We saw the ENT today...

[munchkin bunchkin]

DD is scheduled to have her tonsils taken out January 25th. This was a hard decision to make but the Dr. said it would make a big difference on her!He said that with tonsils as big as hers the sleep apnea( which I didn't even know she had) would disapper and she would sleep better at night! He also said that with all the medication she had been given over the past 2 1/2 months it would not be in her best interest to continue this way! I guess what really helped me make the decision to have this done was when he told me that if she got a case of Strep that went undetected it could cause kidney damage later on!

 

[Alice28]

please tell me how this goes. We are getting a referral for an ENT for DS9 as he keeps getting strep. I'm slightly nervous at the thought of a tonsillectomy for him, but the strep is getting really old. In the last 2 years I think he has had it 9 times or so.

 

[N&B'smom]

How old is your DD? My son had his tonsils and adenoids out at age 5. He did GREAT. His tonsils were as big as they could have been, he had tons of breathing issues (asthma/allergies/etc) It was like his nose was always just nasty inside. Well, he had the surgery and he is so different now! He sounds different, he breathes through his nose now instead of his mouth, he only needs allergy medicine a few times a month instead of every day like he did before. It's been wonderful for him!! I know you and your DD will notice a HUGE difference.

Shelby

 

[The Mystery Machine]

That is why you go see a specialist. I love my Peds but the mother instinct knows when to step outside the box.
I am happy to hear that you listen to that voice.

 

[mickeysaver]

See.....we told you to go see the ENT! Maggie

 

[mom23boys]

My DS (8 at the time) had his adnoids and tonsills out. It made a huge difference in his sleep and sports, he had sleep apnea and asthma. After the surgery he could breath, sleep and run so much better. And his apnea and asmtha went away.

He did have a rough recovery, he did not take the pain medicine till he really hurt (my fault, I was supposed to give it to him every 4 hours). But in 2 weeks he was back to full strength.

I would do it again in a heartbeat.

Good Luck.

 

[honeymom]

Did the ent say what technique he would use - laser surgery or traditional? My DD had the traditional, but I've heard that now a lot of doctors use lasers and that the recovery is much easier.

The tonsillectomy really helped my DD and I'm glad we did it. However, the recovery (she was 6 at the time) was a lot harder than I expected it to be (I had mine out at age 4 and it wasn't that bad) for her. It took her about a week to start eating and we had trouble getting her to take liquids. She got nauseated from the anesthesia and threw up. So we had to stay overnight at the hospital so she could stay on I.V. instead of outpatient.

Whatever the technique, I hope the surgery goes well. I know that it is a hard decision, but I think you are making the right one.

 

[Desnik]

DS had his tonsils and adnoids removed in May. He had just turned 3. He had alot of issues as a baby with reflux, failure to thrive, feeding and swallowing issues, sleep apnea and apraxia of speech. His operation took about 15 mins but the recovery was hard. He wouldn't eat a thing for at least a week. It took awhile to get him to drink too. At first what was best for him was ice pops. They tell you to not eat any dairy and stay away from red foods, like cherry ices or red jello. I'll tell you he is a different kid since his operation. He goes to speech therapy but has come so far in his speech it is amazing. He has been eating better, has gained weight and now after 3 and a half years finally sleeps through the night! Our ENT only offered the operation the new way, with the lasers because we were told by him and other Dr's the "old way" there is a chance of the tonsils growing back. Also from researching before our DS's operation we found out it is better to get theis done as a child then as an adult. The recovery is suppose to be better/easier for children. I know a couple of adults who have had it done(as adults)and say it was torture!! When I asked the Dr about this he said kids just heal better from this type of operation.
Good luck and please know you are doing the right thing for your child!!

 

[camreesmom]

Our DD3 is having the surgery on Thursday. I feel horrible ruining Christmas and her birthday (the 27th) for her but she has horrible sleep apnea. She snores louder than DH! Anyway, the ENT and her ped both said that she'll sleep and eat better after this. My mom and I are both a little sad that her voice will be changing because she has the sweetest voice right now. We're having to do the surgery before the end of the year because we are 100% covered right now and after Jan. 1, we'll only have 80/20 coverage. DD10 had the surgery when she was 7 and the worst part with her was that she didn't want to take the pain medication because it made her drowsy and she was so scared she'd miss something!

 

[connorsmom911]

Connor had his tonsils and adenoids removed the traditional way at the end of November. He'll be 4 in January and already had tubes put in his ears at 2 1/2 yrs. It was quick, about 30 minutes and he was sore and crying when I got in the recovery room but he quickly conked out and slept. His worst complaint was that he didn't like the IV in his hand. He drank like a trooper the whole time in the hospital and as soon as the IV came out all he wanted to do was get up and play with all the toys they have. Once home after 6 hours we gave him the codeine prescribed and tylenol because he did get a fever for the first few days. His throat was sore, especially at night when he wasn't drinking much but his sleep improved right away. He got so quiet at night I had to keep going in and checking that he was still breathing!

One morning a couple weeks ago he slept in way past his usual 7am and I peeked in his room. He was sitting up in bed wide awake so I went in and he started crying "Mommy, there's something wrong with me". His poor little throat was so sore! He really didn't want to take the medicine, but that's the only thing that helped.

