Post Tonsillectomy pain

Alright, I'm up to day 6 and it's so weird...my pain meds are supposed to be taken every 4 hours but it starts to wear off after about 2.5 hours.

As for the scabs...the layers of white mucus stuff covering the acutal scabs are starting to come off chunk by chunk. I can feel when they get loose in my throat, it's pretty disgusting.

My throat now feels bruised, not really the raw sore feeling that it has been...but like someone punched me in the throat non-stop for a good 15 minutes. My jaw and tongue and all of that are very stiff and sore. One of my bigger complaints right now is the ear pain which still hasnt subsided. I can eat ramen noodles if I cut them up into little rice-size pieces so that I dont have to chew but after swallowing too much it starts to hurt, and the noodles get stuck in the "caves" where my tonsils used to be. Mornings are by far the worst because I cant keep my throat hydrated by drinking water when I'm sleeping... I just wish the c**p in my throat would go away already.

For those considering tonsillectomy...I have had some pretty miserable days and I'm sure I'll have more but I can already tell that once I heal, I'll be glad I did this.

One other thing, my tonsils were HUGE so now the back of my mouth/throat is a much bigger area. I can already tell that im going to have to re-teach myself to swallow, because in the past I had these huge barricades there helping me out...I'm going to have to re-learn how to move my tongue to cover this now bigger area.

I had my tonislls removed Monday morning.. Monday was okay I could drink, once the demerol wore off, there was a problem though. The darvocet didn't even touch the pain.. Tuesday was horrible, I laid in bed for 8 hours couldn't even tun the TV on, but couldn't sleep either.. Just laid in bed for the whole day with my eyes shut. This morning was horrible, the pain was so bad in so many places. My tongue, jaw, and ears inaddition to my throat were aching... I am hoping I am over the hump.. Now I am taking Lortab liquid, promethezeen and amoxicillian to try adn alleviate some of the swelling I guess. Hopefully there is light at the end of the tunnel.. I am hoping in a month or two I will feel differently about the surgery, but now I am upset that I did it.. I have had someone with me most of the time providing moral suppor, so that is nice. They are also doing my talking for me, since i sound faintly like hellen keller, or at least that is what my boyfriend says. If nothing else, it is nice to know someone else is going through this personal hell at the same time..

I had my tonsils out 7/3/07 and I've already gone through almost a whole bottle full of Hycet. I've been able to swallow fairly well but I just slept for four hours straight and having a hard time right now.

My neck is soooo sore on the outside. I wish that would go away. And I am wondering if I am ever going to be able to go to the bathroom again. They say that's a side effect of the pain meds.

My biggest fear right now is that the pain is going to get worse. I tell you what, I am going to chain myself to the ENT's desk on Friday if he doesn't decide to take pity on me and make sure I am not in misery this weekend.

And what's up with the popcicle thing? They tell you to eat them, but it hurts to suck! I am going to get some shaved ice later today I think. That sounds good. I've had a few cans of Chicken and Stars and that has been really good. I tried some Ramen last night and I didn't like it too much. Too noodly and too salty. I got some Malt-O-Meal to try this morning. I can't bear the thought of eating plain scrambled eggs...blick. I'm getting a little tired of sweet stuff though.

Okay, I'm rambling. Waiting for the meds to kick in so I can drink some more and maybe sleep some more. My best advice is to drink drink drink.

Does the medicine make anyone a little itchy or is it just me?

Oh, day three is bad bad bad bad.

Hi, I am 16 male, and i just my tonsils taking out 6 days ago. When i woke up from the hospital, i felt preatty damn good about everyhting.
Day1: Pain in the neck, but not as much as i though i would have. Could Drink a Whole glass of water in one shot.
Day2: Same as day 1
Day3: Started eating soup, over cooked the noodle so they get big and soft.
Day4: The pain got a little bit worse
Day5: I woke up, and the pain was so bad. Feels like u swallow a handfull of fire red metal nails.
Day6: Haven't eaten in a while or even took a dump in 6 days! Getting a bit worried

Hepfull hints: Take a nice warm bath at night with lavender bath bomb
Eating vanilla pudding helped me ease the pain
Try to keep ur self warm at all times
Laying down helps the pain go away, avoid standing or even sitting down

For all of you that have pain like me, get well soon, but its well worth it in the long run!

