Is my throat lump actually a tonsil stone?

It may be that you are not completely removing the stone from deep down inside the tonsil pocket. I've also suffered from tonsil stones for some time. I scraped them out with my finger but I was only taking off the surface layer. I read an article that suggested blasting tonsil stones out with a water pik and gave it a shot. This has been very effective for me and seems to completely remove the tonsil stone. The article also suggested a method for preventing tonsil stones but I have not tried that yet.

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Good luck to you!

Well, I've been having this same problem with tonsil stones, but only today learned exactly what they are. They'd been bothering me for a while so finally I asked my parents to take me to the doctor (I'm 17).

The doctor prescribed me with an allergy medication. She seemed to think that my allergy related post nasal drip was probably a big contributor to my tonsil stones, which seems to be backed up with things I've read elsewhere.

I can't vouch for the effectiveness of this treatment against tonsil stones yet, but I'll update when I can.

As for removing the tonsil stones, I've always used a Q-tip, and pressed against the tonsil in a spot just below the crevis from which the stone is beginning to protrude. Usually, that's enough on it's own to pop my tonsil stones out.

I'll definitely look into these other modes of treatment, though, because I'd certainly like to not have to jab myself in the tonsil every day or so to remove them.

I have also had Tonsil Stones all my life. Sometimes the little buggers can be as big as a pee or a marble. Horrid nasty things. What happens to me though, is when I get the smaller ones out and I get them frequently. Like now...I removed some small ones on Friday. I woke up the next morning and tonsils are swollen together and almost touching each other and very hard to swollow, looks like another trip to the Doc. This happens a lot...if I remove them then my tonsils swell up and have to be treated for Tonsillitis or Strep. Anyhone else have this too?

Not long ago I kept feeling something scratching my throat. After looking in the back of my throat with a flash light, I could see something lodged around my tonsils. I finally figured out a way to dislodge the partical. I washed my hands thoroughly and would take my index finger and apply pressure on the tissue around my tonsils and that would cause them to squeeze out enough to dislodge the tonsil stones. It seems as though I have to do that every week or so and that seems to clean them out good. Then I rinse good with mouthwash. Maybe you will find this helpful as I have. Finally, I am glad to know what this junk is behind my tonsils!

Wow I have suffered from this for years and when I asked the Dr, he was NO help! I am so glad I am not alone with this problem and I am going today to buy some products to help me with this. I also found the best way to get the stone out is using my finger and a water pick. I have to be careful using my finger because I often irritate my tonsils and make my throat hurt. I had no idea how to prevent the stones. I thank everyone for you help and advice! :-D

I had been having this problem for years and didn't know what it was. I My tonsils have always been very large (to the point where all doctor's said 'wow' when I opened my mouth), so there were many crevasses and they went in very deep. Once i started feeling it poking out, I knew my tonsils were filled. Because my tonsil crevasses went in so deep, I would have to go in with a toothpick to get it out, which of couse, would make my tonsils bleed. I would end up pulling sometimes 4 or 5 out from one whole and they would get up to as large as 5mm. With time, I began to get more in other crevasses and then to my other tonsil as well. They smelled horrible and specific, and it affected intimacy with my boyfriend, (i'm sure my friends weren't too pleased either).
Clearly this was a problem for me, so I went to see my family doctor. The first time she completly disregarded the problem. Her only response when I told her I have to get them out with a toothpick was 'well don't do that then'. The second time I mentioned it to her she gave me a referal to a throat, ear and nose specialist, but made it quite clear that she doubted he would remove them. When I saw the specialist, he made a point at how large they were and was not reluctant to suggest removing them, i;m assuming this was also partially due to the fact that they were very large (although the size caused me no other problems besides stones).
I am now tonsil free and no longer have to worry about tonsil stones! I understand that this is not the answer for everyone. If your crevasses are not as deep as mine were, and simple mouth wash will rid of them, then all the power to you. Unfortunatly for me that was not the case. As for anyone out there, who's experiencing more severe and recurring tonsil stones, do not hesitate to speak with a doctor. A tonsillectomy is always an option, it worked for me.

I have had the same problem, although at first i though it was just a sore throat, after getting checked out by my GP he put me on antibiotics for four weeks, this had only a temporary effect, he then put me on "Beconase" a nasal spray (horrible thing to use)

so far I have left the bottle alone due to the discomfort of use. so i cant say if it has helped.

I can't believe how many people there are out there that have these miserable whiteish/yellowish stones in their tonsils. They are definately a pain, and to keep your tonsils free of them requires regular maintenance. I know. I'm an expert in this subject having dealt with them most of my life. Because they cause a myriad of nasty symptoms including: bad breath, foul and pungent taste in the mouth, chronic mild sore throats, deep itchy inner ear and that "there is something stuck in the back of my throat when I swallow" feeling, it is a good idea to get into the habit of investigating both tonsils twice a week to stay on top of the problem. I would recommend (if you've never done it before) to apply pressure to the side of both tonsils with a DISINFECTED end of a toothbrush and go up and down the tonsil until they dislodge themselves from the tonsil crypts. Then use a clean q-tip to move any flap of skin to see if you have gotten all of them. If there are any remaining in the crypts, believe me, you may still experience the list of problems above. Then with a water pic, which you can buy at any drugstore, irrigate the entire tonsil on low pressure on either side with one part mouth wash to one part very warm water. If you start to gag, hang in there and don't give up with the irrigation. It will get easier the more you do it. This irrigation makes all the difference in the world with how your breath will smell. Try to get the water pic in all the holes and divets and flush them out thoroughly. You can do it!! Use the tongue scraper that is included with the water pic to clean and scrape your tongue of bacteria. Now when I first started this routine many years ago, I often would get a sore throat after all the probing etc. But if you gargle deeply with mild salt water after, you should be fine. This sounds like alot of work and a terrible hassle to go through twice a week. But the only other option is cutting them out. If you don't let the stones build up in the places that they want to hide, which are the deep crevices in the tonsils, you will have clean smelling breath and none of the symptoms above. My tonsils would've been cut out a long time ago if it were not for the fact that I am a singer. I am freaked out about what that might do to my voice - if there was much scar tissue etc. It is a two-week at least recovery, and from what I have been told by three ENT's, a very painful two weeks. One would have to way the options... and of course, every person is so different. For some, having to go through the above procedure for perhaps the rest of their life, doesn't make much sense. Just cut the tonsils out and no more disgusting tonsil stones to deal with. If there is anyone out there that has any information on tonsillectomy for singers, I will check this site for any advice on the subject. I sincerely hope this post will be helpful to anyone dealing with this very common but highly frustrating condition.

