kkernon
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Joined: 03 Feb 2008
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 Posted: 02/03/08 - 13:31 Post subject: Tonsillectomy......What to EXPECT...how to cope |
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Hi all......I had my tonsils out 11 days ago...so I will refer to today as day 11. I was completely informed about everything to expect, but not everyone is the same. For instance, it is day 11 and my "scabs" still haven't fallen off.
My experience......
I was sent home the day of surgery with Roxicet (Liquid form of Percocet) Found out by the 3rd dose.....I am allergic to it. I was itching SO bad, I looked like I got into a fight with a bobcat from all the scratching. My Dr switched me over to Lortab Elixer (Liquid Lortab/ vicodin ....same thing). All I really remember of day 1-2 is grogginess and pain.Oh and the CANKER sores on both sides of my tongue....turns out the cancer sores are from where the tool they used to push my tongue out of the way, caused me to feel like I bite both sides of my tongue. This is probably the worst pain right now....Buy some stuff the use on babies that are teething. It helps, and it numbs the canker sores for a bit!!!!! Day 3 I was feeling ready to try something soft. I had some soup with noodles....OUCH, tried Mashed potatoes....OUCH!!! So I decided to forget about eating. HOWEVER , I made a point to have a drink in my hand at ALL TIMES. Lots of water, coke worked for me , gatorade (although it tasted like crap  . I also had a lot of soup BROTH without noodles or vegies or anything, JUST THE BROTH.
Started feeling more like myself Day 5....but SURPRISE DAy 8 arrived and I felt horrible...this was my WORST day so far. I had the worst throat pain, I was coughing, my throat was dry, and the pain was radiating to both my ears. (All to be expected) I had to call my Dr and ask for more pain meds. I have what looks like a rash on the roof of my mouth. I got something called "Magic Mouthwash" from my Dr. It's a combination mouthwash that you swish around then swallow. It has Doxycicline/Benadryl/Natamycin/and Hydrocodone in it. Makes the throat feel a little better. She also gave me some Lidocaine to numb my throat if I needed it.
What I would recommend to someone getting ready to go through this=
EXPECT to be in PAIN.
1. The meds help A lot so take them every 4 hours no matter what for the first 5 days....even if you don't think you need it!!!
2. Have a drink/popcycle in your hand at ALL TIMES. It hurts to swallow at first, but the more you swallow the better you will feel!!! PROMISE. Just keep swallowing the drinks (find one that you can tolerate and stick with it) Gatorade is great because it has calories and electrolytes that you body needs since you aren't eating. You should be going through at least 1-2 glasses an hour......you will have to pee a lot- but your throat will THANK YOU !!! Popycycles and SHERBET are OK !!
NO MILK /Dairy Products!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
3. Try chewing gum. It helps stretch the muscles like swallowing does, so you really don't have to think about swallowing, you are just doing it 
4. DON'T be in such a big hurry to eat, or feed your kid!!!! If you go 7 days, on gatorade and drinks like that...it is OK
5. Want to eat?Want your kids to eat?? Take the noodles OUT of your Chicken noodle soup, eat it luke warm. Calories and NO PAIN. And since it is just a broth , you don't have to worry about food getting stuck in your throat where your tonsils were. And the food DOES get stuck
6. Did I mention DRINK A LOT of fluids!!!! ALL DAY EVERYDAY!!!!
7. DO NOT TAKE Tylenol with your prescribed pain meds. There is already tylenol in Vicodin, Percocet, and Tylenol #3. You CAN OVERDOSE on Tylenol so don't ADD any Tylenol without asking/telling your Dr.
8. You are going to start feeling better , then you are going to feel horrible again, then you will start feeling better again....THIS IS NORMAL, and TO BE EXPECTED!!!
9. Get someone to stay with you for the first 3 days, you will need the help and moral support. Let them know in advance you are going to be miserable!!! Also Let them know that having a tonsillectomy for an Adult...is MUCH MORE PAINFUL AND TRAUMATIC than it is for a child. So you may act like a baby...and that is OK !!!!!
10. -- Sleep with an ICE PACK on your throat/neck for the first 3 days P.S.......I had to sleep sitting up, or on my side (head turned to the side) the first 2 nights because my Uvula ( that thing that hangs down in the back of your throat) was swollen ....it was bigger than the size of my thumb! And it made it REALLY HARD for me to breathe sometimes, if I was laying flat or on my back...This is normal, just sit up and sleep on a bunch of pillows. To help the swelling go away faster . -- Sleep with an ICE PACK on your throat/neck for the first 3 days
11. I will post more as I finish this "adventure". Just Hang in there!!!! It does get better Again ha ha
12. Take 2 FULL weeks off from work..... you will think you aren't going to need it, but you may. And it's easier to start back to work early than it is to try and get more days off!!!!
13. You can do this!!! Don't feel embarrased to get on a post like this and stay in touch with other people going through the same thing. It helps pass the time!! AND ease your mind!!
Best of luck! You can do it! It does get better !!!!
KKernon Day 11 |
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