OT - Anyone's kids have "large tonsils"???

[mommy*RN]

Okay - to make a long story short, our DS was diagnosed with strep throat on Monday. This was the 3rd time in 3 months. Whenever he has strep he always complains of a headache...never a sore throat and his appetite usually isn't affected. He does, though, have a fever. Anyway - today was the last day of his antibiotic and earlier this afternoon he started crying and complaining of a headache. This is highly unusual for him. So I called the peds office and the very rude nurse refused to answer any of my questions and just gave us an appointment. DH took DS to the doctor and I stayed home with DD. The doc said he no longer had strep, but may have a virus that is causing the headaches. Then the doc said that DS has large tonsils and asked DH about his breathing habits and if he snored. He does snore and that is a question I had on my list of questions for the doc (we see him on Tuesday again for DS's 4yr checkup). He told DH he would talk to me more about it at the checkup, but that he would probably refer us to an ENT. So here are my questions:

Does this mean DS will probably have to have his tonsils removed in the near future?

Do any of you know of a virus that causes just a headache and no other symptoms (no fever, no cold, no cough, etc.)?

I am soooo worried about my DS because he really isn't acting himself and I am afraid these headaches are something worse. I've never had a virus that just causes a headache, AND I am a pediatric nurse and have never seen kids with a virus that causes just a headache - usually they will start having other symptoms. This is day 6 of DS's headaches!

Of course it is now the weekend and I am afraid if these headaches persist I am going to end up taking DS to the ER this weekend...

What would you do? I hate the fact that if it is someone else's kid I will always give advice...but when it is your own and you feel like you should have all the answers you just don't know what to do!

Thanks for any help/support...I'm freaking out!

 

[nicoleakr]

It would be a good thing for the tosnile to come out. My daughter had them out when she was in kindgarten. She didn't have an infection, however she was snoring. They took an x-ray and found that in the way back her tosnile were so big that they were touching. Once she had them out she has felt so much better. Any way Good Luck. Everything will be fine!

 

[pigget74]

My daughter's tonsils grew very large very quickly. We were having problems getting her up in the morning--always needed about 12 hours of sleep or she would she be in a horrible mood. Snored so loud that we could hear her with her door closed, down the hall, and our door closed. Went to the DR. because we were worried about sleep apnea and he sent us on to ENT. DR. looked at them and said this is vewry dangerous and we need to get them out quick. They were so big that they were almost touching in the front and she was not sick. Took them out and she sleeps great, doesn;t snore and is in a good mood. Her breath is also a lot better.

As far as the headaches go: can you do a medline search? I would probably get a second opinion. Could it be a migraine that just has not gone away? Good luck and I hope he is better soon. Sending your way.

 

[hangaboli]

The reason I ask is because my girlfriend's son was having the same problem. He is 9 and really doesn't like to drink anything. Once she forced him to start drinking his headaches started to clear up right away. Something to try!

As for tonsils ... I have 7 year old twin daughters and a 5 year old daughter. One of my 7 year olds had her tonsils and adenoids out when she was 2.5. They both were extremely large. She had never been sick but wasn't getting the proper rest and actually losing weight. She was such a different person the next day it was incredible! It was for the best.

My 5 year old had both of hers out one week shy of turning 3. Her tonsils were large in the back bottom and her adenoids were pretty big. She too wasn't sick but didn't sleep well. Big change in her growing but unfortunately not her sleeping (always in my bed!)

The other 7 year old had her T&A out last Friday. I feel so guilty for not doing it when she was younger. She hasn't recovered as well like the other two. It's taken longer and more things hurt. She used to get ear infections and her colds would last longer than everyone else's. She also snored. So we had it done. She is doing much better and is breathing so much better now. She actually is quite pleasant in the morning.

One more thing to think about ... if your son's adenoids are quite large he might be blocking his air passages and could even just have allergies which causes swelling in that region. That too could produce major headaches ... I remember having no symptoms of infection but after day 3 of a migraine went to the doctor and my sinus's were blocked. Once that was released ... I got rid of the headache. Now I use Saline Spray once or twice a day to help alleviate the pressure.

