Depression After Tonsillectomy
One challenge that many tonsillectomy patients don’t anticipate is depression after surgery. Even people with the sunniest of dispositions may find themselves in a dark place after enduring the hardships of surgery and its recovery. **Before discussing the topic of depression after surgery any further, let me say that if you are under a doctor’s care for depression before surgery, be sure to work with them to plan treatment after surgery.
Tonsillectomy Recovery- Day 17: Why don’t I feel better?
Tonsillectomy surgery, like almost any other surgery, requires more of your body than normal. The healing process takes energy. After tonsillectomy, eating and sleeping become difficult. This makes the healing process more of a strain. I have tips for both eating and sleeping on other pages. For now I’d like to address the almost inevitable event of depression after surgery.
Two weeks of battling pain, not getting enough sleep, taking narcotic pain medicine, and being removed from your normal social interaction can have a profound effect on your mental state. Being prepared for depression after surgery can help you feel better.
Doing your best to stay nourished, get sleep, and stay ahead of pain will all help. I further recommend planning some simple daily activities like a short walk outside, a relaxing bath, a daily television show. These simple activities can get your mind off the discomfort, give you something to look forward to, and give normalcy to an otherwise abnormal time.
Another trick to beating depression after surgery is to record your thoughts and feelings in a journal. Oddly, this seems to release the struggles a bit. I also suggest participating in the online forums and offering others support. As I’ve often said, when you shine a light for others, you also light your own path.
Finally, let people in. Family, friends, health professionals, even co workers have more compassion than you may realize. Let people help. Ask for help in advance- before you have surgery. I personally would be delighted if a friend asked me to run out for Popsicle’s or chewing gum because they’d run out during their tonsillectomy recovery. Help others to help you. You’ll both benefit.
Finally, try to remember that this is temporary. How you are feeling in the midst of your recovery is not how you’ll always feel. Try to imagine the better life you’ll have without the problems the surgery will have corrected. Again, you can read of success stories in my book and on the forum.
Take care,
Greg
I am 22 years old and on day 7 of recovery, day 5 was when it all got too much! I’ve suffered with depression as a young teenager and feel like I’m going back to that horrible place, even when I’m not in pain, I’m miserable. I can’t wait for all the to be over! One things for sure I thought I’d be one of these people who didn’t get much pain. I have a high pain threshold but even with all the painkillers sometimes I’m frozen with pain. I’m glad my tonsils are gone, the amount of trouble they have caused me for years, but it seems like the recovery is their last bit of evil against you!
Hi Jodie- Sorry you’re having a rough time. I did too. One thing to keep in mind is that this is temporary. How you feel now is not how you’ll feel days and weeks from now. It will get better. At day 7, (now 8), things are about their worst in terms of pain- but there is also the effect of a week of pain med’s. Those take you down. You probably haven’t been sleeping so well either. It’s all adding up. Soon things will improve. I can tell you: life without tonsils is WAY better than with them for me.
Hang in there Jodie!
I’m 19 years old and can vouch for this surgery being the most uncomfortable experience of my life. I was mentally prepared for an unpleasant experience but couldn’t have expected such discomfort when eating, sleeping, even breathing. However, my recovery has been more painful than most I would assume because after surgery I also contracted pneumonia which my doctor blames on my acute asthma. It’s made me have to cough and when you pair that with a tonsillectomy you get all kinds of extra blood and pain.
My uvula swelled to be about the size of a grape, making every swallow I had after surgery feel like I’m trying to swallow, well, a whole grape.
The medication gas affected my energy, mood, mindset, and sleep patterns. At first I was on anti-inflammatory steroids to help with swelling in addition to liquid hydrocodone and at first I felt on top of the world emotionally for the first week but now entering the second week I have been in a state of depression that I can’t shake. It’s very odd for someone that hasn’t been depressed before and I know the medication is somewhat to blame. Also I have such weird vivid dreams that I credit to the medication as well. I’m currently on post op day 12 and it’s still painful to swallow and I’ve bled multiple times that have clotted and ceased to bleed. I’m getting past the depression by reminding myself that it’s the medication and the fact that I have been cooped up in my house for nearly 2 weeks without anything really entertaining to do. If you’re struggling with any if these problems just keep in mind it will be okay and that all of us recovering from tonsillectomies are reading online forums for help just like you.
