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Recovery suggestions for tonsils removed / tonsillectomy in older teen

99 replies

Fortysix · 22/06/2018 11:28

Pretty sure this is about to happen over the summer holidays just waiting on formal appointment confirmation.
Looking for tips and advice to make recovery process go as well as possible. Holiday booked for post operative Day 12 if it does all confirm as expected.

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Fortysix · 03/08/2018 12:35

Doctor very sympathetic. She said co-codamol is drug of choice until after 10 day mark. Apparently Dicloflenac and Naproxen have anti-inflammatory properties which would be a nuisance if we get a post-op bleed. She said she would prescribe a laxative as well as no action in poo department. Grin Can't remember exactly what she said about Difflam the green throat spray but again she said not until 10 days. So when I asked finally about 'layers' of pain relief she said basically we weren't at that stage yet. Meanwhile throat is 'itchy', ears are 'on fire' and I'm 'really stupid for bringing toast to someone with a beeping sore throat' or other words that meant that...

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SilverHairedCat · 03/08/2018 13:03

Yeps, throat is itchy, and toast will scratch that itch!

Bloody teenagers... 😁

Sympathies, it's a shitty op as an adult, massively underestimated recovery process I'm afraid because people associate it with kids, jelly and ice cream.

Topseyt · 03/08/2018 14:20

I had mine removed at 37 after repeated bouts of quinsy (abscesses on tonsils) rendered them nothing better than flaps of permanently infected scar tissue which could not be penetrated by antibiotics.

The recovery time was rough and took about a month, much of that with badly affected tastebuds as well as the painful throat (food smelled wonderful but tasted awful).

I was advised to eat normally where possible, and I do think it helped even though it was like trying to swallow barbed wire at first. I did that, but also had handy a little of what I fancied to soothe things, even if that was ice-cream as they no longer advise.

Use the painkillers well too. People think it is a minor procedure and all fine and dandy within a couple of days, but as this thread shows, not true necessarily, and there are many variables.

I would say to your daughter that although my recovery was rough and painful, I still think that having the operation was one of the best decisions I ever made. I have had no trouble at all with my throat since, and I am almost 52 now, so 15 years on. I don't miss those pesky tonsils at all. They had become the problem instead of preventing it. It sounds like your daughter was also in that position.

Topseyt · 03/08/2018 14:26

Sorry, should have checked. Not sure whether you are talking about a daughter or a son.

All other points are the same though and I wish them a speedy recovery.

mizu · 03/08/2018 14:36

Haven't read the whole thread but had my tonsils out at 19, in the Easter hols back from uni. Loads of painkillers, loads of rest, and as much food as you can muster. It's not great, I'll be honest, but it changed my life - no more being horribly ill every few months.

Good luck Smile

Fortysix · 04/08/2018 12:56

Day 5 update. Slept until 12 ish and now has fresh blood traces in throat wound. Won't gargle but oral hygiene good otherwise. Have presented a corned beef crispbake for lunch as not wanting toast.Will try to get DC to chew chewing gum as that's one thing the hospital leaflet said other than avoiding aspirin.

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WorkingItOutAsIGo · 04/08/2018 14:41

Poor thing! It will get better in the end.

Fortysix · 04/08/2018 20:58

Mild bleed this afternoon. Nhs24 said go to a&E. Fainted getting canular inserted. Taken to ENT ward and given penicillin intravenously. Kept in for observation.

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WorkingItOutAsIGo · 05/08/2018 11:56

Oh bless you both. You are having a rough time. Hopefully they might help with pain relief too? Thinking of you x

Topseyt · 05/08/2018 15:17

Oh dear. I do hope things improve and settle down soon.

I seem to remember that my ENT consultant said that some of these problems were more likely if the tonsillectomy was more complex than usual (like with quinsies or tonsil stones present).

I think that does show though that removal was the best decision. They can't then go on to cause future problems, such as severe throat swellings and airway obstruction.