If you don't have a bad gag reflex, you can dislodge the white masses with your finger by pushing against the tonsils (it will pop out). I use a plastic implement used by doctors to remove ear wax. I use it to dig into one or more of the holes in the tonsils, and pull out the masses in little pieces. My son has the same problem--if he can't dislodge it by "clearing his throat", I go in with the tool and pull out a few pieces. Once you get the hang of it, it is very easy to dislodge the tonsillar masses. You can see their presence by viewing white spots on your tonsils (or by feel).

I have very deep crevices and huge tonsils. It is almost impossible to get the stones out of one side. I used a utensil that I found at walmart that has a loop on one end to get them out, but they still bleed sometimes. Q-tips won't go into the deep crevices, and mouthwashes and everything doesn't work.

I'm just 17 years old, and it is very embarrasing to constantly feel like you have bad breath. It affected me socially and mentally. I know what you are all going through.

I consulted a doctor who agreed to do a tonsillectomy, now all I have to do is wait.

I've had tonsil stones for years, also. I end up coughing up little chunks every once in awhile, but never any huge ones. I often have bad breath, and as we speak now I hae one lodged in my throat. It's been there for more than a month and i cannot get rid of it! I can't see it, but I taste and smell it! I don't understand what everyone means by the tonsil crevaces. I cannot see the stone and it won't come out. I'm also not sure where to probe with the q-tip. I bought a water pick today, but is it unsafe to go at it with high setting on?

I am 17 as well and I have gone through a lot.
I use an ear wax loop that I read was good on a site.. and my tonsils also bleed, every time I do it.
It's gotten to a point where they are disgusting, and I am self-consious about my breth and i dont talk and stuff
My crevices are also super super deep. One is so deep, i can shove the ear wax loop thing about 2 inches into it.. and it's on the side of my tonsil that is like shriveled up.. and i didnt think it went in 2 inches.
I'm getting a tonsillectomy in 2 weeks, as the doctor took one look and was like WOW yes. I will take them out.
Buttt I'm not sure if he will remove them COMPLETELY.
do they take them out like completely? not leaving ANYTHING. because if they dont.. i will still have the problem.
:|
thanks so much

I have these nasty stinky things, too. Mine are usually fairly small, and only seem to be present in my left tonsil where the crevasse is larger. If you don't have any infection in your tonsils, then you can try the following removal procedure:

Stick your finger near the tonsil crevasse and lightly apply pressure. The tonsillith will shift and move. Massage the tissue nearby the tonsil (not the tonsil itself) until the tonsillith pops out. Just spit it out and wash out your mouth with mouthwash and brush your teeth.

Repeat this procedure every week. If the tonsillith doesn't move or pop out, don't force it; you have other problems that require seeking medical help.

I get these things once in a while... often enough for me to notice them but not that often, MAYBE once a month, usually less. I usually don't notice anything (no soreness, maybe a little bad breath) until they're basically ready to come out and I can feel them in my throat, then with a little 'flexing' they pop right out and the problem is pretty much solved unless I can feel one still in there... a bit of habitual 'flexing' over the course of the day (which is easy to remember because I can feel it) and eventually it comes out. Today two pretty big ones came out with absolutely no warning! Very strange.

The one thing is though, one poster mentioned having a itchy inner ear due to this. Has anybody else experience this before??? My right ear almost constantly feels like it has this very intense itch just out of reach, and I find myself trying to reach it with my pinky almost daily. This just started happening about a year ago, and I never connected it to this. I am wondering if it is possible that I have a bigger one buried in my right tonsil that might be causing this.

Has anyone else who has experienced tonsil stones also had itchy inner ears? If so does it go away when they are removed?

Also I do not understand how you guys can see these things... when I open my mouth, stick out my tongue and clench my tonsils to bring them into view I can still only see barely half of them! Which had nothing in them... at least the visible part :-( If I could reach these things it'd be one thing but hiding them is just vicious.

my brother recently brought this site to my attention. he had asked me if i had ever had white odorous stones come out of my throat and if i new what they were. I have had them, but new not what they were. in fact, i used to get them all the time for several years, maybe 10 or so. I also have had noticed that i no longer have them and had been wondering why. I came up with this, a few years ago i started taking a nasil spray for alergies and asthma called Nasonex and that is about the same time that the stones dissapered. I also started eating healthier, a daily salad. Just though that i should share and i hope it is worth your while.