POST TONSILLECTOMY SURGERY AND ACUTE EAR ACHES

Guest · Guest

Haha. I just had my tonsils out on the 6th, and I am still feeling horrible. Between today and yesterday, (12th and 13th) I developed this thing where everytime I swallow now I am also swallowing a large gulp of air. WHAT IS THIS ABOUT? as if swallowing tiny sips of water were not painful enough, I now have to feel like I am swallowing huge fish fillets along with that sip. any suggestions? Cause I am down right dying. Honestly, I feel like doctors down talk this procedure, and then smash you in the face with a frying pan.

Ovloy · Newbie Joined: 12 Apr 2007 Posts: 3

I have had same issue with swallowing a lot of air. Obviously I struggle a lot to swallow after the tonsillectomy (about 6 days ago) so I find I do swallow a lot of air.

My only advice would be: don't fight the urge to burp! I've apologised to my family already as I am not usually a burper, but letting the air come back up makes life more comfortable.

More advice to post-tonsillectomy readers: if you can fight it then DO NOT SNEEZE! I sneezed without thinking on Day 5 post-op and my god it hurt. Sad

I'm now on Day 6, and the stories I've read are true, it really does hurt as now my scabs are cracking. I couldnt manage scrambled eggs for breakfast but was treated to a milkshake which was very soothing. My scabs could be worse though - I made an effort to eat abrasive food (toast, crunchy cereal, hash browns) when I could manage it up to day 5 and it has helped me. Whatever you do DONT DRINK ORANGE JUICE. Big mistake, had to take extra painkillers after that.

Also, someone asked the question earlier about when is it okay to start brushing your teeth again? My doctor told me: as soon as you can. I brushed mine 8 hours after the op.

RobF · Posted: 04/18/07 - 08:31 Post subject: Post Tonsillectomy problems

Hi, just found this forum whilst scrambling around the internet. I had my tonsillectomy about 19 days ago and have been pain free now for 4 or 5 days, but I still have problems swollowing (some foods go down OK, others need the help of a drink to go), my voice is very nasally (I find it hard to pronouce some words - B's and V's are particularly bad), sleeping is limited to 'cat-naps' of 2-3 hours with me waking up with a very painful sore throat until I get a drink of water down my throat.

Its my speech problems which are more worrying, as it doesn't seem to be getting any better and it has been nearly 2.5 weeks now since the operation.

Is this normal? Just how long is the recovery likely to take?

Many, many thanx

peanutbutter · Newbie Joined: 06 May 2007 Posts: 1

I'm 27 and had a tonsillectomy 5 days ago.
DAY 1 of the procedure wasn't too painful as the general anaesthetic was still wearing off. I stayed overnight at the clinic and despite vomiting 7 times while I was there (first 3 times was just pure blood, the rest was blood mixed with food) I was allowed to leave at 11am on DAY 2.
They gave me Cocodemol and Voltarol to take home. They had been giving me 2 paracetamol every 4 hours and 1 Voltarol pill every 8.
Once home, I tried to continue their treatment style but found that my nausea and vomiting wasn't stopping. I switched to Voltarol suppositories, which are supposed to be less irritating to the stomach, but they made me sicker, if anything. The Cocodemol was to be saved for when my scabs came off as I have had nausea from codeine based drugs previously.
My ENT surgeon suggested I go off the Voltarol and paracetamol and onto ibuprofen while taking Buccastem for the nausea. I did this and felt better almost immediately, although the pain was starting to get stronger.
DAY 3 I realised the right side of my neck was swollen and painful to the touch up to my right ear. My jaw that side was less moveable and I had an almost constant ear ache. I could not lie on my right side. That night from 2am onwards I woke every 2-3 hours to take more ibuprofen. I also had a strange post-nasal drip consisting of greenish-yellow mucous flecked with blood. It tasted like sesame seeds and I had to spit it out regularly.
DAY 4 I was starting to get used to the pain and try to eat a wider range of food. My strength was coming back but I noticed that when I swallowed liquid it would often either go up my nose or down my windpipe. I was choking and coughing a lot and this prevented me from drinking as much as I should have.
DAY 5 I found I have a new complication when I try to fall asleep. I'm fine for a few minutes and then a dry spot tickles my throat and I have to wake up to cough and drink water. The coughing is so intense that I have tears in my eyes. After each attack both my ears ache acutely and then subside with time. I can drink without it going the wrong way.
This is what's happened to me so far and I can honestly say I wasn't prepared for all the different kinds and levels of pain. The ear aches are the worst, as no drug seems to be able to stop them. While my surgeon warned me that the procedure is 'very very painful' I do wish he'd been specific about the jaw ache, ear aches, coughing, and possible drugs complications. This has certainly been the most painful period in my life and I've had my wisdom teeth out and a chest operation for comparison. I would warn anyone with a history of dealing badly with drugs - make sure you have back up drugs that are less irritating.

CarlyP · Newbie Joined: 04 May 2007 Posts: 6

Don't get me started about the earaches... I reckon my earaches and tongue pain has been worse than my throat! The best thing I can suggest for the ear pain is NOTHING COLD! Seriously, even eating a popsicle set it off for me.

My magic solution was a wheat bag microwaved for 2 minutes which was been pretty much "permanently attached" to my jaw/ear area through days 5-6. Couldn't have made it without it.

