Tonsil stones won't come out

[flowerpot]

A few days ago, I began to notice that when I swallowed, it felt like I had a pill or something stuck in my throat.. The next day my throat got really soar, so I just assumed I was getting a head cold. Then yesterday, I coughed up a hard white/yellow "thing" that resembled oatmeal. It stunk so bad, and I had never coughed anything like this up before so I was worried.. Then last night, I coughed up another one! I found this site today and luckily now I know what these disgusting things are! I was reading previous posts, and you guys seem to use qtips or your finger to get them out.. I just tried using a qtip AND my fingers but I find it hard to do cause I keep on gagging :( and they are really bothering me. I've been trying to cough them up all day but they won't come out. What should I do? How do I get these awful tonsil stones out?

[Jerome Bogin, D.D.S.]

I think you need to be on the medical site for an ENT doctor.

[blueskittles]

I too get tonsil stones, or at least that's what i assume they are.  They are exactly like the ones you describe, even the smell.  Usually mine just come out on their own when i swallow or cough.  sometimes i have to gargle with mouthwash, salt water solution or even hydrogen peroxide and that helps, it also helps to do that on a regular basis to prevent future stones to show up.  I can't get them to come out either when i use my finger or q-tip like others say work.  I find that just gargling or leaving it alone is the best solution so they eventually just fall out on their own.  I actually just had one fall out today while i was at work and i put it in a clear baggy to take to the doctor next week, i know that sounds grose but that would be what i recommend to do as well so that he can do a biopsy and find out for sure what it is.  just make sure you keep it in the fridge and dont freeze it because then they cant do the biopsy on it.  The only reason i suggest that is because there are several other diseases/cancers that have the same symptoms as "tonsil stones" so for piece of mind its a good idea.  Hope i was somewhat helpful, good luck to you.
~Becky