Tomorrow is the 1 week anniversary of my procedures...removal of my tonsils, adenoids, uvula, and tightening of the base of my tongue with some RF device was what was originally scheduled, then a few days prior during my pre-op physical, a large thyroid duct cyst was found attached to my adam's apple, so that was removed too. I'll be 40 in a couple of months. Was told to expect 2 days of pain, 10 days of recovery total. Yeah, right. The surgeon was joking with my wife that based upon the amount of whining that I was doing when they brought me out, that he hoped she already got my pain script filled and would probably need a refill in short order (I have a fairly high tolerance for pain and am not one to complain much...at least not when I'm conscious). I was kept overnight because of the cyst removal and given an on-demand morphine drip which I barely used...mostly used it in the middle of the night to take the edge off to go back to sleep after a nurse would come in to take my vitals. Went home the next morning and was okay for the most part...spent the night on the couch as it was easier & more comfortable to sleep with my head inclined there than in the bed. Swallowing was and continues to be a chore and I keep generating copious amounts of thick saliva which I try to spit out more than swallow, and a seem to have some swelling that is almost creating a pocket at the back of my throat...it seems to pack up with phlegm and food particles, and often when I swallow, if I'm unable to coordinate everything right, whatever I'm consuming partially ends up in the cavity that leads up behind the nose. Anything I consume, I end up tasting for several hours. The pain is pretty manageable without meds during the day, but at night, oh boy!!! Doesn't matter whether I go to bed with meds or no meds...between 1 AM- 3 AM I wake up in horrible pain (sometimes twice)... feels like everything was just freshly cut with a hot, dull knife, headache, earache, so I run to the bathroom and grab the meds and even if I'm not at the 4 hours between doses, I take another dose. Usually takes about 5-10 agonizing minutes before it starts to kick in, then I can return to bed. Last night I went back to propping my head up...from what I've read, this helps prevent edema and it seemed to help last night (only woke up in pain once) and I've beed forcing myself to drink more water as dehydration is supposed to make the pain worse too. I'll probably move back to the couch tonight. I've mostly been consuming warm tea, water, warm broth and nutrional drinks (Ensure and the like) and a few popsicles and Wendy's Frosties. The down-side is that the creamy/milky stuff thickens my saliva. I finally ate some solid food last night...macaroni & cheese and that went down fine. My wife made that & sloppy joe's for herself and my son, but neglected to tell me the sloppy joe meat was spicy, so my one spoonful of that was *not* a treat. Have my follow-up on Thursday and returning to work on Monday. Have to call my boss to see if I can switch shifts as I'm supposed to be on 3rd shift (11 PM - 7 AM) and I don't think I'll be able to handle that at this point since that's prime pain time and it's difficult to get good, restful sleep during the day.
Day 7 of recovery and Lord I am ready, come and get me!
The pain is still unbearable although sometimes it feels as if I am in the eye of a storm, the pain subsides, the birds are singing, flowers are in bloom, breathe in the fresh air, fantastic, could this be the turning point? then without warning I and dragged back into this hurricane of pain. Family support at this time does in my mind aid recovery. On days 3 & 4 my children had a daddy please don't die look in their eyes with which I assured them daddy was going to be fine and that there are people in the world going through a lot worse than me. This worked but my youngest, playing it safe, gave me his birthday list 2 weeks early! bless him. Wifey has been good too. Last night she asked if I was prepared to eat a cooked meal. I said i'd give it a go so chicken in garlic and mushroom sauce was prepared. It smelt soooo good. then came the eating, in went the first bite and with every chew it turned from tender chicken into barbed wire. I just couldn't eat it and the pain turned into one of the worst episodes encountered so far . The dinner went to the dog, I went to the bathroom and as I was dripping saliva as thick as wallpaper paste into the toilet, my missus popped in to see if I was alright, remarked "maybe this is why men don't give birth" which despite the pain made me smile(she had her tonsils removed as a child with no complications so she's probably right).During the night the pain was unbelieveable. At 4 in the morning I made one of my frequent visits downstairs to meds and raspberry ripple ice cream. I find it best to leave meds in the kitchen because if I didn't it wouldn't be four hours between doses, believe me!. On venturing down the stairs I noticed our two year old bull terrier had taken a dump on my shoes. Now this could be for one or two reasons. Number one could be something to do with the garlic and mushroom sauce or it could be a protest over his lack of exercise over the past week. If it is that then I am sorry and I promise to make it up to him. Anyway priorities, icecream and meds before I tackle the pile in the hallway, this dog could c**p for England! All I can say is things can only get better (?)