So after a few weeks of struggling to keep him calm and not so rambunctious, he seems to be right back to his normal, sometimes pain in the butt self. My mom and dh say they notice a slight change in his voice, but I don't notice it. I'm glad we did it. I was worried of course, but it has made such a difference in his sleep, it was worth it.

 

[ZPT1022]

Just wanted to say good luck. My son had this done last spring, he was 22 months old. Don't know how old your child is but due to his age his ped. thought he should stay overnight for observation and hydration which ended up being really good because he didn't want to eat or drink too much. We ended up back in the ER for rehydration at one point as well. Stock up now on the ice cream- my son lived on smoothies and milkshakes for about 3 weeks. It was hard but he doesn't even snore any more and he's made huge leaps with his speech since then. His birth to three teachers are amazed. Good luck

 

[flying_babyb]

good luck

 

[munchkin bunchkin]

Did the ent say what technique he would use - laser surgery or traditional? My DD had the traditional, but I've heard that now a lot of doctors use lasers and that the recovery is much easier.

The Dr. said he would first try laser then if he needed to, would resort to the traditional way ! I hope laser is the one because I have also heard that the recupe time is alot faster!

 

[munchkin bunchkin]

How old is your DD? My son had his tonsils and adenoids out at age 5. He did GREAT. His tonsils were as big as they could have been, he had tons of breathing issues (asthma/allergies/etc) It was like his nose was always just nasty inside. Well, he had the surgery and he is so different now! He sounds different, he breathes through his nose now instead of his mouth, he only needs allergy medicine a few times a month instead of every day like he did before. It's been wonderful for him!! I know you and your DD will notice a HUGE difference.

Shelby

DD is 6 years old ! I tried explaing to her why we just saw this new Dr. and she seemed to understand exactly what I was saying! I think however I'm going to sign us up for the Pediatric Pre Op Program they offer at the hospital this way she'll be somewhat familar with the surroundings and will have a little bit better of an idea as to what to expect and so will I!!

 

[munchkin bunchkin]

please tell me how this goes. We are getting a referral for an ENT for DS9 as he keeps getting strep. I'm slightly nervous at the thought of a tonsillectomy for him, but the strep is getting really old. In the last 2 years I think he has had it 9 times or so.

I hear you loud and clear! DD has had strep 6 times since January and the last bout has been very resistant to antibiotics thats why I took her to the ENT !The ENT said it's not a good thing to keep her on antibiotics because eventually she'll build up a resistance to them ... which may already be the case!

 

[munchkin bunchkin]

Our DD3 is having the surgery on Thursday. I feel horrible ruining Christmas and her birthday (the 27th) for her but she has horrible sleep apnea. She snores louder than DH! Anyway, the ENT and her ped both said that she'll sleep and eat better after this. My mom and I are both a little sad that her voice will be changing because she has the sweetest voice right now. We're having to do the surgery before the end of the year because we are 100% covered right now and after Jan. 1, we'll only have 80/20 coverage. DD10 had the surgery when she was 7 and the worst part with her was that she didn't want to take the pain medication because it made her drowsy and she was so scared she'd miss something!

I'll be in your shoes this time next month! Don't know who's going to be more nervous DD or me!

 

[munchkin bunchkin]

Just wanted to say good luck. My son had this done last spring, he was 22 months old. Don't know how old your child is but due to his age his ped. thought he should stay overnight for observation and hydration which ended up being really good because he didn't want to eat or drink too much. We ended up back in the ER for rehydration at one point as well. Stock up now on the ice cream- my son lived on smoothies and milkshakes for about 3 weeks. It was hard but he doesn't even snore any more and he's made huge leaps with his speech since then. His birth to three teachers are amazed. Good luck

Thanks everyone for the Good Luck Wishes!!

 

[golfgal]

DD11 had her tonsils and adenoids out when she was 5. She had strep 9 times in less then a year, actually HAD strep when they took them out. Our ENT keeps them overnight in the hospital--calls it a 23 hour admission so it isn't 'technically' a hospital stay. I liked that! She was feeling better in a day or so and was ready to eat like normal but we kept her on soft foods--mashed potatoes are GREAT because they are so filling! Most kids bounce back pretty quickly from this and after the fact are SO much better off. You will be happy when it's done. Oh, and the procedure takes about 1/2 hour, which is amazing.

 

[Christine]

My DD had her tonsils out when she was 9 due to them being SOOOO large. She was snoring so loud, none of us could sleep and all her mouth breathing was actually starting to distort her facial features a bit.

She sleeps great now and no snoring.

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

My DS had his tonsils/adenoids out when he was 8. Best thing we have ever done! He had nonstop strep, pitted HUGE tonsils that touched, sleep apnea, the works! The first 3 or 4 days after surgery were tough for him, but he did great with it and took the meds. He stopped getting every sickness that was passed around too. Those tonsils were a germ trap! He probably had strep 18 times at least. None of us were carriers either.

PS-Hey Robin ! Pm me if you decide to do this and need more info!