At age 41 I finally got my tonsils out, as a kid i was told by many doctors and dentists I had large tonsils but they never caused much of an issue until as an adult i was getting strep throat often. and some nasty multiple ear infections that 3 rounds of antibiotics were not helping with, so I saw an ENT for the first time, who said OMG those tonsils have to come out before even looking at my ear problem!
She commented after years of work as an ENT mine were one of the worst cases she's seen, sadly she also commented recovery would be a bit longer and the area is a bit larger than normal in terms of tissue cut out.
I got the full workup from the ENT, head scan, allergy tests, nose sprays and meds, and soon allergy shots, already feeling better from that but today was my tonsil surgery.
Not so fun, poke me for allergies 1000x again vs going thru this ughh.
I am reading around here and was hoping for more relief in coming days but sounds like day 2,3,4 etc doesn't get much better in some cases :-(
I also have sleep apnea (I use a cpap) and i was worried about after the tonsils came out (having the cpap make things hurt more) the ENT assured me it will help especially since mine has a full face/mouth mask and has a humidifier.
So here I go, day one, woke up from surgery with a MONDO headache, still here actually 12 hrs later but hoping that dulls soon. I did take an afternoon nap (why i cant sleep now i guess) and that went fine actually, needed it too cpap on etc no real issues just pain when i swallow.
No bleeding either (been watching) but OMG so hard to swallow even just saliva much less a swig of room temp water, I tried an icepack on neck for about 20 mins earlier made no change really. Quite a few times id get a mouth of water and just couldn't make myself swallow it.
Doc did give me some liquid stuff to take but it BURNS BAD trying to swallow it, took it 2x today and I was almost on the floor in tears, second time i made sure to sit down but still made a big fist while trying to swallow it down.
I managed to get down 3 bottles of water today (ice mountain bottles) 16.9 oz and 2 popsicles with a few ice chips earlier, i know this isnt quite as much as they asked me to get down but it was a struggle every sip.
I came on google tonight hoping to find logs of day 2 (being better) but reading around it sounds like some had worse 2nd days, or days later had their worst day vs first day, who knows maybe that cpap with humidifier will help keep that throat moist and lessen day 2's pain - I sure hope so.
But I couldn't even think about food today (hungry yes) thought of trying to even swallow jello um no not happening...
Will keep reading a bit and post back as to day 2 and whatnot how things go, but figured i would put this out here so hopefully in 2-3 months i can look back and say wow glad that is all over, who knows it may help someone else in my shoes at midnight searching for a journal or log of their daily progress somewhere down the road too.
Bill :-)
She commented after years of work as an ENT mine were one of the worst cases she's seen, sadly she also commented recovery would be a bit longer and the area is a bit larger than normal in terms of tissue cut out.
I got the full workup from the ENT, head scan, allergy tests, nose sprays and meds, and soon allergy shots, already feeling better from that but today was my tonsil surgery.
Not so fun, poke me for allergies 1000x again vs going thru this ughh.
I am reading around here and was hoping for more relief in coming days but sounds like day 2,3,4 etc doesn't get much better in some cases :-(
I also have sleep apnea (I use a cpap) and i was worried about after the tonsils came out (having the cpap make things hurt more) the ENT assured me it will help especially since mine has a full face/mouth mask and has a humidifier.
So here I go, day one, woke up from surgery with a MONDO headache, still here actually 12 hrs later but hoping that dulls soon. I did take an afternoon nap (why i cant sleep now i guess) and that went fine actually, needed it too cpap on etc no real issues just pain when i swallow.
No bleeding either (been watching) but OMG so hard to swallow even just saliva much less a swig of room temp water, I tried an icepack on neck for about 20 mins earlier made no change really. Quite a few times id get a mouth of water and just couldn't make myself swallow it.
Doc did give me some liquid stuff to take but it BURNS BAD trying to swallow it, took it 2x today and I was almost on the floor in tears, second time i made sure to sit down but still made a big fist while trying to swallow it down.
I managed to get down 3 bottles of water today (ice mountain bottles) 16.9 oz and 2 popsicles with a few ice chips earlier, i know this isnt quite as much as they asked me to get down but it was a struggle every sip.
