Stupid tonsil (again)

[judecorp]

I broke down and started taking the seekrit stash of Levaquin today. (Don't kill me, keelamoster. It was prescribed to me by my ENT right before we moved here!) I felt really weird about it, and almost changed my mind a whole bunch of times before I took that first pill at lunch time. But I really think I did the right thing.

I woke up this morning and my tonsil was significantly more swollen than it has been since it started swelling on Saturday. Not only was it more swollen, but it (and my soft palate) actually hurt. I started getting concerned about another abscess at this point, because I only had one swollen tonsil, I haven't been sick, and my soft palate was getting swollen. So I brought the prescription bottle to work, and popped three ibuprofen. (Can't take Levaquin until 2+ hours after vitamins/minerals, and I take a daily multi and a calcium pill in the morning.)

I definitely have pressure on the side of my face now, so that when I turn my head to the left (like to look out the window when I'm driving, which I do ALL DAY) I feel weirdly uncomfortable, like my tonsil is going to bonk the other side of my throat. Yuck. And then I came into work to find out that one of my coworkers is out for the week because she's sick and has been exposed to whooping cough. (Sheesh! What is it with this job??!?) So between the throat pain, the discomfort, the serious possibility of another abscess occuring around Christmas, and whooping cough in my workplace, I popped the pill at lunch. 9 more days to go.

I really hope this will do the trick. I have such abscess-o-phobia because they are so painful and so uncomfortable and so okay-it's-time-to-go-to-the-ER-now. I took one ER trip in 2001 for IV antibiotics and steroids, and had another in 2003. (Or was it 2004? I suppose I could check LJ.) I don't ever want to do that again.

Part of me knows I should have called my doctor and seen her about this, but a) I have to work this week because it's a short week and I need to deliver all of my kids' donated toys all around town, b) I had this prescription that had been sitting around anyway, and c) I want her to get all of my ENT records (and enough sick time) collected before I can go in and talk to her about whether she thinks I should get my tonsils removed. (My ENT in Columbus said /absolutely/ but I'm hesitant to have surgery. Besides, I like my tonsils!)

This is probably the most boring entry ever. I probably have 989792750 entries about my tonsils already. :)

Comments

[wlscbone.livejournal.com]

just some unsolicited advice,

but it sounds like you should have your tonsils removed. i have a friend who was constantly getting strep throat (among other things, like abcesses) and it all went away once her tonsils were removed. that first winter after she had them removed was the first one since I met her that she didn't have to be rushed to the ER at least once.

(and you know- in reference to you liking your tonsils- sometimes love is knowing when to let go. heh)

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

I know.

And I was actually all set to get them out this past spring, but we ended up moving halfway across the country instead. So now I'm at a new job without enough sick time to pull it off. (You have to be careful because of hemmorrhaging and all of that.) I need to bide my time and wait to see if a) my new doctor here still thinks I need to get them out (I need referrals with my new insurance) and b) I can earn enough sick time to take the time off for it.

But yeah, I know it's an eventuality. I've been really lucky in terms of strep (only had it once ever, knock on wood), but I don't need to keep getting abscesses.

[jennbits.livejournal.com]

I really really hope you don't have to have them removed in a way because it's so extremely painful for adults to go through. I was so miserable and couldn't eat anything other than soft foods for a month.

On the other hand, it's a rare day when i have throat problems nowadays, and it's been 4 years since I've had it done.

On the other hand, HOSPITALS MAKE ME ANTSY.

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

Ugh - hopefully if I do have to get them out someday, I can do it without the MONTH OF PAIN!! (Hospitals make me antsy, too.)

But it's great to know you haven't had throat problems since!!

[siercia]

I hope you feel better soon!

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

I actually feel fine, except for the big lump in my throat. :) But thanks!

[siercia]

That alone doesn't sound too pleasant. Ick.

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

After some research, I've learned that this antibiotic should not be taken with NSAIDs (like ibuprofen, like I've been taking all day) or caffiene (like the diet coke I have every day for lunch). OOPS!

[oddharmonic.livejournal.com]

Have you had a pertussis booster recently? I read an article in Discover magazine awhile back about how it shows up in adults because their immunity from childhood boosters had worn off.

I hope the Levaquin does the trick for your tonsils.

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

No, I haven't had a pertussis vaccine since I was a baby. But thankfully I didn't have any kind of contact with the woman who might have been infected. (From what I was told at work today, the woman /said/ she had whooping cough but we don't know if it was confirmed by a doctor.)

Phew! I don't need to be exposed to more crap! ;)

[anitsirk.livejournal.com]

actually, yr entry is not boring. i love hearing about others' tonsil ailments, since i have so many of my own...
this may be too personal of a question, but do you get tonsilloliths???? i am PLAGUED!
i'd love to have my tonsils out, but i'm scared of general anesthesia and i hate jello.

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

What's a tonsillolith? Tell me about your tonsil ailments!

I want to get my tonsils out... but I don't want to be out of commission for a long time. I just like to go go go!!

[anitsirk.livejournal.com]

tonsilloliths are these little white-yellow soft things that fester in the crevices in your tonsils. they're a combo of mucus, pus, & decaying food. they smell like rotting corpses.
every now & then, i cough one up & i gag and it's very VERY unpleasant. now & then=once a day or more.

i've met a few people who get these & they're all as repulsed as i am.

tonsillolith translates to "tonsil rock" ewwwww

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

Oh my gosh, that is amazing! (And disgusting.) I am in awe of you now.