Tonsillectomy (sp?)

Kyla24 · Post by **Kyla24** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 6:38 am

Yesterday I went for my follow up with the sleep doc, and after about an hour of talking to him about everything that's wrong, he recommended that I see an ENT about getting my tonsils removed because they're quite large (had problems with them all my life anyways). Dr. Z stressed that I would still have to be on CPAP but that the pressure probably wouldn't be as high. I understand all of that and I have no problem with the CPAP (anymore, I now know how much better I feel after using it)...but I'm scared because I know that the surgery is worse for adults than children. Has anyone here ever had this done to help their apnea?

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 1:24 pm

Kayla, down near the bottom of this page of links are many topics about various kinds of surgeries.

LINKS to surgery, turbinates, Pillar, TAP experiences

Some of the "UPPP MMA" topics had discussions about tonsillectomies, even though that word doesn't appear in the subject line. So, you have to kind of skim through all of the discussions in the "UPPP" topics to find little nuggets about just a tonsillectomy.

From what I remember reading (never had it done, myself), while tonsillectomy recovery is more painful for an adult than for a child, it could help open the airway more. I seem to remember also reading that something called a "capsule sparing" procedure for tonsillectomy makes the recovery less painful.

I agree with your doctor that it won't get you off cpap, but might let you use a lower pressure. I'm not a doctor, but that makes sense if the tonsils are so big they are taking up a good bit of room in the airway.

The one thing I'd caution about...when you go to see the ENT, don't let him talk you into UPPP (carving out the palate) at all. Stick to just the tonsillectomy if you decide to have that done.

Kyla24 · Post by **Kyla24** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 2:07 pm

A tonsillectomy sounds bad enough, I definitely do not want anyone carving out my palate. I'm not thrilled about the tonsillectomy but doctors have been suggesting it for 20 years (since I was 4) because I would get strep throat about 8+ times a year...Every doctor that looks at them talks about how huge my tonsils are....To sum it up, I'm not letting any doctor try to carve out anything...They can have the tonsils, because I definitely know that there's more than one problem with them. Anyways, thanks so much for your response!!

Jan in Colo. · Post by **Jan in Colo.** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 2:47 pm

Having strep throat so often is MUCH more dangerous than having the tonsillectomy, in my opinion. Strep is actually a pretty nasty disease that can do a lot more harm than simply causing a sore throat. It can settle in your heart, for example.

Go get your tonsils out for gosh sake!

Jan in Colo.

SLEEPYCD · Post by **SLEEPYCD** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 4:07 pm

I too have had strep all my life, ENT wanted to take tonsils out years ago (I'm 48 yrs old). Then I found a growth by my uvula and suspected OSA. ENT did tonsillectomy/uvulectomy in Feb 05, thank God not cancer. I won't lie to you, the pain is severe in adults. I'm really tough and I cried alot, they discovered I had OSA on overnight stay in hospital. If you are going to have surgery, I recommend having it all done at once. It may not be a cure all, but I haven't had any strep or throat problems since and if your tonsils were large like mine you WILL notice a difference. Talk to the people that have actually had the surgery (and really needed the surgery) not just for OSA, but just to feel better overall. My 2 cents worth, the pain will go away, the lifelong results (and lack of strep, etc), is well worth the surgery. I wish you all the best. It's all (Surgery/CPAP Therapy) made a wonderful difference in my life. Good Luck, I wish you the very best, whatever you decide!!! Take Care.

rock and roll · Post by **rock and roll** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 4:26 pm

From when I was 18 to about 35 all I ever heard from doctors was when was I going to let them take out my tonsils. From 35 to now, I'm 51, I have not been sick in the way tonsils would effect me again. So think long and hard, it is surgery.

Kyla24 · Post by **Kyla24** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 11:26 pm

Thanks everybody for all of the replies...I would be so lost if I didn't have here to come to for answers! (not that I always post my questions...lol...I just always seem to find the answers here)

My appointment with the ENT is next Wednesday, and I plan on making out a big list to ask him about. I just see this as a big vicious cycle with the strep and CPAP and all that. I've had strep since I've been on the CPAP (about a month-6 weeks give or take) and it's grueling. My 7 year old son seem to pass strep back and forth continuously. If for nothing else, I would like to quit getting strep throat so much!

