jess-
I was beginning to wonder if you'd fallen off the face of the earth. :)

My doctor prescribed tylenol with codeine. It better work just as well!!
I took Lortab when I got my wisdom teeth taken out and I could barely function. It made me so dizzy all of the time unless I was laying down and I was completely still. I still have some of the pills left, actually. A few days after they switched me to Darvocet which didn't make me as nauseated...but its not as potent. I guess if the Tylenol 3 doesn't kick the pain, I'll just call and yell at them and have them give me something else. Although i already PAID for that huge JUG of tylenol with codeine!

I went to WalMart today and got a liquid medicine measurer/dispenser. They were over with all of the infant stuff like snot suckers. It was quite lovely. The one we have from when I was a child has all of the numbers worn off of it.

For everyone who is having one or going through recovery - there IS life after a tonsillectomy!!!
I am 37 and had mine 2 summers ago at 35. Let me tell you - I thought I would die the first week, second week was better but still painful and by the three week doing ok.
Two years later - no sore throat EVER AGAIN - it is so wonderful!!!!!! I have NO problems with colds anymore and I hardly ever have allergy issues either! Do it - and a month later you will have the rest of your life throat-pain free!!!!!!
Now, not only was old (as everyone had to tell me - thanks!), I also bit both sides of my tongue during recovery - so that had to heal too.
I was so disappointed that I was in so much pain coming out of recovery and the other younger people in recovery (in their 20s) were sitting up and seemed to be doing so much better. Kinda funny that at the one week checkup, I saw one of these spucky 20-something guy from the recovery room. He looked at me and told me he was dying. When I told him I was too - we both kinda laughed. But I bet he is SO GLAD he did it too now!!!!
Remember a 2 week bad time for a lifetime of health - you can't beat that!
I survived on several different dosages of hydrocodone and took them on time regardless if I was hurting - so I sometimes caught it BEFORE the pain could return.
I ate cream of wheat the second week and lived off the Cremesavers pudding and popsicles the first week. I did lose around 6-8 pounds those two weeks - wish it had been more, but once you're not hurting - you want to eat it all again!
Once again, just thought I would post and let you know - IT WAS WORTH IT!
hrtofluv (can find me on the bone board if you have questions)
P.S. I also had sinus surgery and think I was the first patient my ENT had done the surgery on (back in 1984 at 18). HORRIBLE - (I almost bleed to death, but I have a platelet disorder too) and it didn't do anything for my sinuses! Getting the tonsils out has helped me more with allergies than the sinus surgery. My BIL also had this done just last year at 40 and it has worked for him! Like one poster mentioned - check your surgeon and see their track record first!
GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE! Wishing you all easy breathing and swallowing!

hrtofluv - I noticed you were saying that having your tonsils out helped with allergy issues, how does that help? My doctor had mentioned that to me. He said first get your tonsils out and then we will talk about allergy shots. It's been three weeks now so I guess when I go back on the next doc. visit, he will let me know. I was just wondering how getting your tonsils out helps your allergies. By the way, I'm 42 and you're exactly right, week one - AWFUL, and week two - better and I'm on week 3 and back to work and doing better, still healing though. :)

Kelly

Hey guys...I have the same issues with allergies. I think the reason why it will help is because whenever my allergies are bad, everything swells up and gets infected (tonsils and ears). I started my allergy shots a couple of months ago and I scheduled my tonsillectomy a few weeks ago. I haven't had really bad sore throats....just an annoyance, really. And when my ear canals are swollen its REALLY frustrating. I'm beginning to think that they're swollen now. I just got back from the pool and I can hear and feel the water moving around in my left ear. Any suggestions on how to get it out safely?? I'm about to lose my mind.

Well, Matt is getting his surgery today! (You'll never have to see those nasty things ever again.) :) I hope everything is o.k. I'll be praying for you Matt, and hoping to hear from you soon...
Christine

Hi sarakay444

I am getting my tonsils out a few weeks after you are, so we are in the same boat. (unfortunately..) Do you know what type of procedure they are using on you? I am getting it done with coblation. I have been such a basket case over this, but I just try to think positive thoughts and I also try not to read all of those horror stories of recovery! I've gotten a lot of good tips from this board too. How are you dealing with the stress of it all (if there is any?) Well I hope that your operation goes smooth and especially your recovery.

