What's there to say, yesterday was mostly like day 7, pain swallowing and chewing. I didn't eat much but was able to get down some mashed potatoes later in the evening. I think I had three maybe four tablespoons in all.
Last night was pretty good. I went without any medication and slept through the night . Well, I was woken up at 3:30 AM when our son came in because he had a bad dream.
When I woke up this morning my mouth was a little dry and I hacked up some disgusting stuff, which hurt a little so I took a dose of medication around 8:30 AM.
I've been pretty good ever since. I haven't had any more medication. It still hurts to swallow but I think that is more a muscular discomfort in the lower part of my neck, closer to the Adams apple. Again, I think that this is related to the scope they had to put down my throat during the procedure.
I ate the rest of my mashed potatoes this afternoon and didn't have any other discomfort so I got daring for dinner. For whatever reason I had a craving for Wendy's Chili. Yes, I had chili for dinner and survived. I did have the swallowing discomfort but nothing else. And yes, I ate the whole thing, with hot sauce.
I think what gets to me more than anything right now is talking. It seems that after talking for a bit my jaw begins to hurt. Good for my wife, bad for me. lol...
Anyway, it seems that I am finally over the worst.
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33 comments:
I am a day 10 tonsillectomy survivor age 35. I just found your blog tonight and have to respond although I've never blogged before.
The pain is MUCH worse and more lingering than I could have expected. I have had two children, one by C-section and I would do that 30 times again before I would have this done.
The worse part for me is tongue and ear pain. It has been awful the entire time and still is. I also am having a hard time talking. My tongue, in additinon to the burning and taste issues, is stiff and very painful at the sides and back, so I'm carrying pen and paper with me around the house. It doesn't really work with my 5-year old, who can't yet read.
Anyway, all the best to you. I wish I'd found your blog earlier.Of course, I had mine one day before you did, so I don't know that it would have helped me do anything differently except know that I am not alone. As now you knoe that you aren't.
Take care.
This was very informative. my 5 year old daughter just went through a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy five days ago. I feel she has been going through the same issues. I just noticed the white film on her tongue today, did you find out what that was all about? her follow up with the doctor is in two days and im worried about this. day 5 has been the worst so far and i cant wait til this gets better for her.
Hi,
Ai am a 37 y/old guy who is on day 6 & appear to have been 1 of the lucky ones, as I havent experienced anything like the pain others describe. Whilst it hasnt been pain free & I have reduced my eating due to painful swallowing, I only experience pain when I swallow & it is bearable - certainly not like swallowing glass as others have described. I ate toast the morning after the op & have just limited myself to regular, frequent meals since. Ive been on 1 Panadiene (contains Codiene) & 1 Panadol every 4 - 6hrs, but think ill be weaning myself off them in the next few days. I know I'll be 1 of those who people will hate & Im not trying t rub anyone's face in it, but when I was reading other comments prior to my op, they were 100% bad & I just wanted to get the message out that there that not experiences are horrendous. Good luck to anyone about to have an op. I hope it goes well.
i am 19 on day 10.pain has deffinently decreased am able to eat and can almost talk.This was hell turns out i was the unluky one whose int he 2 percent that bleed 5 days after.was woke up 2 a mouthful of blood and a red pillow.Picked up by an ambulance and the who shabang,back to hospital was the worst experience of my life lost about a litre of blood.but glad to say no more bleeding after that and am on the road to a recovery FINALY,was starting to think i should have just put up with the tonsilitis.
Ok, I had nightmares leading up to this but I unfonrtunately even have to report that this is worse tahn antcipated! I don't say it lightly as I had Trigeminal Neuralgia and brain surgery two years ago... This pain is unrelenting, cruel and punishing. I am on day 5. First two days were bearable(day of surgery counting as one as I had it in the early morning and was cognicent the rest of the day). However the last 3 have been progressively worse, particularly at night, I am having problems swallowing and breathing. Yes, I am drinking constantly and yes, I went to the Doc to make sure I was ok. I have spit up scrabs, I am hoping that this is the last round of them. The only thing I can recommend is 1/2 an ambien and hot water with honey. My heart goes out to all of you!!
