[msarkie]

Here's something I haven't ever seen addressed. We now know that tonsils have an immune system function, producing T-cells. If I recall correctly, these T-cells are somehow involved in the auto-immune response of MS.

So, how many folks here have had their tonsils out? If so, at what age? I ask because I've had horrible tonsils since I was a child, but they never would take them out - it was just at the time (70's) when that was becoming less pervasive. Now I've had strep infections twice in two months, at age 39. They make me feel really horrible all over, aside from the pain in my throat. I've started having episodes of vertigo again, which I haven't had for ages.

I know that any kind of infection can cause a pseudo-flare, but I'm wondering if chronically infected tonsils could be even more of a problem than something else might be, because of the T-cell production. However, I REALLY don't want to have my tonsils out! After my sinus surgery I know pretty much what to expect, and it's extremely unpleasant!

So let me hear your experiences and opinions!

[lady_express_44]

I had my tonsils out when I was about 8, and have had two sinus surgeries; one prior to knowing about the MS, and one since. For me, surgeries are hard to heal from, but I have found infections to be more of a threat for my spinal lesions.

Infection can cause not only a pseudoexacerbation, but also a true relapse:

http://www.mswatch.ca/ContentRoot/Ed...ry/Relapse.pdf
(see "pseudoexacerbation cont'd" ... Infection")

Cherie

[Jules A]

I had mine out at 8 also. I was constantly getting really sick with strep etc. prior to getting them out and after that was beautifully healthy until the stinking MS came into the picture at almost 40 yo.

[FinLady]

I had both my tonsils and adnoids taken out when I was 5. They were both inflammed and attacking each other, so I have to remind docs that they can't check for swelling of the adnoids when I have a cold and such.

[Snoopy]

I had my tonsils and adnoids removed when I was 16 years old. Repeated strep throat - I was unable to go without anibiotics for more than a week and I had white spots.

I had MS symptoms even before all of this.

[SallyC]

I still have my tonsils and i'm sure they are connected, somehow to MS.

[barb02]

I still have mine, and I have never had a problem with them. I did have strep throat a few times in college, but that was a really, really long time ago.

[karousel]

I still have my tonsils. I had strep throat every year in the fall for many many years as a child. Then one year I didn't get it and haven't ever since.

[Erin524]

I still have my tonsils.

My tonsils, when normal, are HUGENORMOUS!

When I get an infection in my tonsils, they become GINORMOUS!!

Whenever a doctor looks down my throat, while I have normal sized tonsils, I usually get a comment about how huge they are, and I usually tell them that they should see them when I've got strep or tonsillitis.

When I had mononucleosis in 1995/96, my tonsils swelled up so badly that my throat nearly closed up. (started getting better the day after my dad started to consider having me hospitalized) My head was so swollen that I had a constant drip of some unknown substance coming from my nose (for 2 weeks straight...and I didnt sleep for much of that for fear of drowning) and my ears plugged up so badly that I couldnt hear for about 3 weeks.

Couldnt speak for about a month. After the mono, I had strep soon after, and tonsilitis...month long laryngitis really really really sucks. Good thing I had been taking sign language classes just before I got sick...came in handy a few times.

[GladysD]

Had mine out at 22, after numerous bouts with pharyngitus and laryngitus. It was P-A-I-N-F-U-L!!! {Mind you, I'm the gal that's up to 9 surgeries, so...I'm pretty well versed on pain and have a rather high threshold...}

BUT....after say day 3 or 4...the pain disappeared and became a distance memory. What I loved most about having them out....I could breathe better and I wasn't getting constantly sick