DS has suffered 10 bouts of tonsillitis (and associated ear infections) since August of 08. It makes him very sick and requires treatment with Anti biotics.
The most recent dose made him very ill. We ended up in emergency with his temp at 39 degrees (and not coming down with panandol), vomiting, his heart rate at 167bpm and his oxygen saturation enough to worry the paed.
Thankfully he is on the mend from this latest bout. We have been seeing an ENT specialist who wanted us to wait to see if he grew out of it which we agreed was the best approach.
However, given how ill he has been with the most recent bout, the ENT wants to do a tonsillectomy and take the adenoids at the same time. He is worried about the frequency of the tonsillitis, the high use of anti biotics the increasing severity of the symptoms and the fact that it is causing fluid build up in his ears which is affecting his hearing.
So we decided to go ahead and book him in and managed to get a spot in less than a fortnight. We have really agonised over this decision and have decided that it is cruel (and dangerous) to let him continually be this sick.
The ENT surgeon gave me a heap of material to read through about the operation and I?m now second guessing my decision. I know that no parent would ever want their child to go through the pain of the surgery but I feel like we really need to do this for his health.
I guess I?m just looking for reassurance that we are doing the right thing. I know he will be in pain and the recovery period is at least 2 weeks. Have you or your kids had the op? How did you help them with the pain? Do you thing it was worth it?
If I were you, I would do it, that's a huge toll taken on the poor little fella every time he gets sick. I have quite a few friends and know of a few others who had their children done both last year and this year and they have all noticed a huge improvement in their kids as well, not just health wise (the results of which would be obvious I guess) but also that they were generally *better* kwim? Just happier kids. One friend said her little girl gained 4kg in the 6wks post op as she was actually able to swallow food LOL.
But I imagine you have a lot of other concerns too, because it is an operation afterall and even though it is quite simple and done often, it still involves a GA and I can imagine what is going through your mind too But I am sure that he will be fine.
I would get it done too. I suffered alot of tonsilitis when I was a kid and I get it still now a couple of times a year and it sux! I have never had it enough in one year to qualify getting my tonsils out but I would jump at the chance!
My doctor told me that its better to get it done when you are young as its easier on you - its quite dangerouse to get it done when you are an adult.
You are making the right decision and I bet you see the gains in health very soon!!
i would get it done. i still remember having tonsillitis heaps as a kid and it was horrible - getting them out when i was 11 made a huge difference! i only remember feeling sore for a couple of days amd had so much better general hea;th and more energu afterwards cos i wasnt fighting bugs all the time.
i've a;so heard younger kids bounce back much better than older ones
I had my tonsils and adenoids taken out when I was 18!
As a kid I was constantly prone to getting tonsillitis to the extent of ever month having to have a week of school because i was so bad!
I had a few down days with my recovery straight after surgery as all i wanted was to eat normal but had to be on a liquid diet until the healing process had begun!
I think it is best if your son has this op as he will become a happier little man once he has healed because he won't be getting constant sore throats and ear infections
I would get it done. If he needs it better sooner than later. If you wait twelve months he might still need the surgery and have gone through multiple more bouts of illness. I would also be concerned about giving more and more antibiotics. Good luck, it is so hard when we are left to make these huge decisions for our little ones. I had my tonsils out when I was 8, I think I had about 4-5 of pain but the panadol helepd, as a kid I remeber I felt so much better when I got back to my own house. I hope he recovers quickly if you go ahead,
hugs
Thank you so much ladies, I value your opinions. It is the GA and the recovery that worries me the most. But to see him as sick as he was earlier in the week worries me even more.
A GA is scary for anyone - no matter their age - they won't put DS under the GA if there is any chance he is unwell - even mild snuffles and he'll be checked out and probably delayed. i can't imagine how scary it would be to have to have a toddler under GA - and i'm sure you'll be fretting the whole time - but i'm sure he'll be fine - and so much better for having the op.
Just wanted to let you know that i got mine out when i was 16. Apparently the older you are the worse the recovery, but to be honest, for me it seemed no worse than a dose of tonsilitis. I recovered within 4-5 days (i guess, can't really remember). But i do remember going to see the ENT specialist and him saying that it was now fine for me to go back to school, my mum and i laughed as i had been back at school for a week before him even saying it.
Just thought i'd let you know, that my personal experience is it isn't that painful. Just like tonsilitis. And IMO, i'd rather my child get theirs taken out and experience 'tonsilitis symptoms' one more time, rather than actually getting tonsilitis a number of times each year. I hope this helps. I think you've made the right decision
Spring, my son Lachlan had surgery when he was 2. Not for tonsillitis, but for a hydrocele. He was home riding his bike later the same day and sitting on the bike was basically the same area he had his operation !!
Em: Thank you for your opinion but more than anything I'm looking for reassurance and the experience of people whose kids have been through the operation or have been through it themselves.
Brontide: Thanks for your advice about how it all works. I feel much better knowing that he won't be poked and prodded before being put under. I think it would be too distressing. You are right, I'm freaking out about holding DS whilst under (if even just for a moment). Flashbacks to when DS1 was born are what worry me the most. I guess I've just got to get through it.
Nelle: Thankfully his is too young to have any understanding of what is going on which I am grateful for. My mum is going to come and stay during the recovery period. I'm also going to get plenty of activities organised that involve limited movemement. Plenty of painting, playdoh, cooking to keep him entertained but also resting.
Tellytubby: Thank you very much hun. I've not had a serious tonsillitis myself so I really don't know how painful it is for him, I appreciate your insight.
Astrolady: wow, that is great to hear. Back on the bike in one day, what a little trooper.
My DS2 has been under a GA just before his second birthday but not for tonsils. I can't help with that but I admit the GA scared the crap out of me. After all, he was my baby.
He was given some baby panadol before we went into theatre. I was encouraged to take him to the theatre and I held him in my arms while they used the gas to knock him out. He was scared at that but once he breathed deeply a couple of times he went out really quickly. I talked to him calmly and quietly to help soothe him as well. Just a hint though, if you do hold him, be prepared for him to go floppy very fast. Like a ragdoll. Also, my DS had a shudder which looked like a convulsion but was not. I was warned before we went in that it might happen and is common. Apparently the nervous system just has a reaction and it is JUST a shudder so nothing to be scared about. Someone from the anesthetics team (my DS had an anesthetic nurse & a doctor as well) should brief you BEFORE you enter the theatre. Feel free to ask them any questions so you don't worry as much (if that is possible).
My DS had no reaction to the GA & was back to his normal self the next day. But as I said, this was not for tonsils!
Good luck. I think you have made the right decision and you have certainly done your research. Trust your gut instincts. If this can save him from a lot of pain and illness in the future, then I would go for it if I was in your position.
My son had surgery when he was 10 months old for the repair of his cleft palate. The hospital staff should do a bit of preparation with you about what to expect but like others have said, you cuddle them while they put a mask to their face, they go floppy and you hand them over or lay them on the table (sometimes the eyes are half open which can freak some parents out - so be aware of that too). Kids can often 'fight' the anaesthetic too - so they thrash around for a sec as they go under, but it's perfectly normal and a reaction more than fear.
I'm sure that the few days of tension & worry will be well worth it a week or two after the op - you'll have a happy toddler who shouldn't suffer so much illness afterwards. Sounds like it'll be worth it to me!
Need some reassurance.
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But I am sure that he will be fine.
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