Christine

hello everyone....back from surgery around 130...its now 815......well.......the pain on the left side of my throat is excruiating, but thankfully only when i swallow...im on liquod lortab, which hasnt helped so far.....I am very nervous, as I cannot speak (have to write everything on a pad), and i feel like i am getting an excessive ammount of mucus in the back of my throat which i cannot cough up...is this normal?????Right now, im not sure if this thing is worse or better than what i expected..im having a tough time, ill keep u updated....any respnose at all from anyone would really help lift my spirits...thanks

Matt

Someone earlier mentioned something about taking tylenol adult liquid in between doses of lortab and getting some losenges. I'm not too sure if that will help for you though. Did they give you anything other than lortab after the surgery? Maybe drinking fluids will help wash the mucous down. I hope that you get through this as painless as possible. Do you have any help?

my dad just picked up childrens liquid tylenol....all he could find.....i got help from both of my parents so thats all taken care of ......it feels extremely swollen...and is this not being able to speak thing normal????

All they gave me was lortab...all though they said if it doesnt work to call back and he can give me something called roxicet..said its what he gives cancer patients...so its gotta be stronger...

The adult tylenol liquid is in the cold/allergy isle. It's called Tylenol sore throat. I don't know how you're feeling yet because I haven't had my surgery yet. However, I already went out and bought a warm mist humidifiier, ice pack for neck, tylenol sore throat, heat pads for ears,etc. The people that previously posted say all these things really help out. Maybe call your Dr. for steroids and put ice packs on your throat for swelling. Hope these things help you out.

Matt ~ I was thinking all along that I had Lortab when I had my tonsils out a year ago, but when you mentioned Roxicet that sounded familiar so I went and got my bottle out of the fridge (still has a little bit in it that I never finished from my 2nd bottle) and its Roxicet, so I had that instead of Lortab (dont know why I was thinking that is what I had) ANYWAY call your doctor and ask for the Roxicet if the Lortab isnt helping, it's AWESOME!!! it helped me so much! and gave me a very happy feeling also (lol) I think someone said Lortab is hydrocodone (???) this Roxicet says Oxycodone Hydrochloride and Acetaminophen ~ I highly recommend it!!! I took 2 teaspoons every 4 hours and then waited about 10-15 minutes for it to kick in then I'd eat something soft (like yogurt or jello or soft mashed potatoes) or else it made me feel nauseous ~ but if you eat about 15 minutes after taking it like I said, it's pretty easy to get food down cuz it really helps the pain and then you feel REALLY good! :) and you dont feel nauseous ~ good luck!!!
oh and I had lots of mucous too for a couple weeks ~ its just cuz its healing in there

Matt,

I had my surgery three weeks ago and when I first woke up, I could feel that mucus also in my throat. You will have that mucus for a little while. I wasn't in excruciating pain. The way my doctor did it (I had coblation) was I had it that morning and went home the next day so they could give me steroids in the IV, I got several doses which is for swelling and they also gave me about four doses to take at home. He also said since I'm an adult, he likes to keep his adult patient's overnight just to observe. I don't know how much Lortab you are taking but they had to up my dose because what they were giving me in the hospital and at home was not strong enough. They also sent me home with a prescription of antibiotics. But this is your first day, you are not going to feel well but you shouldn't have to hurt either. Might want to call the doctor. The Lortab I had also numbed my throat. Be sure to take it on time every time. When you go to sleep, set your alarm to get up and take it when it's time. You want to keep that pain medicine in you. The first week is rough but it gets better, hang in there.

Kelly

oh yeah, and like stine said, the ice packs on your neck really help the swelling and keep drinking lots and lots of water ~ I liked ice cold water, but some people say they didnt like it too cold or it burned, just have to see what works best for you

Needssomehelpbad,

Hey,

Glad to see you're home. I had to take Lortab 10 AND Demerol for pain control. So, yes, call your doc if you haven't already....there is no need to suffer needlessly. My 4 year old granddaughter who weighs 40 pounds was given Lortab 7.5 and parents had to supplement that with the liquid Tylenol.

