Tonsil and Adenoids removal

[Just1234]

I'm hoping for some reassurance.

I suffer with anxiety which I am getting help for but obviously I worst case everything.

My son is having his tonsils and adenoids removed in 3 weeks. He is 3

We saw a consultant after both the Dr and Dentist referred us for his large tonsils and repeated throat infections and also he has issues with food and regurgitates a lot as he can't hold much food in his mouth without it touching his tonsils. He also snores the house down,

His surgery is booked but I'm now so emotional! I'm absolutely hiding it from him but I'm so worried. I read about the complication of bleeding afterwards and now I'm terrified.

I was hoping someone who may have had DC go through this may be able to re assure me .

Currently I'm so anxious I just want to cancel it but I know that's not good for him . Thankfully DH is very calm and level headed.

Anyone who can offer any stories would be so appreciated

That's a good idea. DD needed tramadol for the pain.

Hi OP, my 6 year old is now 2.5 weeks post-tonsillectomy/adenoidectomy. I was surprised at how rough the recovery was. She was extemely tired and listless for over a week. She also had a lot of ear pain at night, to the point we took her to the GP to double check she didn't have an ear infection (she didn't). I think pain is often worse at night and the best thing you can do is just keep on top of the regular painkillers and expect it to take time.

She is right as rain now! She really turned the corner at about 10 days post-surgery.

My 3yr old little boy has his adenoids out a few months ago ( in February ) and had grommets inserted too.

All went smoothly and he was in and out in a day.

My recommendations.... He was NOT interested in the dry biscuits or buttered toast he had to eat before we were allowed to leave. BUT I had pre brought lots of fruity baby food pouches which I kept in a cool box. He loved them and I think they cooled his sore throat. Staff were happy he was "eating" and we were good to go.

Lots of ice pops, jelly, yogurts and smoothies stocked up at home and he was back to normal food wise in a few days. Some people have reported their child ate normally from the beginning but it made me nervous he would start bleeding if he ate anything "rough".

Stock up on both ibuprofen and Calpol and give it 24/7 for the first 3 days or so.

Usual stuff for the hospital such as iPad, sticker book but If you are lucky the play therapist will come round and amuse him for you.

Good luck x

@Just1234 you need to ask for oramorph. But some GP's and doctors are very reluctant to prescribe it for children. But it's very safe.

Thank you so much,

I'm religious with the pain relief but I didn't expect recovery to be this rough. Because he's struggling I'm just so anxious and keep wondering if it's infected or something but I don't think there are any signs of that. I'm just an exhausted emotional anxious mum.

I'm so glad to hear your little one is so much better now . I really hope we turn a corner soon.

I feel really alone in my worry so I can't tell you how much your all helping me x

Hi @Just1234 sorry you and DC are having such a rough time. My DD had her tonsils out age 6 and the first week was pretty hideous. She was a total trooper but in a lot of pain despite meds every 3-4 hours, day and night. No oral morphine here either just calpol/neurofen. Days 3-7 were totally the worst for us but then totally bizarrely on day 8 she woke up, looked at me and declared “I’m fine now mummy you can put the medicines back in the cupboard i don’t need them anymore” and proceeded to pick up exactly where she left off pre op, bouncing around, complaining she was bored and demanding food every 5 minutes.
stick with it. You’re in the absolute peak crap part but so close to the point where things should start to improve xx

Thanks so much for this. Last night was bad but not as bad as the night before. We were still up every 2 hours but once he has painkillers he could sleep so less sadness. He's woken up brighter but no idea how we are both meant to work today I am exhausted. We will keep hanging on

Hang in there, it sounds like things are going to improve slowly but surely from here!

Hopefully you’re over the worst then. I do remember the seventh night being the absolute worst and my dh having to go to work the next morning feeling like death warmed up! But as I say it was the turning point and things got easier from there.
crossing everything for you all xxxx

Don't know if it would help, but as an adult I got through it by sucking in ice chips and numbing it that way.