So I'm 18 and on my 2nd day of recovery from a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy. I've found the best thing for me is to not speak (Im having a fun time writing down everything, and I even have a little bell I ring when I need something!) I also got a paper towel and put it near my mouth so I don't have to constantly swallow my saliva throughout the day. (sounds gross but it has helped out a bunch!) Been drinking a lot, and I found warm broth has helped a lot more than anything cold. It hasn't been THAT bad. A really horrible sore throat, and keeping the meds down is the most important thing. Lying still has helped the most with that one!
Wow -- So I am 27 years old and on day 7. I just found this blog and wish I would have earlier. I was just repremanding myself for being such a wus, but now at least I know I'm not alone and this is normal. I haven't scabbed or anything yet, but I think it is right around the corner as this afternoon is some of the worst pain yet.
Thanks for all of your help -- misery really does love company.
Hi, I'm age 35 and on day 7. The pain is starting to get better, more pain in my jaw and tongue, and also when swallowing. My tonsil area is completely white, anyone know what that is all about? Hopefully this will all soon go away.
I took my tonsils out 9 days ago on July 7, 2008. I am glad I found your blog and read it in its entirety before going into surgery. I must say that somethings I underwent and somethings I didn't. I suffered some mouth pain and still do, but This may sound strange, but you MUST drink. I over-hydrated myself, by sipping ice cold water every 15 seconds and it worked for me. Do not be afraid to drink, I cannot over emphasize how important it is to be hydrated as you heal. It will help your uvula return to its normal size and it will also shrink the inflammation in your throat. I find that ice cold liquids especially water does the trick. I also suffered ear aches between days 3-5, after that it reduced greatly. Luckily for me, the pain medication prescribed by the doctor has not adversely affected me like some people, and I take them on time. My doctor says that my recovery so far is better than most people half my age. (I am 39), so I dunno. The scabs haven't fallen off yet, but my uvula has started to shrink and I am now talking and returned to the job on day 8, of course I do take it easy. Foodwise, I eat cornmeal porridge, scrambled eggs, creamed potatoes and soup. If you drink soup make sure that acid forming vegetables like tomatoes are not put in there. Avoid any acid like tomatoes, citrus fruits etc as they burn BADLY. I ate a croissant today and it took some work but it was worth it. I am improving slowly everyday and that is important. To all those about to have one or just had one, hang tough, if you can see through the first 7 days it does get better. It is also ok to feel sorry for yourself, but, a positive attitude helps with the healing process.
Thank you for this blog. I'm on day 8 now and am discovering new symptoms every day. Day 4 was the worst headache I'd ever had which landed me in the ER. Day 6 was horrible stomach problems, seemingly due to an infection in my throat that is travelling to my stomach every time I swallow. And finally on Day 8 now, the worst day for my tongue. It hurts so bad I've opted not to eat.
But overall I'm feeling much better and the "scabs" I can only assume are finally falling off. I refuse to look at my throat for fear that I will not eat. Well, I guess that's happening anyway.
Good luck to you, and thanks again!
-Beth
Hey all.
I must say that this has been the worst experience ever. I am 23. Have not had much of an appetite. Day 1 was very uncomfortable. When I woke up I kept coughing and spitting blood. The next few days were awful. I kept vomiting and all I could do was sleep to avoid the nausea. Today is my 9th day i must admit i am feeling much better but I think the scabs are coming off. Still cant swallowing properly. I have a bad taste in my mouth and a funny smell. Apparently it is all normal and should gargle with ice cold salt water. It Helps...Best advice is to keep hydrated and rest. Take care all...
Hello All. My name is Jason Wright from the Gold Coast in Australia. I am 43 yrs old & now on day 8 of my recovery. Lots of rest, Paracetamol/Codeine & Antibiotics, cold water, yoghurt and soup/toast. Avoid citrus juice & any spicy food. I rang my doctor as I was concerned with the amount of pain relief (2 X 500mg paracetamol/10mg codeine every 4hrs) I was taking to survive. He assured me that this was normal for adult recovery. Hang in there, it beats ending up in hospital on an IV drip everytime you get a sore throat/quinsy. Good luck.
oh my god... i am 20 years old and i'm on day 4, i am in the most excruciating pain i have ever been in. This is a horrible experience, i know it will be worth it in the end but if i had have known what i was getting myself into, i definately would not have gone through with this...
