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!
Im 32 years old and had a full tonsillectomy on 3/31. The first 2 days werent too bad. Had time swallowing, and some pain in roof of my mouth and tongue, but nothing too bad. 3rd day was bad, very bad. Bad ear pain, no relief from pain meds and dr wont allow any more pain meds. Hardly any sleep from coughing last night. This is Day 4, can swallow a bit better, still having throbbing ear pain ( putting cotton in my ears helps a bit). I have lost 10 lbs so far and im HUNGRY! Just want to be able to eat without any pain or feeling of choking and to be able to get full! Still isnt the most painful surgery i have had. Just gotta keep on going!
I am a 56 yo woman who had one enlarged tonsil removed last Friday, 4/1. Surgery went very well, and I have not experienced the amount of throat pain that I anticipated. My problem is the ear pain! Prescribed oxycodone 10 mls barely touches it, but puts me to sleep, which is somewhat of a relief. I will be trying the remedies mentioned here for some added relief. Can’t wait for this to be over…good luck everyone!
I had mine done Friday the 1st too. Day one was such a breeze. Tuesday I threw up a ton have had shooting ear pain since. This is miserable. I also have lost 15 lbs since Friday. I’m a 22 year old female by the way
Ooh, I’m sorry Ericca…throwing up had to be the worst! My ear pain is still there, 10 days later. Seeing my dr. for follow-up on Tuesday….hoping she can give me some hope of this pain ending soon…how are you doing?
Man oh man. The pain!! I had my tonsillectomy on Good Friday, March 25th. I tolerated the procedure pretty well, but my problem is the ear pain. I noticed the ear pain is more intense on the left side, which is where I had the largest tonsil. When I swallow, it is very intense. I have still been icing my throat, and had to increase my pain meds. When does this end?? I honestly thought I would be better off by now. Will email my doctor today because I’m becoming concerned.
I’m a 52 year old female who just had my tonsils removed March 30th. My biggest problem thus far has been how huge my Uvula and tongue became. In recovery they gave me steroids via my IV and then they gave me Benadryl about an hour later thinking I was having an allergic reaction to something, I wasn’t, my Uvula has been so swollen I can’t drink anything without getting strangled. The only way I can get medications down is putting it in either maltomeal, pudding or ice cream. Also, horrible ear pain in both ears and pain when I swallow. By far, uvula, tongue then ears have been the worst.
Hello I am 52 yr young female went under knife last Friday morning (good Friday ) 3/25/16. Today’ my ears started popping and the pain is so intense a 12 out of 1-10?. Going to try the rice because hydrocofone 5/325 isnt touching the pain. I want to know when will i start to get some relief.. I ice all day and night and living on ice chips. What can I eat that’s not going to affect my scabs ?? Need help
Please….
Hi Sammy, I just had the procedure done last Wednesday and I’m on day 10. The ear pain will most likely remain for another week or so as well as the throat pain. Make sure to drink and eat lots of liquids because this will help your wounds to heal more quickly and the recovery will take less time. Foods and drinks that helped me were sweet potatoes, sorbet, chicken broth, miso soup, and 7up. Make sure to drink as much water as you can, even though it doesn’t go down very smoothly.
I hope this helps. I can tell you personally that the pain does get better and you will see a huge shift in the next few days– just make sure to take care of your body.