My daughter had both out recently aged 3. We had good fortune with her recovery, her nose bled for a day or so and she was admitted overnight as a precaution. I kept giving her pain meds as clockwork. She didn't seem to ever be in too much discomfort. She was eating crackers an hour after surgery - I couldn't believe it! Also, she has tripled her food intake and gained a couple of kg in just a few weeks.

No longer has sleep apnea, mucus and no regular vomiting anymore. Life changing

We have tried ice and lots of other things similar but he has no interest . Today's he's eating rice crispies dry but he is eating and drinking. He is still really quiet today but has played a bit more . I think the disturbed nights are also catching up with him as he's very tired.

Honestly thank you all for the replies though. I am finding every single one so helpful

You're doing a fantastic job there @Just1234.

I nursed DS through adenoidectomy twice, with lateral turbinate reduction the second time and reading your posts brings it all back to me. I can hear how hard you are working and all the care that you are putting in. You really deserve a medal there. Take care and I hope the days get easier.

Don’t forget the anaesthetic stays in their systems for a good while and makes them quieter/more tired too. Brilliant he is eating, drinking and having a little play. You’re doing such a fab job - well done mum! Xx

Oh goodness those last few messages made me cry . Thank you

I did just call the nurse as he does feel so warm but no temp and she also re assured me that it's normal as his little body recovers so I feel better for calling.

He's having an afternoon nap. So weird as he ditched naps so long ago it feels so strange, when he was happy earlier he asked if he could go to the park today; we have a small local one next door which is empty so if the weather improves and I think he can manage it I may arm us with antic bac and take him for 10 minutes . Anything to get some smiles from him

Last night we had three whole hours sleep before he got upset and in pain! This feels like so much progress .

Glad to hear he is getting there and you are all getting a bit more rest. Hopefully you don't have much longer of this. I'm totally dreading having to go through it 😫

@Killerqueenie when is the date for next month.

I have found so much comfort in this thread and I hope you can to.

I feel like other people's DCs have also had different journeys so it may not be so bad

Today's been good but nighttime medicine caused a lot of sadness and he is now saying his throat really hurts but it's the first time he has complained all day.

Hope your DS is feeling better today. Our date is on the 24th, so still a few weeks. We won't be telling him until a couple of days before. Otherwise, I'll never hear the end of it. He asks a lot of questions and is a little worrier, so I don't want him to get anxious and lose sleep unnecessarily until he absolutely needs to know. Was there anything specific you took to the hospital for distractions before and after the procedure?

@Killerqueenie I took a tablet for him after as after he got over his rage he just wanted to sit quietly and watch it. Before they had toys he could play with but as he was 3 he was first on the list so we didn't really have much waiting around at all.

Pack fave snacks, afterwards they just need to eat something and he didn't fancy what they had so we took lots of faves to entice him and also he had a cup he loves so we took that for water to encourage him to drink.

Last night was a bit rough till 1am but after the 1am painkillers he slept through till the 6am ones which felt great . Today he's been quiet but is now playing . Today is day 8

How’s it going @Just1234 ? Hope you’re catching up on sleep and LO is recovering well? X

I had both of those removed when I was 4 under general anaesthetic. It was common when I was little. My Mum said it stopped me getting constant throat infections.

Thank you for asking . Every day is getting better and better only one set of tears yesterday.

I'm already shocked at the difference in him. He was a chatter but his voice is so much clearer now!

The next week or no nursery is going to be hard now he's getting energy back

How are things going now OP?

Honestly I can't believe the change. Day 9 we turned a corner on pain and we haven't looked back.

He is such a happier boy. The circles under his eyes are gone! He's got such a better colour than before surgery and his appetite is through the roof. He keeps smelling everything and he can't believe how nice things smell and also his sleep is so quiet.

His speech is also so different. He was chatty before but now he's even more chatty and his words have exploded he is now so crystal clear. I hadn't noticed he wasn't before but the difference is astounding.

I was so anxious before and so worried during and after but I would do it again without a moments hesitation for the improvements we see