tonscillectomy and adenoidectomy

[RRoseR]

Hi all! My lg is 3 years and 5 months. I am currently going through the process of seeing whether she needs her tonsils/adenoids removed! She’s always been a mouth sleeper since a baby, but over the last couple of months her snoring has been absolutely horrendous!!! Literally sounds like a grown adult it’s horrific. To be honest I didn’t really think much of it but my MIL mentioned it on her last sleepover and said that her auntie had the same issue and had hers removed! She’s always been a terrible sleeper waking up multiple times in the night and has dark circles under her eyes from poor sleep so I’m starting to wonder if it’s all linked? She does get a sore throat / colds a lot also! Just wanted to know what everyone’s experiences was with getting it confirmed / diagnosed and time length?

Waiting list for removal is years and years long in my area.

Have they suggested a test for sleep apnea? The snoring could be an indicator it was with my son

My son had this issue and the surgery helped. He was 5 and had 2 weeks off school but bounced back v quickly

My son had this from birth and took over 3 years to get seen by ENT and to agree surgery. My son had recurrent ear infections on top of the snoring and sleep apnea and deafness. We were told it was minimum of 12-18 months for surgery once the go ahead was given so we fundraised and went private as I couldn't watch my son suffer any longer. He was unwell literally every week in the end. Couldn't hear, couldn't talk and up a and e or GP for antibiotics 2-3 times a month.

The surgery was literally life changing having adenoids out and grommets put in. No snoring or apneas, sleeps properly without spinning round his bed, can here and finally caught up mostly with his speech at 4yrs old.

If you can wait months/years then NHS is the way but I know and read a lot of threads on here of people going private as the wait list is sooo long. ENT wait list for an apt in my area now is over 2yrs for initial apt.

Definitely get things moving. We had a one year wait to see a consultant (which I think would have been longer if I hadn't called frequently for updates) and then were lucky to get a cancellation slot within a month. It has made such a difference for DS1.

My dc had both removed age 4. I realised early on about sleep apnoea but the GP didn’t take it seriously and it took ages to get a referral. Consultant didn’t seem bothered either until results of sleep survey came back then as the sleep apnoea was severe we got the op within about 6 months of diagnosis.

Dc was such a quiet sleeper after it was scary I kept having to check everything was okay. Also had a growth spurt shortly after.

Thanks all! I feel terrible I never connected the dots sooner! Ringing the docs tomorrow armed with loads of videos of her breathing and snoring. Poor girl is shattered (and so am I!!) not too enthusiastic about the wait times so may look into going private if anyone has any recommendations for the North West!

This is the consultant we saw. It was through the NHS, but looks like he does private too. We're in Manchester.

Both my DS had theirs lasered off rather than removed. It made the healing process much quicker plus they get to keep some of the tonsil tissue which is better for them.

So we’ve been referred to ENT but the appt isn’t until September!!! the gp couldn’t get a look in at the appt but with all the videos I’ve recorded he agreed for a referral. I’ve taken a pic and video of her throat to bring to the ENT as a back up but just wanted anyone’s thoughts? I’m not sure whether this looks normal or not 🙈

Yes they’re huge and I’d think would need to come out! Ask for a sleep survey at the ent appointment, if it’s bad you won’t have to wait too long

@Candlelig the place I work doesn't do sleep studies for the vast majority of kids as they aren't that useful, cost money and take additional time.

The surgeons list on the basis of history.

And I've seen a few kids this week who were seen in clinic around two months ago. I didn't calculate the time from referral to clinic appt though. This is NHS so things aren't all doom and gloom.