Hope any of this helps ... and he is feeling better soon!

Erin

 

[abeyst]

Well, I had my tonsils out when I was 29, and let me tell you about PAIN!!! It was worse than having 2 kids! I wish my mom would have had it done when I was a child. But I had large tonsils, too, from having strep so much when I was younger. So I finally went ahead and did it myself. Too many breathing problems to not do something about it.

Definitely find a good ENT to go see. They'll prolly do soft tissue x-rays to see what's going on 'back there' for your son. They know MUCH more than a general pediatrician (it was actually surprising).

Anyway, I live in MI, and me and the kids have been getting headaches lately. I noticed mine are from being in a/c too much. The cold air gives me BAD headaches. Maybe that's something you could try?

I like the water idea, too.

 

[720L]

My DD had her tonsils (huge tonsils the dr said) out when she was 5. She still snores horribly and gets ear infections. (her adenoids were removed also). Now we're battling allergies. I had them removed because the dr said they were so big he thought she might have a hard time swallowing things like meat, etc.

 

[karliebug]

My daughter had hers out about 2 years ago at age 8. she snored and was always congested. she sleeps so much better now. don't be afraid to do it.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Growing up my sister had huge tonsils. We used to go to a specialist in the city for her as she also had a problem with ear infections. He was one of the top ENT's around. Anyway- he told my Mom that he would not take her tonsils out unless it was a matter of life and death. I know that sounds crazy, but it's the truth. She never had her tonsils out. If I remember correctly they didn't think that would solve the problem. I just recently took my oldest ds to the ENT and they did the scope to check his nose and his adnoids are moderately enlarged. He is now using nose spray to help him with seasoanl allergies. We have tried other meds but they haven't worked. The doctor did give me all the information and what steps would be taken if it doesn't work and ended it with surgery. Of course I said that I was not pushing for any tpe of surgery and he agreed but said he just wanted me to know how it progresses to the point of surgery. He's a great doctor. As far as the headache- run- don't walk to the ER. The only virus I know of that causes headaches is meningitis. I am not trying to scare you but that is what I know. It is also possible that your child could just have severe hayfever or sinusitis and that will give him headaches. Personally I would still take him to get checked by someone other than yous doctor. It is probably nothing but better to get checked. If anything to ease your son's pain with a solution (motrin, water etc.). Please keep us posted as I know how stressful it is when your baby is hurting.

 

[taximomfor4]

My 2nd dd (now 8) does have large tonsils. She saw an ENT at age 5, and he scoped her ... her adenoids are very large also. She can pretty much ONLY breathe out of her mouth. At that time, they explained that until the child is at least 6 or 7, the tonsils SHRINK, and the child GROWS. Therefore they don't just remove them.

As for the headaches, the same child has been getting them since age 4. She has seen several pediatric neurologists (for other issues), We have been told that she is most likely getting migraines -- that they believe these are more common in children than they thought, and that they apparently commonly start as early as age 4.

Definitely discuss with the ped, of course. Also, eye exam might be called for. Vision disturbances can really lead to headaches.

If your son keeps having strep with no strep symptoms, ask ped if he is a "Carrier." My nephew never gets sick with strep, but always tests positive for it. Took a long time to figure out that he always WILL test positive for it!

 

[KirstenB]

Our dd1 had HUGE tonsils, like golf-ball sized. She had 3 sets of eartubes, and the teachers at her daycare used to joke at how loud she snored (she was the smallest, daintiest kid there, but by far the loudest!)

Anyway, her ENT dr talked me into letting him take her tonsils out. Best thing we ever did! Her snoring stopped. She was healthier, no more ear infections, so she was able to gain some weight.

 

[mamacatnv]

Strep can manifest in several ways not just a sore throat. My DS had chronic strep that showed up with a tummy ache and fever, same with DD. Neither one of them gets a sore throat.

At age 10 we had DS's tonsils removed as he had strep pretty much non stop from January to May. Tonsils out - horrible, he was miserable for 10 days, wish I had done it when he was younger, but there really wasn't a reason. I would think long and hard before I would take out DD's.

