Adenoid Removal for a 2.5 Year Old - Due to Snoring

We had to do the same with my daughters tonsils. Like you, I knew she would snort and snore and toss and turn. She would cry out in her sleep but not really be awake. She was never comfortable. She also avoided sleep like the plauge. She ended up developing ADHD because of the sleep apnea. Her ped never said anything and she also had the upper reseritory infections constantly. She never had tonsilitis either. But we had to have them removed because of an article that we found explaining what was happening to her. I was horrified and took her straight to the ENT. He took one look and asked me when I wanted to do it. He said on a scale of 1 to 10, hers were a 12. But I have no idea if there is some official scale your doctor was going by.

The symptoms you describe will absolutely wreak havoc in your daughters life. When we got her tonsils out her life changed so much. The snoring went away and never came back. She stopped getting sick too. But it was too late to undo the behaviors she had developed because of the sleep apnea. The article that we read said that if it's not dealt with before 4-6 years of age, ADHD was a given as a result. You are getting this done at the right time. Ask them about the tonsils too. We did tubes for ear infections at age 2 and adnoids then. I wish we had done the tonsils at the same time.

My son was a completely different child after he had his adenoids removed. His adenoids were HUGE! He snored so loud that I would have to turn down his monitor. I would for sure get it done; it was a pretty easy surgery. Get it done now while he is little. He will be fine and you will notice an immediate difference. Good luck! I am very glad we got it done when we did he sleeps 100% better and wakes up refreshed and happy now. He used to be so darn grumpy in the morning.

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my son had his removed at the age of 6. he had a bad snoring problem but not sleep apnea. he had ear infections non stop. he now doesn't snore and has a couple minor ear infection but he is in his second year of having them removed!! there were times before having adenoids take out that my son would put he father to shame on snoring!!! for him it was the right choice!!!

Hi,

We had this surgery along with tubes in the ears and I was soooo apprehensive as well. I did not want to do it for the longest time because I was afraid of putting him through surgery. I have to tell you it is the best thing we did. It will be 1 year in Nov. and not one more ear infection since. The snoring - which was also real bad stopped that afternoon and he was breathing so well I got nervous because I could not hear him snore so I kept going to check on him to make sure he was breathing!! It was such a comfort because I was so worried about doing this too. This also cut down on his chronic illnesses that were caused by bacteria accumulating on his enlarged adenoids. Seriously that afternoon we brought him home and saw instantaneous results. I honestly think I have not made a better decision for the well being of my son thus far. Again I was really really hesitant and I could go on & on & on with the benefits. Hope this helps you - I highly recommend it - it really did wonders for his health and happiness! BTW he was about 1 1/2 when we did it.

Wow... this sounds exactly like my son! The 'adenoids' conversation has never been brought up, so maybe this will be something to check into at his next appointment. His is usually worse when he has a cold. We thought allergies, asthma, cold... we didn't really know what to think! Luckily the doctor put our fears to rest as far as asthma goes. He did have tonsilitis with a bad chest cold this past winter. Seems like nothing has been quite right since then. Anyway, I have no advice to give you, but I'm so glad you posted this -- it might give us some answers!

Hi N.,

Always, always, always get a second and even a third opinion. Body parts are there for a reason. The tonsils and adenoids are filters to protect the rest of the body, specifically the heart. If an appendix is about to burst, you HAVE to remove it, but if it is doing it's job you leave it alone. Make sure you are positive that they need to come out before you do anything. I would also check with an ND in this process as well. From what you have said in your note, there may be an environmental cause for this that can simply be removed instead of surgery.

My mother was wise enough to let me keep my tonsils and then as an adult I chose to have them removed because of numerous strep issues. All removing the tonsils did for me was allow the bacteria to get further down my throat into my larynx. I listened to the doctor when I should have listened to my mom. Hope my two cents helps. God bless!

M.

HI N.
Good question and we dealt with the same issue with one of our twins. Fortunately- we live in Mpls and our neighbor happens to be one of the- if not the best peds ENT surgeon in town.
He does NOT recommend taking out adenoids if at all possible. So our little one who had such big balls in the back of her throat that she would choke on food and snored and had several sore throats-- never had them out.
Our regular pediatrician- also excellent-- wouldn't treat her prophylactically- meaning unless she had strep- no antibiotics and we respected that too as we are both medical professionals and don't use antibiotics either when able to avoid.
Our neighbor however, took this route. He treated her for over a month on Augmentin- very strong and it did upset her tummy some. However, her tonsils shrunk almost in half despite no infection. We did that one more round in the next 2 years.
He said the Only reason to remove adenoids these days is if indeed the apnea stays present enough to affect breathing episodes so you don't get right heart failure or congestion due to the apnea.
Otherwise, he recommends only shaving them-- which is MUCH less invasive- still done surgically, less bleeding complications, the kids actually benefit from the adenoids themselves as they are immune systems, and they will usually out grow all of the toddler issues as they mature.
So-- that's his take.
Not sure where you live, but if you do want a second opinion and live in the cities, email me and I'll pass along his information. ____@____.com
I'd definitely get a second opinion especially if your MOM instinct is saying you're not comfortable 100%. We saved our daughter from having surgery-- bottom line. We understand the risks of surgery too and are thrilled not to have done that now.
Best of luck
B. J

About me: 49 yo perfusionist, wellness coach also doing a nationwide biggest loser for up to $599 on line at challengevictor.com, mom with awesome nearly 9 yo twin girls.

