A collection of various experiences of adult tonsillectomy patients on their third day of recovery
From thousands of post comments to the tonsillectomy recovery forum, I have assembled a sampling of various accounts and impressions of tonsillectomy recovery for each day. Below I share comments about tonsillectomy day 3. These comments are taken from tonsillectomy patients who were kind enough to share their experiences to help others as they navigate the bumpy road of tonsillectomy recovery.
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Please feel free to add your own experience with tonsillectomy day 3.
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Tonsillectomy Day 3
Tonsillectomy Day 3 : It’s starting to hurt a little worse for some reason. Tonsillectomy Day 3 : Drugs aren’t working – help, Doc! …Yay, new drugs! What to eat? Thoughts on the post tonsillectomy diet
Tonsillectomy Day 3 : I guess what I wanted didn’t matter, because at 1:30am I rushed to the bathroom and began to vomit. After the first time, I absolutely panicked, because I saw red and figured I was bleeding – just my luck! It turned out to be the children’s Tylenol melt away caplets – which were bubblegum flavored and therefore pinkish red in color! Whew! After getting back in bed, I felt a little better and decided to keep drinking water.
An hour later I rushed back to the bathroom, and christened the majestic bowl a second time. After getting sick the second time, my throat felt very raw, but no more painful than before. The only good part of getting sick is that it removed all of the phlegm that was built up in my throat. I went back to bed, grabbed my laptop and came right to www.mybigfattonsillectomy.com, where I posted my guts out! Sleep? What’s sleep? I stayed up all night trying to find something other than an infomercial on television – if you’ve ever watched television at 5:00am; you know how difficult that is! In the morning I began chewing gum to get my muscles working again; my teeth and jaw have been so sensitive. Eating wise, I was able to work in applesauce today, which is a big step up from frozen treats and jell-o. This reminds me, mark my words, after the recovery, I will never be able to eat jell-o again – the taste of it mixed with amoxicillin is haunting me in my dreams! Pain wise, today is definitely the worst by far. The throat is very sore, but the worst is the ear pain; it’s so intense! Today I also had to call my doctor and let him know that the codeine wasn’t working with my empty stomach. He sent my mom out to buy gravol (an anti-nausea medication) to take before the codeine. Turns out, it didn’t help. I found myself dry heaving over that same majestic bowl (I apologize; I know that is not the most pleasant picture). I didn’t actually vomit, but that feeling was definitely worse. As stubborn as I am, I decided to play doctor and call it quits on both the gravol and the codeine. As a result – I’d have to make it through on children’s Tylenol? What was I thinking?
Tonsillectomy Day 3 : day 4 post tonsillectomy and sinus surgery (turbinoplasty, septoplasty, antrostomy, the works), 31 years old. I am still glad that I got both surgeries done at once, since I’ll only have 1 recovery, but WOW. If one thing doesn’t hurt, something else does. I now know why my surgeon works with Ears, Nose and Throat… they are definitely all connected!
Tonsillectomy Day 3 : Day 3-4: I woke up both mornings at 5am with really bad pain, my ears were aching and my throat was on fire and i could barely get my pills to go down my throat. I went back to bed until about 930am. When i woke up again i had to have ice chips, jello and a popsicle to sooth my throat. drank lots of water and some coca-cola and ate some noodles with Parmesan cheese.took my meds like clockwork so i wouldnt be in excruciating pain. although the pain was still pretty bad. Tonsillectomy Day 3 : Surgery day up until the 3rd day, was like, WHAT what surgery..pshhhh smooth sailing…and then Tonsillectomy Day 3 : Day 3 – 7 – Wham! And I mean WHAM! The pain steadily increased with day 7 taking the cake as WORST DAY EVER.
Tonsillectomy Day 3 : Had a pretty decent nights sleep. I think the humidifier helped keep my throat and nose damp over night, and i tried to keep on my pain management by taking a percocet about every four hours. I have started clearing my throat of bloody phlegm, drainage from my nose i believe as i do not see any bleeding form my throat. Pain level is still very tolerable. Drinking fluids is sill a bit difficult, i did start eating popsicles which are nice and soothing. Tonsillectomy Day 3 : Day three–felt better, due to the anti-nausea drugs in my opinion. Taking pain meds was good again, eating still not so good as jello was the only thing I could eat. Drank lots of water, even though it hurt. Worst part, in my opinion, was the swollen tongue and uvula, which no one ever mentioned. Tonsillectomy Day 3 : Day 3 post op (72 hours) . Drooling when i sleep that causes me to choke and cough. I dont know why im not swallowing when i sleep. Ear pain now and sometimes cold doesnt feel good. Im still hanging out in bed and pretty much in a daze after my meds. Im taking one hysrocodone pill every 3 hours. I eat before my meds and it sometimes makes me late to take my meds. That causes more pain. I am drinking trying to eat eggs, pasta, and soup. Sick of popsicles and sweets.
