Take the tonsils or leave them????

[lukenick1]

My ds7 has had recurrent strep for 3 years now and is NOT a carrier (been tested). His ENT recommended we take them out last spring but I chickened out when I heard of a friends cousin dying from the exact same surgery. Apparently she was over anesthetized and was only 13 So dh and I decided to see what happens this school season with strep. So far since school started he has only had it once. Seems like he only gets it during the school season October-May. He never gets it all summer. So my question is.....has anyone's kid had recurrent strep and they outgrew it? He had 6 streps last year. I am petrified to put him under anesthesia

 

[mckryan]

My daughter had hers out in May at 18. The ENT thought they weren't that bad when we went to see him about surgery. When he took them out, he was shocked at how nasty they were. Every year she had strep or tonsillitis or brochitis or sinus infections, etc. Every single year. Since she had them out in May, she hasn't had one single illness beyond a little cold. It's been such a drastic difference that I regret not pushing to have them out years and years ago.

They say the younger a patient is, the easier their recovery. DD had a tough recovery, and I hate that I put her through that, but the end result has been amazing.

It is hard to put your child under anthesia for something that is considered elective surgery, and it is scary when you know someone that's passed away during or after surgery. Just speak with your doctor, express your concerns and hopefully they will be able to help you come to a decision that works for you and your family.

 

[metalis4ever]

Take them out, they will be useless to him in a few years anyway and could cause him problems later in life. I had mine removed at the age of 29 because I was always getting strep throat and it got to the point where they were causing me to have Sleep Apnea. I have been sleeping like a rock ever since I had them removed and haven't gotten sick since whereas in years past I would always be getting sick.

Having them removed wasn't that bad on the way home from the hospital I picked up a small cheese pizza for lunch, but then again I have a high propensity for pain and nothing gets in the way of my pizza

 

[dawson5]

My daughter had hers out in May at 18. The ENT thought they weren't that bad when we went to see him about surgery. When he took them out, he was shocked at how nasty they were. Every year she had strep or tonsillitis or brochitis or sinus infections, etc. Every single year. Since she had them out in May, she hasn't had one single illness beyond a little cold. It's been such a drastic difference that I regret not pushing to have them out years and years ago.

They say the younger a patient is, the easier their recovery. DD had a tough recovery, and I hate that I put her through that, but the end result has been amazing.

It is hard to put your child under anthesia for something that is considered elective surgery, and it is scary when you know someone that's passed away during or after surgery. Just speak with your doctor, express your concerns and hopefully they will be able to help you come to a decision that works for you and your family.

This. My youngest had his out at six. I wish I would have had them done sooner. He was always sick, stuffy and slept like a rock for about 12 hrs a day. He snored also, very loudly. Our master was on the main floor and he was up and we could hear him in our room at night, fighting for breath and sometimes stopping breathing (? apnea) for a few seconds. Since having them out, seven years ago now, he hasn't had another sinus infection, bronchitis or strep. Also, it is like night and day, like he woke up. He was always so tired before, doctor said they were partially blocking his airways and he was fighting for breath. He is very involved in sports now, I wonder if we hadn't had them out, if he would be able to play at the level he does now.

It was painful, but I think he was back on his feet and playing in three days. He might have taken it a bit easier, but with being able to actually breathe fully, I think that came into play. Our ENT had actually seen all three of our boys, we were comfortable with him and trusted him. Some of our friends had seen him and most importantly, our pediatrician highly recommended him. Surgery is always scary, but knowing that more than likely the end result will be better for them is what convinced us.

 

[Pixie Dust for Me!]

I understand OP. My DS has severe asthma which always complicates anesthesia. Iwould share your concerns with your ENT and ask to speak with the anesthesiologist to get a better understanding of things.

We did take our DSs tonsils and adenoids out and it was the best thing for him. Getting strep that many times per year is significant in terms of missed school and will become more problematic as he gets older. Also my niece who is now 21 and contemplating a tonsillectomy is learning that recovery is longer than it was for my DS who had them removed at 9.

Was it scary to see my son in the OR? Yes. But many things with child rearing see scary (including giving them the keys to drive). Yet we have to do what's best and help them grow up.

 

[wdwmom2]

Sorry, can't help you with recurrent strep. But getting your tonsils out does not mean that you can not get strep. A tonsillectomy can reduce the frequency and severity of strep pharyngitis. Which is a positive. But unfortunately it does not guarantee you will never get strep again.

If I were in your position, I would definitely have them removed if it were recommended by my ENT.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

As a parent whose child only made it to 3 before she had to had her tonsils out, I say get them out, BUT, I do recommend a few things:

Talk to the anethisiologist (sp) before hand. While severe reactions can occur they are rare. My DD had a reaction that caused her to vomit. This is a side effect. She had to be in the hospital an extra day, but I WAS not upset nor concerned because we spoke with the dr. and I was informed. Keeping the tonsils in may be just as or more toxic than the surgery.

Have the week cleared. Don't plan on your child on being the one who gets better in a day. If they do, GREAT, if they take a bit longer, you are prepared.

Seriously, the worse part/pain is experienced I believe it was around day 7 when the healing is at full force. This causes the throat tho be more sore. AND the smell, they will have garbage breath for a bit, don't let it throw you off....


