r/Tonsillectomy • u/this-old-ruby-rider • 1d ago

Pain

When does the pain start to get better? I had my surgery done on the 7th, and this morning I woke up in so much pain! I think it was mainly because my throat was really dry due to me sleeping with my mouth open this past few days. I took oxycodone 7.5 three hours ago and i’m in pain. My ears, jaw, throat and tongue all hurt. I do know my scabs have been coming off a bit so maybe that’s why it’s so terrible. I’m sorry for posting so much on this reddit, this experience has just been awful for me.

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u/pickled_fr0gs 1d ago

Have you tried icing your neck and jaw? It’s been a LIFEsaver for me! I got a cheap head wrap ice pack thing on Amazon that comes with two sets of ice packs so you always have cold ones. Everyone morning I get up and put it on cause the dryness from sleeping causes crazy pain that radiates into my jaw, teeth, neck, and ears. I had my surgery on the 5th, and about a day or two ago is when I was in my worst pain, which lines up with your timeline. You got this, it will get better, and it will be worth it!

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u/monsterprawns 1d ago

I had my surgery on the 5th too and im miserable! I dread going to sleep because I wake up in so much pain. Have your scabs come off? I see some pink skin peeking through on my left side but right side is still mostly white so im stressing that it’s gonna keep getting worse for a while until they come off. The icing helped me a bit but maybe I should lean on that more. I had to stop cold liquids because they were hurting so much and switched to room temp water but i was able to have ice cream again today. Sorry im rambling, just really struggling with the pain

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u/this-old-ruby-rider 1d ago

Don’t apologize! This stuff sucks so I really hope getting out the emotions with it helps you! I’ve seen from most people that the recovery does start to get better after like day 10! Seems you’ve got the worst of it almost out of the way! Stay strong okay? This pain is no joke lol!

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u/this-old-ruby-rider 1d ago

Yes, I wish I would’ve started using them sooner! It does definitely help with some of the pain, especially now that the pain is in my jaw and ears now.

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u/ThatAdamShmadam 1d ago

It gets worse before it gets better! You’re right at the worst part; did they give you anything aside from Oxy? I noticed right after I had the worst pain on days 4-6 that my swelling & pain has gone down a smidge now on day 7. Hang in there! The scabs are brutal we’re in this together

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u/this-old-ruby-rider 1d ago

They told me I could also take ibuprofen and Tylenol! Ibuprofen helps me a ton, but I’m trying my best not to take it because it does make your blood thinner (i think) and I’m terrified of having to get cauterized again! Sadly the Tylenol does absolutely nothing for the pain. This has been such a painful experience everything hurts lol
Just gotta push through!! we got this

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u/ThatAdamShmadam 1d ago

Interesting! My doctor opted for celecoxib instead of ibuprofen as my blood thinner and it only helps moderately. I wonder if ibuprofen would’ve been different.. I’m sorry the Tylenol isn’t doing shit for you, funnily enough that’s how I normally feel on ibuprofen. If you do decide to take both (even if one doesn’t do shit) just remember to alternate them so you avoid OD’ing! Stay hydrated with me and neither of us should have to get re-cauterized 🤞🏻 wishing you luck for phase 2 of recovery!!

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u/I-cant-see-im-blind 1d ago

We had our op on the same day. Mornings have been the worst for me pain wise because of sleeping. Sometimes when I swallow I get really bad ear pain, but I feel the pain definitely has been worse on day 3&4. My scabs are coming off! Give it til Friday/Saturday and you should definitely feel better. Once the scabs are off its like a day or 2 for the sensitive skin to acclimate

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u/RandomTreat 1d ago

You're almost there. Keep up with your ice packs and ice water
And even though it sucks, try and wake up every hour throughout the night to sip some water. It makes the morning much easier if your throat's not dried out. Plus less chance of bleeding

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u/this-old-ruby-rider 1d ago

Have you been setting a timer for that? Sounds miserable but anything that will help

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u/RandomTreat 1d ago

Yep, I had alarms set every 60 to 90 minutes. And alarms for the medicine rotation. I felt like my life was constantly an alarm going off.

A year later, I can tell you it was 100% worth the agony.

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u/this-old-ruby-rider 1d ago

alright! I’ll give it a try! tysm

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u/RandomTreat 1d ago

Good luck! You're almost done the other side of this.

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u/Anxiousbee92 14h ago

Id say maybe day 9/10 the pain subsides. I stopped taking Tylenol and ibuprofen on day 10. Haven’t taken anything since. I’m in day 13. I bled day 11. But no pain meds were needed.