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 20 and I had my tonsils taken out, as well as a deaveaded septum surgery on aug 1st. This is the end of the 5th day of recovery.
First off I had mine taken out because of very bad snoring and sleep quality. The doctor prescribed me vikiton as my painkiller. He said every 4 hours to take 1-2 pills. He did say the longest post recovery time he has seen in 20 years of doing this is 12 days so I really hope that’s the truth.
Day 1 I felt pretty good, mild pain and slept a lottttt because I was put under the same day. I drank a little bit but couldn’t get much down slept ok
2: woke up to bad/dry sore throat and wanting to take more pills. Did not start to experience ear pain yet. I did have some ice cream.
3 I woke up dreached in sweat and shivering all over. The doctor did add there could be mild fevers as the days go on. I took a hot shower (prob shouldn’t have done that) to try and cool off it worked but I felt so dehydrated that way, I had a low fever the rest of the day. Also bad ear pain. I recommend drinking coke, fir me at least it is a lot easier to go down than ice water
4: woke up sweating again and shaking, ear pain has gotten worse. Took the pills and passed out again expect around dinner I felt adventurous enough to go to chipole . I took my meds while in the car. It was a nightmare I had my dad order my food because if I stood in line I would puke. I had to sit at the cold table and lay my head so I wouldn’t throw up ADVICE: never take your meds on an empty stomach. You will have horrible nausea like I did.
5: not surprising woke up with a fever again and I moved to couch which was not drenched yet. I had bad ear pain starting at around 11am, my throat and nose were bad as well. I did some research on Icepacks and I highly recommend them, I use the ones you put in the freezer. I believe they are not liquid but idk. I put it on the back of my neck for 7ish minutes and it really does wonders. I’m now in bed writing this hoping it will all end soon
Omggg I finally found someone thats going threw the same thing I’m going threw I got my tonsils tooken out on Aug 1 2017 and this shit is horrible the pain is unbeatable I just wanna know when we this all be over or at least less pain cause every night its very hard to sleep I cry I cry my kids cry ask mommy what wrong its very stressful for a 27 year old with kids that cant do for herself or her children’s so yes I need answerrs
Hi guys, I’m 19 and I had my tonsils out on Wednesday the 13th. It seems as if there are a ton of people with the same concerns… so I’ll just add into the pile lol. I had a Deviated septum fixed as well as the tonsils removed.
Day 1: surgery on time, 9:30 AM I was out cold on the operating table. 12:30 I woke up clueless as to where I was but someone was feeding me ice and telling me to sleep. When I left I found that I wasn’t able to eat anything more than popsicles and ice. Unsuccessful vomit attempt in Tim Hortons parking lot when trying to take pain meds.. blood was pouring out of my nose intensely. Couldn’t sleep at night and continued to wake up and I had some pretty colourful hallucinations from my pain meds and the anesthetic still being in my body.
Day 2: Pain was a little better when it came to taking pills and I could actually eat some jello. I tried to eat some noodles but it was too painful. Blood had mostly stopped, just a little here and there from my nose
Day 3: more painful and I had burst into tears because I couldn’t even swallow my medication. It took me 35 minutes to down 7 pills and I thought I was going to die. Couldn’t talk and slept all day long. No blood at this point but definitely some swelling in the nose and throat. I forced down 3 perogies along with some warm broth and jello.
Day 4: yet again even worse, but I managed to get down all of my meds and took a hot shower. Went to see my grandma and my ear pain started minorly. I keep getting a dry tongue over night even though I’m drinking plenty. I went to Dairy Queen and ate 2/3 of a beef patty, 3 French fries, and 1/2 a small blizzard . Undoubtedly the worst thing I could have done and so painful. Took over an hour to eat it all. In the night I ate a blueberry pancake and lots of tea. Slept all night.
Day 5: that’s today I guess. I’m still laying in bed. I just made some tea and took my pain meds. I am avoiding swallowing my own saliva because it is so painful and my ears feel like they are about to explode. Today is hopefully the worst and then it will start to get better maybe.
Concusion: slowest and most painful 5 days of my life so far and I recommend to soothe the throat, eat cold jello and sip on hot tea. Rest with ice packs and heat packs… and any other tips from anyone would be wonderful 🙂
Hi. Im 14 and had my tonsils removed on the 26th of july. Its been a week and my throat feels fine . However my ear is throbbing , it feels like someone is sticking a knife down my ear. I cant swallow without it hurting talking is of the table . I had been waking up every night and was fed up. Got a doctors appointment and he said i needed antibiotics. Have taken 4 already and they have made a slight change however i cant bare to eat but need to in order to take pain killers. Have a warm compress on the side of my face as it is my left ear that is affected. Right now all i want is a nice cold glass of water but cant handle the pain. Please be over soon.
I’m 19 and I had my tonsillectomy on July 24th, 2017. I got them out due to chronic tonsillitis. I woke up from surgery screaming and crying, in so much pain. Very horrifying. That night was okay, I could talk at least and eat soup. The next day was truly awful, uvula swollen to the point I was choking on it. Swallowing was awful, breathing was awful, speaking was awful. Lots of tears. Uvula swelling went down around day 3, making breathing and swallowing a tad easier but not less painful. I started waking up with pain radiating in my jaws and ears each morning after day 4, tothe point where I would bawl my eyes out. Feels like a double ear infection. The painkillers they gave me are weak, keep in mind, even though I’m an adult. We had called the doctor around day 2 and they laughed at us for suggesting different meds. Anyways, on day 6 I went out to run errands with family and puked twice. I don’t know if I was dizzy from the meds or didn’t have enough to eat (I’ve only been eating soup). Now it’s the morning of day 7, I woke with excruciating ear and throat pain. I’m just wondering when it will all stop. This week has been absolute hell and I am now regretting this procedure.
Yes I needed my tonsils removed because they was very painful growing up but right now with the pain and stuff I’m going threw I regret it to
So I am 14 years old and had my surgery for removing my tonsils and adenoids on July 13th, 2017 and the pain is unbearable. Even swallowing my own saliva is an issue. I’ve been taking the medicines recommended and the right amounts at the right times. My doctor said that the recovery time is 2-3 weeks. I’m only on day six and cry every morning because of the pain. Right after I woke up from the surgery and was placed in the recovery room, I threw up four times but it was mostly mucus and a little blood. The scabs on the back of my throats are white and the stitches haven’t fallen out yet. The doctor said that on my right, that tonsil was much larger than the left, but they were both equally big enough for stitches. I’m having terrible mucus and it hurts to try and release it. Today is the sixth day and I woke up with terrible pain in my right ear, and couldn’t sleep through the night because I was coughing so much. Any recommendations on how to deal with this or soothe the pain as much as possible?
My daughter just had hers taken out on the 12th. Tylenol and Motrin every 4 hours are the only things helping. But you have to alternate them every four hours like clockwork.
Pain is indescribable. Horrible pain in the ears brings me to tears daily. Pain meds don’t work and can not eat anything. I’m already petite and I’ve lost 5lbs. Threw up twice from all the medication in my stomach. Horrible experience… regret ever getting my tonsils out, I’d rather deal with the sore throats all winter than this pain.