Reading these post the night prior to my surgery was a complete nightmare. I had a lot of anxiety going into the surgery. but i think it helped in a way, b/c i expected the worst to happen.

I'm 21 now, and 2 years ago i got mono. i've been sick ever since nonstop. 3 weeks ago, i went to an ENT to see what the heck is wrong with me and why my tonsils are still swollen after two years. he told me that i had diseased tonsils, the mono never left, and i needed to have my tonsils and adenoids out ASAP, and that the quality of my life will improve tremendously.

so 1 week ago, i had the surgery. everything went super, they took them out with a surgical knife, and i had stitches. there was some minor pain, but i was able to walk on my own that evening. this is my 3rd surgery that i've ever had, and they most painful...but the pain didn't really start kicking until about day 4 and 5 post-op.

i think the key is to DRINK PLENTY OF FLUIDS, and eat stuff other than pudding and icecream. get something nutritious in your system. i've lived off of broccoli cheddar soup!! that has helped a lot. ice packs help with the ear pain. and taking the medicine religiously helped also. take the meds, then eat as soon as it kicks in, it'll go down easier.

i set an alarm to go off every 4 hours to take my meds, even at night, so that i don't wake up with pain. the first few nights, i set one every 2 hours, that way i would get up take meds, then the next alarm i'd get up drink lots of water, then next time take meds again...the scabs falling hasn't hurt that bad. there is tremendous foul breath. but i promise, if you eat something, drink a lot, take your meds and sleep...it'll be a lot easier. i've lost 10 lbs already, and i'd say, besides the pain, the worst part has been starving.

so there is hope. it'll totally be worth it yall!! i've never had a kid before, and according to these post, this surgery is worse. but, 2 weeks of pain is nothing compared to 2 years of constant misery from my illness.

so, 1 week post op things are looking up!!

My son had his tonsils/adenoids out on 7/19. Today we are post-op day 9. He is fine most of the day but at night he wakes up in the middle of the night in so much pain and again in the morning. I have him sleeping with a humidifier (as per doctor) because he may be "drying out". That seemed to help the first night but now it doesn't seem to be helping. I'm feeling really helpless right now because I can only give him so much medicine. I am currently alternating Tylenol codiene and motrin every 2 hrs. During the night I use Hydrocodone so I don't have to wake him. He was getting really painful headaches but that has started to subside. I just don't know what to expect or how long this will last. Help, help, help!!!!!!!!! I don't know what else to do for him. I am truly sorry for having done this to him. I so hope its worth it!! He's a trooper but if I can give him some extra relief that would be great.

I frequently used the website to prepare myself for the surgery, well im 19 years old and had my tonsils removed on wednesday august 8th. its is august 12th and just last night i scarfed down a happy meal, and suprisingly it was easy! i figured the pain would be hell but to be honest with you the only pain medicine i have taken is what they made me take at the hospital, so for all of you reading these posts i hope mine gives you the slightest bit of hope that you might actually be okay, just think positive and know its all for the better, I even when to the Kenny chesney concert saturday night just 3 days after surgery! i was bound to feel better, maybe everyone just needs something to really look forward too??
good luck and remember itll all be over in about 2 weeks!

I just had a tonsillectomy today and I am finding that the pain meds are wearing off on about 2.5 hrs also. I am a nurse as is my husband who is taking care of me. Does anyone just take them when they wear off? I have been waiting 3.5 to 4 hrs in between doses, but so many of you have intensely worsened pain on days 3 and beyond that it worries me that less than 24 hrs post op I hurt this much! I have a hair appointment on Friday that I have to go to....I guess I will just take a big dose of meds and hope for the best! Anyone have any words of encouragement?

I did manage to eat s few popsicles and some runny mashed potatoes. I fugured I'd better eat while I could!

