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

[TiggerStac]

My DS, also, had very large tonsils and adnoids. We were trying to hold off removing them, as he was ok...until he needed new tubes in his ears (2nd set) which we knew he would need. Well, they finally started effecting how he ate, so we got it done right away. He was having a hard time swallowing because his tonsils were so large.

 

[Disneyrsh]

I'm seeing a pattern in the threads; "ped didn't say anything about it" or "ped said it was fine". I just don't think the peds are really qualified to evaluate what's going on with tonsils.

I used to, until my ped missed it and dismissed it. Diagnostically, he's very good, otherwise, but not with the tonsils.

Find a good ENT (ask a doctor you go to as an adult who they use for their kids-they all know who the good pediatric doctors are.)

The really good ENT's can often have a long waiting list, better to call now and get a good definitive diagnosis as soon as possible.

 

[scanne]

My DD is almost 2 and we were just at the peds on Monday. She had a high fever and was tugging on her ear. I thought it was an ear infection. Thankfully it wasn't - Doc said it was just a virus. BUT, she has had 4 ear infections from November 2005 - April 2006. The Doc noticed that her tonsils are big and asked about her breathing/snoring. She is a heavy breather and does snore. We have her on singulair. It helps. The Doc said that if her tonsils are still enlarged next year, they will refer us to an ENT doctor. He also wants to see if she gets many ear infections next "season." Ugh for us! I missed so much work this year b/c of the infections.

Anyway, I guess I don't have much advice but I just wanted to let you know we're sort of in the same boat.

Hope your son feels better!

 

[Disfreek]

It's like everyone is describing my 3yo DD. She has had 2 sets of tubes, on singulair & zyrtec, tonsil touch in the middle, adenoids are HUGE (xrayed)...snores.....

She often has a very hoarse-raspy voice...

She goes on Aug. 8 to have her tonsils & adnoids removed.... I hope this will end a lot of her pain...

 

[ribbot]

My son's Pediatrician is the one that kept asking me (for the past 3 years) if he snored in his sleep when I'd take him in to get more antibiotics for yet another throat infection.

He told me to wait until the infection was gone---then stand outside his bedroom door and listen to hear if he was still snoring....and he was. So after this last infection, I didn't even go to the Ped, I went straight to the ENT and told him he is contantly on drugs for throat infections and the ENT totally agreed about having them out. I could never do it in the winter time because he would never be without an infection, so now was a great time.

Soooo to everybody out there that has a snoring child---it just might be their tonsils causing the problem.

The surgery went fine for my son last Monday---the only problem was that as he was coming out of surgery, the IV popped out of his arm and they had to reinsert it (as he was coming to) and they couldn't get a vein and they jabbed him about 5 times, from both wrists, to both arms and on top of his hands. He was majorly ticked at the time and scared to death everytime the nurse would come back in to take his blood pressure (thinking he was getting another needle). I dread the day I have to take him for bloodwork again. My son forgets NOTHING.

But in the end, I'm really hoping the removal of the T & A will avoid many prescriptions this coming fall.

 

[sbpuckett]

First, being a Ped nurse especially, I'd go with your mommy instincts and get a second opinion. chances are that if you feel there's something wrong - there really is.

Second, my youngest had his lower tonsils and all of his adnoids removed last summer. He had just turned 3. He has had lots of sinus infections and ear infections and I had noticed him stopping breathing in his sleep for some time. I asked his doctor if that was normal, it had gotten worse in my opinion, so she referred us. I'm really glad we did it. Sleep apnea is gone, and he's slept better every since. The doc left the upper part of the tonsils to ward off infections or whatever they're for in the first place.

good luck!

 

[pigget74]

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...

