Tonsils, Adenoids and Tubes in the Ears

My now 4 year old daughter had her tonsils and adenoids out last May due to an awful case of sleep apena. It was the best thing we could have done. The recovery was a little difficult the first week but it was all down hill from there. The first few days she didn't want to eat or drink we used a dropper and/or popsicles to get fluids into her. Swallowing was uncomfortable for a week. However, we have noticed that her apnea has gone away and she has had NO ear infections in over a year!! I think they were releated?.

My son had it done and was so much better off for it! My brother should have had it done when he was young and the doctor would not do it. As a 35 year old adult he was very healthy. Perfect weight, went to the gym everyday, ate healthy. He ended up with high blood pressure and was sent for a sleep study for snoring. He was diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea that was one of the worst cases his doctor at Mass eye and ear had ever seen. They had to take his tonsils, adenoids, and uvula out. They also had to shave down his pallet. His recovery was awful!! He is 100% better now and does not have apnea or high blood pressure anymore. My point is...this procedure could have been done when he was a child and his recovery would have been very minimal, not to mention that he wouldn't have had the unneccesary, possible life threating problems later in life.
I don't have any experience with chiropractor's for this situation, but I would ask your doctor about that. The post that was saying how "awful" the surgery was and that you Have to go to a chiropractor, is a chiropractor herself, so I would have to wonder if she may be a little biased :) Just ask the pedi...they know best. Also, remember...when you are asking advice you should ALWAYS run everything by the pedi. I have read some advice that sounded wonderful, when I ran it by the pedi, they were horrified at the thought of people listening to it.

I went through the surgery almost 30 years ago so I'm not sure how much science has advanced since then. I recall waking up in my hospital room and throwing up blood as some had gotten into my stomach from the part of the surgery that removed my tonsils and adnoids. Aside from that, I have still gotten ear infections but not nearly as many as I would've had without the surgery. I still get the occasional ear ache as my sinuses drain right to my ears for some reason and they have talked about putting me back in for tubes a couple of times. Once because I had an ear infection for almost 3 months and the other because I had an ear infection so bad that I litterally had blisters in my ears. I wish your grandson the best of luck.

It was suggested to have all 3 procedures with my daughter when she was 2 and a half. I chose not to do the tubes because I had read the sometimes having the adenoid removed solves the ear infection problem. Knock on wood she hasn't had one in over 2 years. I think they want to do all 3 in some cases because they don't want to have put the child under twice when they could've done it all at once.... good luck

My daughter had adnoids and tubes done at the age of 3. Then at the age of 5 she had tonsils and her adnoids done again (they had grown back a bit). They can grow back when done at a young age, but they don't always. She made it through the procedure fine. It took about 1/2 an hour. She healed great.

My daughter had her adnoids and tonsils out at the same time (but no tubes)

it really helped the issues of sleep apnea (as her tonsils were HUGE) but the recovery was miserable. But I will take 10 days of misery to be able to watch my daughter sleep at night and know that she isnt stopping breathing!!

good luck

I have three sons all of which have ear problems and have had tubes (2 still do) and two that have had tonsils and adenoids out. It was a quick recovery for them (5 yrs. at the time) because they were younger. One went about 4 days with only eating soft food and 6 days with pain meds. The other went 2 days with soft food, missed 5 days of school and was back in full gear after that. I highly recommend these surgeries because they have benn sore throat free since and sleep so much better too.

Good Luck,

B. O

My daughter had tubes and adnoids taken out at the same time and it was well worth it!Her hearing and speech were improved immmediately after the operation and she has never had another ear infection. She is now 5 and the tubes have fallen out(they are supposed to) and she has no ill effects only benefits.

My son had adnoids and tonsils done together at age 8. He is doing terrific now; eats better, sleeps better. He didn't need tubes.

If you're unsure or uneasy, get a second opinion. In another post today I recommend my the doctor that operated on my son, Dr. Manali Amin. Her contact details are in that post. She works at Children's Hosptial, Boston and also visits at the Waltham location.

I am not sure why people recommend chiropracters for something like this, but I have always heard that after visiting a chiropracter people have more problems than before going. And I wouldn't recommend it for one so young.

My son had both tubes put in and his adenoids removed. We had this done due to years of chronic ear infections and illnesses. This was when he was 4, he is now a very healthy 12 year old boy. It was the best thing we could have done. Recovery was minimal. Although I have not experience with the tonsils being removed. My nephew had the same procedure, he was not eating and it the size of his adenoids was impacting his speach development. He is also now a very healthy, happy and talkative boy. I think what you need to do is compare the risk and the benefits and of course get another opinion if you are that concerned. Good luck.

I know this is a late response but we had a new baby enter the family last week and have been busy, busy, busy.
I am opposed to removing any irreplaceable body parts and highly reccomment a second and third opinion before such drastic measures are taken.
What about something to losen up his sinuses? Sounds like chronic allergies causing the congestion that causes the infections.
Had couple kids like that ( out of seven ) and have a grandson ( 3 ) who is also like that.
We deal with the congestion and the infections and to date, they all still have their body parts. The sons are 36 and 44 now. Grandson is still three lol
Best wishes and God bless
Grandmother Lowell