I'm 20 years old and had my tonsillectomy last Tuesday (it is now Tuesday of the following week) This recovery process is absolutely the worst thing I've ever dealt with. I have thrown up everyday since the day after surgery and even had to go to the emergency room on Day 5 for pain and dehydration as well as nauesa. Today seems to be a bit better (Day 7) but I haven't eaten a thing without throwing up, so I'm afraid to now. Can someone give me advice on how to ease this pain and anxiety? I get so nervous that I have to swallow my pain meds I dread when the 4th hour rolls around to have to swallow anything. I wish someone would have warned me about this. I never would have gotten them out. Hopefully it will be worth it when this pain subsides.
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE give me some advice on what to eat or drink or to treat pain?!
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE give me some advice on what to eat or drink or to treat pain?!
Hang in there, Karena. It'll get better.
If you see my post from last week, I was absolutely miserable. Somehow on Sunday (which was day 10 after my surgery) it was miraculously much better. And been okay since then. (crossing my fingers...)
I wasn't able to eat or drink anything either (still can't eat much, actually). Even swallowing water burned and hurt a lot. So here's my advice to you.
1. Lots of ice chips. I sucked on them all day, just kept refilling my cup. Keeps you hydrated and keeps everything else cold.
2. Ice pack on your neck and throat. Somehow it helps, maybe with the swelling.
3. Make sure you take your pain meds on time. (see #4 below)
4. The only things I was able to eat were a little bit of pudding (like a spoonful in a little bowl. I would crush the pain meds and mix them up in the pudding. By like day 6 or 7 I was able to follow someone here's suggestion to crush up a package of ramen noodles and then boil them (overcook the noodles til they're really mushy). Let them cool (or mix in an ice cube or two). Use only a little bit of the seasoning packet, because if you use it all it will BURN. On day 8 or so I was able to move on to overcooked Kraft Mac and Cheese.
I'm still not eating much, but I am able to drink water with no problem. And today's the first day I haven't had to take the pain meds every 4 hours. :)
Hang in there. It looks dark where you are now, but you're only a few days from feeling better. Take it from someone who knows. Three days ago I wanted to die. Now it's much better. Really. :D
If you see my post from last week, I was absolutely miserable. Somehow on Sunday (which was day 10 after my surgery) it was miraculously much better. And been okay since then. (crossing my fingers...)
I wasn't able to eat or drink anything either (still can't eat much, actually). Even swallowing water burned and hurt a lot. So here's my advice to you.
1. Lots of ice chips. I sucked on them all day, just kept refilling my cup. Keeps you hydrated and keeps everything else cold.
2. Ice pack on your neck and throat. Somehow it helps, maybe with the swelling.
3. Make sure you take your pain meds on time. (see #4 below)
4. The only things I was able to eat were a little bit of pudding (like a spoonful in a little bowl. I would crush the pain meds and mix them up in the pudding. By like day 6 or 7 I was able to follow someone here's suggestion to crush up a package of ramen noodles and then boil them (overcook the noodles til they're really mushy). Let them cool (or mix in an ice cube or two). Use only a little bit of the seasoning packet, because if you use it all it will BURN. On day 8 or so I was able to move on to overcooked Kraft Mac and Cheese.
I'm still not eating much, but I am able to drink water with no problem. And today's the first day I haven't had to take the pain meds every 4 hours. :)
Hang in there. It looks dark where you are now, but you're only a few days from feeling better. Take it from someone who knows. Three days ago I wanted to die. Now it's much better. Really. :D
Hi Marissa, I would definitely recommend Slim Fast shakes or some other nutritional drink. Yes, they do produce some mucus, but that didn't cause too much of a problem for me. I see that some people on here said their doctor's told them not to eat anything dairy, but my ENT actually encouraged pudding, ice cream, and shakes. I guess you should go by what your doctor says. These were definitely the most filling thing I was able to get down and without them, I would not have been able to take my pain medication. I noticed that if I took my medication on an empty stomach, I would get horrible stomach pains. Also, if you are going to eat mashed potatoes, make sure you make them extra soupy. Thick mashed potatoes will get stuck in your throat and that was very uncomfortable for me. My favorite were KFC mashed with extra gravy.