Tonsillectomy Day 3 : Day 3- painful morning, went home ate chicken noodle soup. My mom decided to let me sleep…big mistake! Woke up in horrible pain, stay on TOP With your PAIN MEDS!
Tonsillectomy Day 3 : Recovery Day 3 (post-op day 4): I stopped taking the Lortab because of the slight overdose and the scary side effects (paranoia, mood swings, fidgety, sweating feeling un-easy) and I began to take 2 tablespoons of Tylenol Sore Throat liquid 500mg per tablespoon about every 5 hours or so. It curves the pain slightly without diving back into the Lortab. I did however need a teaspoon of Lortab just so I could eat some soup. I then drank an Ensure plus in the shower while banging on the wall after each sip because swallowing it hurt so bad. I also discovered that drinking some children’s benadryl (double the child dose which is an adult dose) it helps me relax and sleep for a little bit. Noticed a white coating on my tongue. Been using colgate peroxyl mouthwash to get ride of any sores and possible Thrush in my mouth. Also began taking acidophilus probiotic supplement to get rid of any Thrush that may have developed.
Tonsillectomy Day 3 : Day 3: I feel no better than I did the day of surgery. I am pretty disgusted. I thought that I would be feeling better by day 3, but I am not. At this point I am just trying to muster the energy to get through another day.
Day three… So far job have slept most of this day away. I get up to my timer going off to takey meds, and my throat is killing me. My husband says I’ve been snoring, which I’m sure plays a big role in my pain. I’m avoiding talking today, it just hurts too much. The past few days I’ve eaten but today nothing. I don’t even want to eat I feel so rotten. 🙁 hopefully tomorrow will be better.
Im 33 and i also had nasal surgery at the same time as my tonsillectomy, big mistake! Follow up with doc today for nose stuff. Stints and packing come out, it’s insane. Take your meds before you go. Still taking pain meds every four hours but I’m trying to cut back to every 4+ hours. I can make it to 5 once in the day. Nose stuff out means I can breathe. 3hour nap is amazing. Ate some Mac and cheese that was run through the food processor, can’t tolerate hot or cold. Sleep better that night and go 6 hours w/o meds. Doc says it looks like a bomb went off in my mouth but he’s shocked I’m feeling as good as I do.
Woo hoo! This is so much more manageable than I thought! It’s been 72 hours since surgery and all three days have felt like really bad tonsillitis/strep throat. I take Roxicet every four hours (10 ml) and have been tied to my humidifier (seriously, haven’t been away from it except to shower). So far I’ve eaten Special K protein shakes, liquified oatmeal with rice milk, jello, popsicles, pudding, cold tea, chicken broth, water, and gatorade. I think my recovery will be more steadily than others I’ve read about. I kind of wonder if the pain peaking at day 3-8 is a result of not staying on top of meds, hydration, ice chips, etc. I feel really in control of my recovery and honestly this isn’t even as bad as my usual tonsilittis since I actually get pain killers for the surgery, plus I don’t feel achey and fatigued like I do with tonsilitis and strep. I think the most important take away has been to wake up to hydrate and never leave the humidifier. I actually have a clothes steamer plugged in my room in addition to the humidifier and that keeps my room like a jungle. Also, sleeping upright with a moist cloth over your mouth makes a BIG difference. I had both my tonsils and adenoid removed. Day 3 and the only thing that’s sore is my throat (primarily when swallowing, this pain is constant, the meds only decrease it) I haven’t had any bleeding, ear aches, referred pain, etc. Just a sore throat where my gigantic kissing tonsils once were.
It is the end of day 3 for me. I had my tonsils out on Weds. (Today is Sat.) and that was the very worst day for me by far. I asked my surgeon for an anti-nausea medication because I was terrified to vomit. He told me that vomiting after a tonsillectomy is very rare and that I would be okay. Boy was he wrong. I was able to keep down my first dose of Lortab and when it came time for my second dose I immediately threw it up. I vomited a total of 8 times on the day of my surgery and ended up spending the night in the ER for dehydration. My tongue is still swollen and I bite it in my sleep leaving sores. 🙁 Yesterday my ear pain started. I have barely been able to force jello down my throat and I can only eat sugar free Popsicles because of how thick the syrup makes my saliva. I am starving and I would kill someone for a cheeseburger right now. I am anxious to see how long my healing process really takes.
Hi, I’m sorry for your pain and suffering. It sounds very similar to my recovery a year ago. The pain becomes a mental challenge. It think this part is over looked by many report. Hang in there. I’m sure, it being the 28th, your feeling much better. I told my doctor that anesthesia has caused nausea for me and they medicated me with three different medications. I think that helped a great deal.
