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Original poster

Tonsillectomy as an adult - how bad is recovery?

215 replies

HermioneKipper · 17/08/2023 15:42

I’m going to have my tonsils out shortly after lots of horrible episodes of Tonsillitis as an adult. I was hospitalised last time.

Ive been thinking that if I can cope with Tonsillitis then surely I can cope with having them out?! But even the consultant told me that the recovery is awful.

Is it really horrific? Think I need to be prepared for the level of pain 😭

I’m 39

OP posts:
Ilikeviognier · 07/09/2023 15:07

@Swizzylyons1 you're ahead of me then! You’ll have to keep us updated.

@HermioneKipper glad you’ve turned a corner! Bummer about taste buds though - hope it goes away!

PinkPlantCase · 07/09/2023 16:55

This is really weird but did anyone else miss a period after the operation? I was still a teenager at the time but the only time I have ever skipped a period (and not been pregnant) was after I had my tonsils out!

Ilikeviognier · 09/09/2023 08:01

@HermioneKipper How are you now?

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

General health
PinkFootstool · 09/09/2023 08:26

PinkPlantCase · 07/09/2023 16:55

This is really weird but did anyone else miss a period after the operation? I was still a teenager at the time but the only time I have ever skipped a period (and not been pregnant) was after I had my tonsils out!

No, but I gather a general anaesthetic can cause this.

Original poster
HermioneKipper · 09/09/2023 17:12

Ilikeviognier · 09/09/2023 08:01

@HermioneKipper How are you now?

Loads better thanks. It still feels a little raw and sore as the scabs are coming off but I’m almost back to normal!

Except everything tastes horrible!

OP posts:
Ilikeviognier · 10/09/2023 16:46

@HermioneKipper did they tell you that was a thing re tastebuds? I wonder when you’ll be over that. 🤞

Original poster
HermioneKipper · 10/09/2023 18:32

Ilikeviognier · 10/09/2023 16:46

@HermioneKipper did they tell you that was a thing re tastebuds? I wonder when you’ll be over that. 🤞

Yes they did say it could be a side effect, said it wouldn’t last too long but didn’t specify how long that would be.

Its so odd, sweet things taste very bitter

OP posts:
Original poster
HermioneKipper · 12/09/2023 21:16

Swizzylyons1 · 06/09/2023 23:27

@Ilikeviognier I go in on Tuesday 12th! Yikes!

Really hope it went well @Swizzylyons1

OP posts:
Swizzylyons1 · 12/09/2023 23:58

So kind. Currently doped up on everything. Nurses and whole team were fantastic as saw how nervous I was and once I had cannula in (not painful) the sedative stuff she told me to just let go and relax and that was the best bit!

woke up feeling like I had been out drinking all night. Mouth and throat drier than the desert. Woozy but not too much pain. Managed not to vomit after my egg mayo sandwich as they had given me anti sickness. Drinking water little and often. Used an app called Medisafe to remind me
of the countless meds I need to take and helpfully spaced them out so always something new going in. Morphine seemed to help a lot but. Worried I am in false sense of security and now my cocktail of drugs is wearing off it will get bad.

keep feeling I am not going to breathe properly as uvula is so swollen. Managed to eat some chicken noodles this eve.

hope you are feeling much better Hermione?

reallyunderstandsometimes · 13/09/2023 00:22

Wow you are all so brave, can I ask why isn't morphine prescribed as standard? Surely as pain killers go this would be classed as a recovery that warrants it?

I had morphine after excision surgery for endometriosis and was on it for about 2 weeks, but it doesn't sound half as bad as your operations.

