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Children's health

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Original poster

grommets - gas or needle?

15 replies

Flojo1979 · 13/03/2011 15:10

Hi, my ds (5.9 yo) is having grommets put in on friday, I've been told its my choice whether to canulate or give gas aneasthetic - though the doc reckons canulation is kinder. How can putting a big needle in him be easier than just breathing in gas??
Anyone with experience of either please advise. And any experience of grommets? reassurance that he wake fine and happy or will he be off colour with anaesthetic?

OP posts:

DrSeuss · 13/03/2011 16:18

Because the gas stinks and the mask is smelly and a bit scary. I remember the gas and it's over 30 years ago! They can numb the arm with a cream, I think, so it shouldn't be too bad. No, he willnot be OK on waking, he may feel very groggy, a bit sick and keep nodding off again. Only in Grey's Anatomy do patients wake from anesthaesia and say something deep! But he will be fine in a while!

DeWe · 13/03/2011 19:41

I had GA at 8 for removal of teeth. They went to put the mask on and I remember freaking at the smell/feel. They then decided to use the injection, and told me. I remember them saying that they were about to put the needle in, then the next thing I knew I was waking up. Chose the needle the next time too.

nowwearefour · 13/03/2011 19:48

the needle is def kinder. they put magic cream on to numb the skin so they dont feel the needle going in. then have a cuddle with the grown up with them so their arm is out of sight as the needle goes in and they are out cold without knowing anything about it. they have to keep the canular in for a little while after waking which is a little uncomfrotable but that is the worst part about having the needle. the mask just seems horrible to me unless they are used to using those spacer thingies i guess....

BertieBotts · 13/03/2011 19:50

I've always been frightened of needles, but I had the needle at around that age and it was fine.

I remember having "magic cream" on my hand underneath a plaster. Then being wheeled to operating theatre awake and asked if I could be really clever and count down from 10 while they did something to my hand. Head was turned the other way so I couldn't see. I can't remember if I felt it go in or not but it definitely didn't hurt and I have always been a big wuss about pain. Then blacked out before I got to 1. I don't ever remember being in hospital being a frightening experience.

My sister OTOH had gas once or twice as her hospital admissions tended to be unplanned swallowing incidents and I wasn't there but to see my mum talk about it I'd think it was a lot more traumatic. As DrSeuss says, the mask is smelly and the gas hisses and it is scarier.

BertieBotts · 13/03/2011 19:52

Also, mine was also for grommets. They did make a difference to my hearing as I was suddenly terrified of loud noises. That's my overriding memory of it, and also one falling out 2 or 3 years later when my Dad was brushing my hair :)

PorkChopSter · 13/03/2011 19:57

Magic cream and needle.

CMOTdibbler · 13/03/2011 20:00

I had a series of operations in August, and was put under with gas for the third as they had run out of good veins, and trying to get one wasn't pleasant. I have to say as an adult it wasn't the nicest GA induction as they do have to hold the mask on quite firmly, and it's not quite the same feeling

LilRedWG · 13/03/2011 20:02

DD had magic cream and needle and didn't even know it'd gone in. We were advised against gas as too scary.

EColi · 13/03/2011 20:05

My ds has had grommets several times now, the first time he was 3 and the used gas, but since then he's had the drugs via cannula. One thing to bear in mind is that they will probably pu a cannula into his hand even if he's having a gas aneasthetic.. Just in case they need 'access' . My ds was more upset by the gas..he struggled and fought it for a few seconds, with the needle he went under peacefully.
Our ds wakes in the post-op quite disorientated and upset then tends to go back to sleep for a while and is fine from a couple of hours post-op.

marriednotdead · 13/03/2011 20:06

Definitely needle.

DD managed to pull the canula out when they were about to put her under for her tonsils. They used gas instead
and she became hugely distressed. I won't go into details but it still upsets me thinking about it and it was many years ago

GhostInTheBackOfYourHead · 13/03/2011 20:11

Needle, definitely. I still do actually have nightmares over a mask when I had teeth out aged 9. The combination of the pressure against my face, the gas and the smell of the rubber was hideous.
At least I had a GA though that time. In my previous op to remove 6 baby teeth the dentist pulled them out without any GA or pain relief . I was eight.

I still hate bastard dentists. With moustaches.

Sirzy · 13/03/2011 20:11

I agree with the others. Having been given GA with both as a child (slightly older than your DS though)

I can still remember going under the GA with the mask - the smell of it was horrible considering it was meant to be strawberry! but the needle on I can't remember at all.

He will be groggy for a few days, and I always have a very sore throat and odd taste in my mouth after GA.

Original poster

Flojo1979 · 13/03/2011 21:14

Ok cannula it is then, thanx guys
GA sounds horrible!

OP posts:

kreecherlivesupstairs · 14/03/2011 07:45

He will be given a GA (general anaesthtic), my DD had grommets 18 months ago. the hospital gassed her down then gave her the anaesthetising drugs. she reacted really badly to the gas and vomited 14 times when she came back to the ward. Apart from the spewing, she was fine and her hearing is terrific now except when she is being asked to tidy up.

crazykat · 14/03/2011 08:13

I had both in the same year (about 4yo), gas for teeth and it scared me to death and gave me a killer headache when I woke up, and a fear of dentists that I still have 20 years later. I had a needle for gromits and I can't remember the needle, just the pre-med.

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