DS-No strep for 6 years, then in March of this year he gets what we think is a nasty cold/flu. Strep never crosses our minds and so we don't seek immediate treatment like we do when DD exhibits the "tell tale" signs. Anyway, 6 days into it we get him to the Dr. Sure enough he had strep and he was sooooo sick, it took 2 courses of anti-biotics and almost a month to recover. I won't make that mistake again, no tonsils does not = no strep. which I knew but he had been strep free for so long it never occurred to me.

I have to insist to have DD tested for strep if we are anywhere but at her Dr's office ie...Urgent Care. 9 times out of 10 she has a positive result much to the Urgent Cares surprise.

DD has extremely small tonsils - we get lots of comments on how small they are.

 

[babiesX2]

DD13 had her's removed when she was 9. Her tonsils were so big they touched each other. She would pop these hard yellow yucky things out of them (sign of chronic infection) that smelled really nasty and funky. Ditto the snoring. She would keep us up half the night with her snoring. Since removing them she has been to the dr. maybe 5 times.

 

[mommy*RN]

Thank you guys! Your stories are helping me a lot!

I had my tonsils out when I was 3 and it was no big deal...so if the doc wants to have DS's I say "Go ahead!"...but it can only be way before or soon after our vacation to WDW in October!!!

DS does snore - very loudly. I laughed because one night during a storm he crawled into bed with DH and I - and I was up most of the night listening to the two of them have a snoring competition in their sleep! I told DH he should get his yanked at the same time DS does (if DS does that is...). He's had strep just as often and snores soooooo loudly I can hear him when I am upstairs and he is sleeping on the couch!

I will definitely keep you all posted...we just see his ped on Tuesday and that's when he will refer me to the ENT...then I am sure I won't get DS in for a few weeks...so we shall see!

 

[Disneyrsh]

Okay - to make a long story short, our DS was diagnosed with strep throat on Monday. This was the 3rd time in 3 months. Whenever he has strep he always complains of a headache...never a sore throat and his appetite usually isn't affected. He does, though, have a fever. Anyway - today was the last day of his antibiotic and earlier this afternoon he started crying and complaining of a headache. This is highly unusual for him. So I called the peds office and the very rude nurse refused to answer any of my questions and just gave us an appointment. DH took DS to the doctor and I stayed home with DD. The doc said he no longer had strep, but may have a virus that is causing the headaches. Then the doc said that DS has large tonsils and asked DH about his breathing habits and if he snored. He does snore and that is a question I had on my list of questions for the doc (we see him on Tuesday again for DS's 4yr checkup). He told DH he would talk to me more about it at the checkup, but that he would probably refer us to an ENT. So here are my questions:

Does this mean DS will probably have to have his tonsils removed in the near future?

Do any of you know of a virus that causes just a headache and no other symptoms (no fever, no cold, no cough, etc.)?

I am soooo worried about my DS because he really isn't acting himself and I am afraid these headaches are something worse. I've never had a virus that just causes a headache, AND I am a pediatric nurse and have never seen kids with a virus that causes just a headache - usually they will start having other symptoms. This is day 6 of DS's headaches!

Of course it is now the weekend and I am afraid if these headaches persist I am going to end up taking DS to the ER this weekend...

What would you do? I hate the fact that if it is someone else's kid I will always give advice...but when it is your own and you feel like you should have all the answers you just don't know what to do!

Thanks for any help/support...I'm freaking out!

My older daughter had recurrent strep, sleep apnea and enlarged tonsils and adenoids. Our pediatrician recommended we leave them alone. One night when she had a recurrence of strep we watched her repeatedly stop breathing and then gasp for breath in her sleep.

That was enough for us.

We brought her to who many people believe is one of the best ear nose and throat pediatric specialists in Atlanta, and he scoped her throat and recommended that the tonsils and adenoids come out immediately.

They did, and what a huge difference.

No more strep, no more gasping at night, and our ENT said we'd notice two things,

1. Her attention span would increase by leaps and bounds since she wasn't sleep deprived any more (from the apnea) and

2. She'd grow, fast! (again, sleep deprivation issue and immune system not having to fight the strep.)

He was right on both counts. Best choice we ever made for her.

