Tonsillectomy in adults - question about recovery....

Jemmy · 04-06-2008 12:30am

And if you have to wait more than 6 months i think it is, apply to the national treatment scheme! Thats how i got mine done, long story but i was waiting 6 months just for an appointment in ireland so was told to apply, within 6 wks of applying they had flew me first class to england to a private clinic (room was like a hotel room en suite and all!) with my mother for company put her in a hotel nearby for the few days aswell op and all done! 6WKS! i got home fixed and all and i got a letter from the irish hospital sayin i had an appointment here but it was still 8 months away! haha!

deisemum · 04-06-2008 1:18am

I had mine out about 22 years ago when I was 21 in the UK. I spent the first week in hospital, 2nd week I was instructed to stay indoors and 3rd week I was allowed out but told to avoid crowds. That was the norm back then to avoid the risk of infection.

I found the pain gradually got worse and peeked about a week after operation. The only pain relief we got in hospital was the adult equivilant of calpol about 3 times a day about 10 mins before meals. Was given bowls of cornflakes for breakfast so chewed each one thoroughly before swallowing.

About 6 weeks after having them out I resumed drinking and had a bit too much and ended up affecting the delicate membrane over the wounds and got a very bad infection that bled.

Having them out was one of the best things I've done for my health. I still get the occasional sore throat but not as many and nowhere near as bad as they used to be.

gurramok · 17-06-2008 3:24pm

I had mine out when i was around 5 or 6(now 33). And i've always got a sore throat every year since(a few times a year), the severe sore throats were usually the ones that you get before a flu comes on you.

Makes you think whats the point of getting the tonsils out in the first place!!

eskimo · 20-06-2008 1:51am

Wow! This was two years ago! What a blast from the past!

As it turned out my operation relatively disastrous. The operation itself went fine, but what followed was not pleasant at all.

A few days following the operation (after which I spent three nights in hospital), my throat felt odd so I spat into the sink to see if there was any blood in my saliva, because I'd been warned that on rare occasion post-operative bleeding can occur, and yes there was blood there. I contacted my GP who told me to go straight into hospital just to be on the safe side, and they kept me in for 3 nights. During this time they performed some minor procedure on my throat to help seal the wound.

After being discharged, I went home and a few days later, I started bleeding again. Same thing again, had to go back to hospital where they kept me for two more nights, after which I was discharged from hospital for the third time.

Three days later, I woke up at 7am almost choking on blood. It was pumping out of my throat like water from a tap. I ran and woke my parents while my throat pumped blood out and all over the floor. I was panicking like mad. They rushed me back to the hospital and when I got there the doctors couldn't believe that I was back. Once was unfortunate, twice was rare and very unlucky, but three times was almost unheard of. This time they kept me for five nights. I bled one more time while in hospital.

They were called "post-op bleeds" and from what I remember it happens when the wound from the operation is in the healing process but for whatever reason it re-opens and blood rushes out. There may not even be a visible wound following a bleed because it can close up as fast and as easily as it opened.

In total I spent 13 nights in hospital and this was spread over the course of a month.

I'm not saying all this to worry anyone, just to let you know my story and to encourage you to be prepared. And going by what happened to me on my THIRD post-op bleed, I would recommend not sleeping on your back for two or three weeks after the operation because of the choking risk.

A week or so after my final bleed I went back to my ENT specialist to talk to him about what had happened, and he said he was very sorry and that mine was an extremely rare and unfortunate case.

That was two years ago and ever since then I have fallen ill probably about 90% less than when I had my tonsils, so I have absolutely no regrets.

Re: the singing question... I take singing lessons and I didn't notice any difference between when I had tonsils and since I've had them out. But that's not to say it hasn't made any difference whatsoever.

