Grommets - Anyone's child had them multiple times?

[Electric Rodeo]

Would love to hear your experiences.

My DS(2yo) is going in for his second set in a year in 2 days time (Tuesday).

He had his first lot at 12 months, tonsils and adnoids taken out 8 months later and now 4 months on he needs the grommets back in.

They fell out roughly 6-8 weeks ago and in that time he has had 3 infections, heading toward his 4th:(

I know he needs them was curious as to how often other people's children had had them put in.
Was once enough for an improvement?
How long in between OP's?
Did you find them beneficial?

My Ds is like a new kid when they are in, hoping for more of an improvement this time round as the Ton/ads are gone so he can't get throat infections instead like he was.

My brother had them 13 times, my sister 7 times so seems to be in the family:rolleyes: Even though DH and I have never had an ear infection in our life.

Would love to hear about other people's experiences good and bad.:goodvibes:

[Opaque]

My DS has had 2 ops for grommets. He turns 2 in a couple weeks. His first lot of grommets only last 6 months. After his first op, he was such a different child, after seeing the difference, it really hit home how much pain he must have been in day to day. I also knew as soon as the grommets were out - he reverted back to his old self.

Second lot of grommets have now been in for 4 months, the ENT said this lot should last hopefully 12 months rather than 6 months.

Has just had his first serious ear infection with the grommets in, GP can't see grommets in the left ear now, so waiting til Thurs this week to see if the swelling and debris has gone and they can hopefully see a working grommet still in... Although having my doubts as his ear, just like exploded clear fluid before I got him to the Dr for the ear infection...

[Penthesilea]

My daugher, who is older than your child, avoided grommets by using otovent. You can google it. We had it ordered by the pharmacy. It worked.

[Electric Rodeo]

My DS has had 2 ops for grommets. He turns 2 in a couple weeks. His first lot of grommets only last 6 months. After his first op, he was such a different child, after seeing the difference, it really hit home how much pain he must have been in day to day. I also knew as soon as the grommets were out - he reverted back to his old self.

Second lot of grommets have now been in for 4 months, the ENT said this lot should last hopefully 12 months rather than 6 months.

Has just had his first serious ear infection with the grommets in, GP can't see grommets in the left ear now, so waiting til Thurs this week to see if the swelling and debris has gone and they can hopefully see a working grommet still in... Although having my doubts as his ear, just like exploded clear fluid before I got him to the Dr for the ear infection...


Sounds just like my DS when they just revert back to old behavour. He'd been poking along beautifully and then the night waking started again etc. Of the recent infections he's had his ears have leaked a green fluid, not pretty.

I was surpirsed the grommets stayed in that long(10 months) for DS, I thought it would be more like 6 months.

Hope they find that the grommet is still in your DS's ear and working. :goodvibes:
It causes them so much greif when they aren't.



Penthesilea the otovent looks interesting.
I'm glad your DD could avoid the surgery. Seems like the only option for us, and it has worked in the past. He has ear infections so often they have become routine.:(

[mim1]

My brother had them 6 times before he was 6. Each time it was worth it - less infections, better hearing.

My ds had his first set at 15 months and hasn't needed replacement ones despite them being blocked from the age of 2. Yeah, his are still in, just not working. He's had maybe 3 infections in that time, but they've all cleared within days (unlike before he had grommets) so it appears his normal tubes are working at least a little bit. First hint of speech or hearing issues though and we'll be taking him in for his 2nd set.

Speaking of which I think he has an ENT appointment soonish, should ring and find out.

[WorkingClassMum]

DS had three sets b/w the age of 13 months and 3 1/2 yo.

DS still got ear infections, but the grometts sto his ear drum bursting each time.

After the second set, we got in the car and he begged us to turn the radio down :eek:, we were gobsmacked.

Unfortunately the repeated EI's before and inbetween grommets did scar his ear drums, but steroidal drops have cleared up most of the scarring

At 8yo, his hearing is only so very slightly under normal that it is considered normal as the Dr expects that there are many kids who've never had their hearing tested.

[Electric Rodeo]

My brother had them 6 times before he was 6. Each time it was worth it - less infections, better hearing.

My ds had his first set at 15 months and hasn't needed replacement ones despite them being blocked from the age of 2. Yeah, his are still in, just not working. He's had maybe 3 infections in that time, but they've all cleared within days (unlike before he had grommets) so it appears his normal tubes are working at least a little bit. First hint of speech or hearing issues though and we'll be taking him in for his 2nd set.

Speaking of which I think he has an ENT appointment soonish, should ring and find out.

Yeah appts are made so far in advance they are hard to keep track of:)

I find ear infections for DS aren't as bad when he has the grommets in. He will wake at night and be perhaps a little unwell but he doesn't get the screamy inconsolable pain he used to.
I guess cause his ears can breathe/drain as opposed to when they aren't in.

Just need to get through tonight and tomorrow night with no night waking as tomorrow night he will have to fast and I can't ofer him a milk to go back to sleep.

[Electric Rodeo]

DS had three sets b/w the age of 13 months and 3 1/2 yo.

DS still got ear infections, but the grometts sto his ear drum bursting each time.

After the second set, we got in the car and he begged us to turn the radio down :eek:, we were gobsmacked.

Unfortunately the repeated EI's before and inbetween grommets did scar his ear drums, but steroidal drops have cleared up most of the scarring

At 8yo, his hearing is only so very slightly under normal that it is considered normal as the Dr expects that there are many kids who've never had their hearing tested.

That's true, most people wouldn't have their kids hearing checked so would never know. DS has some hearing loss at present but it is not of concern so I guess the level is acceptable:confused:

As this has been going on for nealry 2 years he does have a speech delay but I have seen recent improvements and I'm sure that will continue after this next set when he can hopefully hear properly again.:goodvibes:

[justmum]

This is so interesting my DS gets his first set a week tomorrow (17th).

We are very excited as he has had between 20 and 25 documented (sorry lost track of the exact number) ear infections in 18 months.

He has had 2 periods of glue ear - this last period hasn't cleared despite lots of different non surgical treatments so we are going in for the surgery now.

I had him assessed by a speechie a while ago and she said he's about 5 - 6 months behind his peers.

He wakes about 5 times a night and cries a lot. He also smacks, pushes, bites and kicks other children.

I am really hoping the grommets help him and us :gloomy: We're all at wits end.

[Electric Rodeo]

Hi Justmum,

I can sympathise with everything you mentioned in your post. I honestly think grommets are beneficial and I beleive you will see a big change in your DS after he has the op done.

How old is your little guy??

All the best for next MOnday, I'd love to hear how it goes and what changes you notice in him.

:goodvibes:

[jag5000]

wow.. that otovent thing sounds great! I myself have problems with glue ear. I'm going to get a balloon to try it myself. thanks for the info :)