sguru75

You are welcome, Shanon.

After my ordeal, I had wished I had a better understanding of things...would have "settled" me more. It sounds like our husband's are somewhat similar. As for mine, he was good to a point. After that, think he would have rather not have known how I was feeling. lol What can you do, when you don't understand and yet, understand too that there isn't much you can do?

It sounds like you and I may have similar nasal problems. I have a deviated septum (from what I have read, most people do and perhaps, some worse) but I have a nasal spur that blocks off nasal drainage. I asked my doctor if mine came from having been punched in the nose in 8th grade. He said it was quite possible.
Most of the drainage runs down the back of my throat too. Which, now explains why I had to spit.

Have you tried a nasal decongestant? What works well for me, is a Walmart brand that contains a nasal decongestant, anti-histamine and tylenol (though would prefer w/o tylenol).

In the beginning, I tried Afrin and that blew out gunk...that I was surprised to see. It's only recommended for 3 days. Having said that, I would think a nasal irrigation would be better (nothing but salt water and a pinch of baking soda). It'll clear out your sinuses for the time being and any germys that may be harboring there.

As for tea, oddly...early on, I was regurgitating it. I guess I was just drinking too much of it and two, my nerves were bad around that time. Possibly causing the reflux. Have you inclined the head of your bed? I did read this as a "tip" for those who suffer.

[borninquisitive]

Back to your lingual tonsils and your certainty that is why it's difficult to swallow: have you bothered to look in the mirror, to see if food is getting hung up on the back of your tongue?

If you can tolerate this (physically and psychologically): you can view your linguals, epiglottis, vallecular space (and I can see my trach)with a dental mirror, small mag light (front of flashlight allowing you to focus down the light)while standing in front of a mirror.
A glass of wine beforehand and a shot of chlorespetic spray to the back of the throat may help. ;-) Turn on the flashlight and once the mirror is in your mouth, take a deep breath in and view them. If that works, try eating something that you have difficulty swallowing and see if the food is getting "hung up" and where.

From the sounds of it, your hormones are showing themselves in your hot & cold spells.

I can't tell you whether you should or should not go through with surgery. I would take your concerns and questions to your ENT. Certainly, if you feel like you are up to waiting (until March) and you would feel better knowing you have pursued every avenue beforehand, it wouldn't be unreasonable to put it off until then. From what I understand, second thoughts are quite common. Your ENT will not think you are being "unusual" for postponing.

Questions that I would bring to your ENT:

Is it possible that the entire problem is with your lingual tonsils?
If the answer could be yes, can they perform surgery on them alone? I would think it'd be very difficult but I don't know. The procedure is different.

As for the G.I. I would ask him/her if, aside from seeing if damage has occurred due to the reflux, if in the procedure, they can detect anything outside of the tests they have already performed. I would also let them know that your Prevacid & Zantac do not seem to be helping.

If you postpone the surgery, I would try to work on getting yourself well. Possibly with different medications (reflux), HRT (at least until you are healed), work on calming the tension (stress makes illness worse), trying to eat well, perhaps adding in a multi-vit w/mineral and get plenty of rest. The stronger you are prior to surgery, the better your recovery...I do believe!

Like I said, I think I am probably one of the worst cases in regards to slow healing. Too, I do think other things are going on but just don't know as of yet.

What I do, prior to visits, is type out my questions & concerns and hand them the paper, to read. Print one for him/her and one for yourself.
It takes the tension off and I don't have to worry if I have forgotten anything.

I know what you are going through. Swallowing is a nature process, one in which we don't have to think about...until something like this happens. It is very unnerving. It's frustrating (we can't instantly fix it) and can be frightening. If not for choking (for some) but wondering, will this resolve!? What's wrong?!

As for fear, I do have one huge strike against me (so-to-speak) as I am smoker, have for years. The only regret that I have, is that I began smoking.

Sorry for the lag in response. I would like to hear what you decide to do and will be here to help you out in any way that I can.

[borninquisitive]

Ah, I forgot re: hormone testing (thinking FSH here), from what I have come to understand, is that it is basically useless, unless you are on the brink of menopause. Perimenopause, on the other hand, can last for years.
The gal in the Menopause forum seems to be an amicable woman and helpful. She isn't quick to respond but she is offering her time, free of charge. Another site I recommend: http://www.power-surge.com/educate/34symptoms.htm Having a user forum as well.

I think hormones play a huge roll in how we feel and affect our health in general.
Sadly, based off my own experience and hearing so many other women's experiences, we are not treated as seriously (and sometimes, quite poorly!) on account of it.

On account of my problems and in hearing others...if I can get a "leg up"...I would like to pursue volunteer work in our community. Working with long term care (the elderly) and an outreach program for those who have an illness, who need help. My doc wanted me to shoot for becoming a board member on the hospital but it came up sooner than I had expected.
Just as well, I need to get down to the bottom of my issues, feel better and perhaps then, will be of greater use. We need more people on our "side" and hopefully too, be the bridge that crosses the "divide."

