Getting tonsils removed - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Stompy · 04-08-2005, 09:46 AM

I'm 24 and had a sleep study recently after MANY months of being exhausted and feeling like pure shit... was diagnosed with Sleep Apnea. I stop breathing an average of 22 times an hour.

In January, I had a severe case of tonsilitis that lasted about 3 weeks. Just last week, it came back again.

I talked to my ear/nose/throat doc and he said because of my sleep apnea and my recent bouts of sore throats, that it might be a good idea to get my tonsils removed.

He also said that becuase my tonsils are larger than normal, there's a good chance that it would make me sleep better to the point where I wouldn't need a breathing machine (which I will get in a few weeks) to regulate the pressure in my throat.

Has anyone had this done in recent times... or when they were at an age to clearly remember it? If so, how well does it help breathing/sore throat problems and how bad is the pain afterward? I'm assuming they're gonna give me painkillers, so I'm not too concerned with the pain, but I don't wanna go through it all if it MIGHT not have a positive impact on how well I breathe.

hossified · 04-08-2005, 09:54 AM

if it'll make you sleep better, than a week of pure hell may be worth it....?? I had mine out when I was about 10 or so....and this is where my fear of hospital came from...haha.....it was a very abd experience. The pain was the worst about the first 3 days afterwards...than you get used to it. Swallowing your own saliva is not an option for about 48 hours....too painful.

good luck

liquidlight · 04-08-2005, 10:04 AM

I was younger, but having my tonsils removed is still one of my most vivid memories. The procedure is very common and the pain only really lasts about a week while your throat heals. Get a good doctor, as in actually talk to some nurses at the hospital without telling them who's doing your procedure and ask them who they would recommend because it really does make a HUGE difference as far as your recovery and risk of complications. Other than that, having the tonsils removed has several other health benefits besides your sleep patterns, especially if you've been getting tonsillitis! A lot of doctors hesitate to remove them just because the treatments have gotten so effective and it's more profitable to treat the symptom than the cause, great world we live in, huh?

danny_boy · 04-08-2005, 10:38 AM

tons of popscicles...numb the throat..tons of lolipops..its discomforting...but in no way was it hell...

lindseylatch · 04-08-2005, 10:54 AM

holy crap, sleep apnea is sucky. I would go with it. Although I've never had my tonsils out, I know how it is to get crappy sleep (I have a wierd sleep cycle), and once you actually experience good sleep, you will be so relieved!

ShaniFaye · 04-08-2005, 10:59 AM

I had my tonsils out in 1986 when I was 17, back then you still stayed in the hospital, I think its an outpatient thing now. I had a very bad history of tonsilitis from the time I was 13 to 17, but I couldnt stay infection free long enuff for the surgery. The operation took an hour and 45 minutes because I had so much scar tissue from previous illnesses.

4 hours out of surgery I was eating beef and cheddars from Arby's and drinking Dr. Pepper, I had them out on a thursday and started my senior year of high school the following wednesday. I remember no pain at all, but maybe Im just wierd.

Rodney · 04-09-2005, 08:21 PM

I was young, but I remember it. I had no particular pain in recovery and believe me, I'm good at remembering pain.

alec · 04-11-2005, 07:07 AM

i had them taken out a year ago at age 20.... it wasnt that bad for me

i ate dumplins like 3 days after the surgery (but it got difficult to finish them off)

just eat ice cream, play video games for a few days, youll be out of it but its REALLY worth it. i used to get bad tonsilitus on a regular basis, and i havent had any problems since so...

Stompy · 04-11-2005, 09:56 AM

Yeah, my tonsils are swollen AGAIN... so I'm hoping they take em out this week. I have a doc appt for tomorrow AM.

This is the 4th time in 4 months.

st33lr4t · 04-11-2005, 01:42 PM

i have large ass tonsil and a deviated septum. my septum is really gay because if i push down on the bridge of my nose hard enough my nasal passages open right up. so im left breathing through my mouth. when i sleep i wake up like i havent breathed in days...and my woman says she sometimes sees me strugle for breath. i have yet to visit a sleep disorder clinic.

this is something im really going to look into. let me know how your procedure goes if indeed you get it done.

Stompy · 04-12-2005, 10:01 AM

I have the surgery scheduled for April 27, so good stuff!

