Tonsillectomy recovery

[Mill98]

Hi I had my tonsils out on 11/12/2024, I would say yesterday and today have been the worse pain days so far. Is it normal for one side to hurt more than the other in anyone else’s experience? My ears hurt the most and jaw but the left side is a lot more painful than the right side

Yes I think so. The worst of the recovery is about 7 days post op. It's very painful for adults. My sis ended up back in hospital after a massive bleed around day 7. Take it easy OP. My sis took neurofen plus for pain. Very sore.

I'm afraid it gets worse before it gets better 😢, my advice is to keep up with the suggested pain relief and note times so you don't OD (especially with paracetamol). Mine got so bad that I had to see GP for additional pain meds... this was in the 90's and no one warned me, I carried on going out etc then BAM!! Ouch!! Don't let the pain breakthrough - stay on regular meds then gradually taper... I was on a "if I need it basis' which was really not the way to go! Check for bleeding too but see a GP or call the ENT team if concerned, good luck

Thankyou, yesterday seemed to be worse than today so hopefully I’m on the mend sooner rather than later haha.

I had mine removed when I was 40. The recovery was awful. I had an infection and could barely swallow for about 2 weeks. I have never felt so ill in all my life. I hope your recovery is less unpleasant.

Where was the pain when you had the infection, my jaw is unbearable when the medication wears off

It felt like the back of my throat was on fire. Swallowing even a few drops of water felt like swallowing a packet of razor blades. I had a spit bucket as swallowing saliva was pretty much impossible!

In the end I think dehydration and hunger dragged me down.

I rang the doctor after a few days and told them I was struggling badly and they said not to worry it’s normal as part of the recovery. After about 10 days I’d had enough and demanded to see someone. Once they saw me they confirmed I’d got a huge infection and weren’t surprised I was in a bad way. They put me on a drip to replace fluids and treated the infection. Within a few days I was miles better.

I laugh about it now but I’ve honestly never felt so ill in all my life.

I’ve got an appointment with the out of hours at 11:30pm tonight, I’d rather get it checked than to leave it any longer. Thanks for you help everyone

The pain after my tonsillectomy was next level. I’m not allowed nsaids so they gave me paracetamol (!) and tramadol. The tramadol made me veeeeery wierd but when I was on the paracetamol bit of the cycle it just didn’t touch it at all. I ended up at out of hours crying to the doctor to PLEASE give me something stronger. They didn’t.
You have my sympathy - it does get better but the first couple of weeks are really painful, like swallowing glass.

Out of interest are people still glad they had it done even though it hurt so much?

It is such a painful recovery but really beneficial in the long term for me. I would get tonsillitis whenever I got the slightest bit run down and would be really ill with it. I've had 25 years, since the op, with very little ill health.

Yes definitely worth the pain and recovery time to no longer have recurring tonsillitis 3-4 times a year!

I had mine out as an adult. My throat was so painful in the second week I couldn't swallow the tiny codeine tablets. I got difflam spray from the pharmacy which was great.
The jaw pain could be from where they stretched your mouth open - I didn't get it with my tonsils, but did when I had my wisdom teeth out.
Don't wait for the pain to get bad - you need to keep on top of it by taking painkillers regularly.
If that still doesn't help, you're quite right to seek help.

Yes it's agony day 5-7 are the worst days. I gargled difflam which allowed me to just about swallow my pain killers.
I ended up back in hospital on day 5 though for IV pain killers and antibiotics

I found the most soothing this to drink was warm cups of tea,

Once you get past day 7-8 things quickly start to improve.

Make sure you have laxatives available if you are taking codiene

Days 5-7 are the worst. I was completely recovered by day 10 though.

Hope you feel better OP. Someone i know is having this done soon. How can I support them and what are good get well soon gifts for this?

It’s rough right now but will be worth it in the long run

Honestly just comfort and reassure them, give them drinks though the night if your with them. Fruity water and soup have beeen my saviour

I feel for you op. I had my tonsils out in my 20’s. The recovery was completely awful but it will pass and you’ll be so glad in the long run. I never get ill now. It was a complete game changer for me.

I am so glad I had this operation despite the pain afterwards. It made such a difference to my life. Sick days vastly reduced, fewer social events missed due to tonsillitis.

Out of hours gave me some antibiotics incase the pain in my ear and jaw are coming form the start of an infection, prescribed some stronger meds so hopefully that gets me on the end ready for my Xmas dinner haha

It was a life changing operation for me - so much better since they were out. It was a constant cycle of illness for years and my immune system was shot to pieces. I am so much better now.

I agree it was a life changing operation, going from 9-10 bouts of tonsillitis per year to none was amazing.

The initial pain was bad, I found alternating paracetamol and ibuprofen so you are never without some pain relief in your system helped.
Also camomile tea really helped, quite hot, as it seemed to soothe things.

Within a week I felt better than I could ever remember feeling as finally I wasn't carrying a constant low grade infection around

It is such a brutal recovery process. My dd had it earlier this year after having a patch on her tonsil looked at and being put on the two week pathway.
Day 5-7 were frankly hell. I got her an urgent gp appointment which was with a really lovely paramedic who had had the op as an adult and totally sympathised. He prescribed a short course of liquid morphine which really really helped.
She found the diffam spray didn't do much. I bought liquid paracetamol and ibuprofen or she had the soluble paracetamol though they did sting a bit. Ice lollies helped but only for the short term.
I was up for many hours with her through the night as she was in so much pain. She also has arthritis in her tmj so the op really hurt that, and also affected her ear. She used ice packs to help a bit with that.
Food wise, she almost cried with joy when she had a piece of quiche. I knew she was almost through it all then. Prior to that I bought some frozen gyoza which I made her with some chicken stock to form a soup. She only ate small amounts.
I hope you start to feel better soon @Mill98 💐

So I ended up in the hospital yesterday due the amount of pain I was in, recommend to keep on top of pain killers and if they start to feel like they aren’t lasting like mine were seek help! I had an infection in my life surgery site causing swelling and my jaw locked, feel so much better today after fluids etc but don’t go without if something doesn’t feel right better to be checked out!!❤️

I hope you’re feeling better now, it’ll be worth it in the long run!