My interest in medicine came early but my only background in it, was short term Pharmacy Tech in a medical clinic. Loved the work but had to move (the ONLY reason for leaving that job) and was not able to find the same, here.
Not all was lost, my sister picked up my job and is there to this day.

[sgru75]

Hi Kate ~  Thanks so much once again for all the information.  It is so helpful.  I went for my pre-op on Thursday and I am already to go for the sinus and tonsillectomy on Feb. 5th.  I was thinking of having the esphogus test first (endoscopy) but decided that I would start with this....go thru it....get healed and see how things feel and then if no change in the swallowing, then I will go for that test next.  I am a little apprehensive about having it done...because I just wish I knew if it would FIX my problem but there is really no way to tell that until it is said and done.  I really need a biopsy done of the lingual tonsil which you have to be put to sleep for so I may as well get this all done at once.  I really think that alot of this is worsened by my nerves and fears of the unknown.  I am a very nervous type and ALWAYS think the worse.  I can never think positive or think on the side of there is something wrong that can be fixed.....I immediately think that I have the worst case scenerio.  My mother is the same way so it was born into me.  

The ENT doctor told me I have acid reflux and for some reason I have it in my head that I don't.  I just can't accept the fact.  I don't feel that bad with it so therefore I just think it can't be.  I just wish this swallowing thing would GO AWAY.  For 10 months now, it is non-stop!!  It is just hard to swallow.  It is very hard to explain...but it is not like I have something stuck in my throat it is just when you swallow it is hard to do so.  Just takes effort, it is not a natural feeling like it used to be.  It is just so funny because I swallow a bone or something 4 days before this started so I just keep going back to that in my head.  Did it or could it have done damage to my esphogus???  But perhaps it is acid reflux and I just can't accept it, ya know!!  I am sure they know what they are talking about...I sure hope!!

The lingual tonsil I believe is my problem and they say it is huge.  I guess with inflammation or infection this can happen and as long as the inflammation is still present it is not going to go down.

Just can't wait to get this over with.  Very nervous as you can tell.  From what people say, it is going to be painful and with both sinuses and tonsils being done at once.....double pain wammy...LOL...I will keep you posted and thanks so much again for all your help....you are very knowledgeable and I think you should go for your pursuit of wanting to help people....you would be very good at it.  Keep me posted as well and thanks again.....Shanon

[borninquisitive]

Shanon,

It'll be easy to remember your surgery, as I will be visiting my ENT on the same day. ;-) I'll send out a prayer for you. I think all will be well for you. After surgery, don't rail against the discomfort. Get it in your head that it's simply a process and know that it will get better, as it will.

I too am a nervous type (yet outwardly, seem quite serene lol) and tend to think the worse. Why, I don't know. Sometimes I think it is hereditary and perhaps some ethnicities are more inclined to suffer worse.
Maybe it's easier (a means of preparing) and if we are hit with better news, feel all the more better about it.

Have you ever had surgery, one that knocked you out completely? The nurse gave me injectable muscle relaxers just prior to wheeling me in.
I was dehydrated (from not being able to drink) and think that affected my bp. They gave me water, via the vein and I felt better. Of course, went potty before they took me in.

One thing I found, afterwards...all my back aches disappeared. I think the muscle relaxants and being completely knocked out loosened up all my tight muscles, completely. Prior to that date, never had a muscle relaxant. Just not used to drugs, period.

If food is getting hung up on your linguals, your tongue muscles are probably fatiguing (working twice as hard), making it that much more difficult to eat/swallow.
Post tonsillectomy and when I was able to eat more, it took me twice the time to eat. It was tiring. Oddly, I found in keeping my chin closer to my chest helped swallowing. You would think it'd be worse, as food would be moving "uphill" but...it did help me some.
Again, if this bothers you...eating in another area (either quiet) or in a place that you can look out and "meditate" while you eat, may produce a better eating experience for you.

I don't think swallowing the bone would create much damage. Irritating perhaps but I'd guess to be coincidental.

I will be curious how your surgery goes. Especially if the nasal one relieves the post nasal drip. My ENT wanted to perform both at once too but I just opted for the tonsil removal. In hearing positive results...might prompt me to get this done. I wake up every morning with thick "gunk" in my throat. I am clearing my throat for hours each morning.

I made a mistake in my gum recommendation, it was Dentyne Ice Peppermint. About 10 days post tonsillectomy, the "taste" and gunk really started to get to me. This gum helped. Your Uvula (dangly thing in the back of your throat) will swell and touch your tongue. Saliva may pool up on the back of your throat and add to the possible gaggy feeling. Combination of that and "taste"...the gum may help.

My ENT recommended gum chewing to keep the muscles limbered, too.

Also, his wife (a nurse) commented that in laying for long periods of time may raise your temperature. She recommended getting up and walking a little bit to reduce a temperature.

As a side note, think it's standard procedure to prescribe antibiotics, for you to take while you are healing.

Just post when you are up to it. Between now and then, would try to get yourself stronger (both in mind & body) beforehand. Best to you and yours. Here's wishing you a speedy recovery.

~Kate