about it, I may have coughed off a stone or 2 in the past.

I'm planning to see my doctor for a check up, and hopefully be referred to an ENT about the Tonsil Stones. I also constantly have to clear my throat as if something is stuck there. It's hard to pronounce words when that happens. I hope to have my Tonsils removed. Hopefully this will end the BB problem that's been with me for 20 some odd years.

-Still in search of a cure. Thanks taking the time to read thru all this rambling.

[Archimonde]

I also constantly have to clear my throat as if something is stuck there.

This is a very common symptom for BB sufferers.

Welcome.

[Larc400]

Hi ... Welcome

Regarding the feeling of something stuck in your throat, please check this post:

viewtopic.php?t=1310

Could it be that food/mucous etc gets stuck on top of the soft palate? I'm getting more and more convinced this is a problem area, at least for ppl with nasal odour... Please ask your ENT about this. There are conditions where the soft palate doesn't close properly when swallowing, allowing food up there, etc.

[dragonbreath]

Thanks for all the feedback. I'll look into that problem. But too embarassed to ask my ENT about my BB. I know I should build up the courage and just ask them.

[perrymason]

Are you ****ing serious?

you're too embarassed or too shy to ask about your BB. Man up...(not being rude)

BB isn't something that should control you, the only way to defeat it is to take control over it. This isn't something to be embarassed about (with a doctor that is) seeing as it is a problem with your body, not with your hygeine.

[Larc400]

You can mention it in a roundabout way:

For example:

"The thing that's affecting me most is that I've noticed a strong smell from my nose ... Something's gotta be wrong back there, what could it be, doc?"

You don't have to make it into a sob story about bad breath, just stay factual and straight on: "something stinks and I need to know what it is."

Believe me, doctors confront more embarrassing problems all the time. Be brave.

[perrymason]

Larc would know about embarassment!

He has erectile dysfunction, poor baby!

[Larc400]

Do I? Your mum seemed happy enough with it last night.

[perrymason]

YIKES

you got me there >_>

(admittance is the first step btw)

[Larc400]

[mike987]

My tonsils have been a problem for me too.

I've been saving up money slowly, but really dislike the idea of spending my entire savings on a tonsillectomy that may not even cure my BB.

Damn america and it's f***ed up healthcare.


I was looking into this company who sends folks overseas to have surgeries done in foreign countries. The site seems pretty respectable but they haven't emailed me back after the initial "we got your application and are processing it now" letter. It's been two weeks.. I hope they mail me soon



edit: explitive

[dragonbreath]

Well, thanks for all the encouragement guys. I'll ask the doc about the problem I'm fed up with this and need to find a cure. Soon I hope!

Hey Mike, Doesn't your insurance cover most of the cost for a Tonsillectomy?
If not, have you considered Laser? From reading this site, It cost around $800 for the Laser treatment in Israel. It'll still be a better deal flying to Israel vs getting it done here.