This is why we originally to my DD to the DR. at age 7. Her teacher was having problems with her attention and wanted us to test her fro ADHD. SHe was in first and had this teacher for K and 1st. This had been going on since mid year of K. I still did not think it was ADHD as we were having other issues as well. Children with sleep apnea can show the same symptoms as children with ADHD. When i went to the ped. he agreed with me and stated if the tonsil removal doesn't work come back and see me. Well, we haven't been back for that issue yet. She went from sleeping from 7:30 to 6:30 and being very whiny to the point on complete meltdowns by 7:00 to giong to bed at 8:30 and getting up at 6:00 and being very complient about it. SHe also no longer snores and her breathe is SO MUCH better. Her attention at school--no longer a problem.

 

[delilah]

I am going to answer some of the OP poster's questions from the standpoint of a primary care physician. The criteria for tonsil removal that I have seen most commonly with the ENTs that I refer to are that the child would have a certain number of culture proven strept infections in a given season (5 or 6) or have snoring. That is why the emphasis on whether the child snores. Sometimes at a certain age, the tonsils can be very large, almost touching in the middle, but if the child's airway is not obstructed, an ENT will wait, as most tonsils regress as a child gets over. I am an example of this. When I was a youngster, my tonsils were huge. Now, I am asked if I had them removed (I didn't, they just regressed on their own). From a parent's perspective, it is certainly frustrating to have a doctor seemingly not consider your concerns. Last weekend, for example, my brother called me 6am on Sunday because he had been trying to reach his son's pediatrician all day Saturday, with no response. I note that some doctors overly rely on lab tests rather than clinical picture for treating patients. My nephew has a fever of 104, was snoring, had swollen cervical nodes, and enlarged tonsils with exudate. His rapid strept test was negative the Tuesday before my brother called me. My nephew was so sick, I was really worried (they live in Florida and I live in Indiana). I gave him a prescription, but warned my brother to take him to the urgent care if he didn't improve. His fever was gone and he felt better by that evening. If a patient comes into my office with those findings, I treat them, because the rapid strept test has only a limited sensitivity (80-90%, depending on test and how performed). When my niece got the same symptoms on Wednesday, I called in medicine for her, also.

 

[lorli]

I know you were asking about kids with large tonsils, but I was 38, last year when I finally had mine out, and yes it was horrible for an adult, I miserable. Prior to surgery, I had streep throat, viruses, bacterias, allergy congesting behind my huge tonsils. What I was feeling all the time was yuck, headache, sore sinuses, earaches, sore throat, you name it from the head up and I probably felt it. I actually had to talk the ENT into taking them out, because I had only been to see him once but been on antibiotics per family physician for 3 months and suffering all the other symptoms for years and years. After surgery, ENT told husband, taking tonsils was a great decision, they were much bigger than he suspected, they were embedded in my throat and the reason for alway feeling ill was that bacteria and viruses would hide and collect in the pockets formed from them being so large, the dark and damp area was a breeding ground for any trapped germs to fester and start the cycle all over. I believe there is a possibility that there is a connection, but I would also have all avenues explored. Good luck and keep us up dated.

 

[2Princes2Princesses]

I didn't read all the posts, so if I am repeating, I am sorry.

I had HUGE tonsils. I had recurrent strep, scarletina, and scarlet fever until I was 15 and FINALLY my dad told the doctor to send me to an ENT or he was taking me to a hospital. The ENT said my tonsils were very large to begin with and ended up pretty scarred. I had them out at 15. I never had strep throat or any throat problems since.

In addition to my huge tonsils I also have sinus problems. I get horrid sinus headaches, even when I am not "stuffy" or have a runny nose. Sometimes I know they are draining, but more often than not, I don't. The only way I end up realizing it is a sinus headache is I bend over to pick something up and WHAM!! the pain gets worse.

I would go see the ENT. He may have sinus problems. I am actually nursing a sinus headache tonight and have no other symptoms....I have to call my doctor tomorrow since this is my 3rd in a week and I think I may have sinusitis AGAIN.

Don't worry too much until you see the ENT. Good luck and I hope all is well.

 

[Disneyrsh]

I didn't read all the posts, so if I am repeating, I am sorry.