Hope you feel better soon!
Cathy

Umm, hello everyone. My name is Heather. I'm 26, live in Texas and just had my tonsils and adenoids removed on June 30th. I really need some support here. It has been a horrible experience. I was hospitalized the day after for severe dehydration and nausea. I have tried reading through all 7 of you guys' pages but I am so tired and still so sick that I just can't. Please, if any one is on right now. Tell me why I am up at 5.30am in the morning, 12 days after surgery and miserable still.

Hi everyone--
I tried posting the other day but it didn't go through that I can see. Sorry if this is a duplicate.

I have my tonsillectomy scheduled for August 25. I am also having endoscopic sinus surgery done at the same time, including fixing a deviated septum. I have a few questions:

1. Has anyone had their tonsillectomy done at the same time as other procedures? What was that like?

2. I know everyone says two weeks, but I am taking Thursday the 25th through September the 5th or 6th which would only be 11-12 days. Think I can make it? I am gambling on being relatively young and healthy. I am 27 years old. . .and my Mom is a nurse and she'll be helping with my recovery so I know she'll keep my pain managed and make sure I stay hydrated and nourished properly, whether I want to or not!

3. how long has it been since your surgeries? Do you notice any difference? Was it worth it? Do you take less antibiotics and miss fewer days of work? As I type this, I have a hugely sore throat and ears, and a ginormous sinus headache, so I figure it can't be worse;) I am a little scared reading some of these posts and desperately want reassurance that all this suffering will make me better!

Thanks, and happy healing to all of you,
EBeth

hi, i just joined tonight. my surgery was june 30th and have had a very very bad experience, including being hospitalized the day after. BUT, the reason i am responding is in response to your rhinoplasty procedure. I had that done in Jan. of 2002. I also had a deviated septum. Man, I can tell you that for that first year, I still had sinus infections but 3 years later, a new ENT just took my tonsils so I am very hopeful that I will not be "sickly" all the time in the coming month. I do caution you about having both of them done at the same time. You will NOT be able to breathe out of your nose for awhile and getting your tonsils taken at the same time is a BAD IDEA. You need your nose to be clear and healthy when you get your tonsils out b/c it will be swollen the first few days b/c of adenoids removal. But after that, you really dont want to breathe through your throat. TRUST ME. I wake up every time, 8 days so far, with severe pain from mouth breathing on top of the tonsilectomy pain. Please reconsider this. Rhinoplasty and fixing a deviated septum is a very serious surgery. I should know, I've had both now in less than 3 years, but there is no way in hell that i'd ever would have had them both at the same time, looking back. Btw, I am 26 too, but the healing process is a pain in the butt b/c we arent kids anymore.

Hi Heather,

I am sorry to hear that you are having a tough time. I just had my tonsil surgery on June 17th. It is a tough surgery for adults. I am 30 yrs old and still recovering from it. It does get better, it just takes some time. I think the worst time for me was from day 8-14. After day 14, things got better. I am on day 21 and still a bit sore with swallowing but it is better. The pain will get worse before you start losing scabs. Once the scabs fall off, the pain is alot less.

I was also admitted to the ER two days after surgery for dehdration. They loaded me up with fluids and steriods in the ER then sent me home. I was then admitted to the hospital around day 9 for bleeding.

The best thing that you can do is to take pain meds and get fluids down. I think the first two weeks after surgery, I didn't sleep much at all. I slept 3-4 hours at a time. You might want to try sleeping propped up with pillows or on a recliner.

Did your ENT give you steriods to take? If so, take them in the morning. That can explain why you might be up. If not, I would ask your ENT about getting some prescribed to you. They really helped me out in bringing down the swallowing so that I can get fluids down.

Take care, it does get better
thefer

firefly214

Hi, I was just wondering what meds they have you on? I've heard that dehydration and poor nutrition can lead to more pain and become a vicious cycle. Maybe your Dr. can give you something stronger for the pain, which will help you to eat and drink more, and might also help you to sleep better. Just a thought. I really hope that you feel better soon. I will be going through tis next month. :(
Christine

well there are times during the day where this feels like nothing more than a slight sore throat..not much pain..and times where it starts to really hurt, usually towards the end of my lortab dose..i think im going to call the doc and have him re-up me with the roxicet.....i got my speech back a little today and can talk for short periods of time....i feel like the swelling is the biggest problem for me, not the pain...my tongue is sore on both sides, about midway back on it..is this normal? i assume its from clamps or something holding it....but anyhow right now i feel a little better than yesterday, and I almost want to say this isn't as bad as I expected...Ill keep you guys updated..thanks againf or the help