I came on google tonight hoping to find logs of day 2 (being better) but reading around it sounds like some had worse 2nd days, or days later had their worst day vs first day, who knows maybe that cpap with humidifier will help keep that throat moist and lessen day 2's pain - I sure hope so.
But I couldn't even think about food today (hungry yes) thought of trying to even swallow jello um no not happening...
Will keep reading a bit and post back as to day 2 and whatnot how things go, but figured i would put this out here so hopefully in 2-3 months i can look back and say wow glad that is all over, who knows it may help someone else in my shoes at midnight searching for a journal or log of their daily progress somewhere down the road too.
Bill :-)
Day 2 here, couldn't sleep or swallow last night at all, took more of the liquid lortab stuff but it BURNS trying to swallow it, today knowing i need to keep fluids coming in decided to try some warm broth, that worked, actually felt good after about the 3rd sip, not really more than luke warm but still was yummy!
I find myself with a wet mouth sensation (saliva) but not wanting to swallow, so after a few mins i realize it and make myself swallow usually trying to sip down some water at the same time.
So far almost done with 1 - 16.9 oz bottle and its already 3pm so im behind but i did have a good 2-3 cups of broth so im sure that counts too.
Still not even interested in food, don't get me wrong it smells great looks great sounds great until i think about eating it LOL.
Hoping tonight i can get some solid sleep, last night i woke often everytime i moved my head i felt it in my throat and it woke me right up.
Might have a popsicle that sounds good at the moment, altho im confused do i want warm or cold (at day 2 what did most of you guys/gals find you wanted more of)?
Bill :-)
I find myself with a wet mouth sensation (saliva) but not wanting to swallow, so after a few mins i realize it and make myself swallow usually trying to sip down some water at the same time.
So far almost done with 1 - 16.9 oz bottle and its already 3pm so im behind but i did have a good 2-3 cups of broth so im sure that counts too.
Still not even interested in food, don't get me wrong it smells great looks great sounds great until i think about eating it LOL.
Hoping tonight i can get some solid sleep, last night i woke often everytime i moved my head i felt it in my throat and it woke me right up.
Might have a popsicle that sounds good at the moment, altho im confused do i want warm or cold (at day 2 what did most of you guys/gals find you wanted more of)?
Bill :-)
Day 3 not doing so good, barely slept everytime i tried to swallow felt horrible and woke up almost jumping out of bed from it.
Took a good 30 mins just to start swallowing, felt more like gagging at first, water is a NOGO, not cold, no room temp just not able to drink it.
Tried some oatmeal with warm water one swallow and instantly eyes watered up, only thing i have gotten down about 1 cup of is warm chicken broth and that's hurting alot, gonna try to get a few more swigs down make a fist and take that lortab liquid (that stuff burns so bad!).
If i was rating pain,
Day 1 7/10
Day 2 6/10
Day 3 8/10 (but hope it gets easier today)
My biggest worry is not getting enough fluids in me, but water is not working well, if i keep drinking the broth as a substitute would that be ok?
Took a good 30 mins just to start swallowing, felt more like gagging at first, water is a NOGO, not cold, no room temp just not able to drink it.
Tried some oatmeal with warm water one swallow and instantly eyes watered up, only thing i have gotten down about 1 cup of is warm chicken broth and that's hurting alot, gonna try to get a few more swigs down make a fist and take that lortab liquid (that stuff burns so bad!).
If i was rating pain,
Day 1 7/10
Day 2 6/10
Day 3 8/10 (but hope it gets easier today)
My biggest worry is not getting enough fluids in me, but water is not working well, if i keep drinking the broth as a substitute would that be ok?
Just made my fists did my stompdance and took 4 tablespoons of that lortab liquid, God I hope that helps reduce this pain soon.
My face feels about 20 degrees warmer than the rest of my body, my cheeks are super red yet I don't have a fever, altho i could deal with that all day long if my throat wasn't killing me :-)
Here is to hoping that stuff helps and i can get some liquids down today.
Woke up today with a super messed up stomach too, diarheah too which worries me about more fluid loss but I will do my best to combat that once this med kicks in.
I also tried some warm tea that was ok but i think chicken broth works best for me so far.
Bill
My face feels about 20 degrees warmer than the rest of my body, my cheeks are super red yet I don't have a fever, altho i could deal with that all day long if my throat wasn't killing me :-)
Here is to hoping that stuff helps and i can get some liquids down today.