The pain is still unbearable although sometimes it feels as if I am in the eye of a storm, the pain subsides, the birds are singing, flowers are in bloom, breathe in the fresh air, fantastic, could this be the turning point? then without warning I and dragged back into this hurricane of pain. Family support at this time does in my mind aid recovery. On days 3 & 4 my children had a daddy please don't die look in their eyes with which I assured them daddy was going to be fine and that there are people in the world going through a lot worse than me. This worked but my youngest, playing it safe, gave me his birthday list 2 weeks early! bless him. Wifey has been good too. Last night she asked if I was prepared to eat a cooked meal. I said i'd give it a go so chicken in garlic and mushroom sauce was prepared. It smelt soooo good. then came the eating, in went the first bite and with every chew it turned from tender chicken into barbed wire. I just couldn't eat it and the pain turned into one of the worst episodes encountered so far . The dinner went to the dog, I went to the bathroom and as I was dripping saliva as thick as wallpaper paste into the toilet, my missus popped in to see if I was alright, remarked "maybe this is why men don't give birth" which despite the pain made me smile(she had her tonsils removed as a child with no complications so she's probably right).During the night the pain was unbelieveable. At 4 in the morning I made one of my frequent visits downstairs to meds and raspberry ripple ice cream. I find it best to leave meds in the kitchen because if I didn't it wouldn't be four hours between doses, believe me!. On venturing down the stairs I noticed our two year old bull terrier had taken a dump on my shoes. Now this could be for one or two reasons. Number one could be something to do with the garlic and mushroom sauce or it could be a protest over his lack of exercise over the past week. If it is that then I am sorry and I promise to make it up to him. Anyway priorities, icecream and meds before I tackle the pile in the hallway, this dog could c**p for England! All I can say is things can only get better (?)
I had my tonsils out mar 22/07 and the first hours rcovery were ok . I thought it was not so bad. I was given liquid Morphine. The first night and every night and day since have been living in torture . I cry everyday.Every day is worse than the last. The ear pain is sudden and severe, it comes and goes. I cry because it feels like i am dying,the pain is uncontrollable.
Seen the doctor today one week later not much sympathy . I am on Percocet,can still only tolerate gingerale, popsicles and water. The PAIN is terrible , and doctors just say it is to be expected. I feel dehydrated and I need better pain control.
I use a ice collar -it helps . But this is living in agony. I can not believe the medical professionals are not more sympathetic.
Homecare nurses could set up a pain pump and hydration easily with a doctors request but the doctors these days i guess like to see suffering.
Seen the doctor today one week later not much sympathy . I am on Percocet,can still only tolerate gingerale, popsicles and water. The PAIN is terrible , and doctors just say it is to be expected. I feel dehydrated and I need better pain control.
I use a ice collar -it helps . But this is living in agony. I can not believe the medical professionals are not more sympathetic.
Homecare nurses could set up a pain pump and hydration easily with a doctors request but the doctors these days i guess like to see suffering.
my surgery was march 22nd as well. And let me tell you- it has been nothing short of horrific.
Day 2- normal pain. hurt to swallow. only drank a few sips every four hours or so.
Day 3- about the same. no food. barely any liquids. slept as much as I could.
Day 4- finally my parents had enough and started pushing me towards more intake and less sleep. but the plegm was sooooo thick, I would choke on the slightest thing that slid down. tried some chicken soup.
Day 5- discovered tylenol 500mg. the teeny tiny ones. didnt hurt much to swallow and almost immediate ear/throat/jaw relief. ate some pudding and drank lots of fluid. however, an artery in my throat opened and I was puking buckets of blood clots. went to the hospital and lost over a pint and a half of blood.
Day 6- started out on a new foot. forced myself to drink every 5 minutes. atleast one or two sips. if I napped during the day I would limit it to 30 minutes and then wake up to continue the fluids. the pain medicine was helping and eating soft pudding or broth at room temperature felt fine.
Day 7- same. drinking every 5 minutes. sleep 30 min naps. wake up in the middle of the night to drink a little so my throat wasnt dried out by morning.
