Tonsils and Adenoids - Kansas City,MO

Soooo sympathize with you! Our 3yo daughter had hers out a few months ago and she was pretty miserable for almost 2 weeks. No motrin/advil/ibuprofen for her either, although I think your son is mostly out of the danger zone for bleeding at this point.

I will tell you what no one else told me--the hydracodone made my daughter crazy! She was so freaked out and whiny and difficult that we stopped giving it to her about 5 days out and just gave her tylenol and LOTS of ice cold water. Eventually, she figured out that the cold water helped her pain and she would ask for it with meals to help her swallow. That worked better for her than the pain meds and the only time it was awful was at night when she couldn't be drinking ice water or eating an ice pop.

I'd say she was much better at 10-12 days and then completely better by about two weeks out.

Light at the end of the tunnel--my daughter used to get tonsilitis with 105+ degrees fever for about 1 week out of each month. Since the surgery in May, she has only had one cold with a 101.5 temp for 2 days, gained 2+ pounds and grown 1.5 inches! She's now the picture of an energetic, healthy toddler and we are thrilled that we got those tonsils out! :)

Hang in there--you're almost done!
M.

We were told NO ibuprofen since it can promote bleeding. My daughter took tylenol with codeine in the hospital and for 2 days at home and then switched to regular tylenol. The time to watch for bleeding it right after surgery and at about 8-10 days when the scabs fall off and can cause the tonsil beds to bleed again. Re-read the paperwork that came with the discharge, since it should have instructions for what to do in various cases. He simply needs to take the good meds since they will make him feel better. And lots of icecream or popsickles and other smooth cold stuff. I would call the doctor and ask for something with a better taste and perhaps a sleep medicine as well. Hang in there.
PS: You can squeeze a syringe into the far back of his cheek and then close his mouth with your hand. You could also mix it with something he does like in a small cup and have him slug it that way. CVS will add flavors to medicine for an small extra charge.

My daughter was about 8 when she had hers out & she fought us tooth & nail about taking the pain medicine. We unfortunately ended up going the whole route of her becoming dehydrated b/c she wasn't eating & drinking then we had to have her admitted to the ped unit to have iv fluids. NO FUN!

If he is doing okay w/the ibupofen and drinking/eating that's great but the whole idea of the pain medicine is to numb their throat so they'll eat and drink a little more but also sleep so their body will heal. I had mine out when I was 19 & I know it didn't taste the greatest, but it helped. Sometimes it's hard to be the mean one, but I sure wish I had been a little meaner w/her w/this!!!! Best of luck to you!

I had mine out when I was 10 & I hemorrhaged during surgery & again when I was at home on the 4th or 5th day (that ws horrible & disgusting!), but by days 8-10 I was fine, eating well & everything. I remember going with out the pain meds as it ws liquid tylenol (maybe even tyl. 3) & that stuff is nasty! Now they have flavorings, but I doubt it makes it any better. If he is having problems you should follow up with the pediatrician. I've beenaround others & by now htey are usually acting fine (eating, sleeping, etc.). Agreed with the other poster...ibuprofen is bad for surgery because it causes bleeding. Is he eating and drinking enough? Even if it is shakes to fill him up. He probably can't drink through a straw yet though. He may be scared to eat & drink until he starts doing it regularly again and if he's not eating & drinking well then he's not going to sleep. His sleep could also be trauma over the ordeal (going to sleep in the hospital & waking up in pain) & of course not sleeping is going to make him whiny & crabby all day long. (Talk about a revolving circle) No simple answers, just ideas & suggestions. I hope it gets better soon - for both of you!

My son had his out just after he turned 4.
His recovery was rapid, but he sure liked the babying and comforting he got and he didn't want to give that up.
I could tell he wasn't feeling badly anymore - it's like he would forget to act sick when he'd play then suddenly remember and hit me up for sympathy.
We KNEW it was a game.
Finally I had to say - it's all over now - time to go back to our usual routine.
There was an adjustment period, but we got back to normal within a few weeks.

Hi M.,
My daughter had hers out about 4 months ago and I have to tell you that she was miserable for a good 2 weeks. Very whiny, and clingy and wouldnt eat or drink anything except for slurpees....it got to the point where she had nothing in her stomach and was vomitting from all the antibiotics and tylenol...I agree with the other poster that said no ibuprofen...we were told no ibuprofen for 4 weeks and no vitamins for 4 weeks either....I will tell you that it will get better...just when you think it wont it will...Having my daughters tonsils and adeniods out was one of the best decisions we ever made...she no longer snores, she no longer mouth breathes and she sleeps all night long! So the good outweighs the bad for sure!! Just hang in there and know that it will get better....not every child follows that "typical" instruction protocol....each child is different!!! Hope your little guy feels better soon!!
Meg

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