Woke up today with a super messed up stomach too, diarheah too which worries me about more fluid loss but I will do my best to combat that once this med kicks in.
I also tried some warm tea that was ok but i think chicken broth works best for me so far.
Bill
Failed today at liquid intake, maybe got 30 oz or so down all day (that was trying hard too), seems best i can do is broth or tea warm, and then not much of that before I can't take anymore.
Hopefully as i go into day 4 i can get some rest tonight even if just out of exhaustion.
Bill :-(
Hopefully as i go into day 4 i can get some rest tonight even if just out of exhaustion.
Bill :-(
Day 4 here, about 430am woke up to big pain, shot out o bed from it even, took more liquid lortab, just still can't swallow and now I am awake for sure no matter what I do.
Not a fun start to the day, but 3 and a half hours of sleep is better than yesterday so I will take it.
Hopefully as the day goes on I can get more broth and or tea down to keep fluids in me, I did about 3-4 hrs of tax prep just to try and keep my mind off my throat, seems cold doesn't do good for me, but warm stuff still helps ease the pain.
I would say at the start here tho its about a 7/10 kinda day pain wise, but hoping that reduces as the day continues...
Bill
Not a fun start to the day, but 3 and a half hours of sleep is better than yesterday so I will take it.
Hopefully as the day goes on I can get more broth and or tea down to keep fluids in me, I did about 3-4 hrs of tax prep just to try and keep my mind off my throat, seems cold doesn't do good for me, but warm stuff still helps ease the pain.
I would say at the start here tho its about a 7/10 kinda day pain wise, but hoping that reduces as the day continues...
Bill
Day 5, seeing a pattern here, take the pain med, lay down, sleep for 3 hrs, back up from pain kicking in again. Pretty intense pain trying to swallow, I think things back there are hardening up, feels like it at least.
I have another 30 mins till I can take more pain meds then about 20 mins before those kick in enough i can lay back down and try to get more rest.
My stomach is a mess, think its from all the lortab and not eating much of anything beyond broth and tea for 4 days previous, last night i was able to get down a bit of gravy and overcooked noodles think hamburger helper without the hamburger.
That was hard to swallow but actually tasted wonderful to eat something, stomach turned for about an hour after that but I think it gave me a boost physically and mentally to finally EAT something.
Still not sure what I want, if i drink it i want it warm, yet my face and head feels on fire, so ice pack on throat feels good, guess I am weird.
No temp tho, have taken it a few times today, seems to stay around 99.8 range.
I would say day 5 here has started as about a 7/10 pain wise, the back of my throat feels like a dirty sock, no matter how much i brush my teeth or even use mouthwash still just feels like yuck.
I go back to the doctor for followup Feb 4th, thats in 5 days, I am curious how much better or worse it will be by then just hope it hurts less soon.
I took a flashlight into the mirror to see my throat wow what a mess, mostly just white tho no yellow or black, ZERO bleeding (so far) but I have had some dried up blood in my nose come out with tissue, can't really blow my nose well tho, just too much pain involved with that idea.
Bill
I have another 30 mins till I can take more pain meds then about 20 mins before those kick in enough i can lay back down and try to get more rest.
My stomach is a mess, think its from all the lortab and not eating much of anything beyond broth and tea for 4 days previous, last night i was able to get down a bit of gravy and overcooked noodles think hamburger helper without the hamburger.
That was hard to swallow but actually tasted wonderful to eat something, stomach turned for about an hour after that but I think it gave me a boost physically and mentally to finally EAT something.
Still not sure what I want, if i drink it i want it warm, yet my face and head feels on fire, so ice pack on throat feels good, guess I am weird.
No temp tho, have taken it a few times today, seems to stay around 99.8 range.
I would say day 5 here has started as about a 7/10 pain wise, the back of my throat feels like a dirty sock, no matter how much i brush my teeth or even use mouthwash still just feels like yuck.
I go back to the doctor for followup Feb 4th, thats in 5 days, I am curious how much better or worse it will be by then just hope it hurts less soon.
I took a flashlight into the mirror to see my throat wow what a mess, mostly just white tho no yellow or black, ZERO bleeding (so far) but I have had some dried up blood in my nose come out with tissue, can't really blow my nose well tho, just too much pain involved with that idea.