My son had both tubes and adnoids removed at same time. He had ear infections since birth and snored like he had a hard night on the town!(lol) he was 22 months old. I was a wreck, he barely noticed, up and playing within hours doc said he could go back to school the next day. I did have this procedure done after a second opinion and they found the same exact stuff as my first doc did. Good luck!

Hi N.. I also would seek a second opinion if you are hesitant. In the long run it will make you feel better, especially if your child has a tough time recovering from surgery. You really want to be sure you did the right thing! I recently was in to see a new pediatric ENT in Minneapolis, and they were able to get me in to see him fairly quickly. I was soooooooo impressed! He is much better than the peds ENT we saw in St. Paul, and he trained at Mayo!

It couldn't hurt to get a second opinion. You mention about he might have sleep apnea, that is something that he should definitely be tested for. My daughter had similar problems. The snoring and restless sleeping at night and loud breathing we noticed during the day. First she went to an allergy specialist that confirmed she was allergic to a whole lot of things and he done an x-ray that showed her adenoids were a little large too. Which allergies can cause enlarged adenoids. The allergy doctor put her on a nasal spray that has helped her a whole lot. After having the x-ray she seen a ENT specialist that confirmed the adenoids were a little large and recommended that we hold off to see if they cause any future problems since the nasal spray was helping her.

Both my kids had there tonsils out. My son snored loudly since he was an infant. We had him allergy tested first. The ENT first said to me, "Children should not snore" His tonsil and adnoids were so huge that he would trigger his gag reflex if he swallowed anything too big. We never had any ear infections or strep throat. He did get lots of colds though. He no longer snores and has stayed healthier. Plus he is a much better eater now.

My DD had her tonsils out at 3. She had sleep apnea. She has never been sick much either. She just never slept well and was up several times a night. She was grumpy all the time due to lack of sleep. Neither are a problem anymore. It was a good decision for both of our kids. Check with your ENT but I believe the adnoids grow back. A nurse friend told me that some time ago.

A second opinion would be helpful.. My twin daughters had that same thing. I finally could not take the constant runny noses,snoring, sickness and lack of sleep. They both got their adnoids removed and it was the best thing for them!! No matter what time of yr it was, they were sick. I was unsure and put the sugury off for months and wish I would have done it sooner. I think they were about two 1/2. I would do it... the benefits are huge and do you really want him to be miserable when he could be feeling good? I know, it was a hard decision for me too. good luck!!!

My oldest used to snore really bad, even as an infant. The doctors were never too concerned about it when I'd bring it up at the well-baby appointments, so I didn't worry about it either. At her 3 yr well-baby check, the doctor noticed a lump on one of her tonsils, so we went to and ENT. We knew she'd be having her tonsils out and possibly her adenoids because of the snoring, but the Dr would just check those when he got in there to take the tonsils. Afterwards, we found out she was 85% blocked because of the adenoids! Since then, she had slept so well and actually put on about 5 pounds in a couple weeks. No snoring and she actually started to have dreams at night because she was actually getting into a real sleep cycle.
So...you can always get a 2nd opinion. I, personally, am very happy we had the adenoids removed as it has been good for my daughter.

My son had his tonsils and adenoids removed at 4 yo due to sleep apnea & snoring. Also, my son seemed to have a constant flow of boogers and I was so afraid he would be the gross kid at school. So, we proceeded with the surgery. It was a rough week of recovery. But, that said, we are so glad we did it. He is now sleeping through the night and he never gets sick (even when his brothers and sisters are sick). Truthfully, I wish we would have just done all our kids before our insurance changed to deductibles. Feel free to email me if you have more questions. ~ F.

I know you've had a ton of responses, but here's my "two cents" worth....
I'd get a second opinion, if it would make you feel better.
Sleep apnea is not something you want to continue. Prolonged sleep apnea can cause enlargement of the heart, I know, because that is one of the reasons the I have pulmonary hypertension (enlarged right side of heart).
PLEASE be agressive with this, not taking care of it now could lead to many problems in the future. Plus he's not getting a good nights sleep.....
Also my granddaughter got her tonsils and adenoids removed when she was 4. She USE to snore like a lumberjack but not a peep out of her anymore and she wakes up very rested now.....Her lil sis snores just like she use to, so I imagine she will have them removed too...

If you are apprehensive at all I would get a second opinion. The virus this is normal at your sons age so don't get upset about that. Just make sure he is eat plenty of fresh fruits and veggies and the least amount of processed foods you can and that will help his immune system. Also if he isnt on a childrens multivitamin you might want to talk to his Ped about getting on one. Flinestones has a great My First Vitamin, we started our son on that at age 2. Good Luck with your decision.