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Original poster

ds has to have grommits ..................

24 replies

Northerner · 18/02/2004 10:48

Went to see the specialist again yesterday, and he has reccommended ds has grommits after months and months of nasty ear infections, persistant fluid in his ears, and horrible smelly discharges. I know it will improve things greatly but am still really anxious about the whole operation and the general anisthetic (sp?). Am sure some of you guys have some encouraging stories for me. His operation is on 7th April. 2 days after his 2nd birthday.

OP posts:
Eve · 18/02/2004 11:38

....what were his problems?

We have just managed to get a referral to a specialist as DS1 has constant ear discharge in his left ear, he has had this for 12 months or so.

Antibiotics have no affect, he has had lots and they don't clear anything up. It does seem to get better for a while, then for a few days he will be in pain (pressure building in the ear I think) then smelly discharge....ear drum bursting we think.

What else have to tried wand what did the specialist look at?

jimmychoos · 18/02/2004 11:39

Northerner - just a thought, my daughter had constant ear infections from about 4 months old to a almost a year. She's now 17 months and has got through the last few months with no ifections, despite having loads of colds (brought home from nursery by big brother!)What has really helped her I think is cranial osteopathy. I would recommend it - her consultant suggested trying it before going down the grommets route and it seems to have really helped.

Original poster
Northerner · 18/02/2004 11:44

Hi Eve.

My ds has had recurring ear infection for the past year. Lots of pain, and a smelly discharge once the drum bursts (thus relieving the pain)He has had lots of infections including a 6 week course prescribed by the specialist, which inturn gave him oral thrush ;(

This is the third time we have seen the specialist, the first time he recognised there was a problem but wanted to wait to see if the problem corrected itself. 2nd time he prescribed the 6 week course of antis b's, and this time he's agreed to grommits. Ds has persistant fluid in both ears which in turn effects his hearing. He has had hearing tests at each appointment and each time they have described his hearing as 'slightly down'.

How old is your ds?

OP posts:
Original poster
Northerner · 18/02/2004 11:46

Jimmychoos we have tried cranial osteopathy, I might be a bit of a sceptic but IMO it didn't help at all. Before each session she would look in his ears and say how the situation was improvng, but medical people saw no improvement.

OP posts:
jimmychoos · 18/02/2004 11:53

Northerner....yes, it's hard to say whether the cranial osteopathy 'has' worked or whether my ds has just got bigger and the problem has righted itself....I guess you've exhausted the other options and grommets are the best way forward for you. I wish you luck anyway - in my experience operations are far worse for the parents than the children themselves - am sure your little one will be fine and so happy not to be ill so often.

pamina3 · 18/02/2004 12:38

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
Northerner · 18/02/2004 12:42

I think long term problems can occur if after the infection fluid is still persistant in the ear.

OP posts:
Helsbels · 18/02/2004 13:25

My ds had grommits at 18m or thereabouts. Had the same symtons as your ds. He has been so much better since, colds remain as colds without turning into nightmares. He is a happier child altogether. The few minutes (and that is all it was) of worry whilst he was away from us paled in comparison to the brighter, pain free baby we got back. The staff were lovely, he was eating toast half an hour after he came out of recovery. Good luck - it is difficult to be calm but the rewards outweigh the trauma!! PS ds is now 2.5, they are still in place and there are no problems

Eve, I found the only way to get anywhere was complte bloody minded persistence. Keep going back and don't take no for an answer. No=one knows your child as well as you do {{}}

Original poster
Northerner · 18/02/2004 13:35

Thanks Helsbels, that is really reassuring.

OP posts:
Bozza · 18/02/2004 13:46

My DS had them last May aged 2.3 after persistently failing hearing tests from 7 months. He rarely had pain in his ears but lots of colds and I think he suffered some undiagnosed ear infections (had one when we went for the one month post-op check and I'd just said all was fine..). One of them actually came out last week so I'm hoping that he won't need them replacing.

His speech came on immediately post-op. He definitely started hearing things he hadn't heard before. Like a bus on the main road while we were in the kitchen for instance. "whats that mummy".

The op was obviously not much fun but fine for him. We had to starve him but that wasn't too bad as he sleeps reasonably and we had to be at the hospital for 7.30 am so left him to the last minute and then put him in the car in his pjs. The youngest children are first on the list so this will proabably work in your favour. DS was second but obviously the ops are very quick.

Actually I think there was another thread on this that might be useful. Will see if I can find it.