As an adult, the pain experienced during recovery from a tonsillectomy is HORRIBLE! There is NO doubt about that. Three years ago, when I was age 47, I had my tonsillectomy (for chronic tonsil stones and infections). I have had several other surgeries in my life and the tonsillectomy recovery was by FAR the worst experience of them all! My Dr. had warned me that it would be the worst sore throat pain I would ever have in my life. I felt I was mentally prepared for the worst. Each day after surgery is a little different, and things tend to get worse before they get better. My tonsillectomy was a few years ago, so it’s all king of a blur now, (thankfully!!) but I remember drinking lots of liquid Tylenol, and taking a strong pain med (I can’t remember the name.) Besides the pain meds, it helps to have two other VERY IMPORTANT things. 1) A strong support team to encourage you and sympathize with you, and 2) a strong, daily positive attitude with CONSTANT reminders to yourself that, “I CAN DO THIS!” and,”this, too, shall pass.” Some days I was living minute by minute just praying my way through the moment, and reminding myself that soon this will all be a distant memory. When the depression hit it was a total surprise, but I somehow knew it had everything to do with the meds and the whole experience I was going through. I just knew in a few days when the meds were out of my system I would perk up. Drink a lot of water and keep reminding yourself that things will get better soon! The taste buds issue was also a surprise. I think it literally took over a year for foods to taste right again. Three years post-tonsillectomy it’s easy to say I am glad I did it. I am SO much healthier and glad not to have the tonsil issues anymore. Everything I went through is a distant memory. Hang in there and soon you will be looking back barely remembering it all, like me. :o)
Hi everybody.. I know nobody has posted here since December but I figured I’d post this anyways.. I’m 2 weeks post op my surgery was April 2nd of this month and I’ll be honest the day of surgery I was fine.. I had to spend the night in the hospital as precaution just incase if I bled or anything (thank goodness no blood!) I was released the 3rd.. I went home and immediately started to feel pain.. The pain mess didn’t do anything for the pain Tylenol didn’t do anything.. I just couldn’t get any relief.. I wanted my mom to call the doctor for me but she wouldn’t and I couldn’t do it since I had no voice.. By day 4 I started to get depressed because I couldn’t eat, couldn’t drink and I really didn’t have energy to do anything.. Oh did I mention that right after surgery I lost my taste buds.. So I can’t even taste the ice cream I’m still currently eating.. Went for my follow up told the doctor how much pain I’m in.. Actually I’m in more pain now then the first day.. My ear and jaw constantly hurt..my voice hurts and even my body hurts and my throat and jaw swell up.. I am now depressed because my Otolaryngology told me that there isn’t anymore he can do for me.. Even after I told him my concerns about pain and the blood I was spitting up.. He basically told me if I’m not gushing blood its normal..So I decided to make an appointment with my family doctor to see if he can prescribe me something for the pain.. I’m in tears because of how bad the pain is.. I have a few questions 1) has anyone else experienced so much pain? 2) Has anyone lost their taste buds? 3) how long will this depression last? ( I have tried going out and doing errands) Thank you to whoever reads this.