I'm allergic to penicillan so my ENT decided not to put me on anti biotics at all... all im using is panadol rapid because anything stronger just makes me pass out...
I'm hoping this will improve very shortly...
PS... the inside of my throat looks absolutely disgusting...!
I think the ear pain is making it ten times worse!
SOOOOOOOOOO FRUSTRATED and PISSED OFF!
I just want this to end!
Hi I am 19 and on day three of recovery, i am on loratab elixer every four hours but don't take it that much normally just at night and in the morning, as that is when it hurts the most. i am on a pretty steady diet of mashed potatoes, pudding, and popsicles! I have found that water feels much better than juice and really cuts down on the mucus. Good luck to all, Hope you feel better soon!
Thanks for your blog, has been a lot of help to read. I was one of the unlucky ones who started spitting out lots of bllod and blood clots in the middle of the night on day five. Was traumatic. Got to a&e and stayed in hospital for another 2 days. I am now on day 8 and in pain but praying things will improve and no more setbacks.
Im 20 yrs old and on my 8th day of recovery. Now i heard it was going to be painful but I didnt think it would be this bad. And how long it is lasting is just driving me crazy!!! I find that at night it is at its worse especially if i awake in the middle of the night or first thing in the morning after i a couple of hours tho it seems to settle down and the pain is bearable. however the constant stinging is really getting me down. On day 5 I was admitted into hospital after experiecing a bleed. This was damn scary apparently it was caused by me not eating the subsequent days after surgeory and therefore not pushing the scabs down gross i know but the lesson learnt is EAT!!! even if it is painful push it down trust me its better then having a mouth full of blood!! Good luck to anyone going to have this in the future I pity you lol and i pray that this horrible journey for me will end real soon cos im hungry!!! :D
I had my surgery on the 26th so I'm right at day six now as it's well into the "next day" am hours here. I had strep(it grew like it was on freaking miracle grow or something) wound up in the hospital and had to have the right tonsil taken out and two abscesses removed from my neck. I thought the 13 days I put up with that pain was bad but my GOD...I've never experienced anything like this and I gave birth naturally!
Day one was great, anethesia and pain pills on the reg in the hospital, day two I was having visitors and just a whoopin it up I felt so much better having that nasty diseased crap out of me! Day three I was released and by the night of day three I had the most excruciating headache I've ever had and it's been with me every since. I'm talking up all night moaning and rocking in pain with ice packs on my eye and temple to ease the pain. And I have a very very high pain threshold! Then I got the coughing/choking/razor blade raking/spasming thing and that had me sitting straight up in the bed fearing for my very life!
Day four barely any pain at all and I felt good. Day five and my throat feels like it's caught in a perpetual muscle spasm and I feel as if I have a pole lodged in the back of my throat. I have been coughing like crazy, sneezed and almost saw Jesus I swear it hurt so bad.
I keep thinking and dreaming about day seven. It's become like some kind of holy place for me, where I will go and there will be no more pain as most of the posts I've read have said by day 7 it's much better. Please please!
I've been drinking water like a fish, eating solid foods even got pissed off enough at being so hungry all the time and sick of bland food I ordered some chinese. I managed to get it down though I think I reheated it several times.
Humidifiers helps a LOT! DRINK DRINK DRINK Ice cold water....it really does help. Warm Miso soup has been my manna! Lemon tea works great also! And ice cream causes all kinds of problems but if you mix it with mix and fruit cocktail god it's WONDERFUL in small portions! It's wonderful stuff! But THE MISO is by far the best! Gentle enough in the mornings to get the hunger pangs away and give me time to get the meds going and everything else.
I have found being quiet the first hour in the morning helps. I do jaw exercises to keep my muscles strong in my throat as the juice from gum burns. And mouth wash...it's like having acid in my mouth but it's supposed to prevent thrush. Wish someone had told me that BEFORE! I brush all the stuff away and just use diluted mouthwash. It still stings though.
I'm more frustrated because it feels as though I've been in pain forever. My comfort at night is boards and posts like these; I've learned so much that has helped me get through this.