LegacyUser · 03-07-2008 1:24pm

i have had my tonsils out for nearly a week now, and like most didnt find it as bad as i had expected! (i even fit into those jeans which have been too small for years!)

the vomitting and nausea had dissappeared by about day 4, and its been smooth sailing since then!

i saw my surgeon after it was all done and he told me that coca cola was a good way to clear up the gunk which forms on the tonsils, it has something in it which eats it away or something, but anyway, a can of coke seamed to clear up my throat, and it was actually recommended by a specialist!!!! so it worked for me, and is prob worth a shot!

i dont know if i will be able to ever drink coke again in my life though!!!

Special K · 03-07-2008 6:31pm

Hi! I had my tonsils out last July when I was 21. I was in hospital from the Monday to the Friday! I thought I'd be out on the Wed eating jelly and ice cream but no! Back on normal foods they said straight away so that my throat would heal better?! Anyway on the Wednesday my throat started bleeding and it was clotting, worst experience ever! Was swallowing a load of blood and coughing up more! They don't like taking them out in adults but I'm telling ya, best thing ever now they're gone. Hardly get sore throats and the likes at all! It was sore for a good while after but it's all good now! Best of luck anyway!

2cute2worry · 24-07-2008 12:26am

hey to anyone considering getting your tonsills out read below!!!!!

got my tonsills out in febuary was a thursday in the mater private went down to get them out woke up in the recovery room the nurse beside shaking a lady to wake up i was hallucinating remember been in so much pain feel back asleep

re awoke a couple of hours later screaming and then everything went black think i fainted i had a serious allergic reaction to the anastetic couldnt breathe on oxgen on a drip had an ecg for my heart woke up 3 doctors around me and nurses had a rash all over me was allergic to the latex gloves also was in alot of pain was only suppose to be kept there a day ended staying 4 days was the worst experience of my life and doesnt stop there released on sunday back in hospital tues blanch hosp this time with severe chest pains was allergic to the pain killers and was very dehydrated had a collapsed lung was kept for a day on a drip went home next day was starting to feel better when i started bleeding was home alone parents were out had to call my own ambulance panicked blood everywhere back in hospital put on a drip and refered to the mater were i stayed for 4 more days in all i lost a total of 2 stone was very sick missed a month from college went back to college got stressed out during exam time and had panick attacks kept having flash backs of when i bled thinking i was going to die had hypnotheraphy to get over this its only now in july i feel like myself again all in all never been sick before this except for tonsillitis hve been in the hospital 10 times since febuary

true story
(had my health before the operation):eek:

moridin · 24-07-2008 10:12am

Okay... but what you've said has nothing to do with getting your tonsils out. It was caused by an allergic reaction that you had to the drugs you got to knock you out?

I fail to see how this relates to the original post - you could have been having your appendix out or your wisdom teeth removed and the same thing would have happened to you.

2cute2worry · 24-07-2008 1:54pm

well moridin

i have wisdom teeth removed and didnt go threw what i went threw with my tonsills

Special K · 24-07-2008 7:41pm

2cute2worry, could ya at least try to punctuate your post? Very heard to read without full stops! And as said previously, it was an allergic reaction to the drugs, and nothing to do with getting your tonsils out. Unhelpful to the poor OP!

Martly · 24-07-2008 8:51pm

I had my tonsils out when i was 23 and had a bit of a bad experience, like eskimo.
Got them out and was ok,i was eating that night, thought i was fine. The day i was discharged i told the doc i thought i could feel something in my throat like a lump but he said it was just swollen so i went home. The pain gradually got worse and worse and i was feeling really lethargic. When i was taking painkillers i could feel them in my throat fizzing up and not going down..Anyway I finally tried eating something and as soon as i tried swallowing some bread that was it, i was bleeding. I was bleeding for about an hour when i decided i should go back to the hospital, and when i did i was told that a huge clot had formed in my throat. The tried to take it out piece by piece so i wouldnt hemmorage (sp) but couldnt manage it. Eventually at 2am they decided to operate, the anaesthtist had to be called in from his bed (still wearing pj's ha ha). He didnt want to operate (suprise suprise) and kept asking how much blood did i think i had swallowed? 10ml? 20ml? Cos if it was more than 20ml he couldnt operate..How should i know? At the time of him asking i was holding a bowl under my chin with blood spilling into it..
Anyway the 2nd op was worse, cos they had to scrape the clot away etc..Apparantly that only happens in 2% of cases tho..And i have weak membranes in my mouth anyway..

