Tonsills and Fatigue?

Hi,
I just went through this w/my 6 yr old daughter.She was a restless sleeper.Pretty sure it was because she had trouble breathing during the night.We ended up having her tonsils and adenoids out on June 5th.The first week was pretty difficult.But now,3wks later she sleeps like a champ.My husband and I were also on the fence about having it done.I even cancelled her surgery last year.Looking at her know I feel that we did the right thing.Good luck!!!

Hi V.
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V.,
If they are enlarged and it is causing her to have problems breathing at night then I would strongly consider the advice of the ENT. No amounts of nutritional supplements are going to change the size and shape of someone's tonsils and adenoids. If they are really large and obstructing her breathing during sleep then that is dangerous. My 6 year old went through it. He used to be exhausted and whenever he would eat it would sound like you were having dinner with Darth Vader! The surgery results were unbelievable. He is perfect and he NEVER gets sick. My husband and I used to stay up and watch him sleep some nights because he would stop breathing. It was incredibly scary. The surgery was the best thing we could have done for him. The younger they have it done, the easier the recovery. Good luck!!

My daughter FINALLY had her tonsils out after MANY visits for strep checks, colds, coughs, etc. that were negative. The threshold for getting them out seems to be 5 or 6 positive strep tests, but we had so many mornings with sore throats and nights with LOUD snoring that I had to insist we see an ear-nose-throat specialist. The pediatrician kept saying that even if she had a tonsil infection they would treat it with antibiotics - the pendulum has swung too far the other way. The ENT specialist was even surprised how big her tonsils were and that she had been able to breathe at night. He did not take out the adenoids that he felt were small. The night after the operation she slept wonderfully and did not make a noise at all. I had to urge and push for over 2 years before we finally saw the ENT guy. I am so glad we pushed for it. Since then she has been great, no colds, coughs, tiredness, sore throats, nothing! The first 2 weeks they need to stay home and watch for any bleeding from the tonsil "beds" - immediately after surgery and again about 10 days later when the scabs fall off. We had zero complications. Good luck.

My daughter was constantly tired and foggy. Her tonsils were so large that they practically filler her throat. We went to the ENT and they referred her for a sleep study to see if she had sleep apnea. We stayed overnight at the sleep clinic one night with her all wired up and the results did show sleep apnea. She had her tonsils and adnoids removed and it has made a huge difference. She was 8 almost 9 at the time of the surgery. It was a fairly easy procedure, done at the outpatient surgery unit. We were home by mid to late afternoon, having had the surgery in the morning. She has done very well since then and we are all happy we had it done. I will say that before the surgery there were times when things seemed better on their own, but the surgery made a huge difference. From what I understand, they are much more hesitant to remove tonsils now than a generation or two ago, so if they recommend it, then it is probably necessary. Good luck with it!

Hi V.,
My son had his tonsils and adenoids removed when he was eight and a half (a year ago). Both were very enlarged, causing breathing problems during eating and sleeping as well as a constantly stuffed-up nose. In the case of his adenoids, they were so enlarged that they blocked his eustacian tubes so that they could not drain completely, and his inner ears were constantly had fluid that could not drain. A cesspool of germs, an infection waiting to happen.

These were the cirumstances for which we decided to operate. His MD said that the adenoid situation was not likely to change but that he might possibly outgrow the tonsil enlargement. We decided just to have both removed because it was equally possible that the tonsils would remain enlarged, and also there were some studies that showed that in later years people needed to have tonsils removed anyway. The MD told us that the older the patient, the more painful the recovery. We said let's just do it now.

The surgery went like clockwork (his MD/surgeon was Dr. Minali Amin from Children's Hospital, Boston; she is WONDERFUL). The recovery also went exactly as expected, which is that the first week was very painful and difficult for him. The second week was much better although he still had to rest and not play at all. The recovery time is a full two weeks no matter how the patient feels.

Since having the surgery my son sleeps and eats so much better. We haven't once doubted the decision to have the surgery.

It seems like a consult is needed to determine if your daughter needs the surgery, not just on her moods, etc., but also on what's happening on the inside with the glands themselves. Good luck making your decision.

