3 yo ds needs tonsilectomy/adenoids removed, hints? suggestions?

[STARRYSKY]

Ds has been having trouble breathing at night for a while now, I put it down to a cold, but this last week his snoring and struggling to breathe became quite worrying, he also started only breathing through his mouth and I can barely understand a word he says.
He has also lost weight, but wasnt sure if this was a normal/growth spurt thing.

Last night he actually stopped breathing a few times and DP and I were awake the rest of the night, shaking him to half wake him every now and then...

Took him to GP today who initially prescribed AB's and said tonsilitis, but I kept questioning it, until he said he was getting his "superior" in for a second opinion, the next doc had a look and wrote me a referral for the emergency dept , to be examined by ENT specialist.
He said that with the size of his tonsils he was at risk of an obstruction!

So I headed off for the FMC, had to wait around a bit but only really 2-3 hours in total. we had 4 docs come in, they all had a look and said no wonder he cant eat anything, there is no infection but his tonsils are that large they are touching at some points.
They reassured me that he would wake up if he couldnt breathe, try propping him up to sleep etc.

Now on a 30 day waitlist for him to have his tonsils out ,he is 3, he quite likes doctors and hospitals but I'm really worried about how he is going to cope, also how I am going to cope!
They've said he will be in overnight,I didnt even ask if I can stay with him! I will be allowed to, wont I??

Any tips or suggestions from those of you who have been there, done that?

Thank you

[lilima]

DS was 3. Have to say recovery was not fun. I was very honest and told him what was happening. He was very brave. Was quite sick for a couple of weeks following. One thing I did do was buy rectal panadol, as he would scream in pain trying to give him anything bar water orally.
Good luck.

[Raupe]

My little brother had the same thing when he was about 3. He also stopped breathing during the night. The surgery was a success, and he handled it quite well. Little trooper. I think it was more nerve-wrecking for mum than for him. Mum stayed with him in hospital. He was really quiet the whole time, but ate HEAPS of icecream . Apparently that helped cool the throat.

Sorry, no real advice here. Just thought I would share. After the surgery he slept MUCH better and wasn't sick as often any more (no colds, breathing or eating difficulties or anything).

Good luck to your little one

[STARRYSKY]

gah I am kinda freaking outa bit now, I am really not a fan of unnecessary surgery, I'm not certain that this is unnecessary....he really is struggling to breathe, he really has lost weight and will choke on ordinary easy to eat foods.
I have been reading that it is normal for 3-5 year olds to have enlarged tonsils... they get bigger in response to viruses, infection, allergies etc, they act as a filter for all the nasties...then at around age 8 they start to shrink back down...
I dont want to remove something from DS that is there for a reason IYKWIM?
But I would also like him to have a decent nights sleep (and me too!) and be able to eat properly and put some weight back on.

I dont know, we gave him a dose of nurofen last night, (for its anti inflammatory properties) but it didnt seem to make much of a difference.
I have actually been thinking allergies for awhile now, maybe I will get some zyrtec and see how he goes..

[Olive]

I'd chat with Ginger as her son had the same, she says it's the best thing they did for him! He's put on weight and sleeping better

[STARRYSKY]

Thanks Olive, I may just Pm her.

I have another appointment with the GP today, to discuss what happened at the hospital yesterday. I will sound him out for some short term tactics to try, if using zyrtec will be of any benefit etc..
We will see how it goes ...

[CeCe]

I have been reading that it is normal for 3-5 year olds to have enlarged tonsils... they get bigger in response to viruses, infection, allergies etc, they act as a filter for all the nasties...then at around age 8 they start to shrink back down...
I dont want to remove something from DS that is there for a reason..

DS was a possibility for removal of tonsils and adenoids if his ear infections kept up. So far, fingers crossed, we've been infection free for 2 months so it won't be needed.

I questioned the value of removing the tonsils much like you have above but was told there was a point that at times leaving them in can be more harm than taking them out. Our DS also has enlarged tonsils and adenoids. Our specialist said it can be more detrimental to development to be constantly getting infections due to enlarged organs rather than removing them. Our issue was ear infections though, rather than sleeping issues.

[STARRYSKY]

Thank you so much for shraing your experiences
I have just come back from the GP, DS was asleep so the gp was able to see first hand exactly how badly his breathing iS.
Acording to him, nothing is going to improve it bar surgery.

He is now advising us to go private, to have the op done ASAP.

Anyone gone that way? or have any idea how much it will cost? we do not have PHI, I have no idea how much, neither did the GP.

Or even any idea on how we can find out?
Thank you