"Adenoidy" and enlarged Tonsils

[sunnysunchild]

DC (4) talks through his nose, always has done, took him to the Dr yesterday finally, and Dr says his ears are clear (though his nursery report that he seems to be a bit deaf at the mo), but that he also has enlarged tonsils. Dr is getting him referred to ENT.

Just wondering what other folks experiences are with ENT, and if anyone knows what criteria is used for removal of adenoids and tonsils these these days?

He's not in any pain, has never had tonsilitus, has had several bad ear infections, but its his nasel speech that the Dr seemed most concerned about.

Thanks!

had my tonsills out when 12. 26 years ago now! i was sore afterwards but soon recovered.

My DS (now 7) had tonsils and adenoids removed just before his 4th birthday.

He had a very nasal voice, snored terribly at night (and suffered from sleep apnea) and his hearing wasn't great. His tonsils were so huge they almost met in the middle.

Initially, our GP fobbed me off and said there was nothing to worry about, but the HV actually got me a referral to see an ENT consultant, who immediately said that the tonsils must come out.

It made a huge difference to my DS. He slept better, spoke more clearly and was just generally happier. The operation and recovery weren't particularly pleasant, but well worth it in the end.

Hope that helps.

dd2 had an adenotonsillectomy aged just 2, based on fairly severe sleep apnoea (she kept waking up gasping). In addition, she was struggling with solids as her tonsils were choking her - and had the nasal voice, and was always tired. Not a single throat infection, amazingly (and luckily).

Enormous change after her op - really, on every level. As if she'd never quite had the energy (or oxygen?!) to function normally, though we didn't realize it fully except with hindight, iyswim.

Thanks for the experiences folks :)
He doesnt have sleep apnoea I think, from what I read about it, I think I would know (?) He does snore occasionally though. His speech is really v nasal.
We haven't had the referral yet, though I think it could take 2-3 months before getting an appointment.
Of course I'm nervous about him possibly needing an op, but sounds like it should be for the best.
I take it that you live quite happily without adenoids?

Yes, sunnysunchild. My DS quite happy without them!

sunnysunchild -

The top of the mouth is also the bottom of the nose and a high palate reduces the space in the nose and narrows the entrance into the airway. Does your ds have a high palate?

I have just discovered this about ds1. He is tongue tied and the incorrect swallowing motion of his tongue has caused his high palate. Or at least, I am pretty sure that's what has caused it. He only had a handful of bottles of expressed milk as a baby, he didn't use a dummy and didn't suck his thumb or fingers, so unless he was born that way, there's no other reason for it to have become like this.

He needs his tongue tie released to solve the swallowing issue and he will need his palate expanded to widen the airways. Widening the airways will hopefully stop ds1 mouth breathing which apparently irritates the tonsils.

www.brianpalmerdds.com is where you need to look. Check out his presentations about sleep apnea. You wouldn't necessarily have noticed sleep apnea btw, I didn't. The presentations are a bit gruesome in parts, but it is very, very interesting indeed.

My dd had adenoids and tonsils out aged 21 months. She'd had chronic tonsillitis for nearly a year. The worst year of my life!!!! Anyway it went very well and she is perfect now. Sounds like yor case Elibean - well similar age!
Now winter is here she has got an ear infection even though grommets are in too. ENT people are generally good but mine seem too willing to constantly try antibiotics and string ones at that. Ask lots of questions and don't be fobbed off!!