Bill
Sometimes I wish i had a fast forward button so I could skip past these next few days...
:-P
:-P
Day 5 has gotten better here, pain wise mid day id say 6/10 - when i take the meds im good for about 2 hrs, the last 2 hrs (before i can take it again) get kinda rough though. Had wife call the doc see what if anything else i can do or take, they said just take the lortab liquid every 4 hrs not much else they could recommend or prescribe :-(
The scabs are starting to form and im feelin them pretty good trying to swallow. Today i did manage to take my meds timed it right and ate some noodles and gravy, OMG that was good, my stomach is a mess tho full of gas (not eating and these meds im sure dont help), but having food in there made such a difference!
Thank goodness for family and friends tho, we have a newborn and I am in NO shape to be trying to help,feed,change her, friends and family have been BIG helps on this so I am counting myself as very fortunate for that fact.
Overall tho I got 2 hrs sleep last night and I am running on vapors, so I am going to take my meds and try to get to bed early tonight, hopefully I will sleep at least 4 hrs to recharge a bit.
Bill
The scabs are starting to form and im feelin them pretty good trying to swallow. Today i did manage to take my meds timed it right and ate some noodles and gravy, OMG that was good, my stomach is a mess tho full of gas (not eating and these meds im sure dont help), but having food in there made such a difference!
Thank goodness for family and friends tho, we have a newborn and I am in NO shape to be trying to help,feed,change her, friends and family have been BIG helps on this so I am counting myself as very fortunate for that fact.
Overall tho I got 2 hrs sleep last night and I am running on vapors, so I am going to take my meds and try to get to bed early tonight, hopefully I will sleep at least 4 hrs to recharge a bit.
Bill
Day 6 just checkin in sure enough every 2-3 hrs i was up having to take meds, pain level strong at 2 am and again and 430 am after the 430 bout i took a bath and even tho i am still tired coudln't sleep.
I'd say today is easily an 8/10, at 230 am i might have even gone 9/10 as that was the worst swallow I have done yet.
I ended up down on one knee seeing stars for a second and I got dizzy with clammy hands & forehead for another min or so afterwords (had to take a seat and do some slow deep breathing).
I have some bleeding from my nose today, surprised me actually outta nowhere, fresh red but not a lot and it did stop, I am keeping the house moisture filled with 3 humidifiers and the humidifier on my cpap but I am still waking with a dry throat and now this nose bleed today but that may even be normal and certainly wasn't a problem (went away).
I was hoping to be one of the lucky ones eating fine doing well maybe even being "over it all" by weeks end, but still feelin pretty cruddy, hungry yes, thinking about swallowing anything NO... just not up for it.
I hate the meds im on they do control the edge a bit but only for about 2 hrs and it just BURNS like CRAZY to take it, and my stomach is a mess (I think part from the meds part from not eating).
I find myself with the liquid medicine in my mouth for a good 30 seconds before i get up the nerve to swallow it (just knowing the pain it brings makes me not want to take it) maybe it's alcohol based or something, just burns burns burns going down.
Haven't seen any scabs come off but looking in there i see still mostly white grey with a few new spots that are red, no bleeding guessing spots were where scabs were that came off and are now healing as new skin maybe?
Looks like this superbowl party is broth or tea only for me (thats tomorrow as i write this).
Bill
I'd say today is easily an 8/10, at 230 am i might have even gone 9/10 as that was the worst swallow I have done yet.
I ended up down on one knee seeing stars for a second and I got dizzy with clammy hands & forehead for another min or so afterwords (had to take a seat and do some slow deep breathing).
I have some bleeding from my nose today, surprised me actually outta nowhere, fresh red but not a lot and it did stop, I am keeping the house moisture filled with 3 humidifiers and the humidifier on my cpap but I am still waking with a dry throat and now this nose bleed today but that may even be normal and certainly wasn't a problem (went away).
I was hoping to be one of the lucky ones eating fine doing well maybe even being "over it all" by weeks end, but still feelin pretty cruddy, hungry yes, thinking about swallowing anything NO... just not up for it.
