Enlarged Adenoids and Steroid Therapy

Enlarged adenoids, over time, will make the sides of the nose (the bones?) larger, or more "ramped" out towards the cheekbones. You can tell, slightly, by my face, my difficulties with this as a child (had tonsils & adenoids out at 4). A doctor pointed my history out to me as an adult. Not that it was some big deal, but interesting and I think it plays into why my under eye bags can get so heavy looking. I'd have my childs removed, sooner than later if they were enlarged. Tonsils- not so much, they are so useful to us, to prevent sicknesses. (and I dont think they cause facial deformity)

My son's tonsils were not infected (no fever, no colds, no ear problems, etc) but they were HUGE. They were these enormous fleshy marbles at the back of his mouth. They almost touched each other and they had become an obstruction which was affecting his swallowing anything (food and drink) and interfering with his breathing at night.
We tried shrinking them with steroids - a 2 week series, and they did shrink - as long as he was taking the steroids. As soon as we finished taking them, the tonsils ballooned right back up again - literally within 48 hours after finishing the last dose.
We had his tonsils and adenoids removed (it was right after his 4th birthday) and it was the best thing we ever did. He healed up quickly, and he could eat and swallow and sleep (and breathe at the same time) so much better than he could before. He wasn't tired all the time and the circles under his eyes disappeared.

Adenoids (I didn't realize they sometimes call these tonsils, too):
http://smartimagebase.com/enlarged-adenoids-swollen-tonsi...

Tonsils (lingual tonsils (back of the tongue) are what we usually refer to as the tonsils):
http://smartimagebase.com/the-lingual-tonsils/view-item?I...

My son's looked pretty much like this before we had them removed:
http://smartimagebase.com/tonsillitis/view-item?ItemID=68501

My cousin just had his adenoids removed. His was due to asthma. When he has a sinus infection it triggers his asthma which usually sends him to the hospital. The dr finally did a CAT scan and found his adenoids were enlarged and were covering 95% of his sinus cavity so his sinuses weren't able to drain properly. He also had trouble breathing at night while sleeping because they were so huge. He had his surgery last Friday. The surgery takes about 15 mins and is out patient. He was only there for a couple of hours. He cant lift anything or blow his nose for a few days. He can't play soccor for 10 days. He didn't cry from the surgery but when he found out he couldn't play soccor for 10 days the tears flowed. He was able to go back to school Monday but his Mom didn't send him back until yesterday. He had some pain but did fine and was back to playing saturday. Friday when he got home he had pizza. Good luck and I hope everything works out for your daughter.

I'd go for the adnoid removal (tonsils too) before giving my kids steroids. To date I have approx 5 friends whose young kids have had this procedure and they are all so happy they did it. My older sister also had it done a couple of years ago (this after suffering her whole life with ear infections and other reoccuring ailments) she is doing great! Come to think of it - I'm going to look in to this for myself. I have to take steroids one to two times a year for similar issues, yes they work but it's only temporary and there are side effects.
Best wishes!

My daughter had her tonsils and adenoids removed when she was 17 months. Prior to the surgery from about four months of age on, she had constant nose drainage, ear infections, snoring and sleep apnea. It was the sleep apnea that worried me the most. She would stop breathing completely and then start gasping for air. The ENT determined that her tonsils and adenoids HUGE and recommended surgery. He never recommended steroids and I would have been hesitant to use them anyway.

The surgery was very quick, but we had to stay overnight. My daughter was hooked up to an IV afterward and they offered her juice and jello which she wouldn't touch. Luckily she was still nursing and taking plenty of breastmilk or they wouldn't have been able to unhook her IV or release her the next day. The first day post op in the hospital was the hardest. She was uncomfortable and bored and wanted to go home. Pain medicine helped her sleep. She had a very foul odor coming from her mouth for about two weeks and we had to be careful what we fed her so her throat wouldn't get irritated and start bleeding again. If only the adenoids are removed, I was told that the recovery is a lot easier.

Overall, I am sooooo glad she had the surgery. She has no more drainage, no snoring, and no apnea and a lot less ear infections. Hope that helps.

I don't have any advice about the adenoids. But I did want to warn you that sometimes steroids affect your child's behavior for the worse. My son has been on steroids twice and behaved horribly! I thought he had turned into the devil's son! Everything was a battle and he said no to me constantly. Nobody warned me and I found out from the nurse at a follow up appointment that the steroids do that.
Good luck!