All in all im delighted i had my tonsils out anyway, i never get throat infections anymore and my overall health is way better..

eskimo · 25-07-2008 3:57am

2cute2worry wrote: »

hey to anyone considering getting your tonsills out read below!!!!!

got my tonsills out in febuary was a thursday in the mater private went down to get them out woke up in the recovery room the nurse beside shaking a lady to wake up i was hallucinating remember been in so much pain feel back asleep

re awoke a couple of hours later screaming and then everything went black think i fainted i had a serious allergic reaction to the anastetic couldnt breathe on oxgen on a drip had an ecg for my heart woke up 3 doctors around me and nurses had a rash all over me was allergic to the latex gloves also was in alot of pain was only suppose to be kept there a day ended staying 4 days was the worst experience of my life and doesnt stop there released on sunday back in hospital tues blanch hosp this time with severe chest pains was allergic to the pain killers and was very dehydrated had a collapsed lung was kept for a day on a drip went home next day was starting to feel better when i started bleeding was home alone parents were out had to call my own ambulance panicked blood everywhere back in hospital put on a drip and refered to the mater were i stayed for 4 more days in all i lost a total of 2 stone was very sick missed a month from college went back to college got stressed out during exam time and had panick attacks kept having flash backs of when i bled thinking i was going to die had hypnotheraphy to get over this its only now in july i feel like myself again all in all never been sick before this except for tonsillitis hve been in the hospital 10 times since febuary

true story
(had my health before the operation):eek:

What has your allergy to an anaesthetic and painkillers got to do with a tonsillectomy? Nothing. Please think before you speak; do you've any idea how many people you could have completely freaked out with your ridiculousness??

If you're getting your tonsils out, please be fully aware that this person's experience is completely unrelated to the actual removal of the tonsils! If you want to get an allergy test done before the operation, then do.

2cute2worry · 25-07-2008 9:52am

well the actual removal of my tonsills wasn't a pleasent experience i bleed and that had Nothing to do with been allergic to any anastetic. That morning 3 people including myself had tonsills removed the following week 2/3 had returned bleeding the surgeon apologised said this usually doesn't happen, i understand it wasn't personally his fault it was nobodies fault everyones body is different. some bleed some dont.

And what is up with everyone jumping down my throath with there crude remarks im only telling about my own personal experience also, people should be informed about all sides and listen no operation is Simple and straight forward...:p:p:p:p

moridin · 25-07-2008 10:12am

I'm afraid I don't see any crude remarks, we pointed out that you were talking about something which was not related specifically to the tonsillectomy operation.

Yes, you'll bleed. Everyone bleeds to some extent, you've had a part of you cut out and there's a wound in your throat. But it heals. Your post was about an allergic reaction, not being able to breathe, and a collapsed lung. Can we let this die now so the thread remains useful please?

2cute2worry · 25-07-2008 11:30am

dehydration is related to after surgery recovery and breathing difficuities well as just like you said you have had a part of you cut out of you your throath, so infact this is in perfect relation.

all i was doing was talking about my personal experience well isn't what this discussion is all about in anyway.

LegacyUser · 25-07-2008 11:45am

So I am on day 5 of recovery. This week so far has been pretty tough, but it's not the end of the world. I will go day by day

Also, I'm 18 years old, weigh 120 lbs, and had several bouts of tonsilitis before my surgery.

Surgery- It was actually pretty cool. Walked in, signed some papers, and went under. I can't believe all the bad experiences people had going under, mine was very smooth. I woke up and felt absolutely fine. I went home and didn't do much, I still was woozy from the drugs. I slept well that night, with a low pain level.

Day 2- Still not too much pain. Slept a lot. Taking my perscribed percocet every four hours. Eating soup and ramen noodles.

