grommits, adenoids and tonsills - any chance they would all get sorted in one go?

[girliefriend]

Hello I have a 4yo dd who has had problems with glue ear since she was 2, has left her with significant hearing loss which effects most aspects of daily life from increased tiredness, speech probs to behavioural tantrums through frustrationa of not being understood. She had one set of grommits about a yr ago which made a big difference, however the deafness is now back. Its also been noted that she has enlarged adenoids and tonsills which cause frequent infections and sleep apnea.

So my questions are; is it realistic to ask at her next ENT app (on thus) that she has the whole lot sorted out in one go?! Does anyone else out there have experience of these problems? Are there any alternatives to grommits and how many times will they replace them? If they glue ear continues does anyone have a child thats ended up wearing a hearing aid and if so did that help?

Just a few then!!!

Thanks in advance xXx

anyone out there.....?!

I do'nt have the answer, but as an ENT parent whose child has vastly benefitted from adenotonsillectomy...am bumping for you

dd2, btw, had no deafness or ear problems, but dreadful sleep apnoea. She was also choking on her own tonsils, and hardly eating. Now, she just snores loudly - far, far better.

My DD also has very severe glue ear. Hers is complicated as it is linked to her cleft palate (now repaired).
DD1 is 5 yo and had first set of grommets at 6 months - she has now had 5 sets and we have just got a date for her 6th set in June - she is going to have an adenoidectomy at the same time. If she had problems with her tonsils then I think they would do those too but although her tonsils are apparently massive they don't give her any problems so we are leaving those.

DD1's situation is a bit complicated because of her cleft - they don't usually like to take their adenoids out but after much discussion and watching and waiting we have, in conjunction with her consultant decided to go for it.

I think you should definitely ask about adenoids/tonsils/grommets at your next appointment.

In DD1's case the reasons for adenoidectomy were:

1. recurrent ear infections - every 6 weeks approx, needing antibiotics and nearly always perforating eardrum
2. both eardrums are severely retracted due to the glue ear - adenoidectomy should improve airflow through eustacian tubes
3. Persistent night cough (until point of vomiting) caused by nasal drip of mucus down back of throat

DD1 doesn't really have any sleep issues or breathing issues, although she does snore, but do mention these if yours does.

Our consultant said adenoids is v quick and painless procedure (will be done as day surgery with the grommets) compared to tonsils which can be quite painful post-operatively.

HTH. Feel free to ask any me any other Q's.

Hello, my son had similar problems and the key here is acting quickly and getting the medical people to act quick too.

He had grommets fitted at age 2 and his adenoids removed via surgery. It did not make a huge difference as he still had a constant runny nose. When he started school at 4, I noticed he had developed hearing problems. I confirmed this with a private comprehensive hearing test and they wrote to our GP stressing the urgency for a referral to get it sorted.

Friends recommended the consultant Helen Caulfield at RFH London and she was brilliant. We had seen other consultants before but when we met her, she prescribed medication and a program which sorted him out in 2 weeks. A return hearing test 6 weeks later showed his hearing was normal, his behaviour and speech improved because he could understand and be understood. He was sleeping better, eating better and able to grow. The benefits were endless.

Now he's 5, he's doing well but we discovered the adenoids have grown back (as they sometimes do), he's on a waiting list to have them removed again but there is no urgency as his nasal and ear cavity remain clear. He is still on a daily dose of Nasonex spray but other than that he is fine.

I hope you can get urgent help for your daughter soon. Make a BIG fuss if you have to. I did.

Thanks everyone, Lulusuk what did the programme and medication involve?

Appointment first thing tomos morning so will let you know how we get on.

Thanks again xXx

Oh and didn't know adenoids could grow back

Hello again went to ENT this morning and straight away they suggested dd comes into hospital within 6wks to have the lot sorted out in one go! So adenoids and tonsills removed and they will look at the ears and make a decision then about more gromits. Am happy but obviously anxious at the prospect of more surgery but fingers crossed this will really help longer term!
xXx

So glad you have a plan of action! Surgery is no picnic, but I bet it will help

Yes, adenoids can grow back...I sometimes wonder if dd's have, because she still gets very troubled breathing through her nose at night, and the snoring came back just months after the op. I wondered if she had allergeis last summer, but its pretty much all year round