It has been hell, but what I went through before keeps me hanging on even when I break down and it takes a lot. That was awful. I gets chills everytime I think about what my throat and neck looked like BEFORE the surgery. It was truly horrific! "SHUDDERS"
Caffeine also helps at night with the headaches. About two cups and I feel the headache receding. GREEN RUBBING alcohol sometimes called winter green helps too with the ear thing. If you run it around the jaw area near the ear, behind the ear and beneath the ear down the neck it does help. Trust me.
Pressing on the eye bone area helps also as there are pressure points in there. Not talking so much or getting upset helps too. I try to stay as quiet as I can for the most part. I'll talk enough when I go back to work.
I'm on tylenol rapid cause the percocet was giving me some horrible nightmares. And every 2 hours it seems to keep me ahead of the pain and liquid tylenol coats my throat in the morning so that awful kvives being jammed down my throat feeling gets numbed pretty quick. Don't overlap with scripts tho. I'm hoping I"m healing nicely and will be good soon. Hope I helped you all cause you have my sympathy. Mine was an emergency op, I don't think I'd ever volunteer to have the other one out unless I got sick again on that one. Otherwise, NO WAY!
Good luck all and please stay hydrated!
Shonda
Survivor Day 6
hi! i had my tonsils out on monday the 5th, so i am currently on day 4 recovery! today has by far been the worst pain, but its bareable! im 19 years old so maybe thats why i am not feeling as ill as the rest of you!
i've been reading some of your posts and it seems i was given completely different advice! i was told to stay away from anything hot! hot food and drink can increase your chance of bleeding, so i havn't had anything hot since i've had them taken out.i was also told to stay clear of hot showers.
so far i havn't bled, and except for the morning, i have not been in much pain! this may be due to the fact that i make sure i eat 2 pieces of toast when i first get up to exercise my throat and to prevent swelling! although it hurts at first, it helps ease my throat for later during the day. the only other food i have ate is ice cream. doctor says cold food heals the throat quicker and cools down inflamation if there is any.
i constantly have a glass of water by my bed which i make sure i have all the time. the doctor told me to make sure i drink or eat something atleast every 4 hours to stay hydrayted and to not dry out my throat.
i also have co-codamol and anti biotics and a liquid to gargle to clean my throat.
i do have one query.. i can;t seem to sleep straight through for more than an hour.. this is nothing to do with the pain though! does any one else have this problem?
and how do you know when your scabs fall off?
Hey all,
I just had septoplasty, bilateral inferior turbinoplasty, tonsillectomy and uvulopalatopharyngoplasty on Wednesday. Must say the pain is incredible. I've been managing it by drinking that damn Hydrocodone elixer , but I have to mix it with something so I don't end up vomiting. Peach juice works O.K., but I've found that Ensure (vanilla or chocolate shake flavors) mask the taste best. There are also added nutritional benefits since I haven't been able to eat much after the procedure. Looking forward to the weight loss, though, LOL.
Hey im an 18 year old female.
I had my tonsils removed on the 20th of jan. I think everyone has a brush of attitude to everyone who has a tonsilectomy, that just think cause its so common it does not hurt but it does. Its horrible.I really think a new method needs to be invented to reduce the pain. I was fooled day 1-3 were a breeze and I thought I was going to get through it just fine. Then I got to day 4 and 5 I was in so much pain, ear aches were awful! I literally could not move. I curled up in a ball and cried silent tears. However now its day 10 I feel much better im in minimal pain. And I look back and it seems like it was nothing. I found ice water was the best and custard. How ever it is important to eat a normail diet. good luck
I am 22 yr old female, 8 days post surgery.
I read through a lot of comments, watched the procedure on you-tube to try to fully prepare myself for what was to come!
