Nervous about tonsillectomy - Ear, Nose & Throat Message Board

LillY cAt · 03-29-2004, 12:45 PM

i get my tonsils out on 3/26 and am nervous about the pain because everyone says it hurts more for adults than children (im 22)
Any thoughts or suggestions?

ab123 · 03-29-2004, 01:35 PM

Lilly,

I was nervous too. I just had mine out Feb. 27th. I will be 27 this year.

There are alot of people who have posted about their own experiences. They were very helpful to me.

Drink, drink, drink, drink!!! Don't stop!! That is the most important thing!! It was pretty tolerable for me while I was awake. After I would wake up, man, those first few swallows were pretty painful. I would try to time my naps to the pain meds. schedule. Take pain meds, sleep, wake up, take more.

Make sure you are on time for the pain killers. Drink, drink, drink!

The one thing I wish my doctor would have told me is this: When the scab starts to fall off (for my is was at day 6) it possibly may hurt more than what I was experiencing. I was in more pain when the scab started to come off then I was after the surgery. If I knew that ahead of time, I could have prepared for it.

I still have a sore throat and use chloraseptic occassionally. But I am for the most part, back to normal.

Any other questions, let me know. If not, good luck. Hope it goes well for you!

Amy

alleycat · 03-29-2004, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LillY cAt

i get my tonsils out on 3/26 and am nervous about the pain because everyone says it hurts more for adults than children (im 22)
Any thoughts or suggestions?

I had my tonsils out back in december at the age of 18. I guess it all depends on how well you tolerate pain there was some people who had theres taken out at age 32 and I had a worse time than they did.

LillY cAt · 03-29-2004, 06:37 PM

Thank you guys for replying to me!!!
I will absolutley follow your advice.
Theres a SCAB that falls off??
Does it fall off in your mouth or do u just kind of swallow it? What does it look like?
WOuld chewing gum or sucking on candy help the pain at all?
Does it hurt so bad that you cant to anything?? Like worse than a toothache?

What about brushing your teeth?? Is it hard to open your mouth to floss?
Do you get stitches in your throat?? Did you throw up at all, and if so, what about that area??
Do you feel healthier in general after having them out (i dont mean less tonsilitis - i mean like more energy and just a better feeling overall??)
And this is probably a weird question - but did anyone ask if they could keep theirs? I know this is probably gross, but i want to dissect mine (I'm a pre-med student - not a weirdo). I don't know if they would let me because its a body part. Just seeing if anyone else asked because I don't want to look stupid if it's against the law or something.

Sorry for asking so many questions, my ENT barley went over anything with me ( he's a busy man) so Im kinda in the dark here.

ab123 · 03-30-2004, 06:18 AM

I did ask if I could have mine. My ENT said he had to sent them out to pathilogy, I believe. HE!! HE!!

No stitches. Mine were cut out. The area was burned while he was cutting, cauterization. Yes, there was a huge scab. Extremely gross looking. Disturbing in a way. But I couldn't stop looking at it. HA! I kinda spit some out. But most of it, I guess I swallowed. I didn't notice it was coming off until after the fact and it burned like crazy.

It is hard to open your mouth to brush your teeth and all. Just try to do the best you can.

Chewing gum helps to work the muscles back there. I could not yawn it hurt so bad. It made my crazy!! Gum chewing has loosen it up. I still can't get a good yawn in. And sneezing hurt too!

No, I never threw up. Some people do. I can only imagine how awful that must feel. Alleycat, did you get sick?

I never had any bleeding afterwards either. I was lucky.

It's different than a toothache. At least that's how I compare the two. I had no energy to really do anything. I would be able to get my broth or a drink. But nothing strenous. I took a nap almost every day for 9 days. I was just drained. I would take a shower, and feel a little better, but when I sat down, forget it!! I was done!!

I had mine out because of tonsil stones. So I can't say I feel healthier. I just will never have to pick those things out. I still get real tired at the end of the day. Can't say if that's lingering from the surgery or from my MS. It could be both.

Your doctor really should take the time to answer your questions. But we can help. Also, before your surgery the nurses and the anestesiologist should talk with you to tell you what to expect. I was told I would have a breathing tube in an dit would be removed right as I was waking up. Some people have vaseline or tape over their eyes. I understand that can be scary if you don't know ahead of time, and try to open your eyes.

Hope that helps. Any more questions, let us know!

Amy