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Grommits and anasthetics

6 replies

Laces · 30/04/2010 22:10

dd is 5 years old and has just been diagnosed reduced hearing in both ears, as we think she has had it for quite a while the ENT consultant has decided to go straight for grommits so I just have a couple of questions.
How long do the grommits generally last, I've read that they can outgrow the condition at about 12, but thats another 7 years away, what if the first lot don't permanently clear the glue ear, how many times are they prepared to insert grommits?
My second question is how do they anethatise (sp?) a five year old? If they try with a needle and canula she is going to be hysterical, or can they still use those masks? She's already got hysterical about going in (fear of drs due to bloods being done at 2 for complications due to herpatic gingivitis and witnessing her brother having to have blood tests and canulas fitted into his hand and eventually his foot last year due to suspected meningitis - we had no cildcare, so no choice about her being there!)I've old her that its been cancelled for now and not planning on telling her until we're in the hospital for it to be done! Can anyine help? Thanks in advance!

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
kreecherlivesupstairs · 01/05/2010 08:56

Not sure how many sets your dd can have, mine had hers done just before christmas and they are apparently on the move now.
As far as the hospitalisation goes, our dd was away from the ward for about45 minutes in total. Your hospital should have a day where those kids who are due to be admitted are shown around. Emla cream would stop the cannulation fears (local anaesthetic). Our dd got a teddy from the hospital with a bandage on its ear. Maybe you could get one for dd in advance.
Good luck

mummytomatildaandrose · 03/05/2010 09:50

Laces - I've just spotted your post and thought I should reply. Grommits are basically a very effective way of allowing the ear to get rid of all the gunk inside. But they don't cure the reason why the gunk is there. I had grommits until I was 16!!! I think that is a bit extreme, but as a mother of a child who might have impaired hearing due to glue ear (we are still getting investigations done) I have looked at alternative solutions as I am not prepared to let her go through what I went through. So, I have sought out help from a homeopath to sort out her various illnesses. Whether you believe in homeopathy or not (I really didn't until I saw it work on my 18 month old) it is worth an investigation as a homeopath may be able to prevent the glue ear from coming back.

Stripycat23 · 04/05/2010 09:57

Thx Laces and Kreecher.

My DS is booked in for his visit next week and his op not long after. Did you give him the teddy before or after he went in?

kreecherlivesupstairs · 04/05/2010 10:10

DD was given the teddy when she arrived on thw ward. She thought it was the best thing she'd ever seen (all 12 cm of it) but she has lost it now.
I remember in the dim and distant past she read a book about hospitalisation. I think it was Topsy and Tim.

mattellie · 05/05/2010 16:17

Don?t know how many you can have but DD had 3 lots which each lasted between 6 and 18 months, and anecdotally I have heard of DCs having more than that.

Her first two lots of grommits (about 3 and about 5) she had gas, so I?m sure you could have that if you mention it to the hospital. By the third time she was an old hand (lots and lots of hospital visits) so just had an injection.

They will probably want to put a cannula in, but as others have said they?ll put Emla cream on about an hour beforehand so it should be pretty numb.

Janbo25 · 05/05/2010 16:21

My son's got his pre op on friday and is due to go in for his first lots of grommits on Monday he is also only 5.

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