WWYD? - re DD tonsils out or not???

[FaresPlease]

Hi - my DD2 ( age 5) has ENORMOUS tonsils. Always has. She speaks with quite a 'thick' throaty voice at all times. She always breathes heavily at night, often snoring, and when she has a cough/cold/tonsillitis this progresses to sleep apnoea. Even when well, the wee dangly bit (uvula?) at the back of the throat lays up against one tonsil.

I feel her sleep is disturbed, albeit at a low level, all night every night, due to her heavy breathing. I feel this has a knock on effect on her during the day - general tiredness, lethargy.

She wakes up unrefreshed. She falls asleep at the drop of a hat. She has slowly given up any extra-curricular activities, and would rather stay home lolling on the sofa. She could, of course, just be a 'sleepy' sort. But my intuition is that this is not normal.

She eats reasonably well and is actually a big fan of veggies! Loves anything green. But struggles with meat - chews it, but will often ask for a tissue to put it back out of her mouth. I think her tonsils cause problems for her swallowing more solid foods like meat.

I have an appointment with the ENT consultant tomorrow. Do I 'push' for removal of the tonsils?? I know that if I simply say "please advise me" he will say " wait and see" or "no she's fine", particularly as she does not have an issue with repeated infections.

This is a follow-up appointment. Last time he said "see how the winter goes". I know she suffered more in the winter, with more coughs and colds around. But only one bout of tonsillitis.

Anyone been in the same boat? Issues with tonsils other than simply repeated infections? Obviously I don't want to subject my child to unnecessary surgery.

I just feel that her tonsils are affecting her sleep consistently, and this is having a knock-on effect on her mood, behaviour, energy, enthusiasm, and ultimately, quality of life. Help?!!

[aviator]

My GP reluctantly referred DS to ENT however I kept on about the sleep apnoea and tonsillitis, GP said no way will they take them out at his age (2). I took a video of him sleeping and showed ENT, they said 'out they come'. I was prepared for a battle but the video seemed to do the trick. Interestingly the surgeon said after it was his adenoids that were the problem, (they cant see them until they operate) he commented they were the largest he had ever seen and that it would have become a problem had they not taken them out. He sounds so much better now I am very glad he had it done. So in my case it was the apnoea that convinced the surgeon. Good luck!

[FaresPlease]

Bumping!!

[FaresPlease]

Thanks for your reply aviator. Video sounds like a good idea.

[DwellsUndertheSink]

DS was plagued with tonsillitis and even when he wasn't suffering tonsillitis, his tonsils were HUGE. WHen he had an infection, his tonsils would almost close his throat.

He started missing a lot of school and falling behind, so had his tonsils out in Oct 2011.

The op itself went well and the recovery time was really long - he just could not eat for two weeks. He was already a skinny minnie, and this really made him very small indeed. But luckily he was due to go on a school trip, so we made it a condition that he had to be eating again if he wanted to go...

He had a post op infection on day 5, but a course of antibiotics sorted that out.

Since then, the change has been remarkable. He eats us out of house and home, and has grown very tall (still very thin!). He isn't sick all the time, he has caught up at school, he sleeps really well and he has loads of energy.

Although the op is awful, if you can push to have them out, the difference is enormous. Dont let your DD go through a couple of years of being off school every 6 weeks, and falling behind.

[bumbleymummy]

Has she been tested for allergies? Maybe there is something causing the tonsils to be so enlarged?

[FaresPlease]

Thanks for the replies. Had our appointment and DD is now on waiting list for removal of tonsils and adenoids! Sic didn't take much persuading actually. I'm anxious about the surgery, but really feel I'm doing what's best for her.

[FaresPlease]

Sorry, DOC not sic!

[DiscoDonkey]

As someone who had their tonsils out as an adult I would say definitely do it now while she's young. Children bounce back from the OP much, much quicker than adults and I have to say the difference I feel now they are gone is amazing.

In my experience consultants don't need much persuading to take them out it's getting the GP to refer you that takes the hard work!

[Suzannesee]

I agree with all the go-for-it advice. The younger this is done the better. My brother had an horrendous time when done around twelve. He had two serious post op haemorrhages, the second one requiring a blood transfusion. He thankfully survived and it transformed him in a month to become a fit healthy well educated lad after missing so much school for two years as a listless, inactive, invalid.

[toosoppyforwords]

Hi - my son had his tonsils and adennoids removed when he just turned 3 (he is 6 now). They were large, he suffered sleep apnea and constant ear infections and tonsils (and was a very poor eater too). I can honestly say it was the best decision i have ever made. I was so anxious about the op but it took about an hour and he was back on the ward running around eating toast that afternoon! The changes to his sleeping were almost instant. Appetite has improved so much. He became just a more lively, happy, energetic little boy.
We had 2 nights in hospital as he developed a bit of a temp post op but other than that an amazing recovery
Do keep her on both calpol and ibuprofen for 2 weeks post op round the clock (Docs will advise you!) as it keeps them pain free and its easier to keep them out of pain rather than try to stop it once it has started.
From my own experience i would say do it.
Good luck

[toosoppyforwords]

PS - my son was also always tired and at nearly 3 would still sleep for 3 hour nap in the afternoon. It was the sleep issue more than the tonsilitis/infections that was the deciding factor to remove in our case and i've not looked back since