Tonsils and adenoids?

[megsmeadow]

So my little guy is four and in April we saw a consultant who strongly recommended he have his tonsils and adenoids removed. He's always snored etc even when he's awake, and that was made worse by scarlet fever last Christmas. The consultant said the trigger was when we told him that ds gasps in his sleep and sounds like he has mild sleep apnoea. If left untreated some kids go on to develop irreversible heart problems.

Well there's been problems with waiting lists etc so ds now has an appointment for the 9th of December. And now I'm second guessing if he really needs it. But of course he does.

Has anyone else had a child go through this, I'm panicking already!!

 

[Jajis]

I didn't have mine taken out as a child, but I always wished I had. I ended up having them out just over a month ago (I'm 28 now) because I was having recurrent bouts of tonsillitis and antibiotics were having horrible side effects.

Considering everybody always goes on about how much worse it is having your tonsils out as an adult it really wasn't that bad - I was off work for three weeks afterwards while it healed, in order to avoid infection, so I'm guessing your son won't be able to go back to nursery / school until after Christmas. I had strong pain relief straight after the operation, but by the next morning I was only taking paracetamol and ibuprofen and that was enough to cope with the pain - but if I didn't take them I could really feel it.

My Mum is also convinced that I've always had sleep apnoea, but the GPs have never wanted to do anything about it (the last one I saw told me that I was only tired because I'd just had a baby, completely ignored the fact that it wasn't a new problem). My partner says that he thinks it's really improved since my tonsils were taken out.

The other reason I wished my parents had got mine taken out when I was a child was because I hated the fact that I snored, and it affected my confidence massively when I was at school - I never wanted to go to sleep overs or on school trips because I was sure that people would laugh about it. It caused me massive anxiety when I went away to university as well

I'm sure that you'll be given all the post-op advice, but if you want to hear more about it I'd be happy to write more - just off to get some lunch now though!

 

[Mrs M]

I had mine out at 11 and still snore terribly! Ha! I wish I didn't but I do!

 

[clairem1980]

My niece had her tonsils and adenoids out when she was 2. She was a terrible snorer but was my sisters first child so she thought it was normal. It was only when her other aunt babysat and realised she had sleep apnoea that my sister took her to the docs. She had the op and recovered well. Her brother, who arrived just after her op, was a snorer too but the docs decided his tonsils weren't large enough to warrant removal.
Hope your sons op goes smoothly x

 

[megsmeadow]

Thanks so much for your replies!! We've had a letter from the play specialist inviting ds in to be shown the ward etc with Chester the puppet. It puts my mind at ease a bit and ds is actually excited about going to see him.
It's definitely the right thing to do. Having it all disrupt his adult life doesn't seem right, I hadn't really thought of beyond his childhood years jajis.
I think it's the fear of the unknown and my precious wee boy having an anesthetic that worries me most. My oh has managed to get the time off too so can be there with us. It'll be a long day and night for sure. Sleeping on makeshift bed at 34 weeks pregnant worries me too!

 

[cam]

I expect your lo has had the op now, hope it went well. My son had the same at 4 yrs and although i was so scared during and for days after its the best for him as i no longer have to worry about him not breathing properly at night. Its best at this age as they heal so quick and forget rhe pain they went through xx

 

[megsmeadow]

I'm afraid he hasn't had the op yet as he had a terrible cough and cold when he was due to go in. So they've delayed until the new year, and I've asked to avoid my due date. They did say it was best as they wouldn't want to make him more unwell by giving an anaesthetic.

 

[Elfs Mummy]

My daughter had hers out not so long ago and was ok. We didn't need to stay in over night and she came home and slept well all night. The next day she was very angry (anaesthetic still in system) but she recovered well and we've not had any issues since if you have any questions feel free to pm me.