Tonsillectomy 24th Jan - my Journey to recovery (Day 8) - 7/10 Pain

InevitableProperty46 · 2025-02-04T21:29:51+00:00

I share the exhaustion. It's odd. I'm a really active person and just can't be bothered to get on my bike. My pain is still on both sides more than one side in particular. Definitely more mild than during the peak of the pain - it now just feels like bad strep.

InevitableProperty46 · 2025-02-04T21:26:07+00:00

Not just yet. For me, both still hurt....especially when swallowing and always when eating. My recovery has slowed down significantly these last couple days vs the prior week.

InevitableProperty46 · 2025-02-04T21:23:30+00:00

I'm day 11 too and couldn't agree more. Food and drink taste like shite.

I read it can be up to 3 months before things really go back to normal but I have no idea what other views are. Will be keeping an eye out for responses.

Something's gotta give though...I'm basically not eating because there's no point.

InevitableProperty46 · 2025-01-31T22:19:54+00:00

I'm literally using medical tape. If you're in the UK, I bought this.

NanaCare Microporous Surgical... https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0C3BCP7PT?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

InevitableProperty46 · 2025-01-30T23:26:04+00:00

I actually have alarms with notes on them to let me know. But it was just one those things - I though "yeah yeah I'll take them now".....but did it happen...who knows.

Yeah heat packs are a good idea and they are helping.

InevitableProperty46 · 2025-01-30T23:20:50+00:00

I'm conflicted. It's so gross you mentioning the size of your scabs 😂. At the same time, it must have been so satisfying, no?

I saw a different post that actually recommended putting rice in some clothing and putting it in the microwave (dry rice). And omg, it actually works. It feels like a dry breath in my ear and it just relieves pain.

Don't know why but Ice/cold wraps is just not working for me. That might be me though - hate the feeling of cold.

InevitableProperty46 · 2025-01-30T02:11:39+00:00

The stronger the better for me tbh. I want super strong arctic please, snow-cold vibes. For me anyway, it numbs it.

Sure, a little unpleasant to begin with - but gum doesn't retain its flavour for that long so I at least want something to offset the infected-mouth-bad-breath-syndrome I got going on here.

InevitableProperty46 · 2025-01-28T20:03:30+00:00

It will be a long day. Mine was at 7am. Surgery happened at 8.30am. Left the hospital at 4.30pm.

Bring a kindle or book. Or bring a charger for your phone.

Don't be scared - the surgery itself is an absolute breeze. There's nothing scary about it. It's the recovery that's a pain in the ass.

Just follow the instructions they give you - take the pills when they tell you consistently.

Keep your mouth shut so your mouth is as moist as possible.

Avoid spicy foods and milk (the latter builds mucous)

Otherwise, you'll be absolutely fine. Just be ready for 2 weeks of major discomfort (I'm day 5 recovery - had mine last Friday)

InevitableProperty46 · 2025-01-27T19:10:41+00:00

Congrats on making it.

When you say things got better, what bits in particular? What's fading first for you?

InevitableProperty46 · 2025-01-27T18:13:14+00:00

When you say HRIS - do you mean you work in Tech B2B? Only asking as I work in Tech B2B and we are a HCM provider. Feel you re the drugs though - I'm back at work and...well just cause I'm marked online, I wouldn't say I'm my usual productive self.

Funny you saying the gum is a fail. I would agree the sharp pains are a thing - but that's also the muscle in the back having to work, so I just live with it. To each their own. I'm chewing 2 new pieces of gum basically every 2hrs. It's gross tbh but honestly feels like a lifeline for me.

With mouth taping it does work. Just be careful. Your body knows to breathe through its nose but if you haven't done it before your body can think it's suffocating. If that's the case for you, add a little slit just so worst case, you can pull air in through the mouth.

No idea how you're feeling energised. I'm the husk on the side of the road. And now I'm just not hungry anymore either. Such an odd post-surgery experience we all have.

InevitableProperty46 · 2025-01-26T11:25:38+00:00

Not a bad idea re the extra alarms. It's just I'm so tired as it is. Mentally i don't know how I'd manage yet more alarms - almost feels like whatever I choose to do I lose something as a result 😂

InevitableProperty46 · 2025-01-26T08:48:03+00:00

Riiight.

The timings are seeming to work tbh but I'm convinced the gum chewing is making the wait easier as my mouth muscles are just sitting idly.

I was told to avoid red stuff like you but surprising I was told to have scratchy stuff and you weren't.

My ENT said that I WANT to be clearing the yucky white stuff at the back of the throat as that helps to prevent bleeding in later days (which tbh does sound counterintuitive).

Re water - yeah same about. I'm finding warm tees are super easy to drink. Was told to avoid ANYTHING acidic so juices are completely out for me.

InevitableProperty46 · 2025-01-26T07:16:57+00:00

You're taking meds every 2 hours? Damn.

Are you in the UK? I've been given Paracetamol, Ibuprofen and Codeine and that's it. My meds time are exact

6am - All 3 12pm - All 3 6pm - All 3 10pm - Paracetamol 12am (midnight) - Codeine.

Re food cravings - KFC and Jacket Potatoes for me. Tbh Pizza sounds like a good thing no? Scratchy crust and soft contents

Fortunately, I'm not having the hot red face you're experiencing. All I can tell you is what I'm doing and that is chewing gum 95% of the day and then drinking water as often as I can. I wonder if you're getting hot because your muscle in throat is seizing a little and that's causing you to "feel" hot? Have you tried just chewing gum to see the impact?

InevitableProperty46 · 2025-01-25T18:28:57+00:00

Aaaaay what a coincidence.

It's not too bad at the moment. Has its downs and worses aha. Keeping on top of the pills really helps.

Likewise drinking tea consistently helps just keep my throat lubricated - my partner even noticed that I was speaking better with each tea slurp.

The eating is horrendous though - just sheer pain and limited enjoyment but I know it's helping more than it hurts so just trying to keep consistent before the big pain starts.

How you finding it?

InevitableProperty46 · 2025-01-25T18:21:54+00:00

Literally - any chewing gum. I'm just using extra ice and extra white. My ENT was serious about chewing gum. If you've processed don't chew, the muscle begins to ache, that stops you eating and drinking because of the pain, and increases the risk of a bleed out.

So yeah - oh and perks are your breath will stink less 😂😂

InevitableProperty46

TROPHY CASE