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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To tell you my brilliant news

38 replies

ProserpinaProserpina · 15/12/2022 10:12

…because I think my family are probably sick of me talking about it already.

DS(4) suffers with chronic viral tonsillitis. He has sleep apnoea. He has ARFID and has not gained weight for two years.

We saw an ENT consultant privately yesterday. He said his tonsils are some of the biggest he’s seen. He can have his tonsils and adenoids out (and maybe grommets - just need to confirm he needs them with a hearing test) at the beginning of next year!!

It is going to make a HUGE difference to him. He’ll sleep properly and his moods will improve, he’ll have more energy and might catch up with some of his delayed motor skills, he won’t have to keep missing things due to being ill, his appetite will improve, he might decide to try new foods (I’m not pinning all my hopes on this but at least if he isn’t having to chose between breathing and eating it might be more appealing), his eczema will probably improve because he won’t be smearing snot all over himself!

I’m so bloody delighted and grateful to family who are helping out with the costs. I’m gutted we’ve had to go private but the wait lists and hoops to jump through for NHS treatment have been appalling. At least someone else can be moved up the waiting list now.

OP posts:

Floydthebarber · 15/12/2022 11:25

Great news! I had my tonsils out in my late 20s and wish they had been done when I was small. Gromits too, I had recurrent glue ear and still suffer earache in the cold now. I just could never hear when I was small and realise now I just withdrew from a lot of social situations as I could never bloody hear what was being said.

Original poster

ProserpinaProserpina · 15/12/2022 11:34

Pemba · 15/12/2022 10:45

It is brilliant news for you and your little boy, and thank goodness your family is in the financial position to be able to help, and are kind and generous enough to do so. I am sure it will solve the problem. How much is the approximate cost if you don't mind me asking?

It is dreadful though that the NHS would allow a young child to suffer like this for TWO years, not putting on weight and in discomfort. What have we come to?

It’s about to £2k. Not something we could afford on our own but both sets of parents have offered help and have just said go ahead and they’ll settle the final invoice.

I work for the NHS and 100% understand the pressures but it’s been ridiculous. They want him to have a sleep study before they’ll agree to do his adenoids but they have one machine for the entire hospital. I was on the verge of buying our own data monitor. The ENT consultant took one look at him and agreed there is no way he doesn’t have sleep apnoea. He snores just sitting breathing normally!

OP posts:

Ericaequites · 15/12/2022 11:34

It’s wonderful for you and your son. I’d like to wish your son an easy operation and full recovery. Solving a synergistic problem will help him advance. Being able to swallow easily may mean he will try more foods, or eat more of his preferred foods.

Original poster

ProserpinaProserpina · 15/12/2022 11:34

*sats monitor

OP posts:

RegularNameChangerVersion21 · 15/12/2022 11:35

That's amazing OP! Well done you for getting this help for your son! All up from here!

Wexone · 15/12/2022 11:36

@superdupernova here in Ireland they are the same now. You have to have at least three incidents in a period of time before they will even consider it. A few of my friends have had to go private and pay to get their tonsils out. Shocking isnt it.

Original poster

ProserpinaProserpina · 15/12/2022 11:36

holidayelbow · 15/12/2022 11:02

@ProserpinaProserpina this was us a few years ago. 4 yr old with bad glue ear, massive tonsils (they would be touching just as standard) and nasal sounding due to large adenoids.

nhS had us on a merry go round of appointments and the consultant was so fucking rude and basically told us to go away. I changed jobs which came with private health cover. Added my kids. And straight to the ENT doc. 3 weeks later he had a 3 in 1 operation

It’s mad isn’t it? The reg who saw him last year tried to tell me they didn’t look that bad. They are always touching!! I’m amazed he swallows anything!

OP posts:

Original poster

ProserpinaProserpina · 15/12/2022 11:39

CuteOrangeElephant · 15/12/2022 11:05

I had them out when I was 17 and it hurt so much! The consultant said it's so much easier and less painful for young children, so well done on taking this step for your DS.

When I had my adenoids out when I was 5 it was nothing, I remember it as a very positive experience because I got to eat lots of ice lollies.

Yes I had mine out at 15 (with the same consultant who will be doing DS!) and it was hell. Lots of bleeding, had to gargle peroxide, and then spent two weeks vomiting (I don’t know if it was the anaesthetic or the bleeding).

I have been assured it will be much easier for a 4yo.

OP posts:

holidayelbow · 15/12/2022 11:40

@ProserpinaProserpina yeah agree. Despite the fact my son couldn't hear, they were just so slow in acting. I hate to think where we would be now if we hadn't gone private.

An unpopular opinion but I really don't rate the NHS at all.

12345678sh · 15/12/2022 11:50

Arghhhhh that's brilliant my son had the same! He was tiny too.. It was so scary everytime he slept.. he's a completely different child now!!

Wiloswisp · 15/12/2022 12:09

Fabulous news. Took four year battling with docs to get my DD’s removed. Surgeon said they were the worst he’d seen and definitely should have been removed earlier.

hope he gets back on track and healthy very soon.

mummymeister · 15/12/2022 12:10

One of my DC who also has a serious heart condition battled with enormous tonsils, didnt eat, was lethargic, didnt sleep well and so on. I fought really hard to get someone to listen to us and it was only when they were 8 that a cardiac consultant took me seriously and actually took a look at them. He could not believe it and immediately called in an ent colleague and they both agreed on the spot they needed to be taken out asap. and they were but they were enormous and had grown down the throat as well. the difference post surgery was incredible. within days it was transformative. so I know EXACTLY where you are coming from OP I wanted to shout it out in the street it made such a massive difference.

mdh2020 · 15/12/2022 13:17

I’m delighted for you. I had my tonsils out at that age as I was often very ill with tonsillitis. No after effects. I can still remember how nice the nurses were. Took my teddy in with me of course!

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