Hi Leigh,
Iam 20 yrs old and currently 10 days post op. to answer your questions 1. yes the pain is unexpectedly horrible 2. I have lost my taste buds and my tongue has did this weird peeling and is now really pink like brand new taste buds are coming in I can slightly taste salty stuff. 3. Im not sure how long this depression will last but I hope no long. Should stop once you quit the medicine and its filtered out of your system. it was totally unexpected I knew the surgery would hurt and I wasn’t going to be able to eat but I never knew depression of all things would occur especially to a bubbly laughable person like myself and these medicines don’t make it any better. Not to be Tmi but the medicine has caused my cycle to be late it was supposed to come like last week so im suffering from pms and this hopefully temporary depression.(no im not prego, pre op your required to take a pregnancy test so if I were id still have my tonsils) Ive been having weird dreams that scare me make, me laugh in my sleep, and even wake me up crying like I did this morning. Its starting to become dreadful I feel like im stuck in my tired body and cant escape. I believe getting out should help with the depression. Ive literally been in my house and bed and back since the surgery no where else so tomorrow when my sis goes to have her baby im going also to meet babygirl and see if I feel any better.
(a few tips for anyone especially if your going to be home alone or independently caring for yourself)
*have movies, or tv shows, Netflix or even books you enjoy reading set up for the time the medicine has you up late. the depression worsens if your just staring at the wall late night
*set an alarm/timer for med taking. its best to get each dose as recommended, if you miss a dose or cut it in half like I did the experience is horrible especially in the early days of post op. you will cry! also be careful with the meds, if you spill a huge amount like I did because I was “high” from the meds and unstable its hard to get more if you have no refills because docs think you drug lords lol, but explain to your doc what happened and he/she should give more.
*if your stomach can stand it take the pain med with milk first, if your lactose or hate milk try a couple of spoonfuls of apple sauce or pudding first then take your meds before you plan to eat your meals so that you can eat without feeling the pain of swallowing. this will help you to at least have a full tummy so you wont be as hungry
*keep your mouth and more importantly body hydrated. same thing with the food, aim to drink the most after you have taken meds because it wont hurt as much. avoid orange juices or tomato juices anything too acidic will burn.
*get rest, don’t try too do too much the first couple days the rest really helps in aiding your healing process. believe me im itching to do my hair and go out but I cant im too weak from lack of nutrients and calories. plus it seems ppl hurt more the following night the day they decided to go out 🙁
*I know the hunger is depressing but do not eat beyond what your throat can handle. day 9 I tried to eat a burger but it was so dry that I scraped some of my scab off and caused minor bleeding and I got paranoid. from now on im strictly soup and oatmeal dieting until im completely healed.
*fight the hunger pain by having meals set. know what your going to eat next before the time comes.
*if your energy permits take a warm shower before bed, it will help you feel great and is a everyday activity that can help you feel “normal” again. I found adding essential oils like peppermint or rosemary to my shower floor (no more than five drops) then allowing the steam to do its job is quite refreshing.
*cold stuff is recommended by the doctor but it doesn’t feel all that good to me so I say room temperature drinks but do eat popsicles so you can get some cooling agent. and do ice your neck when waking to take meds
*lastly If minor bleeding happens DONT PANICK. go to the bathroom run water on cold while waiting on that run to kitchen get a cup of ice water and go back to bathroom. rinse mouth and throat with sink water. DO NOT GARGLE JUST LIFT HEAD BACK AND LEAN HEAD SIDE TO SIDE. then drink ice water repeat for several minutes until bleeding stops. if this fails CALL 911 IMMEDIETALY!
Ps. sorry for the long post. but I wish everyone well in recovery and hopefully yall feel better.
Hi Yas, I know what you mean regarding the anxieties….. I too suffer with the anxiety most days, what if it starts bleeding again etc! Because I have the stitches still in im worried that as they come out it could cause bleeding….. I did have a couple of drinks at the weekend and a takeaway and I was fine, so I’m sure ul be fine having a drink over Christmas 🙂 iv still got pain when I yawn sneeze etc….. And also slight pain when eating certain foods, and jaw pain quite bad 🙁 ….. I wonder when we will be fully recovered?!?
Hi I’m new here , I’m exactly 9 weeks post tonsillectomy , anxiety really hits you bad, can’t function well at home and at work , I still have scratchy feeling at the sides of my throat, esp on my right side where my tonsils was taken out,, it takes a while yo recover I guess. I keep on looking for forums to compare my symptoms during my recovery weekly. How are You guys with your symptoms? How long was recovery .