What is your experience with/opinion on tonsillectomies?

[KathyT]

Dd has been referred to an ENT specialist and may need her tonsils out. I am of two opinions: the first is that I hate medicating and it bothers me to see her on antibiotics so much. However, I also feel that the tonsils are there for a reason and maybe when she outgrows this susceptibility to strept they will function as they are supposed to.

I really don't know. I do know that she suffers often from strept and tonsillitis and I am eager to speak with the specialist and get her opinion.

Any words of wisdom?

[Mickey]

Kathy, when my mom was a kid, it was a pretty standard thing to remove tonsils. Then the medical profession (at least where I lived) became big advocates of NOT removing them--so much so that they didn't remove mine when they should have been removed. I had strep throat at least 4 times a year and was miserable. My mother finally insisted on seeing an ENT and he asked why I still had my tonsils! So, a month before I turned 19, I had mine removed. Haven't had strep throat since (knock on wood!).

[AnnW]

I must be of Mickey's mom's generation..had mine out when I was 4!!!!! LOL

Kathy, I did not realize that they served a purpose (except to cause problems) I thought they were kind of like the appendix!
I would lean towards not having to medicate all the time. But, anesthesia is scary. I still think I would lean towards taking them out.
good luck in your decision.

[Amy]

My dd just had her adenoids and tonsils out this past October. It started with Strep last year, but her tonsils were so large that it was blocking her airways and was snoring horribly. I asked her Ped. about her tonsils and their importance and he said as they get older (over age two), they become less of an importance in "straining" bacteria. We had them out and she is doing brilliantly now! It is such a relief!

[JAK]

I had mine taken out when I was 2 as well as tubes in my ears. My mom said it helped- I wouldn't know since I was so young.

I'd see what the ENT has to say, he will be able to tell you the pros and cons. Keep us posted!

[KathyT]

Thanks for the quick answers guys.

Ann it used to be believed that the tonsils were pretty useless, but a lot of doctors now believe that they serve a purpose in helping protect other, more complicated organs, from invasion by bacteria (namely the pharynx). However, the argument is that they reach a certain point where they (the tonsils) have been so ravaged by repeated infection that they are rendered almost useless.

I had mine out when I was 20 after a brutal bout with mono and I still get strep at least once a year, so who knows??

I have a lot of questions for the poor specialist, lol!

[RCT]

Originally posted by KathyT
Thanks for the quick answers guys.


I had mine out when I was 20 after a brutal bout with mono and I still get strep at least once a year, so who knows??

I have a lot of questions for the poor specialist, lol!

Yikes I was told to have mine out (I am 35) because I get strep or got strep 5 times last year...been putting if off because all the pain medicines make me sick...LOL...interesting that you still get strep....HUHMMMM


as far as your child...ds was sick all last year...finally we took him to the ENT guy...ds had no space through his adnoids...it was a wonder he could breath through his nose...he had constant ear infections and strep throat...I think he was out sick from school once a week....we had a toncil/adnoid ectomy...with tubes in his ears...that was last Thanksgiving...it was scary...from a moms point of view....for three or four days he was miserable....but he is rarley sick now...and when he is...its the common cold stuff...no ear infections....no strep...just simple colds....talk with your ENT...and be honest about your fears....good luck, and let us know what you decide....:tinysmile

[Amy2]

It's true that they used to just yank 'em as almost standard practice, but now they aren't advocating that as much. However, if your dd has chronic problems, then it's probably a good idea to have them removed. And there's really no harm in it as it's not a vital organ or anything. Frankly, I think it's much better to get them out when you're younger. I had to have mine removed at 18 and ended up in the hospital for 4 days! It was a nightmare. It is much easier on little kids for some reason. Not a fun decision. Good luck.

Amy

[littlesista06]

I haven't had any personal experience, but just wanted to wish you luck with whatever you decide. Isn't it rough having to make decisions like this for our babies???? ugh

[Leigh]

Like littlesista06, I just wanted to wish you luck in what ever you decided to do. I haven't had any personal experience either.