Day 8- my only complaint right now is the white sheet of grossness thats spread through my mouth. Its on the insides of my cheeks and all over my tongue. taste is gone due to the yucky stuff. and it feels like I have a bit of a lump in my throat. so im having a little trouble swallowing.
Heres hoping within the next 4-5 days this mess will be for the most part- subsided.
Good luck to all of you.
Day 2- normal pain. hurt to swallow. only drank a few sips every four hours or so.
Day 3- about the same. no food. barely any liquids. slept as much as I could.
Day 4- finally my parents had enough and started pushing me towards more intake and less sleep. but the plegm was sooooo thick, I would choke on the slightest thing that slid down. tried some chicken soup.
Day 5- discovered tylenol 500mg. the teeny tiny ones. didnt hurt much to swallow and almost immediate ear/throat/jaw relief. ate some pudding and drank lots of fluid. however, an artery in my throat opened and I was puking buckets of blood clots. went to the hospital and lost over a pint and a half of blood.
Day 6- started out on a new foot. forced myself to drink every 5 minutes. atleast one or two sips. if I napped during the day I would limit it to 30 minutes and then wake up to continue the fluids. the pain medicine was helping and eating soft pudding or broth at room temperature felt fine.
Day 7- same. drinking every 5 minutes. sleep 30 min naps. wake up in the middle of the night to drink a little so my throat wasnt dried out by morning.
Day 8- my only complaint right now is the white sheet of grossness thats spread through my mouth. Its on the insides of my cheeks and all over my tongue. taste is gone due to the yucky stuff. and it feels like I have a bit of a lump in my throat. so im having a little trouble swallowing.
Heres hoping within the next 4-5 days this mess will be for the most part- subsided.
Good luck to all of you.
I am now on day 8 of tonsillectomy and my right ear and jaw are constantly throbbing. Sometimes stuffing cotton in the right ear will help with the pain along with my pain med. (Lortab). My scabs are still on and I really thought they would be gone by now. The pressure and throbbing that I feel on the right side of my jaw and ear is sometimes unbareable. Has anyone out there had the same symtoms?
well i'm 20yrs old and had my tonsils out on march 30th.. 1st couple days were surprisingly really good, i got to eat ice cream and just sleep. day4 for though i was dehydrated and fiercly vomiting for hours which i must say is the worst eeeeeeeever, having your throat feeling like it does plus vomiting, HORRIBLE!!!! i was rushed to the ER and i had Gastronitis, some sorta intesine viral infection. but as of now ive run out of meds today and im starting to feel the harshness, its kills to swallow anything at all. guess the doctors were right when they said that it was gonna get worse before it got better. but yesturday and today i was coughing up really bloody phlem and i was wondering if this has happened to anyone else...
things that i can eat: eggs, soggy rice crispies, cottage cheese, pudding, mac n cheese (on a good day), lots of sherbert (only orange for me, the lemon not hurts my tongue sooo much..ooh cotton candy is really good too!! and any hard candys to suck on
things that i can eat: eggs, soggy rice crispies, cottage cheese, pudding, mac n cheese (on a good day), lots of sherbert (only orange for me, the lemon not hurts my tongue sooo much..ooh cotton candy is really good too!! and any hard candys to suck on
I had my surgery on Monday the 9 april 2007. can not eat or swallow anything. Please tell me this gets better. I am a 43 yo female. I thought by having them removed it will stop all the soreness in my throat. Boy was i wrong. Any one else having coughing fits. It hurts soooo bad. :-(
Had my tonsils out 7 days ago.First two days weren't too bad.Third morning woke up in agony.Consultant came on his rounds and said this was normal.Went home with paracetamol,antibiotics and anti-inflammatory tablets.Boy were they next to useless for pain relief !Have cried at times with pain-in ear,tongue, teeth and head.This "slough" or thick white scab is the stuff of nightmares and I can't wait to be shot of it.Thought it would be gone at this stage but unfotunately not.Mornings and nights are the worst-best to persevere with sipping water even when it's hellish.I was told to drink cola as it would help scabs to come off faster????Also chewing gum is meant to aid healing of tonsil bed.Am just trying to stay positive and look forward to a tonsilitis-free life after this.Good luck to all you post-tonsillectomyees.