JustJess · 04-12-2005, 10:09 AM

Just do it - I did it my freshman year, at 18, and I was sore and all that, but they give you nice drugs and nice ice cream. I'd avoid things like fried rice too soon afterwards... rice is difficult to dig out of the holes!
I was having very regular tonsilitis and snoring like a fiend... I don't snore like that much anymore (except the occasional cold).
The worst part is the anesthesia - IF you're susceptible, it can make you nauseous, and the most horrible part was when I puked right after leaving the hospital - IN the parking lot, no less. Ugh. That sucked really badly. I puked a couple more times when I got home. But remember, I'm VERY susceptible - if you're not, don't worry about it. My brother and sister both had it done in college, and they didn't throw up - it was just me. Nowadays, it's pretty routine, so just do it!

questone · 04-22-2005, 07:02 PM

Skould be a painless procedure

Stompy · 04-27-2005, 12:57 PM

Weee, it's actually pretty easy.

I kinda expected this to be a LOT more painful than it currently is. Pretty neat, actually because my throat hurt more when it was SORE than it was from this surgery!

Plus I get liquid vicodin

ShaniFaye · 04-27-2005, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stompy

Weee, it's actually pretty easy.

I kinda expected this to be a LOT more painful than it currently is. Pretty neat, actually because my throat hurt more when it was SORE than it was from this surgery!

Plus I get liquid vicodin

thats exactly what my doctor told the nurse when she complained about me eating from arby's and drinking carbonated drinks....actually it was more like
"If you knew the pain this child have been thru for the last 4 years you would shut up and leave her alone"

Stompy · 05-02-2005, 10:13 AM

Actually hahaa... uh once the painkillers wear off... yeah, it sucks BIG TIME.

Apparently the govt makes you wait 3 days on vicodin refills... and I ran out like 10 hours before midnight to where I could get the next one... and that sucked hardcore.

I ran out just now, but luckily it's the 3rd day and I have another refill left.

I called up to see if I should still be sore, and they said I need to use the throat muscles more to eat real food (still eating ice cream and pudding)... so... hm gotta start tryin to eat normal I guess. Thats gonna be funnn...

Stompy · 05-11-2005, 10:07 AM

You wouldn't believe the ordeal I went through last night.

2 weeks after the surgery, my throat decides to start gushing blood. I go to the ER and head immediately into the operating room (after the docs shove all sorts of needles and IVs into me)... they had to caulterize (sp? can't think right now) whatever it is that busted open...

I lost SO much blood yesterday.. my vital signs were going nuts, blood pressure was dropping, my heart rate was incresing.. they were about to give me a full transfusion, but didn't. Kinda screwed up.

But I'm home now. I have more liquid hydrocodone, haha.

I was on morphine all night. Wee.. I'm so glad I can't feel any of this otherwise I would kill someone - I hate oral pain.

Redlemon · 05-11-2005, 10:37 AM

Holy crap... glad to hear you still live after that. Eww.

cheese · 12-09-2005, 12:09 AM

jesus. i was just reading this cuz i just had my tonsils out this week. but holy crap you hemmoraged? thats liek a 3% chance of happening. worst thing i have righ tnow i wicked bad breath

Stompy · 12-13-2005, 11:27 AM

Hah, yeah.. it wasn't fun.

My friend's aunt works at the hospital and was doin the paperwork on my file, and based on what was reported in terms of vitals, blood loss, etc.. I was on the brink of dying. I mean... I came as close as you can without actually crossing the line because of the massive amount of blood I had lost. I shoulda, but didn't.

Crazy stuff.

Maleigh99 · 12-21-2005, 02:40 PM

Even though you had to go to go through the whole ordeal with the emergency surgery, you still are glad you went through with the surgery? I've wanted to have it done ever since I could remember.

Stompy · 12-29-2005, 12:45 PM

Yeah, I'm glad I had it done.

I've had 2 sore throats since and it doesn't even bother me at all. I mean, there's the raw feeling which isn't fun, but... compared to swollen tonsils, not bein able to swallow, hah, it's WAY better.

04-08-2005, 09:46 AM	#1 (permalink)
Stompy Banned from being Banned Location: Donkey	Getting tonsils removed I'm 24 and had a sleep study recently after MANY months of being exhausted and feeling like pure shit... was diagnosed with Sleep Apnea. I stop breathing an average of 22 times an hour. In January, I had a severe case of tonsilitis that lasted about 3 weeks. Just last week, it came back again. I talked to my ear/nose/throat doc and he said because of my sleep apnea and my recent bouts of sore throats, that it might be a good idea to get my tonsils removed. He also said that becuase my tonsils are larger than normal, there's a good chance that it would make me sleep better to the point where I wouldn't need a breathing machine (which I will get in a few weeks) to regulate the pressure in my throat. Has anyone had this done in recent times... or when they were at an age to clearly remember it? If so, how well does it help breathing/sore throat problems and how bad is the pain afterward? I'm assuming they're gonna give me painkillers, so I'm not too concerned with the pain, but I don't wanna go through it all if it MIGHT not have a positive impact on how well I breathe. __________________ I love lamp.

