After tonsillectomy surgery, patients have plenty of unpleasant side effects to deal with. Swelling of the uvula, tongue, and throat are usually the first hurdle adults have to deal with post tonsillectomy. Swallowing and breathing can be difficult. This isn’t too surprising, especially considering all that the throat has been through. Icing and gargling with ice water can help reduce this swelling, as can a steroidal treatment. The next problem after tonsillectomy, usually a day or so post-op, is pain in the throat area. Again, no big surprise. Icing is also a good way to treat, as are narcotic pain killers and/or over the counter pain medications. Topical analgesics like throat sprays can also offer some relief.
What surprises many is a phenomena occurring several days into their tonsillectomy recovery- ear pain.
Post Tonsillectomy Ear Pain – Cause and Treatment
Cause
Literally thousands of patients sharing their experiences on this website have commented that their ears hurt after tonsillectomy. Ear pain after tonsillectomy is probably the second or third most common side effect that patients experience- second only to pain and swelling. But why does this happen? There was no scalpel or hot knife near the ears, so why should they feel like they’re being stabbed? The cause of ear pain post tonsillectomy starts at the throat and radiates to the ears. This is called a referred pain. Take a look at the attached diagram and note the lingual nerve. It’s directly connected to the ears and throat.
Treatments and Home Remedies
This referred pain can be quite severe. Often prescribed pain medications do not seem to relieve the ear pain that many experience after tonsillectomy. In addition to the pain medicines patients are taking, there are two home remedies that usually can provide some relief. The first of which is chewing gum. In light of the unpleasant side effect of have sugary residue in and around the throat, most tonsillectomy patients prefer a sugar -free gum. A mint flavor can also feel cooling. Exactly why chewing gum relieves ear pain is hard to say. Certainly activating the muscles around the ears and jaw may help, but more likely, like yawning, gum chewing releases pressure from the ear area.
The second remedy for ear pain after tonsillectomy is applying a heating pad or warm compress to the affected area. Again, the reason for its effectiveness is not entirely clear but most patients describe a relaxing comfort from applying a wet, warm towel or electric heating pad to the affected area. To reduce inflammation, alternate between warm and cold compresses.
-Greg My short bio
Have you found a trick for taking the edge off of ear pain, especially after tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy? Please share it in the comments section below. Thank you!
I’m 19, had my tonsils out on the 30th and I honestly feel like I’m dying! I was sick on the morphine in hospital and sick at home around 4 times on the prescribed codeine so my throat is killing! I’m just taking ibuprofen and paracetamol which doesn’t do much to the pain but as I’m on day 5 the ear ache is the worst, everytime I swallow it gets worse but I’ve found putting an ice pack around my throats somehow calms it down, and also allows me to drink, sometimes eat as that’s the hardest of them all! It is so difficult to talk aswell, don’t know what else I can do to help ease the pain as I’ve eaten nothing since having this done and all I want is a takeaway!! I too regret having this done but hopefully in the long run I’ll be completely greatful!
I’m 13 and had my tonsils and adenoids removed on the 22nd. Yesterday and today have been the worst usually inruprofen helps the ear plan but that isn’t helping today. I got throat numbing spray and it says to only use 2 sprays but my pain is so pain I have to use 3-4. All I’ve been doing is sleeping so I don’t have to feel the pain but I woke up around 6 am this morning and my ears hurt so bad I just went back to sleep and I just woke up again. Last night I also was feeling super sick, I almost felt hungry but I wasn’t hungry because I had eatin a bunch of food yesterday and I almost felt like I could throw up. This has been the worst experience of my life! Also my scans have started to flake off and it’s really gross because I can taste them and when I drink water the scabs will fall into the water and the whole drink is effected by the taste. I’ve just had orange tic tacs in my mouth so I don’t have to taste it but it kinda hurts bc you have to almost suck on them. I hope my pain is done soon. And I know it will be worth it when it’s done because I will be able to breathe when I do harder physical activity and when I sleep.
Wow and double wow! 49 years young had my tonsils, adenoids and uvula removed on the 21st and I would never do this again! Eating has been the biggest hurtle to get over and if It wasn’t for the amazing numbing spay I would have thrown in the towel! I’m on day 6 and the ear pain is killing me. What seems to relieve this pain for some of you?
Heating pads!!!
Ice shavings eat like a slushee, use ice packs around your ears neck bedind neck and on forehead bc a heating pad makes you swell more. Do this 10 mins on then 10 off.
What kind of numbing spray did you use? I had my tonsillectomy last Wednesday the 19, and it’s now the 25, worse than child birth if you ask me!! I’m super hungry and the ear pain is the worst!!!
I’m 18 and had my surgery on the 17th. This has seriously been the absolute worst experience of my life. In the past 3 days all I’ve eaten are 3 spoonfuls of mashed potatoes and half a popsicle. I couldnt hold any of it down either. I was alright on the first 2 days then after that it’s been downhill. I try to drink as much water as possible, but it hurts so bad. I can barely brush my teeth because it hurts, but the smell is horrible. Has anyone else gotten like thick phlegm? Because mine is terrible and it sucks because I can’t even spit it out. And the ear pain has been the absolute worst. Does anyone have any remedies for this excruciating ear pain?
For how long the pain stay with you ?? I am in day 7 . And still i am dying
U have infection l. I had the same thing, I ended up back in hospital
Anyone know a good Facebook page for chatting through all of these things related to tonsillectomy? I’m in the tonsillectomy support group but hardly anyone comments & I need advice lol! I had my op 14th march, it’s been HELL!! Got taken back into hosp with an infection & haven’t eaten except for a few mouthfuls of luke-warm soup, for a week. Worse pain ever & this ear pain is just crazy. I can’t yawn, chew, swallow properly! When will this get better. Wish I’d never had it done either, it messes with your head, I feel so down 🙁 thank god the antibiotics I’m on god rid of them awful smell!! My dr says if you have a terrible smell get it checked for infection, mine made me vomit!!!
My daughter just had this done 2weeks ago. I was told she would miss a week of school and be fine. NO why she has missed two weeks and she’s still having ear pain that wakes her up at night. NO ONE told me about how bad this would be.
Same here! My daughter is 11 and had the surgery 2 weeks ago and it has been HELL! The ear pain which actually is temple area has been terrible!