I am on day 6 of a septium repair and tonsellectomy together I am 50, and I do not recomment anyone do both at the same time. My doctor said it was better, he lied! They send people home the same day, I told him I wanted to stay at least one day, they send me home the next day. While in the hospital they gave me morphine so I was fine, now I am in so much pain that the oxycodone helps for about 3 hours and then on my own for the next 3, till the next dose. My throat, my tongue and my ears hurt so bad that even drinking water is diffcult, I feel as if I have lacerations in my tongue and it burns to drink water. I called the Doctor and he said it is normal and he will see me in 2 weeks! Well I am making an appointment to see him on day 8, I must breath through my mouth because of the septium repair and that dries my throat, also my husband said that I now snore loud and must sleep upright, for now! Something I did not do before. I am so miserable. I keep hoping for a pain free day, I have been told this will last 4-8 weeks, God help me, as I am on a pureed diet now, and even that hurts. Good luck my pain buddies.
my son is 7 and got his tonsil's out 4-10-07, nobody prepares you for what can happen, from waking up from surgery to the pain to the helplessness of thinking what did I do to my child. first get a snowcone or iceshaver machine and the flavor syrups, works wonders, popsycles seem to hurt because of the sucking motion, make sure you take your pain meds as perscribed (as often) and dont miss one to keep your pain managable, then comes the slime, gargle with salt water 2 times a day ,or at least rince mouth with it , it helps. cola syrup for nausia,and fletcher's laxitive for constipation.my son went trough so much more than we ever expected so please ask the doctor for worst case and pray for the best.moms if you need some advice let me know. No I would not do this to him again.
**edited by moderator ** e-mails not allowed **
**edited by moderator ** e-mails not allowed **
- I am on day 7 after having an adenotonsillectomy done. The pain is terrible. I never imagined it could hurt so much. I found that ice cream does not work to relieve pain, it just produces mucus. I have been splitting my Paracetamol intake to try and have a good pain management, it kinda works ok. Instead of having 2 X Paracetamol Tablets i have 1 then another 2 hours after and so on. Drinking plenty of water is good, especially with ice. I also found that when you wake up in terrible pain during the night, rub the top of your head with your palm nice and hard and concentrate on it, it help for a few seconds.
Ok, so here's the deal
I'm a 29 year old male and had my tonsils taken out on 6/24/07. What is the big deal people? After I woke up from surgery I felt very minimal pain, and when I say minimal I mean it!. I never once was unable to talk throughout post op. Thursday I felt fine, Friday it was a little sore and by Sunday it was pretty bad. The pain you feel is the same as strep throat. Don't try to eat or drink anything too cold or hot as these temperatures will irritate your throat. Your doctor will more than likely prescribe Vicodin for the pain and an antibiotic. Today is 6/5/07 but I returned to work on 6/4. One thing that did gross me out was chunks of scabs comming out after I gargled...nasty, but I only experienced that for a couple of days. I'm on day 12 now and am able to eat solid foods although I do still have scabs that have not fallen off so I have to be careful. I suggest you buy some Chloraseptic to ease the pain but all in all it really wasn't that bad. I hope this helps....believe me you will get through it, and if you are younger than I am it should be a walk in the park :-D
I'm a 29 year old male and had my tonsils taken out on 6/24/07. What is the big deal people? After I woke up from surgery I felt very minimal pain, and when I say minimal I mean it!. I never once was unable to talk throughout post op. Thursday I felt fine, Friday it was a little sore and by Sunday it was pretty bad. The pain you feel is the same as strep throat. Don't try to eat or drink anything too cold or hot as these temperatures will irritate your throat. Your doctor will more than likely prescribe Vicodin for the pain and an antibiotic. Today is 6/5/07 but I returned to work on 6/4. One thing that did gross me out was chunks of scabs comming out after I gargled...nasty, but I only experienced that for a couple of days. I'm on day 12 now and am able to eat solid foods although I do still have scabs that have not fallen off so I have to be careful. I suggest you buy some Chloraseptic to ease the pain but all in all it really wasn't that bad. I hope this helps....believe me you will get through it, and if you are younger than I am it should be a walk in the park :-D
I had my tonsils out 18th June and on day 8. It is the worst pain I have encountered. I've had heart surgery and that was nothing compared to this.
day 1- was fine. A bit sore.
