Recurrent tonsilitis

[friarswifey]

Hi, my DD is almost 7 and has suffered from tonsillitis since she was around 3 but this last year it has been almost monthly. She currently seems to get over it in a few days without antibiotics but it does make her really ill at the time. The GP has said her tonsils are very big even when not infected. I keep reading that children grow out of tonsillitis as they get older and just wondered if anyone had actually experienced this?

Also, even when not suffering from tonsillitis, I feel she is often a bit run down and tired and doesn't look well. Is this common in children who suffer with their tonsils? I don't really want to go down the tonsillectomy route but don't like to see her suffer and she is missing quite a lot of school.

Is there a reason you don’t want to go down the tonsillectomy route? It was the best thing we did for my DS, he was only 2 at the time.

I used to suffer so much with tonsillitis as a child, even developed a quinsy as a result and was very, very ill, off school for around 6 weeks with that episode.Why my tonsils weren’t removed then I do not know.

In my twenties I was admitted to hospital due to developing another quinsy.

I was put on the emergency list to have my tonsils removed. The best thing ever for me, very rare that I have a sore throat now.

I know tonsillectomy is not routine now, but personally I would push for it, as your daughter will continue to suffer. Tonsillitis can develop into a quinsy and that is a medical emergency that requires hospital treatment.

Tonsillectomy is mostly done as daycase surgery now too, unless there’s any contraindications. I surprised you've not been referred is she’s getting it that often.

We have actually been referred now and I'm not completely against tonsillectomy. I guess I'm just hoping she'll grow out of it and I keep reading conflicting things- some say it's the best thing they've done and others saying it is unnecessary and makes you more likely to develop chest infections etc.

Well your tonsils do shrink as you grow up but if your DD’s are huge how likely is that? I mean, you’ll have to ask at your appointment with ENT. Also you have to weigh up how it’s affecting her on a day to day basis, she’s missing a lot of school and is always ill, how long are you going to give it before you hope she grows out of it? If that makes sense.

I don’t have any regrets about my DS having his tonsils out, he doesn’t get any more bugs than my other child. And I say this also as a nurse and I’ve spent years looking after children having their tonsils out, a lot of parents say how much it’s changed their child’s life.

My DD had recurrent tonsillitis and has just had them removed at the age of 17. The episodes were interfering with her education and she seemed to be permanently on anti biotics and pain relief. Surgery was quick, in and out of hospital in a day and back to college in 2 weeks although she was up to doing some work at home before she went back in to college. She has no regrets and neither do I.

CouldntThink thanks for your advice, good to hear from someone that's been through it. Will see what they say at ENT appt. No idea how long it's going to take to get the appointment though!

My DD had her tonsils removed at the age of 9. She used to get attacks about every 6 weeks with very high temp and was prescribed a lot of ABs. She has been fine ever since and I wish she'd had it done sooner.

We have actually been referred now and I'm not completely against tonsillectomy.

I'd do it in a heartbeat if I were eligible. I'm in my 30s and still get tonsilitis most years.

Thanks for all your input. Seems the general consensus is that tonsillectomy is definitely worthwhile. Has anybody seen a change in general health, energy levels, behaviour etc after as well as a reduction in infections?