Original poster
HermioneKipper · 13/09/2023 01:09

Swizzylyons1 · 12/09/2023 23:58

So kind. Currently doped up on everything. Nurses and whole team were fantastic as saw how nervous I was and once I had cannula in (not painful) the sedative stuff she told me to just let go and relax and that was the best bit!

woke up feeling like I had been out drinking all night. Mouth and throat drier than the desert. Woozy but not too much pain. Managed not to vomit after my egg mayo sandwich as they had given me anti sickness. Drinking water little and often. Used an app called Medisafe to remind me
of the countless meds I need to take and helpfully spaced them out so always something new going in. Morphine seemed to help a lot but. Worried I am in false sense of security and now my cocktail of drugs is wearing off it will get bad.

keep feeling I am not going to breathe properly as uvula is so swollen. Managed to eat some chicken noodles this eve.

hope you are feeling much better Hermione?

Sounds like you’re doing really well!

I didn’t get morphine or anti sickness until about day 4 when I called the GP in tears. I think this will really help having it now.

Ugh the swollen uvula is horrible - I felt the same way. Sleeping propped up or on your side will help with the breathing.

You’re doing all the right things, try and drink as much as you can as it’s painful when your throat gets dry and definitely do the alarms so you don’t miss any meds.

Good luck - we’re all thinking of you x

OP posts:
Original poster
HermioneKipper · 13/09/2023 01:10

I’m loads better thank you for asking x

And elated at the thought of never having Tonsillitis again and feeling the fear at any sign of a sore throat.

OP posts:
Original poster
HermioneKipper · 13/09/2023 01:14

reallyunderstandsometimes · 13/09/2023 00:22

Wow you are all so brave, can I ask why isn't morphine prescribed as standard? Surely as pain killers go this would be classed as a recovery that warrants it?

I had morphine after excision surgery for endometriosis and was on it for about 2 weeks, but it doesn't sound half as bad as your operations.

I don’t know, I think it must be because of the fairly grim side effects of morphine and because it’s so tightly controlled.

But leaving people to get on with it with minimal painkillers is just awful isn’t it

OP posts:
almondfinger · 13/09/2023 02:20

You are all very brave having these surgeries and it is so worth it despite the hellish recovery. I knew it got worse but didn't realise how significantly.

I had mine out at 19 after years of horrendous bouts of tonsilitis. Got home the next day, feeling great, went to examine the wound in the mirror and had a haemorrhage. St back to hospital, bleeding stopped, left to see how it would do on its own, a small bleed later and then another massive haemorrhage. There was blood everywhere, they were collecting it in kidney bowls so they would know how much to infuse. The surgeon didn't want to come in in the middle of the night so whoever was on call was trying to stem the blood with adrenaline packs poked into my throat. A clot coughed into the poor mans face and the surgeon got told I would die if he didn't come in. It was terrifying. I was on a huge general ward so not much fun for all the poor women around me either.

Anyway, my recovery was great as I was in hospital for the first week getting all the good drugs and blood transfusions and having a ball with all the characters on the ward. I do remember talking and laughing too much during the day and being sore at night. But I don't remember it being terrible. I would also seriously advise against pringles or bananas till week 3 at least.

Being 19 I had a job lined up for the summer and was keen to head off to live in a dingy attic and get to work. Not my cleverest move. I didn't give myself time to recover properly and my general health was definitely not great for a few years. But in the 30 years since, I've never had so much as a sore throat.

It's a surgery that really gets results. I was having bouts of tonsilitis every 3 weeks.

Roselilly36 · 13/09/2023 03:12

I was 28, when I had tonsils removed. I had had very bad tonsillitis and quinsy’s etc that required hospital admission.

the advice I would give is this, surgeon thought I made lose a lot of blood, I took the emergency dose of homeopathic Arnica a few days before the surgery. After the op, I asked about blood loss, told it was minimal.

I did have an infection after, but this is typical for me, every surgery I have had I always seem to have a problem. Took antibiotics and the infection passed quickly.

I left hospital was soluble voltarol (sp.) marvellous pain killer.

take care with what you eat or drink, acid will hurt, orange juice, vinegar etc will hurt.

I recovered quickly (pre-children) take it easy and rest. The op is life-changing, rarely get a sore throat now.

good luck OP.

