Son has glue ear, having grommets, any experience?

[Disenchanted3]

Before I start can I just say that I'm really scared about this (I know its silly but I suffer from anxiety) DS has confirmed glue ear, he has been GPs before but just treated for ear infections, this time GP diagnosed GE.

He made a referal to specialist for 3 weeks time and said theyy will prob operate and put grommets in.

What does it involve? will he stay in? can i stay with him?

[geogteach]

We are old hands at grommets so forgive me if I sound glib. It is very straightforward and takes about 15 minutes, need to stay in hospital another couple of hours to get over the GA but to be honest he was playing in the park later the same day and back at nursery / school the next. The hardest part is starving them from the night before. How old is your DS? I would be surprised if the specialist went straight for an op they often want to wait and see if it goes or the child grows out of it. If he does have the op you need to be prepared for the fact that they fall out, DS is on his 3rd set, as he has other hearing issues glue makes a massive difference to his ability to hear anything at all. My DS is now 8 and seems to be growing out of it, I think most kids grow out of it by about this age.

[Willablackford]

Hiya.

A Nephew of mine had Grommits inserted last year. It's a really simple & quick Operation

It's does involve GA, but your son will be home the same day
Ofcourse u can stay with him all the time. (how old is he)

My Daughter is having Surgery soon & i'm really scared aswell She's staying in overnight & Hubby and myself are gonna be with her the entire time, even sleeping on a Campbed in the Ward

[Disenchanted3]

Thankyou, he is 5.

Hes had on going ear problems for a while now (failed hearing tests etc) so Dr thinks grommets will be put it.

Hope all goes well with DD willa.

I should try not to worry till I know for sure, the GA just sounds scary!

[Willablackford]

^^ my daughter is petrified about the GA

[daruvalla]

My son has had 3 insertions. Don't worry it will be fine.

You might be interested in the website below.

www.glueear.org.uk

[TrinityIsFuckingTrying]

dd1 has had grommets twice
no prob at all
in in the morning, out in the afternoon
I advise that you ensure theyput him under with an injection into a canular as if they do it with gas then it can be forced into the tummy and mae them throw up when thye are coming out of the ga

he will be fine but you wont enjoy the day
its never nice to see your child have a ga

[kreecherlivesupstairs]

My dd had them done just before christmas. The difference in her hearing is astounding. Agree with the gas comment, my girl was gassed down and not given any anti emetic afterwards. She spewed 13 times.
Very routine surgery. Try not to worry.

[George71]

Did the GP talk to you about an Otovent prescription. They are supposed to try this first before sending you to the consultant for the grommet operation. It's in the NICE guidelines and your GP has a legal obligation to discuss it with you.

If it doesn't work grommets are safe and really efective.

[nct73]

My daughter (3) has been suffering from glue ear for a couple of years now. She had a check up a the hospital this week and they have said that she still has fluid in her ears and if it has not gone at her next check in 6 months, they are going to advise grommets. However, she passed the hearing tests, has shown no signs of hearing problems and has above average vocabulary & clarity of speech so it does not seem to be impeding her development so why put her through this operation. Is there anything other problems that glue ear causes?

[twinmum2]

Hi My 5 year old daughter has glue ear. 9 months ago hospital wanted her to have grommits and adenoids out.Didn't like idea of GA and had heard stories of grommits falling out and ear infections. Did nothing for 6 months but tried homeoapathy and cranial osteopathy to no avail. 3 months ago hearing retested and consultant offered us option of hearing aids. Hearing has improved tremendously, very comfortable and she's as pleased as punch with them. We also have loads of support as a teacher from hearing impaired sevice visits her in school monthly and she will have appointments every 3 months at hospital. Her hearing aids are bright purple.Consultant said she was too young for ortovent I have been told most children outgrow glue ear by 8 or 9.

[Runoutofideas]

Hi
DD1 (nearly 5) had grommets fitted last November. Her hearing improved immediately. So much so, that when we first put ear plugs in for the bath she said "ah, that's back to normal!" It's horrible thinking about putting them under a GA but it is over so quickly and well worth doing. My dd had her adenoids out at the same time. Her behaviour has significantly improved. She listens to what she's being told and doesn't resort to jumping around like a loon, which she used to do regularly! Her school teacher noticed the difference immediately.
I initially wasn't keen on the surgery option and tried otovent, diet changes and cranial osteopathy, all making no difference. Touch wood, so far we've had no problems with them falling out, or ear infections... Good luck.

[Runoutofideas]

Meant to say, the surgery was half an hour including the adenoids so probably only 10-15 mins for just grommets. She had to stay in for 6 hours afterwards but was home and full of beans the same day.