My daughter is scheduled for a t&a on wednesday for this same reason. she has not had a lot of sore throats or ear infections, the most common reason for the surgey, but she snores like a bear, is always tired when she gets up and my Husband has sleep apnea. With all those factors, the dr felt surgery now was the best route instead of needing a major sinus surgery as an adult (hubby had that about 4 yrs ago- not fun!!)I'll let you know how it goes if you like!

update: So Dani had her surgery on wed. They actually did tonsils, adnoids and "SNIRTs"- something to do with access tissue in her nose. The surgery went well and she has been feeling much better then I thought she would. The down sides, waking up from anesthesia was hard for all of us- She was very confused/altered and had a tough wake up and there is alot of medicine to take after that you really can't skimp on. For a child who won't even take tylenol, this has been a great challenge! Haven't sen much as far as sleep goes yet, too early to tell about that!

V. -

My daughters tonsils and adenoids were so enlarged that at age 2 1/2 she snored like an 80 year old man. After visting an ENT in RI (Dr. John Tarro...GREAT!) he took one look and said, they needed to come out. We were so excited, because she had started to develop sleep apnea.. adn to listen to a 2 1/2 year old literally stop breathing while she slept was crazy...

I would guess that your daughter is waking up in her sleep because of the snoring, not enough to make her realize it.. but enough to cause her to be tired.

If the ENT still recommend it... I would go for it. But be prepared. It will be rough, and painful. For us, it was the first 10 days.. but after that she was fine.

Good luck.
L.

Have you explored the possibility of food sensitivities? Dairy, sugar and wheat all contribute to sleep, adnoid, and energy issues. I am a health counselor and deal with these issues frequently. Try doing an elimination diet (taking out one of the offenders for a couple of weeks, note the response) and keep a food journal of her eating habits. Sometimes a simple change in diet can dramatically improve the condition. Good Luck!

V. - my daughter had her adenoids out when she was 3 1/2. She would snore extremely loud which took a lot out of her.. her hearing and equilibrium was off as a result of her enlarged adenoids... what a difference once they came out! She is quiet when she sleeps and she is barely ever sick anymore... good luck...

Hi-
Both of my daughters have had their adenoids out and the other. Each girl responded differently to surgery, but recovered extremely well:) It's amazing how they bounce back? They both had snoring symptoms, waking up frequently and miserable in the A.M. Do I think it made their sleep pattern significantly different? NO, but a litle better? Just because I think they were in a habbit that is hard to break :( Yes their breathing has become much better, and their symptoms of sore throats etc...seem to have subsided.
If I was in your shoes, which it sounds like I've been I would go see the ENT and regroup from there. We went to a Worc. office. It never hurts.
By the way both of my girls were 3 when they had the surgery and are now 6& 4 in Sept. Also, I don't think the whiney-ness every ends
:( so much whiney still!!

About Me..SAHM to 2 girls and am a small business owner www.grip-its.com

When my son was four, it was noted that he had enlarged adenoids. We saw a wonderful ENT who said, "Wait and see." He grew into them. Then when he was 6, he was diagnosed with enlarged tonsils. Again the ENT said wait and see and we did and he's 8 now and grown into them. On the other hand, he's a major snorer etc. What we found is that reducing the wheat and dairy has eliminated the snoring. We use millet bread. We use rice milk and we take supplements including DHA. My kids a both benefitting from an (almost) wheat free diet. Really find out what allergies your child has before you consider surgery.

One other note, Whole Foods sells wonderful vegetable shakes that can be added to orange juice. My kids do that and the DHA supplements. Have your doctor check that your daughter is not low on Vitamin D.

I agree with Joanne. So many of my friends use Reliv Kids Now - we use the adult products. More energy, no colds, no respiratory or sinus stuff just by supporting the immune system. If you stick with it, you can leave the tonsils in so they can do their job. You have everything to gain! Why not talk to others who have success? Healthy kids are happier and don't whine. Our foods are so depleted that we just don't get enough nutrition even if we "eat right" and even the AMA has said so for years. So if I'm going to supplement, I'm going to take something with a US patent and no warning labels. Most kids' (or adults') vitamins don't meet those standards.