Tonsillectomy Recovery

[Hjb2410]

Hello

So I'm after some advice from people who have had tonsillectomies.

I had my tonsils removed yesterday and felt like I had been hit by a bus it was horrendous, today I don't feel too bad still very sleepy and dosed up on painkillers.

I am looking for any advice to help my recovery, what I can eat and how others recoveries went?

Thanks in advance
X

Eat anything you feel you can. I had a sandwich straight after surgery. Took me about four hours to eat it but I was desperate to go home!
I was really poorly about a week after mine with an infection but had antibiotics prescribed. My op was straight forward though as I had previously have quinces and the scar tissue left behind made it difficult to remove one tonsil. I was back at work after two weeks though and fine.
Ten years later and while I still get earache when I am run down (used to get tonsillitis) and it occurs quite frequently, I haven't had any other issues.

Forgot to add, I found thick chocolate milk really soothing. Not the Frijj or similar stuff. The one that comes in milk cartons/bottles. Morrison's do a good one. When I had tonsillitis it was the only thing I could tolerate swallowing (couldn't even swallow my own saliva ).

I ate lots of pretzels and toast as it scrapes the throat and helps to stop the scabs forming to thickly. I was told to avoid things like milk and ice cream as it leaves a filmy coating on your throat and increases the chances of infection?
DRINK frequently to stop your throat drying out, even through the night to help the pain. Take pain relief on time even when you're not feeling too bad.

Some of those freezer ice packs wrapped in a tea towel against you neck helps.

Any signs of blood, even just spots then see your GP as it can be a sign of infection. The scabs tend to start coming off around day 10, not a good time to try your first hot cup of coffee (trust me on that one!)

Pain meds every 3 hours day and night
Humidifier at night if you have one
Drink plenty
Eat normally
No dairy as it promotes mucus
Also no fruit juice...will sting like mad!
Good luck x

@Badders123 @monkeywithacowface
@delilahbucket

I feel like I'm doing pretty well food wise over the last three days I've managed, toast, yoghurts, scrambled egg, jubbly lollies, pasta and sauce, chicken nuggets and a small Chicago town pizza.

I am drinking so much water, I don't think my body has been as hydrated as it is!

I've been prescribed paracetamol and codeine and I'm trying to alternate them and regularly take them every 2-3 hours.
I'm trying to take them so I have some in my system for all 24 hours however managing apart from 6-8 hours as fear of overdosing!

I'm trying to avoid dairy but would love a cup of tea! However I have heard not to have things that are too hot, is that right?

I've read so many reports about when the pain is going to get worse, can anyone help? I'm worrying every time I wake up I'm going to be in agony!

Thank you!

Days 5 and 10
You sound like you are doing really well

I ended up seizing up on cocodamol. I found diclofenlic or other anti inflammatories best for pain.

I struggled with milky things (still do sometimes) due to the coating left behind. I really enjoyed crisps tbh.

I ended up with a virus that spread to my ears, so just be really careful and head to the doctor if need be. My recommended time away from work was 2 weeks but it ended up being 3.

Stay away from tomatoes. They're really acidic and nippy.

Ok so u thought I was doing really well but how wrong I have been; the last three days I have been in absolute agony with ear ache! I can't even begin to describe what it's like but it is so painful.

I'm also having to take painkillers every two hours and I'm literally counting down the minutes til I can take them.

I'm on day 9 now, when will the pain go away?? Literally cried myself through eating my tea tonight I'm exhausted with it.

Oh god, so sorry to hear that. I barely felt anything at all afterwards, just like a mildly sore throat for a day or two. You should probably call the doctor tomorrow if it's still that bad- it could be infected or something. Best to check to be on safe side.

I had my tonsils out almost 3 weeks ago, so I totally sympathise with what you're going through.

The worst day for me was about day 6 when the scabs fell off. It was too fucking painful to even cry. The point the scabs fall off is the crescendo point for the pain, once they've gone the pain should rapidly start to decrease. The only way I got through it was by telling myself the pain wouldn't last forever.

I found the codeine to be absolutely pointless in terms of pain relief. I found diclofenic and paracetamol to be most effective. Did the hospital give you difflam mouth wash. That was quite useful to numb the pain for short periods to try and eat.

Hope you're feeling much better soon.

Difflam throat spray is awesome for the pain and you can get it over the counter. Check your temperature too. If it's raised you might have an infection.

@WithCheesePleaae @SirRodneyEffing @VioletHornswaggle

I think I will phone the doctor tomorrow and try to get an appointment just to get it looked at. I'm meant to be back at work on Friday, however with how I'm feeling right now that looks doubtful.

@SirRodneyEffing
Do you feel better now three weeks on? Has all the pain gone/ eating slowly etc?
I look at my throat most days and it definitely looks like it's improving, I'm gradually getting more pink through the scabs so looks like my scabs are coming off. However I haven't coughed any scabs up so I must be swallowing them? I dread to think haha. What days do the scabs usually fall off, or is it dependent on the individual?

In myself I think I feel ok it's just this ear ache that worries me. I've googled it and it looks like it's normal but I've felt so debilitated by it the last three days, I've never known pain like it. I believe the ear ache is referred pain from my throat, and the scabs falling off?
Did you experience this ear ache?

They didn't give me difflam but now you mention it I'm certain I have some at home (why I didn't think to use it before I do not know)

I'm day 10 now, I'm hoping to turn the corner at some point.

Thank you for reading my ramble I just feel so alone and not sure what to expect or what is normal.

Yes, the ear pain was the worst, especially when the kids started screaming and bickering

On about day 5 my lovely son announced my breath smelt like cat food, and I had a temp so went to GP who prescribed antibiotics.

I think the scabs fell off about day 6 or 7. I'm not entirely certain about it, as my tongue was very swollen and I couldn't see exactly what was going on at the back of my throat. I lay down one evening and I felt one scab slide off and sliver down my throat for about 30 minutes afterwards I was totally pain free for the first time in a week. I was just beginning to feel relieved/smug lost, when it all kicked off again and I was in the worst pain imaginable all night. I ended up at the out of hours in the middle of the night begging for pain relief.

I went back to work on day 13, I didn't really feel quite ready enough, but I had begun to tolerate coffee again at least. (I think caffeine withdrawal didn't help how shitty I felt for the whole 2 weeks)

I pretty much eating normally again down, and have sadly put the weight back on that I had lost.

You're doing really well, you soon will be over the worst and things should start to pick up very soon.

hiya i had a tonsillectomy 8days ago im really struggling with the pain... anyone had this who i can get some advice from x

I have no advice because I haven't had my surgery yet. But when I saw your post was unanswered I wanted to check if you are improving now? It sounds like a terrible, painful op. Wishing you a speedy recovery.

I had my Tonsillectomy 6 days ago. I never knew pain like this before. Codeine, paracetamol nothing works. I'm in tears all day with pain. Can someone advise please, I cannot see an end to this pain. Thank you.

I day 11 of tonsillectomy and i was after surgery but 3 up to now has been the word pain ever. I had a swollen tongue which has gone down a little but the pain is at the sides of my tongue at the back it really stings when i try to eat something and even stings when drinking water does any one else have or had this feeling. My pain relief is ibuprofen and codeine, difflam mouth rinse and the difflam throat spray.