Hi Everyone.
I had my operation on the 26th June, and am now in a position to post about it.
I had a lingual tonsillectomy, which isn't nice at the best of times so I hear.
The operation took twice as long as expected, and when seeing the notes the surgeon sent to my doctor, I found out why. It literally said "HUGE lingual tonsils (upper case being used)", they had to use a laser and said there was poor definition between the tongue muscle and the tonsil tissue.
Anyway, days 1-3 wasnt too bad to be honest, but then on the 4th day, I woke up and couldnt stop shakinng, and felt so cold, despite having a temperature. It turned out to be Rigors (http://www.patient.co.uk/showdoc/40000122/) and I had to be put on stronger anti-biotics.
During the week ahead, it was horribe, the pain when yawning or sneezing was terrible, and I was trying to suppress any movements. My ear and back of the neck were incredibly sore.
Just as I thought it was getting better, on day 13 I sneezed, but this time I started bleeding. Pretty badly, but I gargled some ice water and it stopped.
However, I woke up the following morning bleeding again, and this time it wouldnt stop. So I headed to Casualty.
There, they had to put me on a drip, vacuumed my throat for clots, then used the endoscope up the nose and down the back of my throat, at which point I gagged and coughed up this massive clot.. I mean 3inces long, by 1.5 wide by 1 high... was really disgusting.
So then they decided I needed an emergency operation to stop the bleeding. I was in theatre within 1hr20 of getting to hosp.
Everywhere they took me they carried an emergency tracheotomy kit.
Well to cut a long story short, they had to use electrical current to stop the bleeding, and I stayed in overnight.
Its now been approx 10 or 11 weeks and I feel alot better. Still get occasional pains and sensations in my throat, but havent had a single illness since! which is great.
I didnt realise just how down it gets you, and how much better I used to feel.
My story is a bit unique, and happens in less than 5% of cases (having to have a further op to stop bleeding) I am told.
DONT let it put you off, its hard for a little while, but in the long term you won't regret it.
I had my operation on the 26th June, and am now in a position to post about it.
I had a lingual tonsillectomy, which isn't nice at the best of times so I hear.
The operation took twice as long as expected, and when seeing the notes the surgeon sent to my doctor, I found out why. It literally said "HUGE lingual tonsils (upper case being used)", they had to use a laser and said there was poor definition between the tongue muscle and the tonsil tissue.
Anyway, days 1-3 wasnt too bad to be honest, but then on the 4th day, I woke up and couldnt stop shakinng, and felt so cold, despite having a temperature. It turned out to be Rigors (http://www.patient.co.uk/showdoc/40000122/) and I had to be put on stronger anti-biotics.
During the week ahead, it was horribe, the pain when yawning or sneezing was terrible, and I was trying to suppress any movements. My ear and back of the neck were incredibly sore.
Just as I thought it was getting better, on day 13 I sneezed, but this time I started bleeding. Pretty badly, but I gargled some ice water and it stopped.
However, I woke up the following morning bleeding again, and this time it wouldnt stop. So I headed to Casualty.
There, they had to put me on a drip, vacuumed my throat for clots, then used the endoscope up the nose and down the back of my throat, at which point I gagged and coughed up this massive clot.. I mean 3inces long, by 1.5 wide by 1 high... was really disgusting.
So then they decided I needed an emergency operation to stop the bleeding. I was in theatre within 1hr20 of getting to hosp.
Everywhere they took me they carried an emergency tracheotomy kit.
Well to cut a long story short, they had to use electrical current to stop the bleeding, and I stayed in overnight.
Its now been approx 10 or 11 weeks and I feel alot better. Still get occasional pains and sensations in my throat, but havent had a single illness since! which is great.
I didnt realise just how down it gets you, and how much better I used to feel.
My story is a bit unique, and happens in less than 5% of cases (having to have a further op to stop bleeding) I am told.
DONT let it put you off, its hard for a little while, but in the long term you won't regret it.
This topic is being closed due to having too many posts.
Please continue posting within the following one: What to expect following adult tonsillectomy & adenoidectomy – Part 2
Please continue posting within the following one: What to expect following adult tonsillectomy & adenoidectomy – Part 2