Son got sick because of his tonsils.Dont want to get them removed.?

Question

I feel tonsils are there for a reason and I am afraid that if I remove them now, he might get other problems. Aren't tonsils there to catch bacteria etc before it enters the body and causes other diseases/sicknesses? He is only two and a half. Doctor said if he gets it 3 times rest of year, we must consider doing it. My husband feels we should take them out any way for "just in case", but I insist that we get more opinions. Am I being stubborn? It's just that a docter told my mother, when 16 year old sister had hers removed, that there is no reason to remove a childs tonsils before he/she reaches age of 7.

Answer 1

WHAT? Are you a doctor? You really have no medical knowledge to make an informed decision - and its not you thats suffering, its your son. What you 'feel' really doesn't come into it. Just because you're his mother doesn't make you qualified to decide.

Have you ever had tonsilitis?

Answer 2

I had my tonsils removed when I was 4...that's after suffering for the first 4 years of my life with constant bouts with strep throat, sinus infections and ear infections. I had already had ear tubes put in twice. When I was 4, I had ear tubes put in once again, tonsils and adenoids out and sinus windows done. After all that was done, I was fine.

My oldest son was the same way. He had tonsils and adenoids and ear tubes (for the second time) all done just before he turned 4. He still has issues from having so many ear infections, scar tissue and such, but he is much better now.

There is also an issue with your child being on antibiotics for extended periods of time. It can cause them to become immune to the antibiotics, as I am now with anything penicillin based; but it can also cause tooth decay from the inside out. My son had real problems with his baby teeth decaying and the dentist said it was from over usage of antibiotics.

I would listen to your doctor. Tonsils may have served their purpose a long time ago during our evolution, but people can live perfectly fine without them...just like an appendix or gall bladder.

Answer 3

My daughter had hers out last year (she was five). They were actually causing her to get sick more often. She had sore throats and colds so much. Now that they are gone, (1 year later), she hasn't been sick once AND she sleeps so much better because she can breathe. The tonsils were blocking her airway because they were so swollen. Our ear, nose & throat specialist told me that the older they get, the greater risk of infection and complications. So, if you're not talking to an ear nose and throat specialist, I would talk to one of those first before deciding anything. Your pediatrician should be able to send you to one. Good luck in your decision.

Answer 4

At our children's hospital, unless the child gets more than 5 in a year, or there appears to be breathing obstruction, they usually won't do  it.  As the child gets older, the tonsils stay the same size so thus are usually less of a problem once the kid gets older.  However, this is very generalized advice.

My sisters both had problems with tonsillitis, but never more than 5 a year and after about 3 years, they stopped getting them.  As another poster indicates, frequent bouts of antibiotics can turn out to make the child resistant to them.

The doctor that attended your sister was giving generic advice.  Doctors today are quite reluctant to remove tonsils, but if the doctor is concerned about a 2.5 year old, there may be a good reason for it.  I think it's reasonable to get a second opinion if it comes down to it.

Answer 5

I do understand where you are coming from but if it comes down to it then it should be done. I still have my tonsils but my cousin who is only 7 had hers removed when she was 4 because she was getting sick so much. she always had sore throats and nasal congestion so they decided it was time. like the doctor said if it happens 3 more times then it should be done in the end it's what's best for him that matters

Answer 6

My son got his out at 4 because they were causing him to stop breathing at night due to their size. I think it was needed get your kid the help he needs

Answer 7

if the child is getting sick and your pediatrician says it is most likely the tonsils, then why would you make this child suffer and keep getting sick.

if you had medical knowledge, you would probably find out that just like the appendix, the tonsils used to have a function, and there may still be a reason for them, but no one really can find a reasonable answer for why they should remain if they are giving you trouble.

It would be more caring and loving for your child if you take your doctor's advice and let them remove them now, before he loses school and other important milestones along the way because your lack of understanding has kept him sick even more years.

I would advise you to search the internet and ask your pediatrician what the use is of a tonsil, instead of just presuming that "they must be there for a reason."  Tonsils don't catch bacteria, how would that even be possible?  It's not a filter.

The opinions of anyone on Yahoo!Answers who does not have a degree in medicine would not be able to give you any more than an experiential opinion, and that would not be as valuable as listening to your doctor.  Your mother's doctor's opinion is just one, as well, and if you are unsure, ask the medical community, not just a single doctor.

www.webmd.com     check out this site to get better answers.

good luck, and think of your son.

Answer 8

Well like a few of the other things in the body that we can live with out they do have certain things they are ment to do but we can live with out them.

The thing about tonsils is that yes, They do catch the bacteria in the throat but think about this... If it catches it..that means it keeps it there in the throat..When it could go down to the stomach and basicly be digested and not hurt it stays in the throat and becomes a sickness.

I have never had my tonsils removed but I am not kidding when I say I wish my parents would have Because of my tonsils I get more sore throats and throat infections than people who don't have tonsils. It's sorta like having your child curcumsized so to speak.

The f******n is suppose to be there to help protect against infections but usually ends up keeping more bacteria and causing more infections than keeping them out.

Also another thing to consider is as we get older the slower we heal. My friend who was 13 when she got her tonsils removed it took her over 2 weeks to recover from her surgery to have her tonsils removed. While at the same time one of our teachers 5yr old son had his removed and was back in school after about 3 days.

If your doctor told you to consider it then I would consider it. I would also say since your having reserves about it.. Go to another ped. and get a second opinion. I know what you are feeling about your son and I would do it too. I would go get a second opinion and if both doctors say it would be for the better then I would have it done. If it keeps your baby from being sick less often I would really say it would be worth it.

Like I said if it were my son (who will be 4 this yr) I would check out all possiblities and such because surgery is scary but if it will be for the better of the child it might be for the best. You might want to check around on the internet as well and see what you can find out and take that information to your sons doctor.

Hope things work out. Best of luck