Recovery can be rough, but hang on in there. It will be worth it in the end.

Fortysix · 06/08/2018 00:17

Thank you for your good wishes. Got discharged at lunchtime with a further six day course of penicillin and a mouthwash which was not given at original discharge. DC is upbeat. Just got to endure one more week Grin

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WorkingItOutAsIGo · 06/08/2018 07:57

That’s good. I hope being at home is a good tonic and he continues to get better.

Yogagirl123 · 06/08/2018 08:03

It is so painful I know. I had an infection after I had my tonsils out. Counted the hours on the clock until my next painkillers. Your DC should be over the worst now, good luck ☘️

Accountant222 · 06/08/2018 08:20

I had mine out when I was 33, pretty geriatric for tonsils.

Painkillers, plenty of fluids, softish mild flavoured food.

Should be fine for your holiday

Accountant222 · 06/08/2018 08:22

But the best thing I ever did, after 5 years with constant sore throats, I haven't had one since.

Fortysix · 07/08/2018 08:37

New bleed. Back in A &E with canular in arm

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WorkingItOutAsIGo · 07/08/2018 08:44

Oh no poor you and poor DC. Sounds like you may be in for a trip to theatre. Good luck x

Fortysix · 07/08/2018 22:39

Fortunately just a bleed and not a haemorrhage. Another 24 hrs in ENT ward being observed. Day 8 done.

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WorkingItOutAsIGo · 08/08/2018 23:47

Glad they are keeping a close eye and hope healing progresses well!

wentmadinthecountry · 09/08/2018 07:03

You're going through it! Dd had hers out in May and it was horrible - got very infected (as ever on a Bank Holiday weekend) and it took a couple of shots of antibiotics. I really wasn't expecting to see my tough sporty teenager so ill. Don't think she left the house for 2 weeks! I believe the hospital gave us Difflam along with antibiotics in the middle of week 2. Lots of requests for lollies. After the bleeds I cut down on forcing toast a bit I think - good for general sloughing but it my head it was scratching, though maybe that was just the infection. We were told to keep the pain relief topped up - paracetamol and nurofen.

However, once the infections/bleeds were gone she made a really quick recovery and those horrible tonsils are gone forever. She is so pleased she had it done.

You're nearly there - good luck!

Fortysix · 09/08/2018 11:48

Thanks to all for the encouragement and support.... Now reached Day 10 but lovely staff nurse suggested we should consider DC maybe 2 days behind normal progress with two bleeds. DC still in a positive position and upbeat.

Has quit eating toast just as you say wentmad. Now can eat cornflakes and chocolate cake, and steak and rice. Assuming no more bleeds appetite is coming back.
Having been at our local hospital five days in eight has made the process seem very lengthy. DC takes photos of throat area roughly every six hours just before painkillers are taken so has a photographic record of all developments Grin. Doctors and nurses are the only one who actually find these images helpful. Gross in the extreme. Grin
What has upset DC most is the intravenous line in via the cannula and being on a saline drip. Just added an extra layer of stress. However fingers crossed for a quiet few days. Again huge thanks for giving us the heads up about pain relief and that two bad weeks will ultimately help DC's health. Now on sprays and chewing gum phase.

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WorkingItOutAsIGo · 10/08/2018 18:18

So glad you got it done early! Hope today was a good day!

Fortysix · 12/08/2018 17:39

Day 13. All quiet. Visitors yesterday. Has been round to a friend's for a little bit today but pretty worn out still. Cutting back co-codamol to one tablet four times a day. Hoping we have turned 'the corner'. Has to go to London by train on Day 15 to pick up flat keys and move boxes. Have said I will pay uber Grin
Holiday flight is Day 19. Hugely lucky that the operation was a week early. DC would not have been well enough to travel on Day 12 after our set of complications. Everyone who said it would be too much - you were right Flowers Grin

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WorkingItOutAsIGo · 13/08/2018 09:07

All sounds good. Hopefully you are on the home straight now - have a great holiday!

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