Anyone Have Kids with Enlarged Adenoids?

I had the same problem when I was young and had them removed. My son at age 3, after a flu, had enlarged adnoids and tonsils. He breathed like a freight train. SO I took him to an ears, nose, and throat DR and had them removed. Was in and out of the hospital same day... Everything went routine and is much better for it. He rarely gets sick now.
Hope this helps
D.

My son had the same thing. His doctor said they were the largest adenoids he'd ever seen on a 4 year old. We had them surgically removed and he did need to stay in the hospital overnight because he had swallowed a lot of blood during the procedure (one of the complications they warn you about) and they wanted a night to observe him. But other than the foulest smelling breath I've ever smelled (poor thing!) - he was fine. I know it is pretty routine. My son is now 16 and his snoring stopped immediately and he was a generally healthier kid afterwards. Now I have another 4 year old that suffers from the same thing and we are planning to have his out as well. I think it is definitely harder on the parents than the child! It's scary and you feel helpless - but the benefits made it worth it. Good luck to you and hope this help!
Take care,
M.

My daughter will be 4 in June. In December of 2006 (she was 2 1/2) she had her adenoids removed and tubes placed in her ears. We did this surgery on a Friday and she was fine that weekend. In April of this year she finally had to have her tonsils removed. That was a whole different story. She actually did fine during and after the surgery. We wound up staying in the hospital overnight because she wouldn't take the pain medicine. And because she refused the pain medicine she wouldn't drink. After a couple of days she was taking the pain meds and starting to get back to normal when she developed a cough. You can imagine what that cough did to her throat. We put her on a different antibiotic and she started healing. That was about 3 weeks ago and she's wonderful now!!! I was told when they remove the adenoids at these young ages, there is a slight chance they could grow back. When they removed her tonsils in April they did check to see if any of them had grown back and her's did not.

My youngest child (a son) had the same problem as a toddler. After many throat and upper respiratory infections and a hearing screening that showed fluid in his ears, we took him to a specialist who confirmed that having his adenoids and tonsils removed would help. He was 3 at the time and I was also worried because of his age. His surgery went well and once we got through the first few days of dealing with the post-surgical soreness and pain, he did well and no longer snored loudly at night. He is now 27 years old and just this past year his 2 1/2 year old son had the same problems with repeated throat and ear infections. He was also having sleep apnea so in December he had the same procedure done and did well after the initial recovery period. The procedure has changed a lot since my son had his done. I would recommend that you find a reputable specialist and even get 2 opinions if you are still concerned. Most children do very well and the change is so dramatic once they can sleep and breathe easier and have fewer infections. Some children outgrow these upper respiratory problems and the tonsils/adenoids shrink as they get older, but with chronic problems and infections, it is sometimes best to opt for the surgery sooner than later.

I personally had mine removed when I was 3 and my daughter (now 16) had hers out when she was almost 4. We have had no complications and she breathes so much better. I remember thinking she was going to go to sleep one night and never wake up because she would stop breathing.
If you are not sure, get 2 opinions.
Best of luck to you both!!!!

My son was 11 months old when he had his taken out. His were enlarged due to having RSV at 6 weeks old and then having constant ear infections. He had tubes put in his ears at 7 months old. The tubes cleared up his ears but his adenoids never went back down to normal. The procedure only lasted about 30 minutes and because he was so young they kept over night at St. Johns. He has had no copmlications. The ENT we use is Dr. Mark Stroble with Midwest Head and Neck and we like him very much. I am also a nurse and although there are comp. with any surgery there are also serious comp. when your child quits breathing (sleep apnea). To a mother there is no such thing as a routine surgery but, the Dr.'s do consider this a routine surgery. I feel the Ent can better explain the procedure and comp. than the ped. can since they do this all the time. Good luck I know how scary it can be. My prayers will be with you.

My daughter got strep alot, and snored (loudly at times!) The last time she ended up with complications (absess on her tonsils) so the Ear Nose & Throat dr said to take out her tonsils and adnoids. It was an easy, outpatient procedure she had at age 3 1/2 and she recovered in a week. The best part has been that she hardly gets sick anymore at all! We have had no complications at all.

My son had his tonsils and adenoids removed at 2 yrs of age, about 4 years ago. It was a tough surgery because of the recovery. He was and still is a picky eater so he lived on yogurt for 8 days. It drastically improved his sleeping at night. No more apnea spells.

I know for me, the peace of mind was the deciding factor to do to the surgery. Good luck with your decision.

