Tonsillectomy

[PandoNoPants]

I've had tonsillitis 9 times in 10 months and the last two episodes have lasted over 2 months and didn't respond to penicillin. I saw my GP last week and she said I was at the stage where I needed to see an ENT and they would most likely remove them.

As a SAHM to 2 DCs (6 & 4yrs) it's been difficult being ill so I'm trying to be positive about having them removed (actually terrified!).

I've had a few ops over the years (gallbladder out, 2 C-sections, wisdom teeth taken out) but I'm quite worried about the recovery especially as I have two young children.

Has anyone had this done and can offer advice? Will I need DH to take any time off work during the recovery? I think they operate on a Friday, so maybe a few days of the following week?

I don't have any family in the area and I am the childcare!

I saw the surgeon yesterday and have to book an appointment for the surgery. The only thing he mentioned to me was that I need to avoid close contact with others for the first 2 weeks. Eeek!

[Silvercatowner]

OH had his out a few years ago. He was in his 40s and had had recurrant infections similar to yours. He was basically out of action for the week after the op, fine for a couple of days and then went down with another infection and was back in bed for another 10 days or so. Definitely make sure you take any antibiotics on offer and get in an much help as possible.

[PandoNoPants]

Thanks for the reply! He's going to take the following week off which is a huge relief. I'm booked in for 4 weeks time.

Tonsillitis really gets to me these days. I can even cope with the flu better!!

How is your OH now? Is he glad he had them out?

[memyselfandaye]

I had mine out 2 years ago, I wish I had'nt.

I was absolutely fine afterwards, had heard horror stories about adult tonsilectomys but then I got an infection on day two.

I have never had pain like it, it was agony, my whole face hurt for days until I saw my GP on day four and the antibiotics kicked in a day or two later I was also prescribed tramadol.

I sat at the doctors crying like a baby cos I'd had no sleep because of the pain.

Two years on and the tonsils may have gone but the flesh where they were has grown down and my uvula is so swollen it sits on the back of my tongue, so I have no space at the back of my throat and I have a constant dry, tickly, irritating cough, and I snore like a pig.

Oh and the surgeon knocked one of my fillings out and broke my tooth, and for some reason I was down in theatre and recovery for four hours.

The teenage girl on my ward asked what I was in for, I told her and she could'nt believe I was away for so long, she had also had her tonsils out and was done and back on the ward in under two hours.

I was also in hospital for three days, which was standard, go in the day before, surgery on day two and discharged on day three.

So, that's my experience OP

It was miserable!

[Misspiggyshiyah]

Like you I've had my gallbladder removed and an emergency c section after a long labour, and unfortunately I have to say that my tonsillectomy a few years ago was by far the most painful thing I've experienced...worse than labour, it was another league of pain (for me anyway).

I was in bed for a week+ and off work for two. TBH looking back I had completely inadequate pain relief and should have called the doctor out when I was at my worst. I was out of my mind with pain.

I would definitely get the op done, but would recommend setting alarms to take pain relief to keep on top of it during recovery and plan to be out of action for at least 1 full week. Also don't stop drinking water, even though it hurts. Getting dehydrated made everything 10 time worse. Nurses in recovery commented that it is a really nasty op as an adult...but just think long term no more tonsillitis! Good luck, I hope you have a quick recovery :) (let me know if you have any more questions).

[mineofuselessinformation]

For me, the first week was fine. It was in the second week that the pain really kicked in, so bad I couldn't even swallow a tiny codeine tablet (at night).
My advice is to insist on stronger pain relief than just paracetomol and ibuprofen, and wait and see... Make surveyor keep taking painkillers for the first two weeks. If that's not Doug enough, go back to the hospital and ask for something more - in my case it was a numbing spray so I could take the codeine.
Having said all of that. Having my tonsils out is a massive improvement and I don't regret it.

[mineofuselessinformation]

'Sure you', not surveyor!

[validusername]

They sent ds home with morphine when he had his tonsillectomy so make sure they give you some too. Come day 5-6 you may need it.

[PandoNoPants]

Thanks for your replies! DH keeps telling me off for researching it (lol). The thing is, I like to know how it is and anything better than how bad it can be is a bonus!

I do have a feeling this is going to be the most painful thing I've had done. I will make sure I've got all the pain meds possible. I wish I'd had them taken out in my early 20's before I had the DC's.

My first C-section was very rough. A combination of not knowing what to expect and an error during it leading to a 2nd op 5 weeks after. The 2nd C-section and gallbladder ops were a breeze in comparison.

Morphine and anti-sickness drugs will be on top of my list!!!

[Silvercatowner]

Is he glad he had them out?

Oh yes - he's not had any of the dire consequences that some predicted, no increase in colds/flu etc, no tummy bugs.