Sleep apnea - tonsillectomy??

[Tea4tea]

Hi, DS has always been a poor sleeper. At around 2 years old he got referred to ENT and diagnosed with sleep apnea due to enlarged tonsils (grade 4). Consultant said that’s the cause of his poor sleep but due to his age/weight she wanted to see him again in 6 months, but that there was no doubt that he’d need tonsillectomy eventually.

When we returned, she was much more ambivalent about whether he’d need the op or not.

so now we’re in a dilemma about it. His sleep is still terrible, and his weight and height are on the low side (25th centile down from 50th) but he is bright, hitting all his developmental milestones etc. he is quite hyperactive and his behaviour is often negatively affected by tiredness, but generally he’s doing fine.

symptoms of the sleep apnea are mouth breathing, occasional pauses in breathing, and sounds like he’s struggling to swallow. He wakes up 3-5 times a night.

I don’t want him to have the op unnecessarily, ie if it’s not going to make a big difference. But at the same time I don’t want him to suffer/struggle unnecessarily.

does anyone have any similar experience and what did you do?

One of my DC had their tonsils out aged 2 due to sleep apnoea and it made a huge difference. Not only with their sleep but just their concentration levels, not being restless. If it were me I would go for it. Just thinking about when they’re at school and can’t stay awake during the school day because they’re so tired.

My middle Dc had a very similar problem - also had other medical issues meaning that his weight was on the low side.
He eventually got his tonsils and adenoids removed when he was 3 and a half and it’s been like having a different child since! He slept through the night for the first time once the initial post-op soreness had gone away - I was so shocked that I kept checking on him through the night 😂🤦🏻‍♀️
Hes 6 now and his sleep is amazing! He does still snore like a rhinoceros with a cold, but we can live with that 🤷🏻‍♀️😂

I know and adult male with apnoea, removing the enlarged tonsils made a huge difference.

I had tonsils and adenoids out as a child due to this. It didn’t make any difference, it appears mouth breathing is the issue and that’s not going to change for me now.

OP I was in your position last year - my DC had been recommended to have a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy due to sleep apnoea. I was very torn about the whole thing as I knew it would be painful for them after the operation and felt that the sleep apnoea didn't seem to massively affect them (other than hyperactivity and poor focus).

After lots of thought we went ahead with the op and it was absolutely the best decision for us. My DC sleeps soundly and quietly now, their behaviour and health have both improved massively - I hadn't realised just what an effect the reduced airway was having on them overall!

Yes I found taking them down for the op really really hard and their throat was sore afterwards, but that didn't last long. I would absolutely make the same decision again.

DS had his out at age 4 for sleep apnea (but he suffered with frequent tonsillitis too, although they wouldn't have removed them for this alone).
He slept through the night for the first time in his life once he'd had them out. No regrets.

DD had this done at age 4 and it made an enormous difference. She was coping fine with morning nursery but any afternoon activities were very hit and miss . School would have been a real challenge. She also had on and off glue ear and dreadful winter coughs for weeks on end, which all stopped after the op as her passages could clear. Also no more snoring.

We had it done privately, I am not sure if she would have qualified on the nhs.

DS had his adenoids and tonsils out at 3 and it has made an enormous difference. He sleeps far more soundly now than before, doesn't snort and snore now and doesn't wake himself up umpteen times a night. No more apnea episodes. Absolutely the Best thing for him, I've no doubts or regrets about it

Get it done now, I’m 48 & due to have my tonsils out soon for sleep apnea (the surgeon was amazed I still had my enormous tonsils) I’m sure having it done as a little’un is easier than having the op at 48!