Hi

The first couple days are the roughest, then it does get better. The one thing that I noticed is that part of my tongue was numb. I bit the side of my tongue so many times cause I couldn't feel it. If the swelling is bad, I would call your ENT and ask for steriods. They help alot with the swelling. Also, I would put some ice around the neck.

thefer

firefly,
I can't believe that the Dr. wouldn't give you something else for pain. Maybe you can rotate the adult liquid sore throat medicine between the doses of percocet.Call the pharmacist and see if that would be o.k. Some people on the previous posts said that that did the trick for them. I know it doesn't sound like much, but you can try it. (It is in the cold/allergy isle.) Are you drinking plenty of fluids? Maybe drink Gatoade (it has electrolites to replenish your system.) I hope you start feeling better soon.

Matt

I'm glad to hear that you're doing so well. Everyday that goes by, you get closer to the end of this! :) Hang in there, and keep us posted on your recovery. Good luck to you.

Christine

That sucks that you're in so much pain. I haven't had my surgery yet but I already have my bottle of liquid tylenol with codeine ready to go. I don't know if it will take care of my pain or not but I think different things work for different people. I know that if it's not strong enough, my doctor with give me something else.....at least I'm pretty sure. We didn't really talk about it. Like you, my doctor didn't really explain a whole lot about it. I have no idea which method is being done. I have ten days left but I'm trying to stay positive....I want to be able to go back to work at least 1/2 days on day 7 of my recovery.

Firefly,My Dr. told me to take the adult Tylenol sore throat at the sametime as my pain meds. Is there an ER you can go to for something stronger. You shouldn't be in misery like you are and the Dr. won't give you something different. Tylenol with Codeine didn't do a thing for me and my Dr. changed it to demerol which did the trick.

FYI: Rixocet is liquid percocet so if you are allergic to percocet DON'T take rixocet.

I've been hearing a lot that tylenol with codeine didn't do anything for the pain. I'm sure I will get something different if it won't work, but I'm a poor college kid and I already paid the $20 co pay for the tylenol with codeine so that sucks. I'll have a 16 oz. JUG of that stuff that's worthless. I guess I could save it for a rainy day. :) Does Demerol come in liquid form? I guess I'll give the meds I have a shot when the time comes and if they don't work, I'll have my mom call the doc. I am a little worried because my doc is going out of town right after my surgery. I am going to start a list of questions and concerns and call my doctor next week. I have 10 days left for him to explain all of this and put my mind at ease. Wish me luck.

Firefly,

If you are on Day 10, the pain you are getting is from the scabs falling off. It is a painful process. When mine started falling off and bleed, I was admitted overnight. They had me on morphine through my IV, then oxycodone after that. It is painful. If you are in alot of pain, you should go to the ER. Don't sit and hurt. I read that you have student insurance? Do you have a student health center that you can go to on campus that can give you something else?

thefer

I'm on day 11 and my scabs still havent fallen off, but my throat hurts a little bit more today than usual. I've been eating totally normal though, haven't turned anything down. Be it hard, dry, tough, whatever, and I've been able to manage so far. Hope you're all feeling better, havent read the posts to be more specific, I've missed too too many.

Cheers

Alex

Thanks again for everyone responding. I will try and address all the things you guys have mentioned...

Yes, I have a student health center. The 1 doctor up there is pretty much incompetent. I hate to be so negative towards doctors but as you all must know by now, being "sick" all the time, I have dealt with numerous doctors and feel I should be on my way to a medical degree sometime soon. Ok, anyway, back to the Health Center. They only have hours 9am-5pm, Monday - Friday and I have just driven for the first time tonight (Saturday). Plus, they are in the process of redoing EVERYTHING about anything that goes on up there so that is not an option. PLUS, when I was started getting this sickness in January, they tested me for ***mono*** but I already HAD that when I was 15 and they knew that. DUMB PEOPLE up there. Trust me.