I'm now on day 9 and can eat okay... just. My throat can handle it... my ear can't! It's bizarre... when I eat the pain is all in my ear. It really hurts but not much can be done about it other than the heat bag.

dudedude26 · Newbie Joined: 20 May 2007 Posts: 1

Hi there,
I had my tonsilectomy on the 11th. My tonsils were in a constant state of inflamation and were HUGE. I woke up in the recovery room knowing that they were gone as I could no longer feel them, with a sore throat to match. The pain itself wasnt that bad as it felt like I had tonsilitis and my 'attacks' had been so severe that they had started to mimic glandular fever and the post op feeling felt a bit less so I thought it wasnt so bad...

I was the first operation of the day and was in the theatre at around 09:30 and remember waking up around 10:45.

Throughout the day I remember speaking with the nurses while falling in and out of sleep. I was given morphine through a drip while I was in the recovery room and able to drink lukewarm water through a straw.

I managed to catch the tail end of the conversation with one of the nurses when it came to them getting my drugs pack ready to take home. The word Voltrol was mentioned. I pulled myself together to tell them to find another pain killer as Voltrol is too strong for me, so they downgraded to Ibuprofen 400mg. I was given that along with Co-drydamol (10mg codine 500 mg parcetamol) along with various high strenght kick ass antibiotics to take while at home.

I was advised to take the alternate the painkillers, i.e. 12:00 Ibuprofen, 15:00 Co-dydramol, 18:00 Ibuprofen to ensure a constant management of pain.

I was given TOAST to eat and encouraged to eat normally (but to stay away from hot off the stove foods) so that my throat muscles wouldnt sieze up. I was also encouraged to gargle regularly.

I went home that evening, and had some toast then on Saturday got adventurous and had some chips (fries to you people I come from England) then on Sunday...Hell opened up.

My throat healing brought a new level of pain, ice cream was now difficult to swallow, my face swelled up and the lymph systems where puffed up as well as the glands under my throat.

Then began the week of hell, it hurt to swallow my own saliva yet alone anything else, I became dehydrated and after taking half an hour to eat a piece of toast my face would pulse in response to the tourture.

My toungue was pulsing in pain and it ached like crazy when I had to swallow my 'painkillers' (the irony).

I brushed my teeth and would gargle delicately to help the throat. On Friday night (18th) I started coughing up blood, and so I went to the hospital. Thankfully I was told it was a 'scab' and the throat is healing nicely. I was given some Hydrogen Peroxide to gargle with (1 part to three parts water) and it seems to be helping.

I also have been using Difflam Spray, that stuff is great as it numbs the area at the local level.

The pain has been so severe at times and brought me to tears, I also didnt want to eat but would eat things just to keep the swollowing action going.

Yes it is a painful proceedure and one that makes you question all that is good, but Im happy I had it done, as I said the attacks of Tonsilitis I was getting was mimicking me, making me tired, lathargic, wanting to sleep.

The trade off is a worthwhile one, you just have to be prepared for the pain.

Guest · Guest

I had my tonsils out three days ago. The first night and the day after were a piece of cake and I figured it would be easy (apparently a frame of mind many of you have been in as well). Today is the worst pain. I woke up this morning in tears in so much pain. Everything above my neck hurts. I am on heavy duty antibiotics and percocets for the pain. Until today I didn't take the pain meds prescribed because it wasn't so bad...today I definitely needed them. I made the mistake yesterday of getting the flashlight and looking in my throat (gross!!!)

I only took a week off work, I hope it will be enough...it gives me 10 days from surgery to returning to work. From what people are saying I'm not sure I'll be ready to return after that. We'll see.

marcium · Newbie Joined: 22 May 2007 Posts: 1

Hey! I had almost the same process as you did. I had tonsillectomy 6 days ago, and well other than a really awful moment where my pressure went down and I was extremely dizzy, the other freaky moment was yesterday, my day 5, when coughed phlegm with blood(red). I know I am not supposed to cough but I also have dry spots and I can´t help it. The only problem I see is my necessity to cough. Did it cause you complications? Did you cough red blood too(with phlem)...how did it all go after day 5? Thankyou.

Guest · Guest

Hi! my first days have been just like yours. I am scared that I feel the need to cough too much and nothing can help it. Yesterday (this morning) I even spit phlegm with blood (did this happen to you?). Did the coughing complicated your recuperation? How? How did it all end up? THANKYOU!

Guest · Guest

Well i love this message board. I had my tonsil's out 5 days ago May 17,05.. I am 34yrs and i was told horror stories from alot of people. I was amazed how great i felt when i got out of surgery. I was feeling good that night and the next day. But boy on day 3 it changed, i was sick to my stomach, all i wanted to do was sleep. My dr put me on lortab every 4 hrs., it does work for me. I have been living on popsicles,sherbet, ice water, applesauce, and yogurt, and oh yea cream o wheat. I was feeling pretty good yesterday and my family wanted barbaque chicken and hot dogs on the grill. so i attempted to eat a chopped up hot dog, HUGE mistake, wasnt ready for that one yet. got one piece down and that was that. Back to the soft liquid diet again. Today was a bad day, wasnt feeling well and did the sleep all day thing again. I looked in my throat this afternoon, and EWWWWW doesnt look pretty. It is all white and gray, i am not sure what all that is, but it doesnt look nice. I am off work until the 4th of June,i hope that is gonna be long enough, i work in a factory with alot of dust. Reading all the posting's here have helped me to know that i am not the only one that has went or is going to go thru this. I keep reading about scaps and them falling off, what am i supposed to be looking for, cause i dont know if i have them or not.

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