Day 3- Okay day. Awful night. The regular digesting of percocet gave me a migrane that night, and the headache was worse than the throat pain. I cut back on the percocet due to the intense headaches.

Day 4- Pretty bad pain-wise. My throat is really sore, and I am having trouble talking. Swallowing is a task, and sometimes I just spit out my saliva. Lots of ear pain as well.

Day 5- Day I'm on. It's morning, and I feel quite awful. I beleive today will be the worst for the pain. Everything is swollen, and my scabs are getting ready to fall off. The ear pain is terrible as well. I think things will get better after today. *knock on wood*

THINGS I HAVE LEARNED SO FAR
* It is quite normal to not poop for a couple of days, due to the pain killers. I just pooped for the first time this morning.
*Be careful with pain meds, after taking them so reguarly you may develop some awful headaches or tummy aches. If this happens, try streching out the time inbetween taking them, and replace a couple of doses with regular Tylenol.
*Ice cream isn't necessarily the answer. I found that ice cream was too cold on my throat and made the pain more intense. Try lukewarm things, I found my favorite thing was Ramen Noodle chicken brother to drink. It was refreshing and had nutrients in it.
*Don't smoke. Obvious.
* Don't expect to heal the same rate as others. Everyone has different recovery times, which is why some people are misersable for weeks and some are back on their feet in four days. Age is a huge factor. The younger, the quicker to recover.
* Drink water, seriously. Drink it like you'll never see it again.
* Rent lots of movies, or get them for free from your local library.

Remember it will be over, and it will be worth it.

Hope I helped,
Caitlin.

LegacyUser · 15-08-2008 10:18pm

I'm on day 4 of my recovery. Despite the horrific stories, the pain has been bearable, but then again painkillers have made it A LOT easier to cope with. It feels extremely similar to having tonsillitis in my opinion.

The actual operation itself wasn't too bad; I'd never had surgery before so it was all new to me. Before I went under I was given some painkillers, an anti-inflammatory pill and a drug that would make me woozy. Being put under anaesthetic was quite strange, I remember being injected with a syringe of milky fluid (the anaesthetic), I don't remember falling asleep, but my memory after that is blank. I awoke about an hour later in the recovery room feeling quite sore and dazed.

Unlike other stories I've read, I was soon eating after my operation. I was told that I could either have ice-cream, which would do nothing but soothe the pain, or I could eat rough food, which was painful but would flush down the scabs and speed up the recovery time.

During the next few days after my tonsillectomy, I experienced gum pain, earache, and a stiff jaw along with the throat pain. After the operation things usually get worse before they get better I have to admit. I've heard that after 10 days you should begin to bounce back

although I'd take it easy for about 2 weeks so you can fully recover.

Here are a few things that have helped me so far:
+Drink plenty of fluids to keep your throat moist
+Eat about 30mins after taking your painkillers as it will make food easier to swallow
+Make sure your freezer is topped up with many ice-cubes to cool your drinks!
+Chew gum to loosen a stiff jaw
+Try to stay clear of acidic drinks as they sting like hell!

Hope this has helped!
Rachel

My name is URL · 29-08-2008 10:59am

25 year old male

I had mine taken out in the Beacon Hospital 2 days ago, the pain was certainly more aggressive than I thought it would be. The meds make it bearable but do wear off quite fast, especially at night, and if your finding it hard to sleep it can be hell. Thankfully my surgeon prescribed some sleeping tablets for such an eventuality.

My advice is to use Diflam oral rinse, chew gum, take the meds at regular intervals and sip constantly on cool but not ice water (ice water will cause the throat to spasm).

Eating is tough at first, but I was able to manage a steak and mushroom pie and beef straganof in the hospital the day after the op, avoid spicy, salty or dairy foods, esp ice-cream. It's a myth that it helps, in fact it causes spasms and produces phlegm which in turn induces coughing which ain't too pleasant.

Im expecting the pain to get worse before it gets better, as per what everyone has told me.

