24 and about to have a Tonsillectomy-HELP

I'M_so_scared · 11-25-2006, 03:51 PM

Hey guys,
I am new to this board so I will first introduce myself. My name is Christy and I am 24 years old. I work at the hospital here in my town. I currently live in Goldsboro, NC. Now the scary stuff, I am about to undergo a tonsillectomy in 12 days from today. I am so scared I dont know what to do, especially after all I have read on this board. Now I am almost thinking about cancelling it b/c I dont have a very high tolerance for pain. But I have had tonsil stones for the past 8 years and am consantly on a day to day basis haveing to dig food particles out. I get sore throats about once avery 2 months and strep about 4-5 times a year. My question is- Is this surgery worth all this pain? How long will I be in pain for? How long should I take off of work? PLEASE SOMEBODY HELP!!!

aussie_jono · 11-26-2006, 01:48 AM

Start taking a multivitamin, a zinc supplement (25mg) and a vitamin c supplement (250mg) every day with food right away, they speed healing quite considerably

Buy some benzocain lozonges (Cepacol or any other brand), these will numb the throat quite effectively after your surgery.

Ask your doctor about post operative analgesia - you dont need to put up with pain, modern analgesics can effectively releive it.

butrfligirl28 · 11-26-2006, 11:49 AM

Talk to your doctor about pain control. It sounds like you need the operation, so don't back out. I had mine out when I was 20. I am not going to lie to you, it is very painful. I would suggest that they keep you overnight for pain control, and for any nausea you may experience. Also, make sure you get a liquid pain med. I took demerol, and I believe you need something that strong. I have heard of people doing it with liquid Lortab, which is much weaker. I would not have it done with Lortab. Talk with your doctor about your concerns, and make sure they will work with you. I wish you all the best!

I'M_so_scared · 11-26-2006, 06:27 PM

Thanks guys for all your help. anyone else have any suggestions?

aussie_jono · 11-26-2006, 11:56 PM

Dont worry about the pain - modern analgesics can deal with it.

for postoperative pain, NSAID's provide very good releif, especialy when combined with an opoid (ie, ibuprofen +/- Vicodin, Lortab, tylenol with Codeine)

Make sure to have some Benzocaine lozonges on hand!