I hate the meds im on they do control the edge a bit but only for about 2 hrs and it just BURNS like CRAZY to take it, and my stomach is a mess (I think part from the meds part from not eating).
I find myself with the liquid medicine in my mouth for a good 30 seconds before i get up the nerve to swallow it (just knowing the pain it brings makes me not want to take it) maybe it's alcohol based or something, just burns burns burns going down.
Haven't seen any scabs come off but looking in there i see still mostly white grey with a few new spots that are red, no bleeding guessing spots were where scabs were that came off and are now healing as new skin maybe?
Looks like this superbowl party is broth or tea only for me (thats tomorrow as i write this).
Bill
Day 6 has just about come to an end, had to call my doctor again about this medicine, its lortab liquid and it just BURNS going down so bad, asked if i can switch to a pill of some sort, mainly due to the pain of swallowing this liquid stuff, she called in script for lidocane to numb the throat to be able to swallow the lortab that that is horrible too, i just want a pill i said, none of these horrible thick burning liquids. So another call at almost 8pm has her calling me in a script for some sort of pain pill, what I dunno but i hope it helps.
I would easily rate today an 8/10 with moments of 9/10 pain wise, spent alot of time in the tub just soaking head pounding, feels like pins and needles all over my scalp, ears are starting to hurt as well.
Wife is going to get the pill script tonight at riteaid, i hope by taking that tonight i can get some relief and maybe even go into day 7 at a lower pain level.
Bill :-(
I would easily rate today an 8/10 with moments of 9/10 pain wise, spent alot of time in the tub just soaking head pounding, feels like pins and needles all over my scalp, ears are starting to hurt as well.
Wife is going to get the pill script tonight at riteaid, i hope by taking that tonight i can get some relief and maybe even go into day 7 at a lower pain level.
Bill :-(
Superbowl Sunday Day 7 here, well yesterday i finally got the doctor to give me pills vs this liquid stuff that burned, i have vicodin 500mg and can take 2 every 4-6 hrs as needed.
She also gave me a generic equiv of ambien a sleep med, i took that around 1am and 2 vicodin, laid down and slept till just after 830am that was awesome for me in one way but horrible when i woke up what an experience trying to swallow first thing must have taken me a good 45 mins to swallow one mouthful of water and it was VERY painful.
Was planning on having friends over for the game but had to call and cancel just wasnt feeling upto it, day started easily at an 8/10 pain wise, thru the day i managed to get down some soup broth, warm coffee, a few bottles of water but that was it, so at least i got liquids in me today and with the meds I would say my daypain went to a 6/10 with moments it flaired up.
But still not able to really EAT, at least not today, my tounge and tha little thing in the back uvula? were both very swollen today, and my jaws are really sore as well.
A few times today i had a mini cough tried to control it make it smaller etc but still coughed, had some weird phlem like things come into mouth, wondering if they were scabs, gross tho harder yet white and fleshy, just spit them out into tissue but zero sign of blood in anyway.
Sure hoping tonight after the sleep med and pain meds are in me tha tomorrow i wake a bit less sore, thats been my hope all week here.
So far I have lost 11lbs in a week here altho im sure most of that will come back as I eat/drink normal again.
Bill
She also gave me a generic equiv of ambien a sleep med, i took that around 1am and 2 vicodin, laid down and slept till just after 830am that was awesome for me in one way but horrible when i woke up what an experience trying to swallow first thing must have taken me a good 45 mins to swallow one mouthful of water and it was VERY painful.
Was planning on having friends over for the game but had to call and cancel just wasnt feeling upto it, day started easily at an 8/10 pain wise, thru the day i managed to get down some soup broth, warm coffee, a few bottles of water but that was it, so at least i got liquids in me today and with the meds I would say my daypain went to a 6/10 with moments it flaired up.
But still not able to really EAT, at least not today, my tounge and tha little thing in the back uvula? were both very swollen today, and my jaws are really sore as well.
A few times today i had a mini cough tried to control it make it smaller etc but still coughed, had some weird phlem like things come into mouth, wondering if they were scabs, gross tho harder yet white and fleshy, just spit them out into tissue but zero sign of blood in anyway.
Sure hoping tonight after the sleep med and pain meds are in me tha tomorrow i wake a bit less sore, thats been my hope all week here.
