Tonsil Stones, grrrrr!!

[RDM83]

These things are driving me crazy! They keep reappearing and they are very annoying. I have tried all sorts of "tricks" to get them out with no luck. I am seriously considering just having my tonsils removed. Everytime I swallow I feel like there is something stuck in my throat.

Can anybody share a home remedy that has worked for them?

TIA

 

[Stitchfans]

I've never heard of those before. I am going to have to google them to learn more about what you are talking about.

 

[Jaya]

I've had them for years and, as far as I know, there is nothing you can do about them. The EENT didn't know anything that would help, either. I bought some expensive mouthwash a few years ago that was supposed to help with them, but it didn't do a thing. I agree....they're not pleasant. Wish I could give you better news.

 

[GusGus77]

I always use the pick end on the plackers dental floss stick things. Mine were really bad. The best solution was getting my tonsils out in January!!!!

 

[leebee]

DD used to use a Q-tip to pop them out of the caverns in her tonsils. There's no way to avoid/prevent them; they form from nasal and throat secretions, saliva, and food. FINALLY she had her tonsils out- good-bye, tonsilloliths!

 

[BadgerGirl84]

UGH--these are the worst. I've had them on and off for years. I've never found anything to get rid of them until they just go away on their own. They are so annoying. They tend to be worst after a cold or sinus issue.

 

[tennvalgirl]

I've never heard of those before. I am going to have to google them to learn more about what you are talking about.

Prepare to be grossed out.
I have had them too OP and they are awful

 

[FiggieFan]

I have them on and off, thankfully more off. They are pretty gross. I can't imagine getting at them with a Q-Tip without gagging to death first.

 

[Kogo Shuko]

I get them ALL the time, but short of removing your tonsils, there is no solution. I pick mine out. Usually I can do that with my tongue, but sometimes it requires something else.

My doctor doesn't want me to remove my tonsils though, even though I'm prone to this AND tonsillitus. Grr.

 

[BEloveDisney]

It took me 15 years of begging, but I finally got my tonsils out in September. I have never felt better.


Tonsil stones are pretty gross though. You have my sympathy.

 

[Tinijocaro]

They are a minor annoyance and boy! Do they ever stink! I have pushed on one side of my tonsils to pop them out.

 

[WhateverLolaWants]

I take the cotton off a Q-Tip and pick them out that way. I also have a move that can loosen them and bring them up to the surface so that I can pick them out easily. I find mine are worse when I've been having allergy/drainage issues.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Sometimes (but not always), I'm able to "hack" them out like you would with other sinus occupants. So gross.

 

[Christine]

I get them maybe 1-2 times a year, usually during allergy season. And then I get ONE.

Everyone I know that gets a lot of them ended up having a tonscillectomy and didn't regret it.

 

[tina.tina]

When I first really discovered that there was a name for those things, I thought I suddenly had a severe sore throat or ear infection and was going to have to leave work. I went to the bathroom and started poking around and trying to look in my throat to find the problem. I had a very large one come out and I was shocked enough to do some online research. I didn't find any solutions.

I had a lot of trouble for several months after that. Once, it was like I had a blockage and liquid came out afterward. Not long after that, I seemed to quit getting them and I'm not sure why. Just the other day, I noticed a small one but I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I don't have any more large ones.

 

[Planogirl]

Wow, I'm so glad that I have no tonsils after reading this thread. I had them out when I was just a kid after having almost constant bouts of tonsillitis and ear infections. My mother took me to Europe to have it done because the doctors here refused. I wonder why they are so often against tonsillectomies?

 

[lucas]

I use a dry Q-tip (seems to grab on to them pretty good) or back end of toothbrush to push them out (really pushing the area around the crypt). Then I use a wet Q-tip to flush the area. Sometimes if I can't get one out, I use a Q-tip to put some peroxide in the crypt and that helps to loosen it. When they reappear, it seems to always be in the same area. I check my throat every night with a flashlight to stay on top of them. It has gotten a LOT better.

 

[RDM83]

OP here

Unfortunately I have a very sensitive gag reflex and can't seem to get back there. Oh but trust me I've tried!

Gargling salt water, coughing, making myself sneeze, trying to poke at them, you name it!

We just had 2 rounds of bad colds and I guess my body is still fighting it.

Oh well, Good luck to all who have yet to find a solution, sighhhhh.

 

[pigletgirl]

OP here

Unfortunately I have a very sensitive gag reflex and can't seem to get back there. Oh but trust me I've tried!

Gargling salt water, coughing, making myself sneeze, trying to poke at them, you name it!

We just had 2 rounds of bad colds and I guess my body is still fighting it.

Oh well, Good luck to all who have yet to find a solution, sighhhhh.

Never heard of those before. I'd be running to the closest ENT to get those puppies removed!

 

[Muushka]

Do you want me to add to the EEEEEWWWWWEEEEEEEEEEEE factor?

As a laboratorian, I was fascinated with these things. So one day I smeared it onto a slide,
gram stained it and looked at them under the microscope.
EEEEEWWWWWWWWWWWWEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
It was solid gram negative rods. I didn't culture them, perhaps someone with micro experience
could guess as to what those little buggers are.
But do they stink!