I had a tonsillectomy yesterday and have been experiencing alot of post op pain. My doctor sent me home with liquid lortab every 4 hours. Had anyone taken it more often than every 4 hours? It seems to wear off after about 2-3 hours. I have been reading the item on this board and kind of know what to expect now. I actually ate a little sofe soild food yesterday evening. I figured I'd better eat it while I can. Thanks for everone's helpful hints.

Hey I had mine out on the 19th and its now the 23rd/24th.

Pain - Between about 11am and 11 pm I am not too bad - In between these times its pretty bad! I try and take the meds (Cocodamol) but i find they do little to help at night (well better than nothing)

An extremely good tip is to use DIFFLAM spray or mouthwash - google it, they did a medical trial specifically for post-tonsilectomy pain management and found it to be helpful! - It is an anti-inflammatory which numbs pain a little as well :-)

Plus i must correct something alot of people are saying here. Liquid diet is NOT ok. As advised by all the doctors, nurses, consultants and even alot of info on the web - YOU MUST CARRY ON A NORMAL DIET AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

At first it may be scary but if you are actually medicated up youll find it not too bad at all! In fact eating has caused me no extra pain! And I have been eating ALOT!! But remember dont be eating no Happy meal or that rubbish - lots of fruit and veg! Also drink lots of FIZZY drinks, the nurses could not stress this enough.

Overall - as people say it is going to be worth it in the end! - but when i read these posts they are way more dramatic than they should be -just remember

-the main pain is only really gonna be at night. Wake up regularly to take meds.

- EAT full diet from day of coming out - recovery time will shorten significantly + your stomach wont be as shredded from the meds!

- And althugh 14 days seems like a long time (it does to me I have only done 5 days :-( - It will be worth it in the end :-D

- Do not go to public places or see many people etc. - Especially not a concert - whoever posted that i believe is a liar! The main fear about this surgery is that your are extremely prone to infection after surgery! So stay away from any public places and even family members with Cold or cough!

I am a 41 year old female and I had a tonsillectomy on 9-10-07. I'm not sure what the procedure is called but my tonsils were burned out. The pain was the worst for me on day 3 & 4 after my surgery. I feel I was very fortunate because I never experienced what I would call excruciating pain. I've had ear pain, painful swallowing, etc. I was able to eat solid food by day 10. So far no problems with food getting stuck in the area where my tonsils were. I still have two small scabs, one on each side, and a slight amount of swelling on one side. For the most part I feel almost completely recovered. I was given Lortab liquid for the pain and Phenegran for the naseau, and these drugs worked very well in managing my pain and naseau. Despite the minimal discomfort I experienced after surgery I already feel better than I have in a very long time. I don't regret the surgery at all.

Day 13 after my tonsillectomy. I am 39 and the pain has been unreal to say the least. I am finally getting to where I can eat solid foods. I've lost 15 lbs. How long does the pain last?

I am a 33 yr old female who had a severe tonsillolith problem. For those of you who have this problem, you know how embarrassing and gut wrenching it is. For those who don't, don't ask. It's gross! Needless to say, I was desperate and felt a tonsillectomy was my only solution. But being the control freak I am, when I was scheduled for adult coblation technique tonsillectomy, I literally spent 2 full days reading message boards to prepare myself for what I would go through.

In hindsight, I really wish I would have recorded the days following surgery as many people do. If only to give anyone considering this procedure another depiction of what happens. Unfortunately, I didn't think of it in the haze of pain and strong narcotics.

I have a pretty high pain tolerance. I have had muscle damage and trapped nerves in my back/neck and severe migraines for over a decade. I have broken and sprained bones over and over again since childhood (either due to athletics or clumsiness). I even have had an emergency D&C performed WITHOUT anesthesia following a miscarriage at 3 months. From what I have read, a D&C can be even more painful than giving birth (at that point of pregnancy). So my thinking was; if I could take that stuff with little complaint, I could surely get through a surgery it takes small children only days to recuperate from.