Day2- Vomiting/ temperature/ Worst day of my life.
Day 3- Vomiting
day 4-8 Painful/ pill popping. Watching everyone eat yummy things is torture. Lost 8 pounds already.
I have a sick note for three weeks and everyday hope I feel better.
If somone on had just been honest and told me what a painful operation it is I would happily taken my chances with having another peritonsillar absess.
Advice- Iced water. No oranage lollies as it burns! Also take anti sicknes med as the projectile vomiting is VERY painful just after surgery.
brushing tongue with toothbrush helps too. Hot water bottle on the ear helps too.
Good luck X
day 1- was fine. A bit sore.
Day2- Vomiting/ temperature/ Worst day of my life.
Day 3- Vomiting
day 4-8 Painful/ pill popping. Watching everyone eat yummy things is torture. Lost 8 pounds already.
I have a sick note for three weeks and everyday hope I feel better.
If somone on had just been honest and told me what a painful operation it is I would happily taken my chances with having another peritonsillar absess.
Advice- Iced water. No oranage lollies as it burns! Also take anti sicknes med as the projectile vomiting is VERY painful just after surgery.
brushing tongue with toothbrush helps too. Hot water bottle on the ear helps too.
Good luck X
So I am on day 9 of my tonsillectomy. did it hurt!! oh YES it did I wont lie, but I am just so glad that I will never get a sore throat again
My most severe pain was from day 1 to day 5, today I have been on about 4 milligrams of acetominaphen with codine. When day 1 to day 5 I was on about 120 milligrams a day!!! So that goes to say how much more tolerable my pain is. Day 1 to 5 I was on pure popsicles and water, I have now lost 10 pounds, which I see is he only benefit from this surgery. Today I drove and was out and about at the mall shopping. Does anyone know when I can eat regular food? Also, does anyone else have the probles of the food getting stuck in the little caves where your tonsils once were?
My most severe pain was from day 1 to day 5, today I have been on about 4 milligrams of acetominaphen with codine. When day 1 to day 5 I was on about 120 milligrams a day!!! So that goes to say how much more tolerable my pain is. Day 1 to 5 I was on pure popsicles and water, I have now lost 10 pounds, which I see is he only benefit from this surgery. Today I drove and was out and about at the mall shopping. Does anyone know when I can eat regular food? Also, does anyone else have the probles of the food getting stuck in the little caves where your tonsils once were?
Wow. Some people mustn't have very good surgeons....
I had a diathermic tonsillectomy (apparently the most painful type, I dunno how it could be any worse than them being burned off....). I'm on day 6, I was told that from yesterday til day 7 would be the worst. Apart from waking up with a pretty bad earache the last couple days, it hasn't been that painful, definitely nothing like the first bout of tonsillitis. Feels like I've done a hundred tongue pushups though...
I've been able to eat anything that didn't have a fried texture. Drinking is uncomfortable, but its been reasonably easy to keep hydrated. I've just been letting myself sleep the 8 or 9 hours straight at night rather than bothering with painkillers through the night.
I'm only on liquid paracetamol (4g a day total) and panadeine forte (paracetamol/codeine) when I need it, which has only been once a day when I wake up in place of the liquid stuff, and I'm fine after about 20 minutes until I fall asleep....
I can tell I have bad breath and the scabs are almost formed (grey, just not to the furry/fall off stage).
Private health care for the win...
I had a diathermic tonsillectomy (apparently the most painful type, I dunno how it could be any worse than them being burned off....). I'm on day 6, I was told that from yesterday til day 7 would be the worst. Apart from waking up with a pretty bad earache the last couple days, it hasn't been that painful, definitely nothing like the first bout of tonsillitis. Feels like I've done a hundred tongue pushups though...
I've been able to eat anything that didn't have a fried texture. Drinking is uncomfortable, but its been reasonably easy to keep hydrated. I've just been letting myself sleep the 8 or 9 hours straight at night rather than bothering with painkillers through the night.
I'm only on liquid paracetamol (4g a day total) and panadeine forte (paracetamol/codeine) when I need it, which has only been once a day when I wake up in place of the liquid stuff, and I'm fine after about 20 minutes until I fall asleep....
I can tell I have bad breath and the scabs are almost formed (grey, just not to the furry/fall off stage).
Private health care for the win...