Another thing that happened me after surgery was that I was literally unable to pass urine which is cause for concern but somewhat common after general anesthetic or during times of pain, as the body goes into minor shock and some organs slow down as a mechanism for survival. Thankfully the doctors decided to alleviate the problem by giving me a Valium (Diazepam) rather than insert a catheter which I was dreading tbh.

RugbyFan · 30-08-2008 10:01pm

Hi all, ( wife of rugby fan aged 32)

Im just on day 6 since my tonsillectomy and the pain in my ears and throat is unbearable.I was supposed to come home 2 days after op but I had two bleeding episodes which kept me in hospital a bit longer than expected. I am really hoping that it will all be worth it in the long run and goodbye to tonsillitis. I am drinking and eating, the doctor encouraged the eating to get muscles working again Its really important to take painkillers before eating in order to be able to eat!

Caroline19 · 01-09-2008 1:00pm

I ad my tonsil out on the 7th of August..was in hospital for four days after the Op...Had a reaction to the general anaestic which left me on a nebuliser for three days on and off and feeling very sick.

The pain levels were ok..was on pain killers for over two weeks, had to back GP as the hospital only gave me enough for two days, dunno why...
Didn't really eat until day three and at that it was only rice krispies...and ice-cream...the only thing was that I found myself increasingly thirsty but found it difficult to drink....

Have to say it was well worth the wait...this is just my particular story...

wschrader66@hot · 03-09-2008 11:01pm

I just had my tonsil removed yesterday 9/2/2008. Only major pain I felt was when I 1st woke up, and after some killer pain meds it went away. I'm 41 years old, and I want to know if the pain gets worse after about day 4 or so? hear all kinds of horror stories after the first few days?
Any insight would be helpful
William:pac:

My name is URL · 04-09-2008 10:48am

wschrader66@hot wrote: »

I just had my tonsil removed yesterday 9/2/2008. Only major pain I felt was when I 1st woke up, and after some killer pain meds it went away. I'm 41 years old, and I want to know if the pain gets worse after about day 4 or so? hear all kinds of horror stories after the first few days?
Any insight would be helpful
William:pac:

Yeah, once the scabs begin to form and fall off it gets really painful, especially in the ears and neck, it's almost unbearable for me today. Im on day 8 post op. Just keep eating, I ate very little up until now and I regret it, it's important to keep the scabs soft and small. But yeah, the pain is 10 times worse now than it was a day after surgery, for me at least.

Good luck

Caroline19 · 04-09-2008 10:54am

It's not that bad....So long as you take the painkillers at the right times then you will be grand...:)

xzanti · 04-09-2008 11:05am

moridin wrote: »

I had mine out this time last year, at 25. Took about 2 weeks to recover. For me, it was very very bloody sore - the painkillers I got weren't enough and wore off far too quickly.

Initial pain is sore-ish, but about a week later it gets worse. Make sure that you get enough painkillers and if you start running through them faster than you're supposed to talk to your doc!

Eating foods like toast etc is supposed to be better as it stimulates the area and encourages healing.

Oh, and get some breath mints for week 2, you'll probably need 'em

Overall, it's well worth getting done - last winter I think I got sick once, as opposed to 4 or 5 times

Yep, same for me.. I'd mine out at 23, felt grand upon release from the hospital, probably cause I was still dosed up on Morphine... I was eating a carvery lunch on my way home from hospital, not a bother to me.. but after a few days the pain did kick in and as said above, the pain killers are NOT strong enough, I was given Tilex and Dyfene.. The Tilex just made me sleep and the Dyfene was an anti inflammatory.. They helped a bit.. Talking was ok but if I talked for too long my throat would go into spasm which was horrible.. I remember the day I swallowed my scar tissue while eating weetabix, took me a few minutes to realise what had happened, that was pleasant.. But the pain seemed to go after that.. I'd say I was out of action for about a week and a half.. Got 2 weeks off work though \O/..