I was most concerned about the procedure and hadnt given the pain after much thought!! How I was wrong!!! The operation was a breeze and the pain after for the first few days wasnt so bad! I thought I was lucky and had got away with it all! WRONG!!!! It was VERY uncomfortable from then onwards and day six was the most awful pain of my life. I felt like I had burns and blisters all over my tonsils and tongue. I had managed to eat previous and drink as normal but not now. The evening of the surgery I ordered a pizza to hospital (I was on morphine after surgery and overnight which may be why I didnt feel the pain for first few days!!) Now I am in soooo much pain! Talking is an issue as well as eating and drinking! I have been dizzy, suffered headaches and severe ear pain - I could not possibly compare this pain to tonsilitus or sore throat - it is that times a million!!! I never thought pain like this was possible. I have tried to suffer in silence up until now but have booked a Dr appointment for tomorrow as I dont think I can carry on with this pain. I am taking codeine and paracettamol and neurofen as given by hospital!!! Someone please tell me this is all going to get better soon!!!
My only advice for anyone having this surgery is invest in blue powerade drinks as they have been my saviour!! Also, take your pain medication half an hour before eating as feeling sick due to not being able to eat and vomiting is awful when your throat feels this bad! Good Luck
I am 33 and day 3 after my tonsillectomy. Finally decided to have it done because my right tonsil was ALWAYS swollen, food got stuck behind it all the time and have lately been getting strep and tonsilitis a lot.
I thought I was lucky cause day 1,2 were EASY, except that Hydrocodone made my heart race, switched to Codeine which allows me to sleep. But i was thinking " this is it?" YAY no big deal. Day three has come and I AM IN PAIN!!! Oh my gosh! drinking hurts hurts hurts!
Hi everyone,
I am on day 9 after tonsillectomy and sinus endoscopy- like Robert I am also 37. I had the procedures on june 22 - my wedding anniversary! By far, days 5-9 have been the worst thus far. I have been on percocet and HATE the side effects of this drug - but extra strength tylenol simply accomplishes nothing. Have others on this site felt that day 10 often brings relief? it seems like that's a turning point for many adults. i am sick of feeling like i am swallowing razor blades and would love to know that relief is in sight. I believe the scabs are now coming off and have been gargling w. water.
I am 20 years old and had my surgery 8 days ago. The first couple of days weren't that bad. In fact, I thought wow, this recovery really isn't going to be that bad. I proved myself wrong, because on day 5, the pain really began! I haven't eaten anything since before surgery. I drink lots and have popsicles. I attempted ice cream but that as well did not work. I have had to switch my pain killers three times because I keep throwing up. I think this is due to the lack of food in my stomach. I was told my day 8 things should start to get better. Unfortunately, things aren't looking positive yet. I started on an anti-biotic today because my doctor told me she's worried there's an infection. So far this has been a far worse experience than I ever imagined. I am hoping things start to improve soon...my best advice to everyone, drink lots, get lots of movies, and give yourself a good 2 weeks to recover.
You must eat! Even if it's just ensure shakes, the lack of nutrition will not aid your healing - it will only make it harder. On day 3 I had not eaten antyhing - so 3.5 days w. no real food except popsicles - and the doctor "yelled" at me. I got the point - and of course the side effects of the pain meds are even worse if you have nothing in your stomach. Now I am completing day 12 and the hardest problem I have is sleeping at night - I just cannot seem to be comfortable lying down b/c my throat is too swollen, but if I sleep sitting up, I'm also pretty miserable. I pray this gets better soon.
Hi all fellow patients.
I am now on day 3, but let me tell you how I got here, as it is probably not the same as the rest of you. I ended up going to Europe at the beginning of the summer for a family vacation and within 24 hours of returning I was in hospital with epiglottis (look it up very scary!!!) this was caused by a rare form of Strep which I had picked up and it was attacking my tonsils, which is why 6 weeks later I ended up getting them out. The pain I had with my epiglottis was 12 out of 10 and I was on IV steroids, antibiotics and IV fluids for 3 days. So was I prepared to get my tonsils out...no..but thank you all for your blogs as I feel you have prepared me.
Day 1 and 2 were not to bad and certainly not as bad a the pain I had previously, however it went all down hill last night, I ended up going to bed very early as I did not know what to do with myself, not sure if I was tired, going to stop breathing, hungry, going to faint or throw up!!!! Very frightening.
This morning is not much better, I am not able to talk today and even swallowing water is incredibly painful. I am itchy all over (I think a reaction to the medication)
Having read all the blogs I know I will get through this.
Will let you know how I do
Best wishes.
