United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Ella has been having issues with not breathing well through her nose for a very long time now. She gets mulitple sinus infections throughout the year, every year. I NEVER see my child with a clear nose. She is always stuffy, somtimes a little stuffy, sometimes a lot. We tried many different things for this, but her doctor said if we can't figure it out she may need her adnoids removed. We took her to an allergist and asthma specialist. After that appt we learned she has mild asthma and allergies only to cats. So the stuffiness isn't from her allergies, but it must be issues with her sinuses. I am trying to gather info on the Internet about adnoid removal just to see if this may help her. AS a child I had mine removed, but I think I remember having that done b/c I was very prone to getting bloddy noses a lot. Anyone who may have experience with the same problems or this surgery, please email me or post here. Thanks so much!
Oh and I forgot to say that at 5 yrs old, she shouldn't be snoring...BUT she does and she throws herself while sleeping b/c she is so uncomfortable. She also has dark circle under her eyes like everyday! It drives me insane!
Krista


Message was edited by: Krista (mom to Ella)

One of my granddaughters has asthma, had ear infections with tubes, no allergies at the time but had chronic runny nose. At around three, she had her sinuses scraped or something of the sort, under anesthestic. This took care of her runny noses. She had her adenoids removed when she had ear tubes placed I think - Camille B.

Hey Krista!

Sarah had her adnoids removed when she was about 14 months. She had the same problems as Ella.. stuffiness all the time, constant sinus infections, etc.

They took her adnoids out at the same time they put tubes in her ears. After that, I can count on one hand the number of sinus infections she's had since.

The procedure was a snap. She was gone for about 20 minutes.. They removed her adnoids, and then cauterized (sp?) them so they wouldn't bleed as much. She woke up in the recovery room pretty scared, but once she settled down, she was fine.

I will tell you that for a few days after the surgery, it's almost like they can't breathe through their nose at all.. Everything is so swollen, that they just can't get much air through their nasal passages. It passed, and then it was smooth sailing!

Let me know if you have other specific questions!

HTH!

Cherie

One of my non-BPI kiddos has had his adnoids removed twice (they can grow back - but *rarely* do) and both times, it helped him immensely. He had multiple ear infections, sinus infections and snored so loud that he would wake my other children up. Having them removed has helped in all of these areas. Ear tubes and adnoid removal are both, in my experience, a very quick surgery with relatively little discomfort (I think that he wasn't allowed to drink through a straw for a couple of days post surgery - but he didn't complain of any pain). Tonsils were a little more involved all around.

I'm happy to answer any questions....

Sally - mom to 3 boys

Thanks!
Do the children come home that day or do they need to spend a night in the hospital? Sounds like it is so quick and they are only in for the day? When I was little I remember staying over a night, but I do know things have changed completely! Also, is it rare to only have just the adnoids removed and more common for the tonsils and adnoids together at once? This is something I can talk to the DR about, but if anyone else has something to say I am all ears. Thanks for the experiences! I appreciate it so much.
~Krista~

Hi! My son had his adnoids removed when he was about 2- they did it the second time they put ear tubes in. He has since had ear tubes again. Yes, it is a very quick, simple procedure- in and out in a couple hours. No big deal at all. The kids dont even seem bothered by the operation really. Hope this helps

The first time my son had it done, it was just with ear tubes and he was in and out in a matter of hours. The second time was with ear tubes and tonsils and - even then - he was out that day (they had said to plan to spend the night because of the tonsils, but he wanted to go home so they let us)

I have heard of a number of kids having just adnoids out (w/out tonsils).

Good luck!

BTW, I agree that the operation doesn't seem to phaze them at all. Go figure!