Swizzylyons1 · 13/09/2023 11:01

You tend to get the morphine in hospital and send you home with a mix of cocodomal and ibuprofen. They have also
sent me home with a throat wash (Difflam) which helps too. Only day 2 so might want not return to morphine by tomorrow! Currently just very woozy and lots more jaw ache as well as obvious throat pain.

Swizzylyons1 · 13/09/2023 15:25

HermioneKipper · 13/09/2023 01:10

I’m loads better thank you for asking x

And elated at the thought of never having Tonsillitis again and feeling the fear at any sign of a sore throat.

Edited

So pleased to hear you are doing much better. Great to see your recovery in real
time!

I had a coblation tonsillectomy with the low heat lasers rather than the whole tonsil being removed, which might explain why I am coping okay on the cocodomal/ibuprofen so far. What method did they use for you?

Only day two though for me and it seems like it can be a bit of a rollercoaster so
still expecting some tricky days when the scabs come off.! It’s mostly the anaesthetic that has wiped me out. I can’t get out of bed! Just want to sleep most of the time so listening to my body for once.

I drank a ridiculous amount of water after surgery as my throat wasn’t hurting too much then and it was so so dry but finding it harder to get the fluids down now.

Ilikeviognier · 13/09/2023 17:58

@Swizzylyons1 glad you’re doing what sounds like ok🤞. Re method yikes I have no idea how they do it! I’ve got my pre op on Friday so I will have to ask!

Swizzylyons1 · 13/09/2023 18:05

Good luck with your pre-op. You will be nervous understandably but really hoping that this means no more tonsillitis! He said I had crazy but tonsils with loads of scar tissue so definitely time for them to be out!

Ilikeviognier · 13/09/2023 19:56

@Swizzylyons1 do you think the scar tissue was making the tonsillitis keep coming back (ie attracting bacteria)? Like a vicious circle so the more you got it the more it came back?

im wondering if that’s happening to me with the recurring quinsy…

Swizzylyons1 · 14/09/2023 09:58

Thought I had replied to this - yes! Definitely the scar tissue causing repeat infection. Read something about it last night and it is particularly bad if you have had Quincy.

Day 3 update:

Feels like something stuck in my throat.

Pain isn’t too bad - feels like tonsillitis but without all the aches, pains and flu feeling. Although I did feel feverish and sweaty in the night.

Everything tastes disgusting! Gross taste in my mouth permanently.

Got sick this morning but I think that is more to do with the Co-Codamol. Going to stop taking that and switch to Paracetamol as it is making me so woozy. Remember I hated it after c-section too. Also, making me itch…?!

Bloody and dry nose. Feels stuffy so blew it and that was a yucky sight.

Whole face and neck feels tight, achey and swollen.

Ate a bit as felt hungry but couldn’t finish my Weetabix as I felt sick and the taste put me off.

The Senna not helping at all with horrific constipation.

sorry for over share!

Ilikeviognier · 14/09/2023 10:09

@Swizzylyons1 no - Thanks for sharing - I’d rather know what I’m in for (I think)!.

i hope you feel a bit better soon and interesting what you say about the Infections recurring - it reassures me I have basically no choice at this point 🙈

Swizzylyons1 · 14/09/2023 10:33

Ilikeviognier · 14/09/2023 10:09

@Swizzylyons1 no - Thanks for sharing - I’d rather know what I’m in for (I think)!.

i hope you feel a bit better soon and interesting what you say about the Infections recurring - it reassures me I have basically no choice at this point 🙈

I have found it to be reassuring to know what to expect day to day. I honestly think the wiped out feeling is what is worse for me at the minute. Mix of post surgery and drugs.

The pain for me (so far) is comparable to really bad case of tonsillitis so in a way I am viewing it as my last case of that, get over it and never again!

Ilikeviognier · 15/09/2023 19:45

@Swizzylyons1 how goes the eating and drinking?

Ilikeviognier · 17/09/2023 14:20

@HermioneKipper How are you now?