Original poster
Northerner · 18/02/2004 13:49

Thanks Bozza. We have to be at the hospital for 7.30am also, and he's not allowed any fluid/food from midnight the night before. I'm dreading this bit as he demands his milk the second he's awake.

OP posts:
Bozza · 18/02/2004 13:50

here it is

Bozza · 18/02/2004 13:52

What time does he normally wake up Northerner? Could you sort of put him in the car half asleep? I do think it is better to get it out of the way in the morning because at least much of the fasting is while they are asleep. My DS also had an op 2 days before his first birthday and I felt bad about not letting him have his milk then.

Helsbels · 18/02/2004 13:54

we had that too, Northerner, ds loves his breakfast!!However, as Bozza says they go as fast as they can and youngest went first at our hospital too. Also, we were ready when he woke up and whipped him into the car with a new toy (I know - bribery but I love it!) - he was excited when we got to the hospital and before we knew it he was back with us. Starting to cry now at the memory of seeing his lovely little face when they bought him back - I was so relieved!!! It is also worth remembering that this is the most common op in under 5's so these people have loads of experience of toddlers and they all really seem to care and understand xx

Luckymum · 18/02/2004 19:30

Northerner my ds1&2 both had grommits (also tonsils and adenoids out) they were different children afterwards particularly ds2 who was previously very difficult behaviour-wise. Ds1 had speech problems prior to surgery and continued with speech therapy for a short while afterwards. They were kept overnight in hospital (for the tonsils side of things) and the only problem we had was the nil by mouth beforehand......ds1 compalined all morning that he hadn't had his cornflakes

crystaltips · 18/02/2004 19:39

Don't have time to look at all the posts - but would like to give you my experience.

DD ( now 8 ) has had 5 sets of grommits I got worried as I thought that it was the surgons fault that so many were needed - but second and third opinions have told me that it can be "luck of the draw" as to how long they last.... anything from 12 months to X years ... DD was just unlucky.

The change in DD was remarkable once her grommits were in!!

SHe had so many problems before, including :

  • reduced hearing
  • ear infections
  • adenoid and tonsil related problems

After grommits she was a different child ....

Word of advice - it can be a bit alarming when you are with him as he goes under with the anesthetic so just take care.

Recovery time after the "op" is quick and calpol will solve the discomfort.

Good Luck ... any other questions - just give me a shout .... ( dab hand at it !! )
DD has now ( thankfully ) outgrown needing grommits - their ear tubes get bigger after a while and can cope with the gunge ...!!

robinw · 19/02/2004 04:56

message withdrawn

BosworthBear · 19/02/2004 06:04

DD had her first ear infection at 3 months and they just carried on occuring, smelly, messy and causing pain. She had grommets at 12 months and a second set and adenoids removed at 25 months. Both operations had immiediate and good results, she doesn't cry alot but was obviously happier after both operations, the adenoids were removed because this is supposed to reduce the chance of infection (recent research according to our consultant). Recovery was quick but we were advised to keep her out of nursery for a week to reduce chance of infection in the short term.

Bozza · 19/02/2004 08:57

Didn't know that Bosworthbear. DS has had two ops (first cyst on face) and not missed any nursery fr either! The cyst was on a Monday and I booked the Tuesday off work assuming that he would need a day of recovery but in the end he was so totally fine. The grommets were on a Friday and he goes Tues-Thurs and I didn't even consider making arrangements that time.

I am currently at the point of wondering if DS is getting deafer again or just ignoring me!

Eve · 19/02/2004 09:05

My DS is 18 months and is on a course now of antibiotics for 2 weeks. (the banana flavoured ones)

They did take a culture of his ear, and he was given some vile flavour antibiotics which we could not get into him at all. The resistance of a small child is incredible!!

How do doctors decide when grommits are necessary and when they will simply grow out of the infections?

Original poster
Northerner · 14/04/2004 11:24

Just thought I'd update you all. Ds had his operation last Wednesday and it was far more harrowing for me then for him. He is absolutley fine. 10 minutes after coming out of theatre he was running around the ward. His speech is dramatically improved, he has not stopped talking or singing since. His pronunciation is so much clearer. So glad we had it done.

OP posts:
coppertop · 14/04/2004 11:26

Great news, Northerner.

Eve · 14/04/2004 13:08

Good to know that, we are awaiting an appointment with the consultant and he is on antibiotics again.

In the meantime I have started DS with some cranial osteopathy. He had his 1st session last night nad found it so relaxing he fell asleep.

Helsbels · 14/04/2004 13:19

I'm so pleased Northener, my ds has been a different child since his grommits, ,long may they stay put

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