Sincerely, Jenny Crowe, RN
Day three still not too bad. This morning was really rough but as soon as I took my scheduled dose of meds and ate some applesauce I felt a lot better. As long as I keep up with my lortab the pain is totally manageable. No worse than a bad case of strep! I do think the humidifier makes a world of difference! That and switching up the liquids because water gets boring. Apple juice and vitamin water are my go toos! I’m pretty tired and weak still but with a very limited diet and pain meds it is to be expected. So I’m just relaxing and napping when I’m tired!
Tonsillectomy Day 3 : I guess what I wanted didn’t matter, because at 1:30am I rushed to the bathroom and began to vomit. After the first time, I absolutely panicked, because I saw red and figured I was bleeding – just my luck! It turned out to be the children’s Tylenol melt away caplets – which were bubblegum flavored and therefore pinkish red in color! Whew! After getting back in bed, I felt a little better and decided to keep drinking water.
Day three… So far job have slept most of this day away. I get up to my timer going off to takey meds, and my throat is killing me. My husband says I’ve been snoring, which I’m sure plays a big role in my pain. I’m avoiding talking today, it just hurts too much. The past few days I’ve eaten but today nothing. I don’t even want to eat I feel so rotten. 🙁 hopefully tomorrow will be better.
Im 33 and i also had nasal surgery at the same time as my tonsillectomy, big mistake! Follow up with doc today for nose stuff. Stints and packing come out, it’s insane. Take your meds before you go. Still taking pain meds every four hours but I’m trying to cut back to every 4+ hours. I can make it to 5 once in the day. Nose stuff out means I can breathe. 3hour nap is amazing. Ate some Mac and cheese that was run through the food processor, can’t tolerate hot or cold. Sleep better that night and go 6 hours w/o meds. Doc says it looks like a bomb went off in my mouth but he’s shocked I’m feeling as good as I do.
Ps: I’m posting all of this on my 9th day
Woo hoo! This is so much more manageable than I thought! It’s been 72 hours since surgery and all three days have felt like really bad tonsillitis/strep throat. I take Roxicet every four hours (10 ml) and have been tied to my humidifier (seriously, haven’t been away from it except to shower). So far I’ve eaten Special K protein shakes, liquified oatmeal with rice milk, jello, popsicles, pudding, cold tea, chicken broth, water, and gatorade. I think my recovery will be more steadily than others I’ve read about. I kind of wonder if the pain peaking at day 3-8 is a result of not staying on top of meds, hydration, ice chips, etc. I feel really in control of my recovery and honestly this isn’t even as bad as my usual tonsilittis since I actually get pain killers for the surgery, plus I don’t feel achey and fatigued like I do with tonsilitis and strep. I think the most important take away has been to wake up to hydrate and never leave the humidifier. I actually have a clothes steamer plugged in my room in addition to the humidifier and that keeps my room like a jungle. Also, sleeping upright with a moist cloth over your mouth makes a BIG difference. I had both my tonsils and adenoid removed. Day 3 and the only thing that’s sore is my throat (primarily when swallowing, this pain is constant, the meds only decrease it) I haven’t had any bleeding, ear aches, referred pain, etc. Just a sore throat where my gigantic kissing tonsils once were.
Oh yeah, no vomiting, jaw pain, ear aches, or nausea. I also keep ice packs around my neck probably 20 out of 24 hours a day.
It is the end of day 3 for me. I had my tonsils out on Weds. (Today is Sat.) and that was the very worst day for me by far. I asked my surgeon for an anti-nausea medication because I was terrified to vomit. He told me that vomiting after a tonsillectomy is very rare and that I would be okay. Boy was he wrong. I was able to keep down my first dose of Lortab and when it came time for my second dose I immediately threw it up. I vomited a total of 8 times on the day of my surgery and ended up spending the night in the ER for dehydration. My tongue is still swollen and I bite it in my sleep leaving sores. 🙁 Yesterday my ear pain started. I have barely been able to force jello down my throat and I can only eat sugar free Popsicles because of how thick the syrup makes my saliva. I am starving and I would kill someone for a cheeseburger right now. I am anxious to see how long my healing process really takes.
Hi, I’m sorry for your pain and suffering. It sounds very similar to my recovery a year ago. The pain becomes a mental challenge. It think this part is over looked by many report. Hang in there. I’m sure, it being the 28th, your feeling much better. I told my doctor that anesthesia has caused nausea for me and they medicated me with three different medications. I think that helped a great deal.
Sincerely, Jenny Crowe, RN
Day three still not too bad. This morning was really rough but as soon as I took my scheduled dose of meds and ate some applesauce I felt a lot better. As long as I keep up with my lortab the pain is totally manageable. No worse than a bad case of strep! I do think the humidifier makes a world of difference! That and switching up the liquids because water gets boring. Apple juice and vitamin water are my go toos! I’m pretty tired and weak still but with a very limited diet and pain meds it is to be expected. So I’m just relaxing and napping when I’m tired!