Overall though it is worth it, I haven't had a sore throat since, don't miss the misery...

eskimo · 07-09-2008 12:41am

I have to say I'm fairly surprised by all the reports of pain after the op. I didn't feel any pain for the first few days after the operation, but about a week into it I was sometimes in tears with the pain. But I knew it would pass so I didn't let it bother me too much. The painkillers did the best they could but it often wasn't enough. We're all able to handle some pain here and there though! So it's nothing to worry about.

Best of luck to all of you who had your tonsils out recently! You'll be back to normal in no time. And remember - NO MORE TONSILLITIS!!! :-D

LegacyUser · 14-09-2008 4:33pm

I had mine out on wednesday the 10th sept i found the op ok i was up and talking and eating by lunch time that day but last night was the worst night ever waking up every 2-3 hours as i was in so much pain, my mouth is all swoolen and eating is next to impossible, if this pain gets any worse i will crack up i didnt really know what to expect from the op really the only thing that is keeping me going is that i wont be as sick as i have been for the last few years and work will be happy to as i wont be out sick much any more

, i cant eat icecream and everyone is shocked at that but i find that im very phlemy(sp) after it im drinking water constantly have a bottle next to me, i think the pain killers i got though are not worth anything i got difine (sp) and i dont get any relief from them at all i get more relief from paracetomol then them but the effects of paraetomol does not last long thats the only thing, reading this thread has really helped me to kinda understand what to expect over the next few days thanks a million lads and ladies

LegacyUser · 17-09-2008 2:51pm

hey all,

I know this is an old thread and that the girl who was wrote it first has had her operation etc by now. I guess I just wanted to write my experience. I had my tonsils out on the 11th so today is a week. I really thought I had made the biggest mistake of my life. I spent the last few days being really upset feeling rubbish and pretty much not speaking. But I noticed the last 2 nights its like a weight has been lifted. Yes in the morning the pain is back. Yesterday morning was just as painful as ever. I swear its like having razors in your mouth the pain gets so bad. But last night the pain just went poof, gone. I woke up today with the familiar its morning Im in pain and need painkillers feeling but the pain today has just been so muted compared to the last week. I dont think the painkillers they give you for the first few days are very good. I think all in all my experience has been one of the better ones. I am 25 so it has taken me longer to heal i figure. I went in had my operation and went home the next day. Couldnt work out what all the fuss was initially because I could eat no problem. Then the pain came and I didnt really eat for a few days. But yup now the cloud is lifted and I really didnt think it would. So my advice to anyone getting them out is oh yeah it hurts and it really really hurts. But once tahts gone after a few days there is a light at the end of the tunnel and you know that you will not have to deal with any of this throat rubbish like you have been every again....

I dont know how anyone smoked post op though, Im a smoker and I love smoking and I just dont have the energy lol didnt even have to bother with patches

Betsie_xr3i · 17-09-2008 4:47pm

im 24 and i had mine out on the 10th september so its a week today and to be honest the 1st 2 days were fine i kept saying to myself " what were people on about when they said id be in pain" but oh god day 3 came the pain i cant eat and to top it off i have a load of ulsers on my tongue now from the antibiotics (sp) i think and they are more uncorfortable then anything now im even concidering going to the doc with them

the only thing that is keeping me going is that when all the pain is gone that i will never be sick with them again woohoo

LegacyUser · 17-09-2008 7:14pm

lol Betsie I am exactly the same I meant to say the 10th above. I was like I dont know how people were in pain I will be fine. Straight after the op in the hospital is fine you can eat and so on but oh my word when the pain comes it comes. I have had other operations and been better in a few days and really hadnt expected this to knock me as it has, I was put out that I would be out of work so long but now I realise I couldnt have gone back yet at all. Here is to a speedy recovery for you and me, Im hoping to hang out out of the house on sat with some mates so Im really hoping to feel much much better

LegacyUser · 08-10-2008 9:24pm

Hi all,

am getting my tonsils out on monday, and am absolutely dreading it!!!!

Am 25years old and this will be my first operation ever!!! Im getting 2 weeks off work to recover, will this be long enough?? All advice greatly appreciated.

C

Tonsillectomy in adults - question about recovery....

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