ENT referral

[adrianna22]

Hi

My DS four, has been referred to ENT..mainly due to because of his heavy breathing throughout the day and because he stops breathing repeatedly at night.

My GP said that they will have a look up my child's nose as it may be congestion...how likely is that the case as I am worried that the ENT doctor would say that it may be because of my DS adenoids and I really do not want my DS to have an operation...

What could be up the nose that is causing the child's breathing, if it is not a cold?

Also, my DS has a fear of doctors, so I am worried that he may not cooperate.

Thanks

[Goodwordguide]

Does your child get lots of colds or has a lot of mucous / is very snotty? That can cause congestion as can infected sinuses, hayfever, allergies etc. Is his hearing affected at all?

DS (5) is a very heavy breather and snores badly and is likely to have his adenoids out as a result. The op doesn't worry me - I had it as a child as did DH and I don't remember it being too bad, plus he's already had a general for grommets and he was fine. I just want anything that will help clear up that area as he is always congested, his snoring has always been incredibly loud and he has hearing impairment.

Hope the appointment goes well - i would chat through with him what was is likely to happen (ie, they will look in his ears, will ask him to say 'aaahhh') etc so he knows what to expect.

[swooosh]

It could well be his adenoids, and if it is he needs them doing. He will NEED this operation. Does his fear stem from you?

[girliefriend]

If he has sleep apnea then he will obv need an operation that could cure the problem.

My dd has had her adenoids and tonsils out (as well as two lots of grommets) and obv I hated that she had to go through surgery but I couldn't go on with her stopping breathing at night, this affected her growth, behaviour and quality of life. Since the operation there have been no further problems.

[adrianna22]

Hi

My DS does not get a lot of colds, but he does have hay fever..but I do not think this is an issue...

I think DS having an operation, is what is scary at his young age.

[girliefriend]

My dd was 4yo when she had this op, it was scary but I didn't see there was much alternative really.

He will pick up on your anxiety though which will not help.

[Pobblewhohasnotoes]

It's a very very common operation done very day in every hospital. If it's just adenoids you may find it's just a day case operation or at least one night stay.

If it's sleep apnoea then yes there's a possibility they will want to take his ads out. It can be a bit sore afterwards but the difference it can make is amazing. It's normal to be anxious but please try not to pass your anxiety on to your child. I look after children who have this operation and we see kids much younger than your DS having it done, they generally recover very well.

[adrianna22]

If my DS has the operation..will he be able to talk? I only ask this because he has a severe language delay and only says 10 words.

[girliefriend]

Yes it shouldn't effect speech, why is his language so delayed?

[adrianna22]

He has a diagnosis of autism...so I guess that's why.

[incywincyspideragain]

have they looked at adenoids and tonsils before? ds's were enlarged before we cut out wheat and dairy - there are lots of links to casin and wheat free diets for autistic children.

adenoids is usually an over night stay (in case of bleeding - unusual) just make sure you and ds are prepared incase and hospital are aware of his needs xx

[Amybabygypsyqueen]

My 5yo DD had adenoids and tonsils out last year and grommets in she doesn't have autism but was having a lot of behavioural problems, breath holding at night, falling over. We got referred eventually for a hearing test of all things the consultant looked in her mouth, and in her ears and booked her in for the op, I was very scarred as I didn't want her to go through it all

6 weeks later I had a completely different child she was talking better, in less trouble at school she had severe glue ear, and was being so disruptive because she couldn't hear, she also doesn't snore now and sleeps really well a lot better than before. Although I was terrified she was only in theatre for 40 mins slept afterwards and went home plater on after eating jam on toast she was pretty much back to normal 1 week later :) best thing we could have done for her

Sorry to ramble I just wanted to share our story xx

[HopefulHamster]

My son had repeated adenoid and ear infections at a very young age so was referred to Great Ormond Street and had adenoids out and grommits put in at 18months old. I was terrified but the operation lasted about 15 minutes and he recovered very very quickly. There are risks with every operation but since the op (he is now 3.5) he no longer gets ear infections or green snot with every cold, and he doesn't snore. His quality of life is much much better.

It's a very routine operation. He'll be fine if it comes to it.