M.,

My son who is now 17 and graduating high school in 2 weeks had his adnoids out when he was 2. He was a chronic ear infection baby. Obviously we did just fine. BUT, being a nurse but more importantly a mommy there are always risks and I respect your ped for his caution. So many docs act like any surgery is not a big deal anymore, but it is.
Just do your homework, ask questions, and if at all possible make sure if surgery is necessary have it done at Children's Mercy where they are used to pediatric patients.

Bless you and in good health,

Lori K

My daughter had her tonsils and adenoids removed last March. She was 3 years old. She too was having trouble with snoring and sleep apnea. Her moods were very erratic due to lack of a good nights sleep. The procedure itself was pretty quick. The recovery was a full 7 days. It was awful, she wouldn't eat the entire recovery period. I second guessed our decision the entire time. However, once she was back to normal, life was so much easier. She is a totally different child. She is fun to be around and her moods are no longer over the top. She sleeps much better and you can no longer hear "the old man" sleeping down the hall.

Just FYI, we used Dr. Wei at KU Med West. Good luck!

M., My daughter also had enlarged adnoids. They didn't affect her sleep, but anytime she got a cold it would turn into something far worse. After repeated bouts of ear infections, pnemonia etc. She had her second set of tubes put in her ears and her adnoids out- at 3 yrs. old. We never had any complications and her health improved dramatically afterward!

Two of my 3 sons had their adenoids removed before they were 3 and didn't have any problems or complications. I don't even remember anyone saying that there could be (anything other than normal risks of surgery). Maybe your daughter's particular case makes it riskier. You should double check that. Otherwise, my two didn't have any problems. Dr. Hannah Vargas did my first son's (tonsils and adenoids) and Dr. Ann Robinson did my second son's (ear tubes in, aednoids out). I can't tell you why we swithched doctors between the two, I don't remember, but they were both good. It could have been an insurance thing.

Hope this helps a little and good luck.

My son had this problem, only it was tonsils AND adenoids. Both were removed at 22 months old, with no complications. In fact, he was home eating cheese puffs the next day! He actually had to have his adenoids out twice - the first time he was 18 months old, but he was still having the sleep issues you mentioned, so I took a video of him sleeping and the Dr had him in surgery in less than a week. If the adenoids are causeing obstructive sleep apnea (which this sounds like), I would definately get them removed.

my daughter did too and snored like a truck driver for years. We finally got her adenoids out and she doesn't snore or breathe funny. If you are in Overland Park, our doctor is at Overland Park Regional and his name Steven Ellis, he helped me with my tonsils and sinus. He helped both my daughters with tonsils, adenoids. He was really cute too. LOL.

S. B.

My two yr old son had large adenoids at 18mo. We went ahead and had them removed. It was seamless and fast. The improvements were almost instant, sleeping, breathing, speaking etc. There is risk with any surgery but please know that children get this done all the time and it was easy and he was playing like normal the next day.

It can be scary to put your child through surgery but she will be much happier once they are removed. Children's Mercy was awesome with this. We went to the ENT clinic. Dr. Nicklaus was terrific.

Good luck to you
J.

My daughter had enlarged adnoids. She had sleep apnea, snored loudly, and had frequent infections in her ears and throat. When she was 20 months old she only weighed 19lbs due to the constant infections. She never slept through the night because of the sleep apnea. My daughter had her adnoids removed, tonsils removed and tubes put in her ears at the same time when she was 20 months old. Her life changed that week! After about 5 days of babying her from the surgery with cold drinks and popsicles, mostly for her throat because her tonsils were remove, she was fine. Always slept through the night from then on.
If you pediatricion does not recognise sleep apnea as a major problem, you have the wrong pediatricion. Get another opinion.

Hi M.,

My son just turned 4 when we were able to get his removed two years ago. I tell you what I feel your fear. I use to sleep next to him with my hand on his chest to feel his breathing. I applause your ped for cautioning you, but remember the big man upstairs will watch over your little girl. She will be in my prayers and I feel you should do surgery. They told me the younger the better, because the heal alot faster. Good luck!!

~S.

Hello! No worries about having adenoidectomy. My son is 2 1/2 years old and he just had surgery to place his second set of PE tubes in his ears, adenoidectomy, lingual frenulumectomy (clipping of the tongue) and his throat looked at for vocal nodules. My husband and I are very glad that we had the adenoids removed, as they were extremely enlarged for a little guy. Now, he doesn't snore when he sleeps, nor wake himself at night.
Consult with an ENT doctor, but rest assured, it is not a complicated surgery, nor one to fret too much about.
Best of luck!

