Tonsillitis experiences

[Donegalgirlie]

Hello,
Our DD 5 has had recurrent tonsillitis for about a year now and is constantly on antibiotics.
We've been conflicted about what to do and have tried various things like supplements, diets, homeopathy but she is still getting it once a month which really affects her (and our quality of life) off school, high temps, loss of appetite, sore throat, tiredness) .
It seems like it's 10days sick then 10days build her back up each month.
There is such mixed opinions out there on tonsillectomies but we (and couple of docs) have decided it is the best thing for her. We have booked consultant visit for May and hope to get the procedure done in June. I hope and pray that it is the best solution for her. I'm just wondering if anyone has any thoughts or experiences on the subject and also any tips for preparing and recovering from the procedure.

Your poor DD. My DS (19) has just had a tonsillectomy after having recurrent tonsillitis for 9 months. He was so ill with it and totally run down from constantly having to take antibiotics. We had to go private in the end as the NHS waiting list was so long.

She'll be so much better after she's had them removed. The recovery isn't very pleasant, Although my understanding is that young children bounce back much quicker than adults. After 2 weeks she should be right as rain,

Thanks so much for your reply, I've also heard that children bounce back quicker than adults. I wish your son a continued good recovery from it all

I had mine at 25, felt better than a had done in 10 years within a few days of the op.

Warm drinks like camomile tea were soothing in the first few days when it was quite sore. Keep up with the paracetamol throughout.

The modern numbing lozenges may be good too

I would take the opportunity, my daughter is 17 and has it every year, up to three times a year still now, and she was in hospital as a younger child twice because of her temperature and dehydration, it also usually comes with a a ear infection and she has suffered a burst eardrum, NHS refused to remove them.

Thanks everyone for your positive posts. It helps us with the decision

my DD was the same and the repeated infection meant that the tonsils were swollen, scarred and just became a hiding place for bacteria. The antibiotics were never going to be able to fully clear the infection.

The post op recovery was tough, clearly v v sore and a couple of days dehydrated as she wouldn't drink.

Just makes sure you follow the pain medicine regime the hospital give and make sure you have difflam spray.

No regrets. Good luck

I had this growing up. It went on for YEARS with doctors saying that I would grow out of it. I took dozens of courses of antibiotics and missed GCSEs, sports competitions, parties, holidays.

I eventually got them removed in my 20s. It was much harder than it would have been as a younger child. But it was every bit worth it and I have never been sick since. I strongly recommend you go for it. The lost months are simply not worth it.

No recent experience, but i had mine out in primary school after almost 2 years of recurring tonsillitis. Post op it was really painful for a couple of days but it was worth it. My Mum always said I had a massive growth spurt afterwards. I have a couple of friends who had the op as adults and suffered so much more. None of our children needed the op but would have been a no brainier for me if they had.

My eldest had his taken out at 5 for this reason and it was a total game changer for him. Best thing we ever did. My youngest is heading that way and I’m looking forward to getting to the point where the nhs will consider removal because recurrent tonsillitis is just awful.

DD did too. She liked like a different child tbh, hasn't raised how sickly and ill she looked how from she was until she was better

Why are GPs so reluctant to refer then to have the tonsils removed? Recurring tonsillitis sounds unbearable

Our dd was similar but she grew out of it by aged 6/7. She just stopped having regular infections, gradually tailing off and it’s not happened for 3 years (she’s now 10).

A long time ago, age 12, my parents had to really push to have mine taken out, having suffered recurrent bouts several times a year, I remember being proper poorly each and every time, feeling really miserable and a lot of missed school. It was a very positive op for me, I would have no worry about my DC having them removed, fortunately both are in their teens and never suffered.

My DD had her tonsils out just before she was 5 , along with her adenoids and honestly was the best decision we made , she got ill in general far less afterwards, don't remember the recovery so assuming it can't have been too bad . Good luck !

Thanks again everyone for all the messages. Our minds are definitely made up now. The Docs have been saying if it was their child they would go for it too now at this stage. Her quality of life will be so much better 🙏