So, with no health center to turn to... The ER was mentioned. First, my insurance is *very* limited. It is not a "major medical" plan but it is the University of Texas school-sponsored insurance and is C-R-A-P, to put it bluntly. The only hospital I know of was where I was hospitalized for dehydration & nausea. I guess I could go there but I just printed my entire policy info out earlier tonight and there are so many restrictions and limitations, I dont know if going to the ER is a good idea.

For the record, my good friend did check my throat tonight w/flashlight. She said she saw 2 very big white things where my tonsils used to be so... NO, I am not losing my scabs... Also, she said my tongue seemed swollen and that my Uvula was almost touching my tongue and was twice as big as usual. Is that normal? I know that my tongue can swell but I didnt think the Uvula was supposed to swell THAT much.

Next, I tried the Percocet 5mg trick w/1 and 1/2 pills twice between 5pm and midnight. No difference in pain. Only difference was a slight light-headedness.

I have a buttload of liquid Hydrocet that doc gave me following surgery at first in my fridge but I had horrible nightmares b/c of it. So I asked him for something non-liquid and different this past Tuesday, hence the Percocet.

I called my dad, crying today, and he looked in his medicine cabinet and found something called (generic version of) Darvon-N. Does anyone know anything about this medicine? I looked on WebMd and it said that Darvon-N is no longer legal in the USA. Huh? My dad said the pills are 2 years old. I dont know what to do. I even called around, asking my friends (in a VERY desperate situation) if they knew anyone who had Lortab, since most of you on here seem to be taking that. One person might come by tomorrow, but this is RIDICULOUS! I am not a bad person, NOT a drug addict, but my doctors keep treating me as if I had leperousy (spelling?) or something!

Please please please someone chat online with me. I am going nuts with myself! It has only been 10 days, I have 4 Percocet left, another check up with my (DUMB BUTT) ENT doctor on Tuesday afternoon @3pm. I am actually considering going up to his office on Monday morning, first thing and THROWING my Percocet at him. I am so frustrated... Please.

Thanks,
~Heather

Heather

I don't know what to tell you about all of that Dr. stuff.... It sounds like you're in a pretty tough situation. Try taking that Tylenol liduid sore throat for adults with your meds- It might surprise you. If it's really bad, then I would just go to the E.R. (regardless of what your insurance covers.) They cannot turn you away, and it would be soooo worth it if you're hurting so badly. (Have them send you a bill.) Other than that, go to your Dr. on Mon. first thing and demand something for your pain and for the swelling. Are you on antibiotics? If not, than you might have an infection. Just get everything cecked out ASAP! Good luck to you.

day 3 for me...and my throat seems to hurt worse than yetserday...this is an up and down struggle....although reading fireflys posts makes me feel a little bad about complaining myself....question though....Is my uvula supposed to be as swollen as mine is? ( at least double its size..feels like something stuck int he back of my throat) also it looks like its pushed over to one side of my throat.....anyhow, i still cant really speak at all, so my mom is callin the doctor right now to see if i can get stronger pain medicine that lasts longer......ive been taking half a dose more than the prescribed lortab so it actually lasts...hopefully ill be able to get that roxicet today....time for another dose of lortab, talk to you guys later..thanks in advance for any response to my questions...

Firefly-
Call you ENT during office hours tomorrow. You should not have to deal with this crap. I can't believe what you're going through. When I was in college, I was on my parents insurance so I never had to deal with the Student Health Center much, but I most agree....they seemed incompetent and I think that's most college health centers. Luckily now that I'm in grad school, I'm working full time so now I have full coverage. I guess it all just depends on how much pain you're in. I understand your reluctance to go to the ER. I do not suggest, however, taking someone else's medication. Its illegal and can be dangerous. If you can hold out until tomorrow, call the ENT as soon as their office opens. I don't have my surgery until next week but I hope its not as bad as you're having. It could be worse, though. You could be in Pensacola, FL right now. :) Do you have Yahoo IM?

yes the swollen uvula is normal ~ mine was also very swollen for quite awhile after my surgery ~ I know its annoying to feel it pushing on your tongue, but it will get better ~ hope you can get the roxicet, let us know ~

firefly, I feel so bad for you! wish you had a more understanding doctor! some are so much better about giving pain meds than others ~ I would go to the ER if I were you ~ hopefully they would send you home with some stronger pain meds ~ or try also taking the Tylenol Sore Throat like Stine said ~ wish there was more we could do to help! I agree with Stine too about getting checked out ASAP to make sure you dont have an infection ~ I hope it gets better for you very soon!!!