04-08-2005, 10:04 AM	#3 (permalink)
liquidlight AHH! Custom Title!! Location: The twisted warpings of my brain.	I was younger, but having my tonsils removed is still one of my most vivid memories. The procedure is very common and the pain only really lasts about a week while your throat heals. Get a good doctor, as in actually talk to some nurses at the hospital without telling them who's doing your procedure and ask them who they would recommend because it really does make a HUGE difference as far as your recovery and risk of complications. Other than that, having the tonsils removed has several other health benefits besides your sleep patterns, especially if you've been getting tonsillitis! A lot of doctors hesitate to remove them just because the treatments have gotten so effective and it's more profitable to treat the symptom than the cause, great world we live in, huh? __________________ Halfway to hell and picking up speed.

04-08-2005, 10:54 AM	#5 (permalink)
lindseylatch Addict Location: Seattle, WA	holy crap, sleep apnea is sucky. I would go with it. Although I've never had my tonsils out, I know how it is to get crappy sleep (I have a wierd sleep cycle), and once you actually experience good sleep, you will be so relieved! __________________ "Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities" "If God did not exist, it would be necessary to invent him." "It is dangerous to be right when the government is wrong." -Voltaire

04-08-2005, 10:59 AM	#6 (permalink)
ShaniFaye Submit to me, you know you want to Location: Lilburn, Ga	I had my tonsils out in 1986 when I was 17, back then you still stayed in the hospital, I think its an outpatient thing now. I had a very bad history of tonsilitis from the time I was 13 to 17, but I couldnt stay infection free long enuff for the surgery. The operation took an hour and 45 minutes because I had so much scar tissue from previous illnesses. 4 hours out of surgery I was eating beef and cheddars from Arby's and drinking Dr. Pepper, I had them out on a thursday and started my senior year of high school the following wednesday. I remember no pain at all, but maybe Im just wierd. __________________ *I want the diabetic plan that comes with rollover carbs. I dont like the unused one expiring at midnite!!*

04-11-2005, 09:56 AM	#9 (permalink)
Stompy Banned from being Banned Location: Donkey	Yeah, my tonsils are swollen AGAIN... so I'm hoping they take em out this week. I have a doc appt for tomorrow AM. This is the 4th time in 4 months. __________________ I love lamp.

04-08-2005, 09:54 AM	#2 (permalink)
hossified face f$cker Location: canada	if it'll make you sleep better, than a week of pure hell may be worth it....?? I had mine out when I was about 10 or so....and this is where my fear of hospital came from...haha.....it was a very abd experience. The pain was the worst about the first 3 days afterwards...than you get used to it. Swallowing your own saliva is not an option for about 48 hours....too painful. good luck

04-08-2005, 10:38 AM	#4 (permalink)
danny_boy Crazy	tons of popscicles...numb the throat..tons of lolipops..its discomforting...but in no way was it hell...

04-09-2005, 08:21 PM	#7 (permalink)
Rodney Observant Ruminant Location: Rich Wannabe Hippie Town	I was young, but I remember it. I had no particular pain in recovery and believe me, I'm good at remembering pain.

04-11-2005, 07:07 AM	#8 (permalink)
alec Insane Location: Washington DC	i had them taken out a year ago at age 20.... it wasnt that bad for me i ate dumplins like 3 days after the surgery (but it got difficult to finish them off) just eat ice cream, play video games for a few days, youll be out of it but its REALLY worth it. i used to get bad tonsilitus on a regular basis, and i havent had any problems since so...

04-11-2005, 01:42 PM	#10 (permalink)
st33lr4t Psycho Location: Dallas, Tx	i have large ass tonsil and a deviated septum. my septum is really gay because if i push down on the bridge of my nose hard enough my nasal passages open right up. so im left breathing through my mouth. when i sleep i wake up like i havent breathed in days...and my woman says she sometimes sees me strugle for breath. i have yet to visit a sleep disorder clinic. this is something im really going to look into. let me know how your procedure goes if indeed you get it done.