Now here's my experience with DS. He had his out when he was 5. The nurses were laughing with him while wheeling him back. He had very little time in the recovery room. He was alert and fine within a 30 minutes. They were very surprised with how quick he bounced back. His only problem is he wanted chicken wings right after surgery. He came home and was a dream compared to DD. Keeping him down was the hard part...

The moral is each child is different and even with a few set backs (DD) I would not change my decision. As a parent, we tended to make more of what was happening than the kids.

Good luck on your decision.

 

[lukenick1]

Thanks everyone....I will make plans to meet the anesthesiologist first. That makes sense. Ease some of my fears, don't want a resident doing it!!! Another scary story in town, a doc from the same ENT group my son goes to performed sinus polyp removal surgery on a woman and severed her carotid artery and she had a massive brain hemorrhage. 6 months later she is still severly brain damaged and fighting for her life. Talk about scary Thankfully the tonsils are not as close to the brain as sinus's. That poor woman and her husband

 

[krcit]

Both of my dd's had their tonsils and adnoids out when they were in 1st grade. My older dd had had strep 13 times in a year and my younger one had it 8 times in a year. Being on all those antibiotics is not good for anyone especially children.

 

[dis-happy]

Well, definitely get the best doctor you can to perform the surgery, and go to the best hospital in your area.

I'd get them out simply because untreated strep can be dangerous if the infection goes into the heart. With you son getting strep all the time this would be of concern to me.

 

[asta]

Definitely take them out now. One of my daughters who was hardly ever sick with anything growing up started getting repeated bouts of strep throat once she started college. She had to have her tonsils removed at 20 and it was very painful. I don't know why it hurts more to have them removed as you get older but everyone seems to agree with that it gets harder with age. There was a very uncomfortable sensation of healing tissues in the throat that she was miserable with. To be gross, until it heals I think something white continues to form around the area where the tonsils were removed. She could feel these things in her throat and it really bothered her in addition to hurting. I don't think young children have this issue as much.

Edited to add: She has not had one single case of strep since the tonsils were removed two years ago. I don't even think she has had a sore throat.

 

[vettechick99]

I had recurrent strep as a child and eventually stopped getting it. Instead I got tonsilitis about every 4-6 months. Booooooo! I had my tonsils out last year and have barely been sick since. It's wonderful!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

My dd was born with a heart defect and had heart surgery at 4months old.

When she was 16 she had her gallbladder out. Her cardio doc made the appt. directly with the head of surgery for her. I was confident she was getting #1 care with a top notch anesthesiologist.

Now in about a few weeks she is getting her wisdom teeth removed. Let me tell you, that makes me pretty darn nervous. Now I will admit I do have confidence in the practice she is going to.

So, I guess you have to make sure that you are seeing a top notch doctor (do a little homework) and that you are 100% sure your child needs them out.

So that is my story. Good Luck!

 

[saradela]

My daughter had her tonsils and adnoids out 5 days ago. The first 3 day, she was in grate pain, now, no more pain, and The funny thing is that she looks fine, even her skin tone improved and sleeps like a rock. My Doctor said that she has to stay 10 days at home because it is to cold outside .I dont regret it. Good luck

 

[golfgal]

I had my tonsils out when I was 4, have NEVER had strep since. DD got her's out when she was 6 after having 10 cases of strep that year-got her tonsils taken out with an active case of strep because they couldn't knock it out. Hasn't had it since. The ENT said her tonsils were the largest tonsils he had ever removed in a child that age and he has been an ENT for almost 50 years now . The surgery took maybe 15 minutes..

 

[disneychrista]

Take them out. My daughter had recurrent strep/throat infections for several years. But as soon she got her tonsills out (the ENT said they were mush) she has not had much more than a mild sore throat. No throat infections, no strep. Wish her PCN would have referred her sooner.

 

[lukenick1]

 

[Pixie Dust for Me!]

One last thought that I had is this. When I was visibly pregnant I had women that I didn't even know telling me the horror stories of their labor and delivery. I think if all of us listened to these types of medical horror stories, none of us would have ever had children! I remember days before I was scheduled to be induced one of my co-workers told me about how her SIL was induced and had an adverse reaction to pitocin and died. Not exactly the type of story you want to tell a woman who is having a high risk pregnancy anyway! I remember being visibly shaken....which prompted her to say "but that won't happen to you." I couldn't decide if I wanted to shake her or cry!

I guess what I'm trying to say OP is that yes, issues to arise with common surgeries...but they are the exception and not the norm. OP, this is what you need to remember!

Talk you your ENT and any other medical professional that you need to speak with, but if everyone is telling you this is the best course of treatment for your child and you know that it is as well, don't let fear keep you from doing the right thing.

K

 

[heartsy77]

As an almost nurse and mom of two kids that have had them out, it is way better to have them taken out as a child! My DD now 11, but 5 at the time, had step for 1 year straight. Her ENT came out after surg and told us that he was glad we had the removed, as they were the size of 11 year old and impacted!

Has your child ever been under anesthesia before? If so there little chance of complications. Even if not modern day anesthesia is generally safe. Of course with any surgery there is a small risk, if your child is that sick chances are it will only get worse!

 

[lukenick1]

Has your child ever been under anesthesia before? If so there little chance of complications. Even if not modern day anesthesia is generally safe. Of course with any surgery there is a small risk, if your child is that sick chances are it will only get worse!

Nope never had anesthesia before which is why I'm scared. I'm also scared of the risks of bleeding. ugh...being a Mom is so stressful!