So far I have lost 11lbs in a week here altho im sure most of that will come back as I eat/drink normal again.
Bill
Just wondering how you are doing today? My 11 year old son is getting his tonsils/adenoids out Wednesday and I am pretty worried about how he is going to tolerate the pain.
Hope you are feeling better today!
Hope you are feeling better today!
Day 8 here, woke to another rough start hard to get first cup or so of liquid in me but did get some rest last night glad to report, still raw and sore throat wise tho, SO glad i am not taking the liquid lortab anymore, OMG anyone reading this if you are about to have that surgery and they give that script to you say NO whatever it takes swallow a pill cut it into 1/3rds if you have to crush it into oatmeal if you have to, i can swallow pills (each day i took daily meds for cholesterol and blood pressure) not fun but dooable yet taking that liquid stuff hurt SO bad this big 6'6' guy was on the floor in tears from it more than once.
Now that I take the pills its SO much nicer i swear my throat is less irritated BECAUSE im not burning it every 4 hrs and mentally its a relief to know i can get relief from the pain without that HORRIBLE burning liquid lortab.
Today i actuallly had some soup with noodles, lipton cuposoup, it was good drank all the broth had some of the noodles but that got to hurting so i stopped, starving by 6pm wife made me some pancakes and those were good, a bit hard to swallow but again worth it as i was starving.
I would say today pain is certainly lower maybe a 5 or 6/10 earlier was worse later is better here but thats the way it is most days for me, sleeping each night has helped too, so if by day 3 your not sleeping from the pain DONT be a dummy and wait till day 5-6 to call for something, the generic ambien has helped SO much the last 2 nights.
Combined with a bit of food, no more burning liquids, the ability to sleep, even tho im not feelin great i sure am 10x better than i was 3-4 days ago, seeing the light at the end of the tunnel so to speak.
I go back to the doc for a checkup on the tonsils on Thursday (3 days) so hopefully by then ill be even better.
Strangely besides one day a bit of a bloody nose, i havent had a single real bleeding episode or issue, i read and saw about others having blood etc and was worried i wouldnt know when is too much but so far not really anything to report blood wise which is great!
Bill :-)
Now that I take the pills its SO much nicer i swear my throat is less irritated BECAUSE im not burning it every 4 hrs and mentally its a relief to know i can get relief from the pain without that HORRIBLE burning liquid lortab.
Today i actuallly had some soup with noodles, lipton cuposoup, it was good drank all the broth had some of the noodles but that got to hurting so i stopped, starving by 6pm wife made me some pancakes and those were good, a bit hard to swallow but again worth it as i was starving.
I would say today pain is certainly lower maybe a 5 or 6/10 earlier was worse later is better here but thats the way it is most days for me, sleeping each night has helped too, so if by day 3 your not sleeping from the pain DONT be a dummy and wait till day 5-6 to call for something, the generic ambien has helped SO much the last 2 nights.
Combined with a bit of food, no more burning liquids, the ability to sleep, even tho im not feelin great i sure am 10x better than i was 3-4 days ago, seeing the light at the end of the tunnel so to speak.
I go back to the doc for a checkup on the tonsils on Thursday (3 days) so hopefully by then ill be even better.
Strangely besides one day a bit of a bloody nose, i havent had a single real bleeding episode or issue, i read and saw about others having blood etc and was worried i wouldnt know when is too much but so far not really anything to report blood wise which is great!
Bill :-)
All i have to say is be patient with him, it hurts way more than i realized at least in my case, do pills if he can vs liquid lortab at least for me that stuff BURNED so bad! Also if by day 3 or so he isnt able to sleep talk to the doc, that sleeping pill has made me feel so much better to get more than 1 hr at a time...
I wish him luck and hope his case isn't too big or bad, mine were one of the largest sets of tonsils she had ever seen she said, so hopefully his are more normal/oversized and with his younger age maybe he will heal up better / faster too (crossing fingers).
Bill :)
(who now has SO much more respect for anyone having their tonsils out)...
I wish him luck and hope his case isn't too big or bad, mine were one of the largest sets of tonsils she had ever seen she said, so hopefully his are more normal/oversized and with his younger age maybe he will heal up better / faster too (crossing fingers).
Bill :)
(who now has SO much more respect for anyone having their tonsils out)...