tonsils removed = no more heartburn?

[Stink Fish Pot]

After years of throat problems, I finally got my tonsils removed. The surgery went well (recovery was a nightmare, but that's another story).

I've noticed that I no longer suffer from heartburn (or acid reflux). I used to suck down at least 2 zantac's a day, but since the surgery, nothing. A great result of the surgery, but I had never heard of this before.

Any others out there that have experienced the same?

Thanks!

[thinksnow]

I have my tonsils removed for sleep apnea (see sig link) + strep, but I then developed reflux, which was probably due to HBP.

I don't think they are related, the reflux and tonsils, that is.

[Stink Fish Pot]

thinksnow,

sorry to hear about that. I have to say, I am not missing the pain at all, so for you to develop reflux really sucks. I also don't snore anymore, and my throat hasn't been sore for 2 solid months. In the winters, I used to live on cough drops.

All in all, I should have had it done years ago.

Oh, I forgot to mention that my diet hasn't really changed at all. Seeing as you developed reflux seems to have shot a hole in my theory, however.

[thinksnow]

Interestingly, my EN&T guy told my to completely avoid cough drops, as they aggravate reflux.

Go figure.

[eunoia]

I have a theory:

Before/while getting the operation did you take a course of antibiotics? If so, what kind?

[Stink Fish Pot]

I did, eunoia, but I can't remember what they were. And I took them because they were so infected that I had to get healthy before going under the knife.

[MelCthefirst]

I have no tonsils and suffer from reflux (Losec seems much better than Zantac but Losec is a prescription drug here). The tonsils were taken out a long time ago however.

[Patty O'Furniture]

If there was a link I think it would be pretty easy to establish. My GERD is due in part to a weak lower esophageal sphincter, a hiatal hernia, and 10 extra "holiday pounds" sitting on top of it aggrivating the whole affair. I don't see how a tonsilectomy could aleviate either of those things.

[eunoia]

IANAD

My guess (and it is just the idle guess of a medical nobody) is that an aggressive course of antibiotics has inadvertently cured a peptic ulcer. See here for info on helicobacter pylori.

[Stink Fish Pot]

eunoia,

Thanks for the link and the info. You may have something there. From the replies here, there is absolutely no link between my tonsils and acid reflux. Perhaps I lucked out by having the antibiotics. Two cures for the price of one.

Whatever it was, I'm grateful not to have reflux anymore.