Heidi
I suffered the same way you have with chronic throat infections which led to upper respiratory infections which led to many weeks of feeling very bad. I saught help from an ENT which suggested I have my tonsils removed. I had never had surgery before, so I was a little scared. Well, I went through with it this past Friday. The pain is unbelievable, but I'm glad I went through with it. I know I'll feel bad for the next 10 days or so, but I'd rather feel bad for 10 days at once than experience a lifetime of throat infections. It's not so bad as long as I don't swallow or speak or eat :)