Why do they prescribe Liquid Painkillers when you have trouble swallow after tonsillectomy?

[evanrick]

It took a minute of gagging and coughing on 10ml of liquid painkiller, why do they prescribe liquid when a pill is much easier to swallow? Im not concerned about how fast the liquid may act but its incredibly uncomfortable to use.

 

[KaraBulut]

1) Because some people complain it's hard to swallow solids
2) Because bleeding is a serious concern in adult tonsillectomies and any solid may dislodge a clot and restart the bleeding
3) Some pain pills are designed to be time-released and shouldn't be broken up or crushed

Suggestion: Mix the meds in ice cream or applesauce.

 

[evanrick]

another thing ive noticed is the liquid form isnt as strong as pill form. the liquid form is also making me itch, a lot.

 

[KaraBulut]

another thing ive noticed is the liquid form isnt as strong as pill form. the liquid form is also making me itch, a lot.

Did they prescribe oxycodone (Percocet, Percodan)?

 

[Georgiadude]

the itching is common with opiate pain medication. some benadryl may help.

not everyone is able to swallow pills easily. especially after oral surgery. my ex wife couldn't after she had her wisdom teeth extracted. I had to call the surgeons office and get him to call in liquid Tylenol with codeine for her.

Steven

 

[evanrick]

pain isnt the big issue right now, the is issue trying to swallow and build up in the back of my throat.
my uvula is pretty swollen and im having a hard time breathing because saliva is coating my throat and closing it, forcing me to spit up every few minutes. i am becoming tired and restless. drinking water helps some but its like a chronic foam build up behind my mouth. this is a new problem ive been having, im into day 5 of the recovery. what can i do to control the saliva? i was prescribed liquid hydro-acetaminophen 15-10ml dose.

 

[KaraBulut]

pain isnt the big issue right now, the is issue trying to swallow and build up in the back of my throat.
my uvula is pretty swollen and im having a hard time breathing because saliva is coating my throat and closing it, forcing me to spit up every few minutes. i am becoming tired and restless. drinking water helps some but its like a chronic foam build up behind my mouth. this is a new problem ive been having, im into day 5 of the recovery. what can i do to control the saliva? i was prescribed liquid hydro-acetaminophen 15-10ml dose.

You should call your ENT and see if he wants you to come into the office.

Tonsillectomies in adults are serious business. They also have a lot more complications than childhood procedures.

There's always swelling but you should be able to swallow. The swelling usually gets better after day 3, so at day 5 you're really at a point where these problems should be getting significantly better. Your surgeon needs to determine whether the swelling is out of the ordinary and needs to be managed.

Steven, of course, is on the money with the itching issue. It's very common with certain opiate-based pain medications. Talk to your surgeon about that also and see if he wants to try another drug or whether treating the itching symptoms is enough.

 

[evanrick]

You should call your ENT and see if he wants you to come into the office.

Tonsillectomies in adults are serious business. They also have a lot more complications than childhood procedures.

There's always swelling but you should be able to swallow. The swelling usually gets better after day 3, so at day 5 you're really at a point where these problems should be getting significantly better. Your surgeon needs to determine whether the swelling is out of the ordinary and needs to be managed.

Steven, of course, is on the money with the itching issue. It's very common with certain opiate-based pain medications. Talk to your surgeon about that also and see if he wants to try another drug or whether treating the itching symptoms is enough.

thanks for the reply.
not doing a whole lot better right now, still getting blockage in my throat from swelling and continual saliva, i can swallow with pain. i had an adnoindectomy at the same time.

i called the ENT and explained the swollen uvula this morning. he did mention it was like that after the surgery, but nothing else. on the phone he said i should try cool liquids and to lay on my side to improve breathing. neither has really worked so ive been gargling with salt water and trying to clear out my throat. extremely tired and frustrated.

my uvula is about the size of a nickle or a dime? maybe its related to adenoid recovery? not really sure or what i should do now?

 

[evanrick]

ok another update, called the ENT again and we talked about the symptoms being very uncomfortable, he said to not try and clear my throat as it could break the scab, to keep swallowing as much as i could and that he thinks im doing ok otherwise
will update tomorrow or sooner if it gets better/worse

 

[Georgiadude]

have you tried ice packs to the front of your neck, throat area? that may help cut the swelling. also popsicles may help.

you're getting close to the time where the stitches are going to dissolve. watch for bleeding. if it starts get into the ENT or ER ASAP. post tonsilectony bleeding can become serious very quickly.

Steven