I had HUGE tonsils. I had recurrent strep, scarletina, and scarlet fever until I was 15 and FINALLY my dad told the doctor to send me to an ENT or he was taking me to a hospital. The ENT said my tonsils were very large to begin with and ended up pretty scarred. I had them out at 15. I never had strep throat or any throat problems since.

In addition to my huge tonsils I also have sinus problems. I get horrid sinus headaches, even when I am not "stuffy" or have a runny nose. Sometimes I know they are draining, but more often than not, I don't. The only way I end up realizing it is a sinus headache is I bend over to pick something up and WHAM!! the pain gets worse.

I would go see the ENT. He may have sinus problems. I am actually nursing a sinus headache tonight and have no other symptoms....I have to call my doctor tomorrow since this is my 3rd in a week and I think I may have sinusitis AGAIN.

Don't worry too much until you see the ENT. Good luck and I hope all is well.

A little OT, but my friend Karen was having terrible sinus problems and had her sinuses lasered a few months ago. Huge improvement-you might want to look into it...

 

[laceemouse]

I am going to answer some of the OP poster's questions from the standpoint of a primary care physician. The criteria for tonsil removal that I have seen most commonly with the ENTs that I refer to are that the child would have a certain number of culture proven strept infections in a given season (5 or 6) or have snoring. That is why the emphasis on whether the child snores. Sometimes at a certain age, the tonsils can be very large, almost touching in the middle, but if the child's airway is not obstructed, an ENT will wait, as most tonsils regress as a child gets over. I am an example of this. When I was a youngster, my tonsils were huge. Now, I am asked if I had them removed (I didn't, they just regressed on their own). From a parent's perspective, it is certainly frustrating to have a doctor seemingly not consider your concerns. Last weekend, for example, my brother called me 6am on Sunday because he had been trying to reach his son's pediatrician all day Saturday, with no response. I note that some doctors overly rely on lab tests rather than clinical picture for treating patients. My nephew has a fever of 104, was snoring, had swollen cervical nodes, and enlarged tonsils with exudate. His rapid strept test was negative the Tuesday before my brother called me. My nephew was so sick, I was really worried (they live in Florida and I live in Indiana). I gave him a prescription, but warned my brother to take him to the urgent care if he didn't improve. His fever was gone and he felt better by that evening. If a patient comes into my office with those findings, I treat them, because the rapid strept test has only a limited sensitivity (80-90%, depending on test and how performed). When my niece got the same symptoms on Wednesday, I called in medicine for her, also.

VERY interesting and informative! My youngest dd8 has HUGE tonsils. I look in there and can't imagine how on earth she could swallow, HOWEVER, she eats fine. She has rarely been sick, I think she has been on antibiotics ONCE in her life. Our previous doctor (we recently moved) asked me about snoring, sleep apnea, ect. We have noticed none of this. She shares a room with her 13 year old sister and sleeps with me when dh travels. She has never had strep, in fact, no one in our family of 6 has ever had it. I have often wondered if she would develop problems one day because of those tonsils. Glad to hear they can and do shrink in size! Thanks!!! BTW, we have new doctors here, a husband and wife GP team. Dh, me, and 2 of the kids have seen them and they are super. Dd8 hasn't been there yet, I probably need to schedule a check-up for her, it has been a while since she has seen a doctor .

 

[mommy*RN]

Just a quick update...my DS has an appointment on Aug. 24th with an ENT at Children's Hospital WI. After talking to my ped he really thought it would be a good idea (snoring and 3 cases of strep in 3 mo). I appreciate ALL the responses I got to my questions! I figured I would get 1 or 2, but all the msgs were wonderful and helpful!

I will keep everyone posted! THANK YOU!

 

[Costumesaremylife]

I finally had my tonsils out when I was 13. My mom kept trying to get them to take mine out earlier, but it wasn't in vogue in the mid eighties. I was sick with one thing or another all the time. I got mine out at Mass Eye and Ear and the doctor came into the room and told me for the first time ever during surgery he was grossed out by my tonsils. I wanted to keep them in a jar, but they wouldn't let me. .