[JustBarbara]

DS turns 3 in a couple of weeks but ever since he was an infant he has been a loud breather and when he had colds a loud snorer. When he had colds he had mild sleep apnea - this started around 2 years old. Often he would wake up in the middle of the night crying and I would move him to my bed to spend the next few hours listening to him breathe and nudging him if it was more than a couple of seconds between breaths. My ped suggested I monitor him before referring him to a specialist primarily because of his age and that the spec would probably suggest removal of tonsils. It got much worse over the last six months and we went to a specialist. He took one look at his tonsils and took a step back 'those are HUGE' then he takes a look at his adenoids 'I'm not surprised, those are HUGE too'. Anyway, no need for sleep study so the doc scheduled removal of both - surgery was on Feb. 4. We overnighted at Children's Hospital and they were, as usual, fantastic, amazing etc. The first couple of days home he was great but then we had a few rough days/nights - especially after he'd been sleeping and not using/coating his throat muscles. Two weeks of soft diet - and now he is feeling great. A lot of people questioned why he would have the surgery at such a young age - of course they are not the parents of a child who could not breathe properly and was missing out on the invaluable REM sleep. It was not easy to go through the surgery but the benefits are already here. Sleep apnea is a scary thing and I haven't written about it here before. I know some adults who have it but no children. Just wanted to share.

[jenniferw223]

We just went through the same thing with my son. Also had his tonsils and adenoids removed. It was a rough time after the surgery but we got through it. Now you cannot hear a sound out of him while he sleeps and I think his behavior has improved as well because he is getting more sleep. I also finally gave up the night time diaper and we have only had one accident. All side effects of poor sleep. The night wetting, behavior issues, and also the kids sweat alot in their sleep. It was well worth it to have the surgery. Glad you son is doing better.

[qs mom]

My son was the same way when he came home at almost 3. When he was 5 he had his adnoids removed - his tonsils were fine.

Expect a big growth spurt! I read a study that said the majority of growth horomone is released during REM sleep. Kids with sleep apnea don't hit REM. My son sprouted up after his surgery.

Another plus on our end, REM is where we dream, and settle our conflicts of the day. Q wasn't able to do this. That surgery helped him do this. He moved along so quickly in therapy after this. He was finally able to dream!

[JustBarbara]

Glad to read I'm not alone in this - I can already see improvements in his sleep (obvious one) it is so quiet when he breathes. His speech had regressed somewhat and is now improving in leaps and bounds. He is singing a lot more and laughing heartily - perhaps because he has so much more room back there to breathe. I am thrilled for him and it has improved my peace of mind. Now we're off for a walk around the neighorhood and the cold dry air won't bother him a wee bit. A growth spurt you say? We would certainly welcome that.

[qs mom]

Q started kindergarten wearing 3T and ended with a 5 or 5T. He practically bypassed 4's altogether.

He's 8 1/2 now. He is no longer the smallest in his class. He was in Kindergarten. He isn't even one of the smallest. He is right in the middle. This is the first time he wears a size that matches his age! Although it is an 8 slim, it's an 8! Which is strange for me, as I was 8 and wore a 10 slim!

[jenniferw223]

My son has been eating like crazy lately. He is about to grow. He is short for his age. I wonder just how much he will grow now that he is sleeping better.

[Lauren57]

My son also had tonsils/adenoids removed at age 2yrs 8 months. He grew about 9 inches in the next year and a half--went from being below 5th percentile for ht to 40th. Also, he had a significant improvement in tantrums--I think the poor little guy was so tired he had a harder time "keeping it together".

Lauren, mom to Michael, now 6

[dianneemily]

Katy just turned 5. When we were at her 5 year old appt., the doctor commented on how big her tonsils were. They are always that big. I don't notice any apnea or snoring, but she has always been a poor sleeper. She currently wakes up 1-2 x's/night.
Since she hasn't had any illnesses related to her tonsils (no strep throat) and I don't notice snoring/apnea, we didn't think going to an ENT was necessary, but now I am wondering. The pediatrician said that the size of kids' tonsils peak at age 4-5, then start getting smaller. I'm wondering if I should "wait and see" what hers does or get an ENT appt. Any thoughts?

[fullahope]

It's almost as if you wrote this post for me. My son is due to have his tonsils and adnoids removed for the same reasons as yours in addition to recurrent tonsil / sinus infections. I'm so scared though the fear of having this done to him on Thursday has been causing me anxiety. I keep telling myself what if. I guess because it took so much for us to bring him into our life the thought of surgery and complications is sooo scary. My daughter who is 14 also had hers removed when she was 5 and ended up being one of those 3% who bleed out a week later which is also attributed to my fears. He's 3 years old also. Anyway thanks for this post it makes me feel a little better although I'm still freaked out because his surgery is on thursday morning. No overnight stay for us unless they can't get him to take fluids though. Wish us luck..... Sharon

[jenniferw223]

Your son will do fine. I do know it is scary though. I cried when I saw my son right after the surgery and I am not usually very emotional but seeing him in pain was to much for me. My son did the worst a few days after surgery with the pain and I did take him back to urgent care because I was afraid he wasn't drinking enough. It was a little rough but overall worth it.

[mommytoEli]

thank you for sharing. our middle ds also had sleep apnea. we noticed it when he was just one day old. after tests and studies, all which showed sleep apnea, they FINALLY decided his tonsills were FOUR times too large. i guess they were hoping he'd grow into them. he finally had a t and a at age 2.....a few days after his birthday, sorry son. let me tell you, it was the best thing ever for him. three and half years later, we don't hear so much as a peep from him....i actually still have the mommy radar in over drive with that one at night, and still check on him every single night at least once, bc i just got so used to doing it before the t and a. well...he's so quiet now, i actually have to feel him to make sure he is still breathing. lol. i hope to cure my neurosis before he starts high school...bc i am sure a teenager wouldn't think it was cool if he woke up to his mom feeling his chest in the middle of the night. lol!