I am on my sixth day (1st September) of Surgery(Ops day 27th August). Its one hell of experience. I was ok for the first two days. Then pain start to increase rapidly at night and early morning. I have been told to have lots fluid and soft food like jelly, pudding and icecream. On my fifth day, I start coughing I guess this is due to cold ater and ice water, this breaks scab and start bleeding. I have to suck ice to stop bleeding and put ice pack around neck.
Right now sixth day early in the morning. Pain was unbearable, I couldn't move. I have been having pain killer every 4 hrs.
Advise to all: Make yourself hydrated with lots of water. Have ur painkiller on time to keep the pain away. Try avoid talking and human contact. Brush your teeth three times day and gragle with salt water after having food. Lots of bed rest.
Good luck everyone.
SS
hi, this is my 2nd day of recovery, i havent been in so much pain, my mouth, throat, tongue is so sore i can bearly talk and it hurts too much to even swallow water, the inside of my throat is horrible, i cant bearly look at it....i just hope the pain goes away real soon, dont know much more of it i can handle
Hi all,
Just felt i had to post my recovery!! I am 39 and I am one of the unlucky ones - I had a full tonsillectomy in 1995 however at the beginning of this year i started to get really sore throats again. Saw ENT who noticed I had tonsil remnants so was booked in for 7th October to have them removed. Op was a bit more complicated than a tonsillectomy however thankfully i only had nodules on the right side. WEll....... this is now day 9 post op and ive got to say that the pain is unbearable, it feels like toothache, earache and a sore throat rolled into one. I am on diclofenac for the imflammation, co-codamol and tramadol if its really bad however they make me feel really sick. have also been put on penicillin as dr thinks there might be an infection now. Please someone tell me that this is all normal and that it WILL get better soon
kat
Hi everybody:
I am in Day 5 post-surgery. I have been having pain like most people have described. The Tylenol #3's are USELESS, but I found Ibuprofen has worked well. The one thing I wanted to mention is that I have been eating since Day 1. Soups all day on Day 1 and 2 (some ice cream, which in hindsight I wish I hadn't, from other comments here, although I never experienced any bad side effects). I managed to eat some scrambled eggs on Day 3, and even pasta on Day 4. My biggest problem really is first thing in the morning. My most extreme pain seems to occur immediately upon waking up from sleeping. My throat feels swollen, and raw. It THROBS. This morning, I woke up at 4 am, in a lot of pain, took some Tylenol. In about a half hour the pain started to ease away. I fell back asleep. Woke up two hours later and I was in throbbing pain again. Im thinking its the the way that my head is positioned at night, and maybe I am snoring which is causing more pain, but I am stumped. I actually have found that during the day, the pain is mostly manageable, and sometimes not even there. Any suggestions people (I don't even mind not going to work, but I seriously miss working out - at least Ill lose weight anyway from lack of food!)
Hi everybody,
I am 33 years old and am frequently suffering with my tonsillitis. I had decided to go in for a tonsillectomy in December, but am now petrified after reading the posts on this blog. Have any one of you experienced a change in your voice after the operation? This is one of my concerns and has anybody increased your body weight because of the tonsillectomy?
aged 35 survived day 1, was drinking coke? and eating toast after overnight op. it hurts and I havnt had to top up on pain killers since the op. thats what they ordered. its a good eye opener to see whats to come...
Canadian Tonsillectomy Survivor??(Maybe)
Hello Everyone,
Your thoughts are most helpful. I am on day 9 of recovery. BTW for the person that asked about the voice changing. No mine has not. I started talking from the first day even a little bit. My voice is back to normal now. Overall from day 1-5 was okay minus the scary dreams from the meds and dizziness. Then day 6 to now have me on a roller-coaster ride of pain. I was eating by day 2 and this helped a lot to heal the throat. I have some larger scabs on the left of my throat that will not come off. I tried white toast yesterday and nothing just gave me the same horrible stabbing pain in my ear. I am at my wits end. I am trying brown toast this morning. But it's hard to stay hydrated and eating when everytime you swallow past the scab I get a shooting pain up the side of my face and stabbing in my ear. My husband looks at me in worry wanting to call the doctor but I know this is what it's like. Any suggestions folks? I have been eating food for days now. I'm at my wits end.
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