Our ENT says snoring is NOT normal for children.

As for the headaches, strep can cause them. Everyone in our family who has had strep has had a miserable headache along with it.

 

[ribbot]

My son (just turned 6), just had his tonsils out this past Monday---so far it's been the best thing we've ever done. He's still in the healing process, but just as of the past 2 nights, he no longer snores. He used to toss and turn all night and snore, I'm thinking he wasn't getting a good nights rest. Now he wakes up rested. He also could never open his mouth and stick out his tongue without gagging (and usually throwing up)---but now he can open his mouth real wide and say ahhhhhhhhh--without gagging! So those tonsils musta been huge.

He was sick constantly---always on antibiotics ever since preschool. This past month he got sick again and I said this is it---I went to the ENT and he said there was green pus dripping down his throat. So I scheduled the surgery. He did great--and was eating the next morning!

I still have my tonsils and am too scared to get them out now---but for young kids that are always sick with colds, etc. I'd definitely do it again.

Not sure about the headaches---no problems here with that.

Good luck and let us know what happens at the appt!!

 

[mommy*RN]

You guys got me thinking...

About a year ago I hauled DS into the peds office freaking out because he was 3 and taking a 3hr nap a day AND "sleeping" 12 hrs at night, for over a month (so I didn't think it was a growth spurt). I was scared about the possibility of cancer or something...anyway - we didn't see our regular ped but one of his partners who I like very much. She did bloodwork and everything checked out okay. I can't believe that I was so stupid not to mention the snoring then! He was snoring just not as bad as he does now...No wonder the kid is 4yrs and still takes naps....I will be sure to mention this to his ped on Tuesday...

Thanks again - you guys are really helping me out!

 

[abeyst]

You guys have me thinking now, too, about DS7. He's been having so many problems paying attention in school and is ALWAYS tired in the morning, and he snores pretty regularly (although it's not too loud). He sleeps with is head elevated on 2 pillows-so he can breathe, he tells me. His ped hasn't said anything about his tonsils being a problem (we were just there a week ago), and he's gets strep but only once or twice a year. But some of these posts have got me wondering if I should take him to the ENT just to be sure. I mean, if I can cure the tiredness and short attention span...

 

[mommy*RN]

You guys have me thinking now, too, about DS7. He's been having so many problems paying attention in school and is ALWAYS tired in the morning, and he snores pretty regularly (although it's not too loud). He sleeps with is head elevated on 2 pillows-so he can breathe, he tells me. His ped hasn't said anything about his tonsils being a problem (we were just there a week ago), and he's gets strep but only once or twice a year. But some of these posts have got me wondering if I should take him to the ENT just to be sure. I mean, if I can cure the tiredness and short attention span...

It can't hurt to ask your ped about it - just make sure to mention the snoring and that he complains about not being able to breathe properly unless his head is propped up in bed...

 

[Pea-n-Me]

My DD8 has been evaluated for having her tonsils out also. The ENT had us make a tape of her breathing during sleep to evaluate the extent of the impact of the enlarged tonsils on her health. He thought she is borderline, however she's since had two more strep infections. I didn't care for the doctor so I'm going to take her to see someone else.

I agree you should make sure your DS is hydrated. Also, could allergies and/or sinus congestion be causing his headaches? I've had congested sinuses myself lately and it does hurt. Good luck to you and your son.

 

[disneyfor3]

We got my DS5's tonsils and adenoids out this past Spring right after he turned 5. He was snoring and hyperextending his head back at night since pretty much birth. I didn't know what sleep apnea was, assumed you would physically see them stop breathing. The pediatrician explained it was more of a gasping for air, snorting sound. My son was on Singulair and Zyrec for several years to help him breath. He got to the point that every time he got a slight cold he would practically lose his voice. The pediatrician finally referred me to an ENT (the xray showed his adenoids were huge) and his tonsils were touching in the middle. Getting his tonsils and adenoids out were the best decision we ever made. Within 2 weeks no more snoring. He sleeps much more comfortably and no more tossing and turning. His recovery took about 2 weeks with him feeling much better after one week but kept him home the second week from preschool to avoid him eating anything that might cause bleeding.