I thought for sure I would have no problem dealing with the pain of the tonsillectomy. My ENT Dr. and her nurse had been very honest. They told me it was the 3rd most painful surgery they do at that hospital. But I just thought it was the wimpy people who led to this perception. As crazy as it sounds, after all the warnings from medical staff, friends, family and message boards, I still went into the tonsillectomy day with great enthusiasm. Again, if you know what tonsilloliths are, you understand why.

Well my surgery was September 17th. That was almost a full month ago. This following is what I want to share with any of you contemplating the procedure or suffering in the days following it:

Pain:
Everything I read on the boards about severe pain and suffering in the 7 or 8 days post surgery was surprisingly accurate. There is not one thing I have ever gone through that was near as bad as what I went through during the week following surgery. It was almost crazy how accurately each person described each day and what transpires.

Side Note:
The only thing I didn't hear much about beforehand was the blood clots. They burst on day 4 for me. The rupture of them caused me to cough up a crazy amount of blood (small mouthfuls). I first went to the Urgent Care and was told it was Strep Throat. But when I went to pick up the prescribed antibiotics, I began puking up blood again, nearly missing a very surprised Pharmacist! He sent to the ER. They of course told me the first Dr. was insane and showed me that 1/3 of the tonsil site was covered with clots. The ER Dr. just had me gargle over and over for a very long time with very cold water. No additional procedure was warranted and he sent me on my way. However, if you do experience this problem, do contact a doctor immediately. The clots sometimes do need to be recauterized.

The other downside to the clotting is I ended up coughing up a large amount of the scabs which were in no way ready to go. So with what were basically raw, exposed 3rd degree burns in my mouth, swallowing anything more than liquid was impossible.

Weeks 2 and 3:
From about day 8 to 21, the pain just slowly dissipates. I took pain meds during this time (oxycodone) but only small doses upon waking and prior to eating anything solid.

Another Side Note:
I did go to pick up a refill at just under 2 weeks. My surgeon was out but some Jacka** doctor I spoke to in her office told me by then the pain should be gone and basically implied I was lying. I freaked! (Not in a crazy person way, just in an embarrassed, crying off and on, doubting myself kind of way.) But another ENT surgeon who was standing there at the time offered to examine me. I explained to him that I had weaned myself to 1 pill upon waking (Yawning brings tears to your eyes at that point, and forget talking!), and half a pill with meals. He looked at my tonsils and explained the pain would subside at week 3 and gave me enough pain meds to get to that point. Funny thing was, it was the week 3 point (to the day) that it was like all of the sudden the pain was just gone. I tell you this story so that you understand that as quickly as it comes on, it also goes. It's like you just wake up one morning and OH MY GOD, YOU HAVE SURVIVED!

Immunities:
The only other thing I can think that is relevant to add is, do make sure you stay away from public places for the weeks following surgery. My first day out, my boyfriend took me to the movie theater. That way I could get out of the house finally but not exert too much effort. Great idea! However, within two days I woke with the flu. And of course due to a low immune system following surgery, that turned into an upper respiratory infection. So, STAY AWAY from germs until your immune system has time to build itself back up. As I said, it has been a month now and besides a lingering cold, I am feeling pretty good.

In a nutshell:
My thinking is this: It was by far the worst thing I have ever experienced. But it does get better and at this point I am so incredibly thankful I did it. The pain was TOTALLY worth it for the results. So if you are considering it, don't be scared off by the pain but do understand people’s complaints about it are VERY real. If you just had the surgery and feel as if you are dying, I just want you to know IT DOES GET BETTER. I promise, it does.

**edited by moderator**

i got my surgery about 6 days ago and just got out of the hospital from being in there Saturday morning- Monday afternoon. I got so dehydrated that they had to keep me in. while in the hospital they shot me with morphine and i broke out in hives bc they found out im allergic. I am in the worst PHYSICAL pain I have ever felt in my life. my doctors also a drag, no good pain meds...percocets just dont do the job. also i havent eaten since the day before my surgery and lost about 10 lbs...nasty...not to mention now i have thrush...some sort of mouth fungus and cant open my mouth more than 2 centimeters...i got meds for that too (liquid) and i cant even swallow!!...good luck to everyone that gets this