I was talking to my sister (a speech pathologist) about the various surgeries that I read about from the link that rested gal (and thank you so much for that!) provided, and she had a question for anyone that has had the UPPP. Does that surgery impair your speech at all? I know that's a little off topic, but I told her I would ask, so I did. lol.

Anyways, thank you so much everyone! You are all wonderful!

tlc95066 · Post by **tlc95066** » Wed Sep 14, 2005 6:31 am

Hi Kyla,

i hope your appt. with the ENT is successfull. Here is a helpful tip regarding strep that the doc's don't always tell you. Throw out your toothbrush and clean the holder very well. Often the strep virus will reside in the wet bristles of a toothbrush and reinfecting or spreading the virus to others.

We found this out when my mom had strep 6 or 7 times over several months. The doc seemed perplexed and started asking her questions and obviously one was about the toothbrush. I guess that he assumed that EVERYONE new that trick! Once she started tossing away toothbrushes, she didn't get re-infected, amazing.

The same prinicpal may apply to your CPAP machine and mask as well. Just athought. I am not a doc but you may want to check in to it.

Good luck!
Teri

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Wed Sep 14, 2005 7:02 am

Wow, that toothbrush tip makes a lot of sense.

I also heard of a case where the family dog was the strep carrier.

O.

Kyla24 · Post by **Kyla24** » Wed Sep 14, 2005 7:06 am

Thanks for the response Teri, last year I think I bought my son about 8 new toothbrushes! But he goes to his Dad's house and I bet he didn't buy him a new one....As for me, I just gave up on the "good" toothbrushes...lol...The $.50 from Wal-Mart do just fine for the small amount of time I use them...Anyways, thanks again...

Kyla

Huckleby · Post by **Huckleby** » Tue Feb 20, 2007 9:44 am

I was diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea and found the CPAP unacceptable. Was referred to an ENT specialist who quickly and easily found the problem(s). On June 15th I had the tonsillectomy, uvulectomy, turbinate reduction, and septoplasty. The post-op pain was excruciating but well worth it. I am now a silent and restful sleeper with no "jet fight mask" to wear to bed.

I will never regret the surgery.

Bearded_One · Post by **Bearded_One** » Tue Feb 20, 2007 4:21 pm

I had a UPPP with tonsillectomy about ten tears ago. The UPPP was a waste and I would have done it had I known how little it would help. Getting my tonsils out was the best thing that I have ever done. I used to have chronic strep throat, since I had my tonsils out I have had strep throat three times.

Sleepless_in_LM · Post by **Sleepless_in_LM** » Tue Feb 20, 2007 5:33 pm

I had the tonsils yanked and a modified UUPP(left a small portion), along with turbinate reduction in December. My ENT convinced me that doing some work on the pallet would allow him to fold in the tonsil pockets and reduce the overall pain. He came highly recommended and I allowed him to do it. I too fought numerous strep infections every winter, so the tonsils were a no brainer for me. The other work I decided to have done to try and help the OSA. It certainly was a very painful recovery, but not as bad as I had been led to believe, but we are all different. And it also helped the OSA. Nasal breathing is easier, and my overall pressure requirements have dropped. And no, it did not affect my speech at all.

My warning, the vycral stitches have not agreed with my body and are still causing some irritation. But again, everyone is different. Even with hindsight and the complications with the stitches, I would still do it again.

lildebbie007 · Post by **lildebbie007** » Wed Feb 21, 2007 9:07 am

Hi, I had a tonsillecomty and a uvulectomy 5 days ago. I can deal with the pain, but the swollenness at the back of throat makes me cough at night and gag when I try to talk. Anyone know how long this will last? It really irritates the throat not to mention lack of sleep from it.

irenemoore · Post by **irenemoore** » Sat Jan 02, 2010 3:27 am

I am a 41 year old female that had my tonsils and uvula removed on December 28. I am still in alot of pain. The jury is still out.

Tonsillectomy (sp?)

Tonsillectomy (sp?)

tonsils/surgery

another strep tip

Tonsilectomy got me off CPAP

Re: Tonsillectomy (sp?)

Re: Tonsillectomy (sp?)