Hi Heather,

I am also a student and used the student health center at my University for my throat infections. We have several drs that. I have used a couple of them and they seemed ok. Although, the last infection I got, they tested me for everything eventhough I knew it was another sore throat. All the test came back normal and he told me it was viral. I explained to him that this is the 6th time, I had a sore throat in 3 months and just give me antibiotics. He agreed and then sent me to an ENT. It was nerve wracking to get what I needed.

The swelling around the Uvula is normal. Although, if you are at day 10, I would think it would have gone down some.. Mine was really bad after surgery. I was choking on any liquids. They ended up giving me steriods in the ER cause of the swelling. You might need to ask your ENT for steriods to get the swelling down. I know that once the swelling went down, I was feeling much better.

Needsomehelpbad,

I am glad to hear that your mom is calling your ENT. I was prescribed Roxicet after my tonsil surgery and to be honest, I hated it. I was throwing up on that stuff so much. Plus, I was so out of it and so nausea. We ended up stopping it and switched over to oxycodone, which is a tiny pill that is easy to swallow.

thanks
thefer

Hi Heather,

I am also a student and used the student health center at my University for my throat infections. We have several drs that. I have used a couple of them and they seemed ok. Although, the last infection I got, they tested me for everything eventhough I knew it was another sore throat. All the test came back normal and he told me it was viral. I explained to him that this is the 6th time, I had a sore throat in 3 months and just give me antibiotics. He agreed and then sent me to an ENT. It was nerve wracking to get what I needed.

The swelling around the Uvula is normal. Although, if you are at day 10, I would think it would have gone down some.. Mine was really bad after surgery. I was choking on any liquids. They ended up giving me steriods in the ER cause of the swelling. You might need to ask your ENT for steriods to get the swelling down. I know that once the swelling went down, I was feeling much better.

Needsomehelpbad,

I am glad to hear that your mom is calling your ENT. I was prescribed Roxicet after my tonsil surgery and to be honest, I hated it. I was throwing up on that stuff so much. Plus, I was so out of it and so nausea. We ended up stopping it and switched over to oxycodone, which is a tiny pill that is easy to swallow.

thanks
thefer


I do pretty well on the percocet pills when I used to take them for bad sore throats....long as I ate something....seems liek a lot of people on here complain that roxicet causes vomiting, etc......For those that threw up on the roxicet....how did you react to percocet??(assuming youve ever taken the pill form)???

Matt

I think you'll do fine on roxicet if you tolerated percocet before. Have the Dr. give you something for nausea just in case though. Glad to hear you're having an o.k. recovery so far.

Hi all...there is so much SUPPORT on this forum, I'm so glad I found it! :angel: This past Wednesday I had my tonsils and adenoids removed. So, I'm on day 5 and I had a sweet potato french fry and an ice pop today...woohoo! This was the first type of "solid food" I've had since day 1. I've been drinking water, apple juice, and iced green tea and have been chewing ice chips. I am still in a lot of pain. I'm on a liquid antibiotic and on liquid hydrocodone +aceteminophine (sp?). Taking the anti 2x per day and the painkiller every 3 hours. Here are my concerns (please let me know if they are normal):

--I'm completely grossed out by the white/yellow/green coating on the entire back of my throat and surrounding my uvula. :eek: Is it normal to have such a huge area of nastiness covering that space?

--My ears hurt terribly and I have been using heating pad/hot compresses...anything else I can try?

--My tongue, all the way in the back on both sides, feel like it's been cut. Can't really move it too much, especially to the sides. :p

--I've been brushing my teeth the best I can, but since I seem to have a lock-jaw situation going on, it's been tough getting my mouth clean. Any suggestions?

--I'm EXTREMELY mucusy and am basically hocking up at least once a minute. Anything I can do to reduce the congestion?

Thanks so much for listening and for the advice. Wishing a speedy recovery to every on the board! :D

ps. I hope I'm posting this correctly and it doesn't show up as a reply to someone else...this is my first time!

