Anyone had their tonsils removed as an adult for sleep apnea?
I am having my tonsils removed in a few days. I’m 41 and have severe sleep apnea. ANY one else had this done as an adult? How was your recovery?
I must have this done or I could die in my sleep. This is a very severe case of sleep apnea and I have already had the upper and lower jaw surgery with little improvement.
Tagged with: adult • few days • lower jaw surgery • m 41 • sleep • sleep apnea • tonsils
Filed under: Sleep Apnea Symptoms
I have a severe form of apnea, as well — a combination of obstructive and central sleep apnea. If you’re having your tonsils removed, I imagine you have obstructive sleep apnea. I know that a tonsillectomy is a viable option — removing excess tissue in the back of the throat to have a larger airway when you sleep.
However, a tonsillectomy was not offered to me as an option, and I would only go that route as a last resort — that surgery is very painful for adults. Don’t get me wrong — I would be all for it if it were my only option…but are you using a CPAP machine? A CPAP machine on a low setting cleared both types of apnea for me in just one night. I’m slowly getting used to the machine…I don’t like it, but I like it better than the alternative: dying in my sleep!
Adult recovery after a tonsillectomy is usually about 10-20 days, with a very soft diet (especially 7-10 days out because of scabbing in the back of the throat — you don’t want those to come off too early!), lots of liquids and your fair share of narcotics for pain!
Good luck with the surgery, and I hope your apnea is relieved!
I would recommend against it, if you can avoid it. I don’t know about sleep apnea, but I do know that tonsillectomies are one of the most unnecessary procedures done. I doubt that it will help.
My sister had her tonsils removed a year ago, but it was for an infection she had in her tonsils. I took her to the surgery, and was with her during recovery. She was very groggy at first, b/c of anesthesia. Then she cried and was shaking, I think also from the anxiety of being put under. She was in some pain for a bit, they gave her liquid vicoden for pain. But I think within a few days she was almost back to normal. Today, she is doing well.
My husband is 32 and is scheduled to have his taken out on the 18 of this month for the same reasons as yourself. Don’t know how recovery will be but if this is before yours is scheduled feel free to message me and I can let you know how things are going. Good luck
Sleep apnea is really nothing to fool around with! The person above me has the right idea! I myself had my adnoids and tonsils removed in early pre teens very painful recovery. I was really getting old for the operation, younger kids recovered with no problem! You should do as the doctor advises but cutting should be the last resort after trying a CPAP device!
Have you tried one of them? I know that they look strange but they only take around 2 weeks or so to get fully use to! And it is much better than the knife!
Surgery will only help with the obstructive type apnea, thats where your airways are actually blocked off. My form of sleep apnea is where the signal to breath automatically misses a beat and I have to awaken a little bit and gasp for air, I really do not realize I did this because I never fully was awake!
The CPAP device really works for both types of apnea! And both opens the airways and furnishes oxygen with positive air pressure providing ventilation through the night. They really work and are real quiet! Mine really literally has saved my life, changed my whole outlook on life! Kiddo I am 61 just got through re building my home which was devastatated by Hurricane Katrina. That Machine is something else. I apparently never had a nights sleep for 40 or more years until I got the darn thing!
I feel absolutely wonderful, especially for someone who has been working his tail off for the past 14 months continuously!
Good Luck I know that form of surgery is ROUGH ON AN ADULT!
Wish I could be more encouraging but get lots of popcicles, icecream, yogurt things like that cool and soothing, Right now will be a good time to go on a diet and shed a pound or two!
I really hope that you would consider a CPAP device first though!
Good Luck
APS