Adenoids removal next Monday- advice/experiences needed

[chillx]

We have waited on a list for so long. Get a call 8.30am (fri) can you come Monday 7am? Sure see you then!

Now I haven't a clue what to expect. My son is 7 yrs old. He knows it's been expected to happen but doesn't really understand.

If you have experienced adenoid removal with your child can you explain what happens start to finish including recovery?

I just want to prepare. The hospital it a good hour away and I have another child to organise so your experiences will be valuable to me.

Thanks in advance

[Fresh01]

My son had it done in December. He was seven in January. He knew it was going to happen but not the detail.

We had to be at the hospital at 12.30 but he had to fast on food from 7am (so early breakfast) and no water from midday. I sent him to school till playtime to keep his distracted but then picked him up as I didn't feel it was right to expect the school to make sure he didn't eat at morning break. He sat in a different room to me whilst I had a quick snack lunch before going to the hospital.
At hospital he got put in a bed, blood pressure, temperature, forms signed by me etc. Then he got into pj's and slipper socks.
I had let him pick a magazine at the petrol station on our way so that passed the waiting time. He went down at 2pm, I went with him and stayed till he went to sleep. He had had magic cream on his hand to numb it. Then injection. They called me about 2.40 to say all over and he was awake in recovery. He was returned to me at 3pm awake and talking. He got an ice lolly at 3.30pm. He got a sandwich and drink at 4.30pm which he had to keep down or we would be discharged. It stayed down so we were let out at 6pm. He wanted pizza so we collected one of the way home. He ate a few slices of that and was in bed asleep by 8pm.
I kept him off school the next day as he was weary but come lunchtime was bouncing around fine.
He had nose drops to use for a week. He had calpol at the hospital and again at bedtime.
No swimming for 2 weeks.
I have to say it was very easy and he was great. He took it all in his stride.

Within 3 days he was saying my nose works now, I can breath through it. We are finding he doesn't have the same saliva build up in his mouth and his breathing is much better.

We were glad we got it done. Just ask if you have any specific questions.

[chillx]

Thankyou for replying.

How did your child react to the needle?
How long did your child stay off school?

[Fresh01]

He couldn't see the needle. They just had him face me, lying on the bed, and I talked to him whilst they put it in his hand. He couldn't feel it due to the magic cream. The doctor challenged him to count to ten as he put the needle in - he got to 4!

He was only off school the next day. Back to normal the day after.

There was brown blood twice when he wiped his nose the next day and that was all.

[chillx]

The NHS website said children need at least a week off to prevent infection. Do you think this is necessary?

[Fresh01]

His ENT Consultant said just a day. He has 3 siblings all at primary school so the germ pool at home is probably as bad as school! He was more insistent about no swimming for first 2 weeks whilst the area heals. He had his nasal passages cauterised at the same time too.

[chillx]

Did it solve your child's problems?

[Fresh01]

It has made a huge difference to him. In his words "my nose now works - see I can blow down it!"

He couldn't breath through his nose at all. Meant he was having trouble with reading or chewing and breathing at the same time. He always breathed very shallow through his mouth. His sounds were very nasal. He had ridiculous amount of saliva whilst trying to read and breath through his mouth at the same time. We got told a month for it all to heal but he was noticing and commenting on the difference within 3 days.

Is your son needing it done for similar reasons?

[chillx]

My son had quite a few ear infections, glue ear etc he's always been a loud nasally breather and snores. I think he actually stops breathing when he's asleep. He has excess saliva and spits everywhere when talking and eating. An X-ray showed large adenoids. Hearing tests vary so the dr thought removing the adenoids might help the hearing as well as breathing. I'm hoping my son will get a better quality of sleep. He still would wet the bed if I didn't wake him at 10pm. The paediatrician thinks this will be resolved once he sleeps properly.

[Fresh01]

My son had glue ear as a toddler. We had to get a lot of speech therapy to teach him to hear "f" and "s" then learn to say them in words. He had totally missed those letters around 2-2.5 years of age.

At the post-op ENT check with the surgeon he said the adenoids were large.

He was a very noisy sleeper and now you can't hear him at all.

You have my sympathies with the bed wetting. Another one of mine only became dry at night at 8.5years. That is another long frustrating path.

Hope all went well today.

[chillx]

Thanks Fresh01, unfortunately the op was cancelled. He is still top of the list and could get a call anytime now so there is still hope. Fingers crossed he doesn't pick up a bug now whilst waiting.

[Fresh01]

Nightmare! Fingers crossed it isn't a long wait.

[billabye]

chillx I was wondering how you're getting on? I was following your thread as my DD is waiting for an ENT appointment for adenoid troubles. Hope the op has gone ahead and was a success.

[chillx]

Finally had the op at the beginning of March, all went really well, worst part was waking up. He was disoriented but soon came around and ate lots straight after. Really enjoyed our 2weeks off together!