OriginalCin

Hi, I haven't had my surgery yet, but I have been doing ALOT of research and I've also been reading through all of these posts. (Getting a lot of great advice.) I know that there's some sort of eardrops that you can get a precription for that help numb the ears. I think the tongue pain is probably from the clamp that they used to keep your tongue out of the way. Have you tried to use a baby size tooth brush? It might be easier to fit into your mouth. Sorry I couldn't help you some more... This is just stuff that I've gotten from other people in recovery.

Do the pain meds help your pain at all? I am hoping that they will at least bring my pain down to a tolerable level.

Hope you feel better soon. :)
Christine

OriginalCin,

I had my tonsil surgery a little over 3 weeks ago. Everything that you are experiencing is totally normal. That is great you are able to eat a french fry. I would start with things that are a bit softer like mashed pototoes and gravy, mac and cheese, applesauce etc. Stay away from hard foods.

The white, green, yellow coating is scabs. Once those fall off, it will go to white and and pink areas of skin. I am on that stage now. I still have white areas and areas of pink skin at 3 weeks.

The pain in the ears and jaw are normal. The one thing that I found that worked well is using ice a couple times a day and take the pain meds. I think around day 5, I woke up in the middle of the night with extreme ear pain. It does get better. It might help to sleep reclined, using several pillows. That seemed to help. Also, drink warm fluids. My tongue has been sore since my surgery. It does get better. It still hurts to move it around in my mouth.

Brushing my teeth was a big challenge. I attempted it around day 4. You might want to use mouthwash till you can brush your teeth or go very slow and gentle with a small tooth brush.

I went through at least 8 boxes of kleenex from hacking up the mucus. My ENT says it is normal and not much you can do about it. In the ER, when I had bleeding. My ENT had me rinse with hydrogen peroxide and water. I noticed after that, I had alot less mucus. Like I mentioned earlier, I am now a little over 3 weeks and I am still getting the mucus. It is worse in the mornings when I wake up and after I eat, but it lessens as the day goes on. My ENT claims it is normal and can occur up to a month after removal.. Also, be careful with coughing it up. If you cough it up with force, it can dislodge a scab too early and that can cause bleeding and a trip to the ER. It happened to me.

I hope this helps out some.

thanks
thefer

hi everyone ~ the Roxicet made me throw up and very nauseous at 1st too cuz I wasnt eating anything at 1st ~ the doctor told me if it made me nauseous to make sure to eat something with it and then I shouldnt feel nauseous and that worked great!!! ~ the Roxicet works great if you eat 15 minutes after taking it ~ by then the medicine is kicking in and your throat feels much better so its easier to get the food down, plus like I said eating something shortly after will help so you dont feel nauseous ~ try this, it really worked great for me :)

Cin, I was very mucousy too ~ dont know if you are drinking milk or eating any dairy products, but it is best to stay away from all dairy products for awhile ~ dairy products can make you more mucousy ~ hope this helps! :)

Sorry that I havent responded sooner. Thank you all for your responses and suggestions.

Yes, it is extremely frustrating having to deal with stupid doctors who will not prescribe anything more than Hydrocet (liquid hydrocodone & tylenol) and then after that didnt work, Percocet (in pill form).

I dont think I was very clear on the fact that I am not allergic to Percocet, it just isnt helping. Neither did the Hydrocet liquid. BOTH of these medicines have Tylenol in them so am I wondering why you all are saying to take the adult Tylenol sore throat syrup available at drugstores. If I were to take both a Percocet and the Tylenol sore throat stuff, that would be an extremely high amount of Tylenol which is toxic to my liver (if more than 3,500mg/day). I dont want to hurt my liver guys. Sorry but all of the pain medications available MUST have tylenol (a/k/a acetametaphin <---spelling) added to them, except a select few, OxyContin being one of those.

