tonsils removed = no more heartburn?

Factual Questions
1

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!

2

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.

3

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.

4

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

Go figure.

5

I have a theory:

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

6

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.

7

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.

8

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.

9

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.

10

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.