Should I listen to the doctor or....?

Question

The ENT doctors said my 5 years old daughter has enlarge tonsils and adenoid. They suggest that her tonsils should be remove.
But from what I read everywhere from the internet, nowdays tonsils are known good to prevent bacteria from entering the mouth, enlarge tonsils should shrink by itself by the age of 12.

Now, I am confuse whether to listen to my doctors or decide according to the little knowledges I have. I`m worried about the operation at her young age. Somebody please advice.

My daughter has not much problems, only that she could not pronounces Nasal Letters like M/N properly and she likes to breath by her mouth when sleeping but not once that she sleeps snoring.

Are the doctors in my country using the old techniques?

Can enlarge tonsils cause any worse illness?

Answer 1

I'm a surgical nurse and I see about 20 Tonsillectomies a week. Kids range from 3 years old to 15 years old.
You are harming your child by not letting her have the T&A. She probably has trouble breathing and this is what causes her to be unable to pronounce words properly. It is a small operation and would make HER more comfortable.
The recovery is only a few days - Mostly pain medication for her throat and LOTS and LOTS of fluids.
You're not a medical professional, so yes, you should listen to your doctor. It's about your child, not you.

Answer 2

Usually what they are worried about with enlarged adenoids is the breathing issues. If your child's adenoids interfere with her sleeping (sometimes causing them to wake several times during the night) then it may be a reason to have them removed. Tonsils can prevent bacteria, but enlarged ones tend to harbor it. It can cause worse bouts with strep throat. A tonsilectomy is a realtively harmless proceedure... just requires some rest and fluid diet for about a week. Ultimately, it is your decision... sometimes doctor's can be wrong and offer a solution that won't work for you. Think about what is best for your daughter, and go with your intuition.

Answer 3

I am 16 female and have enlarged tonsils and I also do not snore. The doctor said the same thing to me. I just got my wisdom teeth out when I heard this news. I did not have my tonsils taken out because it hurts ALOT worse when you get older. I recommend your daughter taking her tonsils out because I play sports. Swim, cheer, gymnastics, and softball in high school. It is very hard for me to breath when running or jogging, having my tonsils out would help breathing but it's not worth the pain for me right now. The doctor said having my tonsils removed would prevent the development of snoring, but I don't care about snoring and don't think I will. I heard that tonsils are good also and I told my doctor, he said that so far there is no TRUE evidence. I do histotechnology so it's hard for me to agree with that because of my education. However, they don't have that BIG of a difference. I hope this helps.

Answer 4

If you think it would make you feel better by all means get a second opinion. It sounds to me like she must really need to have them removed because it is a surgery that Dr's do try to avoid now. Don't be too worried about her going through surgery at her age because you will be amazed how well children bounce right back. Take it from me, my son is 3 years old and by the time he was 15 months old he had already had 5 surgeries. HIs first surgery was when he was only 10 hours old. It's never easy to see your child sick or in pain but I really think the sooner and younger they are the better and easier it is. I will keep your daughter in my prayers and wish you all the best.

Answer 5

my son had problems with his tonsils since he was 4 yrs old. he is now 10. this past January he had to have them and the adnoiods removed(he was 9 and a half) because they had swollen so much they were causing him breathing problems and cutting off his airway. if the doctor suggests having them removed, then do it. waiting will only cause more problems. kids with swollen tonsils also have strep throat more often.

Answer 6

Talk to another doctor if you are concerned but the overwhelming opinion will be to get it done. There are health issues that can be alleviated and many people will say that but I'd like to add that It can be harmful to her language development if fluid prevents her from hearing properly. This can be distressful to a child as much as the health issues. Speech therapy and voice lessons freed me from some really horrendous speech patterns. I spoke deeply, in my throat and had difficulty enunciating and this wasn't spotted until I was in school (my parents were used to my garbled speech and usually understood me--they had no idea I wouldn't simply outgrow it.)

Answer 7

I would get a second opinion ans express your concerns to both doctors explaining what new research is saying. I have a five year old daughter as well and I can't IMAGINE having to see her go through surgery at such a cute little age. Good Luck!

Answer 8

All I can say is if don't wait till 21. I had mine out then and it is a lot more painful as an adult.
I would get a second opinion to put your mind at ease. It is a simple operation but a 2nd opinion would be worth the time and money

Answer 9

You can always go for a second opinion, but it's not like this surgery is *never* done anymore. If it is causing her that much of a problem then it might be justifiable. Good luck!

Answer 10

I think that you should bring that up at a doctors appointment. then they can add things that they missed. Doctors know best. Especially if they can see what is wrong. the things in magazines are what usually happens, not everyone is the same.