Hi everyone----I am a 32 year old female. I am having my tonsils out on November 27 ( a day after my birthday). I am scared to death because I a big baby when it comes to pain. I will be staying with my parents while I recover. I have a question about taking current medications after the surgery. I am on birth control pills and was wondering if any female has had problems taking them after the surgery....please let m know.
I also want to thank everyone who has posted their stories on the board. I have been reading them since I found out I had to have mine out about a month ago and I feel I am prepared now ( If that is possible). Thanks so much:)

Hi,

I had no problems continuing with the pill after the surgery. My ENT doctor said just to keep on as usual, and b/c theya re small, even immediately after the surgery they were not a problem. Good luck!

Jillolina

Thank you so much for your reply... I was just worried because even now I have trouble swallowing them sometimes. Thanks bunches:)

Some antibiotics reduce the effectiveness of the pill, so that would probably be your only concern since your DR will likely put you on antibiotics after surgery.

Best wishes!

Tomorrow, Nov 14, will make 4 weeks since my tonsillectomy, and only about.. 4 days ago was I able to begin swallowing my meds again semi-comfortably.

I have interstitial cystitis (lifelong inflammation of the bladder) and couldn't take my Elmiron for 3 weeks, and I also had to d/c birth control, because I just couldn't get any pills down. My throat was so swollen, and the pills would just sit at the back of my throat. Even though I'd drink tons of water to get it down, sometimes the water would just make me gag, and the pill would come back up.

I'm sure I'm probably the exception to the majority, but you might want to consider stocking up on backup methods in case you're unable to swallow pills, as I was. Right now, I'm just waiting for my period to get here so I can start the pill again, but it seems to be taking its time...

Good luck, and remember, we're all here to listen. I was a big baby about the pain, too - but it's not an easy thing to go through. I also just started eating normal food 3 days ago, whereas lots of people are back to eating, sometimes within a few days! Everyone really is different, so hopefully you'll have an easier time of it than I did. :) I found this board when I was miserable with pain and felt like it would never get better. Some hopeful and friendly words from others on the board really helped me to get through.

crush the pills and swallow them in a little jam or youhut?

I was on the pill while i was recovering from tonsillectomy and I didn't have any problems taking them. I agree about the backup method for while you're on the antibiotics, and I would reccommend being safe for at least another cycle after using them just to be on the safe side.

That being said, however, I can tell you with all certainty that you may experience enough discomfort during your recovery that the last thing you will even think about it sex. It hurts, like a lot, to recover from this surgery. It's one of the most painful recoveries of any that an adult has to go through. So I highly doubt that you'll be at all in the mood anyway while you're in the recovery period.

I think you are going to be in such discomfort that you wont really wanna give yourself a reason to be using the pill during the recovery.
Thats just my thought. Just remember, whatever it is you go through, it just gets better from there.

I think you are going to be in such discomfort that you wont really wanna give yourself a reason to be using the pill during the recovery.

HOWEVER, you should definitely keep taking your birth control pill, even if you're not planning to have sex. Because if you stop taking it suddenly, then you'll bring on a withdrawal bleed. I was not keen on having to have my period while recovering from this thing so I kept taking my pills. It was definitely the right choice.

So, while you will not be in the mood for anything, it's still necessary to keep taking your pill to make sure you don't bring on a withdrawal bleed.

Thanks so much for everyones input. I really appreciate the comments. Ya'll are really a great help