04-12-2005, 10:01 AM	#11 (permalink)
Stompy Banned from being Banned Location: Donkey	I have the surgery scheduled for April 27, so good stuff! __________________ I love lamp.

04-12-2005, 10:09 AM	#12 (permalink)
JustJess Unencapsulated Location: Kittyville	Just do it - I did it my freshman year, at 18, and I was sore and all that, but they give you nice drugs and nice ice cream. I'd avoid things like fried rice too soon afterwards... rice is difficult to dig out of the holes! I was having very regular tonsilitis and snoring like a fiend... I don't snore like that much anymore (except the occasional cold). The worst part is the anesthesia - IF you're susceptible, it can make you nauseous, and the most horrible part was when I puked right after leaving the hospital - IN the parking lot, no less. Ugh. That sucked really badly. I puked a couple more times when I got home. But remember, I'm VERY susceptible - if you're not, don't worry about it. My brother and sister both had it done in college, and they didn't throw up - it was just me. Nowadays, it's pretty routine, so just do it! __________________ My heart knows me better than I know myself, so I'm gonna let it do all the talkin'.

04-22-2005, 07:02 PM	#13 (permalink)
questone Crazy	Skould be a painless procedure

04-27-2005, 12:57 PM	#14 (permalink)
Stompy Banned from being Banned Location: Donkey	Weee, it's actually pretty easy. I kinda expected this to be a LOT more painful than it currently is. Pretty neat, actually because my throat hurt more when it was SORE than it was from this surgery! Plus I get liquid vicodin __________________ I love lamp.

05-02-2005, 10:13 AM	#16 (permalink)
Stompy Banned from being Banned Location: Donkey	Actually hahaa... uh once the painkillers wear off... yeah, it sucks BIG TIME. Apparently the govt makes you wait 3 days on vicodin refills... and I ran out like 10 hours before midnight to where I could get the next one... and that sucked hardcore. I ran out just now, but luckily it's the 3rd day and I have another refill left. I called up to see if I should still be sore, and they said I need to use the throat muscles more to eat real food (still eating ice cream and pudding)... so... hm gotta start tryin to eat normal I guess. Thats gonna be funnn... __________________ I love lamp.

05-11-2005, 10:07 AM	#17 (permalink)
Stompy Banned from being Banned Location: Donkey	You wouldn't believe the ordeal I went through last night. 2 weeks after the surgery, my throat decides to start gushing blood. I go to the ER and head immediately into the operating room (after the docs shove all sorts of needles and IVs into me)... they had to caulterize (sp? can't think right now) whatever it is that busted open... I lost SO much blood yesterday.. my vital signs were going nuts, blood pressure was dropping, my heart rate was incresing.. they were about to give me a full transfusion, but didn't. Kinda screwed up. But I'm home now. I have more liquid hydrocodone, haha. I was on morphine all night. Wee.. I'm so glad I can't feel any of this otherwise I would kill someone - I hate oral pain. __________________ I love lamp.

05-11-2005, 10:37 AM	#18 (permalink)
Redlemon Devoted Donor Location: New England	Holy crap... glad to hear you still live after that. Eww. __________________ I can't read your signature. Sorry.

12-09-2005, 12:09 AM	#19 (permalink)
cheese Psycho Location: In your bath tub with all your other rubber toys	jesus. i was just reading this cuz i just had my tonsils out this week. but holy crap you hemmoraged? thats liek a 3% chance of happening. worst thing i have righ tnow i wicked bad breath

12-13-2005, 11:27 AM	#20 (permalink)
Stompy Banned from being Banned Location: Donkey	Hah, yeah.. it wasn't fun. My friend's aunt works at the hospital and was doin the paperwork on my file, and based on what was reported in terms of vitals, blood loss, etc.. I was on the brink of dying. I mean... I came as close as you can without actually crossing the line because of the massive amount of blood I had lost. I shoulda, but didn't. Crazy stuff. __________________ I love lamp.

12-21-2005, 02:40 PM	#21 (permalink)
Maleigh99 Upright Location: Texas	Even though you had to go to go through the whole ordeal with the emergency surgery, you still are glad you went through with the surgery? I've wanted to have it done ever since I could remember.

12-29-2005, 12:45 PM	#22 (permalink)
Stompy Banned from being Banned Location: Donkey	Yeah, I'm glad I had it done. I've had 2 sore throats since and it doesn't even bother me at all. I mean, there's the raw feeling which isn't fun, but... compared to swollen tonsils, not bein able to swallow, hah, it's WAY better. __________________ I love lamp.