Tonsillectomy - post operative complications

heretisj · Newbie Joined: 06 Jan 2007 Posts: 5

hi All

A number years ago i had regular bouts of tonsilitis and was strongly recommended to have them removed (tonsillectomy) which i subsequently did.

However since the operation & for the last few years i've constantly had a throat irration & regular cough as a result as well as an enlarged lymph node in one side of my throat. This incessant coughing (which is very embaressing) i was told by a specialist is due to extensive scarring damage left on one side of my throat, which has left me with a constant feeling of distaste & a vomiting sensation in my throat. Can anyone suggest any treatments/operations/medicines which might be able to correct/reverse or alleviate this very embaressing complication?

Most sincere thanks,
john

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Guest · Guest

heretisj,

I am 40 yrs old and had a tonsillectomy four months ago. Day 7 of the post op I developed a swollen lymph node (jugulodigastric node) in the right side of my neck, it's still there along with red irriated throat, and ear pain, and ringing in the ears. When I swollow it feels like a stabbing/pinching feeling on the right side. I have been on 6 differant antibiotics and steriods 6 times and had three steriod shots all since my surgery. I wish I could help you, but do not have any answere for you.
I truley know how you feel though. It is he!!
Do you have acid reflux? That would cause the vomiting senation in the back of your throat.
I have acid reflux and had it before the surgery, there is no differance with it before or after the tonsils were removed.
Maybe together we can figure this out. What method did they use? They
used Coblation on me. I had just recovered from tonsillites prior to the surgery. Does your doctor denie that it is related to the surgery? Mine does and that is pure bull@%^&*.
Your tonsils and lymph nodes are both apart of your lymphmatic system and immune system. What causes a node to swell is cancer or a cut, bite, cat scratch or trama close to the affect node. I would say having your tonsils ripped out pretty much quailifies a trama, wouldn't you say?

heretisj · Newbie Joined: 06 Jan 2007 Posts: 5

Hi

Thanks for your answer - No i dont have (or never did have) any acid reflux (in fact i was 100% healthy before the operation!) -- i saw about 4 or 5 specialists over the course of a year(after the operation) who subjected me to all sorts of tests, prescribed pills for reflux etc -- in fact most said they could not find anything wrong physically & it was all in my head i.e psychological - so together with family telling me the same thing i started to believe this -- in spite of what i knew to be true -- that all health problems i had 'acquired' as a result of this surgery -- i had this confirmed in late 2005 when i found my own laryngologist specialist who told me it was scarring damage from the operation & when i told him 5 other specialists couldnt find out what was wrong he was downright amazed as it only took him 5 mins to ascertain!! (funny enough 1 of those 5 specialists was a private doctor who was ACTUALLLY supposed to oversee the operation to ensure it went 'well'...)

Truly the feeling is like a lump in my throat (the enlarged lymph) although ive gotten used to it it doesnt really bother me anywhere near as much as the constant coughing etc caused by the scars ... I dont know the type of surgery used though -- i guess whatever is standard procedure it was done in a public hospital i,e: not paid for privately ...

Apologies that isnt of much help all i knew was it was a simple operation supposed to make me better... all its done is make me worse Sad

(

Thanks for your help & i hope we can get some sort of professional input/suggestions from qualified laryngologists on these complications...

thanks,
john

Guest · Guest

I can see where the scar tissue would make you cough, but what about the chronic sore throat and swollen lymph node?

Did you ask the laryngologist what you can do about it? What are your options?

heretisj · Newbie Joined: 06 Jan 2007 Posts: 5

Hi

Well i was told the enlarged lymph is nothing to worry about as long as it doesnt get bigger or become painful. To be honest i am more focussed on finding a way to heal this internal scar tissue at the moment as it is this which is most irritating & embaressing.

Any help you can provide would be most sincerely valued.

Kind thanks,
john

dolfinsplash14 · Newbie Joined: 08 Apr 2008 Posts: 16

You should consider seeing a speech language pathologist. If you go on ASHA.org, look at the listing of graduate programs in your area. Most universities with a speech language pathology/communicative disorders, ect....(it's called many diff names) have a free or small fee clinic that will see you. They can give you different techniques to accommodate for the cough and vocal exercises to get rid of the scaring. Hope that helps!

PsyChris · Posted: 04/09/08 - 01:07 Post subject:

I assume you consulted an ENT Surgeon? Is it possible to remove that lymph node or remove the scar tissue that is inflaming the lymph node?

Tonsillectomy - post operative complications

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