So, tomorrow, when I get up. What should I ask for at the doctor? It will be day 12 and another friend checked my throat tonight and I still have my tonsil scabs. My check up is scheduled for this Tuesday at 3pm. Should I wait until then to ask for anything? And explain that both medicines he has given me did not work? I have *never* had any luck with taking Tylenol for fevers, headaches, etc., so I did not expect for Percocet to help me. I DID tell him this but he CLAIMS that Percocet is "so strong, be careful taking it." I did not feel tired. For that matter, I did not feel ANY different. Even when I was at the hospital, I was given demoral (spelling?), it did NOTHING, so they switched my IV to Morphine, which helped my lower back (I have scoliosis) feel not so sore but i was in the hospital b/c of my freakin tonsils! I find it quite ironic that the Morphine would help my chronic pain but not even touch the ex-tonsils area pain. Does anyone know why???

Plus, I need to know about alcohol and cigarettes after surgery. Someone told me that if I were to drink a beer, I would get dehydrated right away. I am not saying that I want to go drink NOW, but in the long run, how long do i have to wait? And the same for smoking. I have not had a cigarette in 12 days and am a longtime smoker. How long do I need to wait b/c I have been seriously considering going to the gas station and buying MENTHOL cigarettes to see if THEY would help my throat. I am desperate.

In answer to one person's question, yes I have Yahoo IM. I havent used it in forever but I guess I can re-install it on my computer.

And to the person who suggested going to the ER. I dont think I will b/c I can call my doctor tomorrow. PLUS, sure I can say bill me later, but someone eventually has to pay that and I have $1000.00 to my name right now and even though I am in agonizing throat pain, I cannot go and spend money I do not have. Thank you for your suggestions though.

Please, someone here, do you have AOL IM??? Will you chat with me and explain things if you have gone through this and are well ahead of me on healing? Thank you.

~Heather

P.S. Can someone explain the whole SOFT Palette thing? I can drink fluids for the most part, but either my Uvula or my soft palette are getting in the way and I experience this gagging situation and sometimes the liquid goes up my nose or into my trachea... If it werent for that, and for my tongue feeling as if someone has stabbed it, on the back right side, I think I would be able to eat and drink somewhat normal, well, liquid/soft food that is.

Heather

I understand your concern about overdoing it on the acetaminophen, but I'm sure that if so many other physicians advised on taking the liquid tylenol (along with lortab, vicodin, percocet, etc.) then I'm sure that there would be no exceptions on your account. (Unless your percocet is a stronger Mg.) If you are ever unsure of anything that has to do with meds, you can always call your local pharmacy and talk to a pharmacist. I have always done that when there's no Dr. available.

As far as the beer, I would definately worry more about mixing alcohol with acetaminophen products than mixing two different meds, as it causes severe damage to the liver and kidneys....

Heather

I understand your concern about overdoing it on the acetaminophen, but I'm sure that if so many other physicians advised on taking the liquid tylenol (along with lortab, vicodin, percocet, etc.) then I'm sure that there would be no exceptions on your account. (Unless your percocet is a stronger Mg.) If you are ever unsure of anything that has to do with meds, you can always call your local pharmacy and talk to a pharmacist. I have always done that when there's no Dr. available.

As far as the beer, I would definately worry more about mixing alcohol with acetaminophen products than mixing two different meds, as it causes severe damage to the liver and kidneys....


Hey stine...in response to your inquiry about whether the mediciations will help your pain...Id say they probably will...before i had my surgery iwas SO nervous about pain.....but now, 4 days after surgery I realzied a couple things.....Im actually a little hesistant to say all this, because i dont want to jinx myself, but the pain that Ive experienced at the worst (waking up in the morning) lasts for about 25 minutes and is no worse than the worst sore throat ive ever had...when im on the pain killers the other 80% of the day....the sore throat really isn't anythign worse than a minor pain...and its only when you swallow....so if you dont swallow, then no pain...I have no ear or head pain, or vomiting..thank god.....Just yesterday, 2 1/2 days after surgery, I was eating egg drop soup, scrambled eggs, and even soggy bread in my soup......I went into this surgery hearing all these horror stories and scaring myself silly..but to be perfectly honest with you..aside from the frist 25 minutes of the morning, and a few short times during the day, this is "almost" a pleasant experience....being able to sit around on the couch all day, in a daze on the painkillers....I can definatly think of worse things....Hopefully, my condition will not get worse, but assuming it doesnt.......this really isn't bad at all....so to anyone out there who was like me before a surgery...relax, its not bad

This thread is continued here:

http://www.healthboards.com/boards/showthread.php?t=302869

Thank you.

Moderator BAC