Hi M.. Both of my boys who now 18 and 22 years old had their adnoids and tonsils removed when they were 6 ( the oldest) and 4(the youngest.) It was the best thing I could of ever done for them. My oldest would snore and actually became a bed wetter because he was so tired and couldn't get up in time to make it to the bathroom. He would be so cranky in the morning when he got up all due to the adnoids and tonsils being enlarged. They aren't getting their proper rest. He would have colds that he couldn't get rid of. After the adnoids and tonsils were removed, it was like I had a new child. He didn't wet the bed anymore or was crabby. He even did better in school. My Youngest who was 4 when his adnoids were removed, was losing his hearing because of the adnoids being so large. He had constant ear infections and when the Dr. removed them along with his tonsils, he did have to put tubes in his ears which they immediately began to drain. He was able to learn the alphabet right off the bat. He was even tieing his own shoes about 2 weeks later and his speech was perfect. Basically what I'm trying to say was that my youngest son was losing his hearing and delaying his speech due to the enlarged adnoids. My sons didn't suffer any problems with being put out or anything else. As long as you have a good E.N.T Dr. and feel they are confident about the procedure, I would suggest go for it. Have a great day and I hope everything works out for you. K. P.

My child had adenoids removed at age 2 yrs and 9 mos in early April and we did not have complications. his breathing is VASTLY improved at night. fewer infections. I would do it again in a heart beat. we used Dr Julie Wei would I highly recommend, she was suggested by our NP and she removed his daughter's tonsils and he was very happy with results. a medical professional being happy with results of THEIR child holds a lot of weight. anyway there are always complications, ask the ENT when you visit with him her. however there are ALSO complications with not treating...I am sure you have read about this..up to and including the rare chance of heart failure.

M.,
I know surgery at any age is scary. I will tell you that when I was a baby I also had enlarged adenoids and it was so bad that I was unable to hear. I had mine removed when I was about a year and a half old. No complications. No problems since then.

My daughter had her removed when she was 3 with her tonsils. The bad news is they can grow back. Immediately following the surgery she had great relief. Not snorring anymore and breathing easier. She suffers from asthma now, and you can just hear the adnoids again. The doctors reccommend waiting if it is just adnoids, see what your specialist says and go woth your gut. remember they are not the one who is up in the middle of the night when your child stops breathing and scares you.

My son is 4 1/2 and had his adnoids rmoved shortly before he turned 4. We had no complications at all. He was kind of scared when he woke up from the anesthesia but other than that he was eating popsicles and drinking juice and we went home later in the day. He also had his tonsils taken out that day to. He was a loud snorer and was having multiple respiratory infections. This has seem to help cut down the number of times we have been to the ER.

My 14 year old son states that there is something swollen in the back of his sinuses that cause him to snort. Sorry to be gross, but when he does it it sounds like he is trying to get a luggy ready to spit out. It is irritating as ever, but I cant brush it off as that I am trying to get feedback, he is going thru puberty so I just thought enlarged adnoids, but "man" it needs to be resolved!

My daughter had recurring ear infections/colds/upper respiratory infections for quite some time and has seen an ENT since she was 15 months old. Her adenoid was enlarged. She had her adenoid removed in March 2007 when she was 2 1/2 years old. The surgery took place at the same time as the placement of her second set of tubes. It was all out patient surgery at a surgery center in West County. The whole surgery took all of 15-20 minutes. No complications at all! She was fine by the next day. They did warn us about her breath possibly smelling a little for a while due to the surgery but it was not a big deal. She has had very few colds since the surgery. It was one of the best things we have done for her!

My brother who is 26 is still in recovery mode from having his tonsils and adenoids removed over a week ago. His surgeon said he'd never seen tonsils and adenoids that large in his career! Anyway, he's having a pretty tough time of it and the surgeon had said that if he'd had it done when he was a child, it would have been a lot easier surgery and on him and he wouldn't have had near the illness and other issues he's had all his life. I remember when we were kids and he'd get a sore throat, it would swell nearly shut! Scary!! I just thought I'd mention this from his point of view of waiting until adulthood.

My son had his adnoids out when he was about 3 because of many ear infections, he didn't have any complications and was pretty much back to normal the next day or the day after.
I had my tonsils removed when I was an adult and it took about 8 to 10 days to get back to normal for me. I know tonsils and adnoids are different, but same general area and a big difference in recovery time for children and adults.
I agree with what the other mom said about their are different risks for each surgery and you just have to dig and do some research and find out what you think is best for your daughter.
Hope your little girl gets to breathing better soon.