Posted on October 22, 2007 - by Justin Hartman
Anaesthesia for my 4 year-old son?
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Ok I need help. A few weeks back we took Luke, my son, to the dentist. Apparently he suffers from the Hartman “weak-teeth” curse and now he needs some work done to some of his molar teeth.
The problem is this work can’t be done in the chair and the dentist has advised that we do this under general anaesthetic. We could barely get him to sit in the chair for the preliminary consultation to the Dentist so in my mind this does seem like the only way to resolve this issue.
That said I am crapping myself. This is the first time that I as a parent am faced with a really difficult decision and I’m lost for the right answer. On the one hand I know if we don’t resolve this now he’ll end up with teeth problems for the rest of his life but on the other hand I’m so worried that something goes wrong and I jeopardize his life as a direct result of this anaesthetic.
Luke is scheduled for this operation on Wednesday morning and I’m really getting the pre-op jitters.
Does anyone have any advice for me?
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October 22, 2007
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I can’t give you much advice as I am not a parent but I can tell you that I went under a few times before I was 5. Relatively (hehehe) I am perfectly fine although some may argue otherwise.
Had my tonsils removed at 3 and about 3 other surgeries and all went off without a hitch.
So I think that as warrented as your concern is, things will generally work out perfectly. If the doctors involved thought it would be a problem they would never suggest the surgery.
Have you been for a second opinion?
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October 22, 2007
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Thanks for your response Nic and for what it’s worth it does help me. I guess the issue here is letting go of control and when it comes to my son’s safety this is difficult for me to do.
I haven’t been for a second opinion because of cost… I already need to pay in like R2500 because medical aid don’t cover all of it.
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October 22, 2007
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Ye, it’s a killer that cost. All I can do is speak from my “experience” and as far as I have been told I have made it out OK!!
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October 22, 2007
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Yeah man its a tough issue. I know exactly how you feel as Ian was about 4 when he had to get grommets. He came through it without any side effects and today we’re happy we did it as he would have stayed sick and in pain constantly if we had not done it. Sometimes you just have to do what you think is best and hope and trust all will be okay. I cannot tell you nothing will go wrong, but there is on the flip side also no guarantees that something will go wrong.
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October 22, 2007
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I wouldn’t worry to much about it. I have had over 20 operations already and i’m fine. I had around 7 before i was 5 and the only side affect I had was nausea which was and still remains a bad after affect.
Good luck, i’m sure he will be fine though – anesthetist’s are very thorough in their pre-op exams and they wont sedate if they are concerned about something.
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October 22, 2007
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Thanks Stii and Ian. I guess a little faith is needed here and it’s good to hear from you guys that all went well
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October 22, 2007
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We had to take our 2 and half year old in the other day for a small op that required Anesthesia. It went 100% and we were a bit worried before hand, but the doctors were great and reassured us otherwise. We prepped her for it, and told her that she was going to be blowing up a balloon, which is what they have attached to the mask. When she woke up we were there, and gave her a balloon which we had bought from the gift shop. She was great when they were giving here the Anaesetic. I held her on my lap for a few minutes and I even got a wiff or 2
It is a tough choice to make, but these guys do this on a daily basis.
Good luck, and let us know how it goes
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October 22, 2007
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Thanks Marc, you’ve certainly helped me with how to handle this with Luke directly. Hopefully I too will get a wiff
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October 22, 2007
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Ooh, I feel for you. It is a very, very scary for a parent. I was absolutely finished when Adam had his tonsils out. The actual procedure is fine, but it is just such a mind f*ck for the parents.
Just a word of warning, when they come round from the anesthetic, they go a little crazy for a while. They scream hysterically, and seem not to know where they are or what is going on. They are disorientated and freak out a little, but they calm down after a while and then they are fine. Your son might not do this, but be warned that it might happen, and if it does, dont worry, they calm down after a while (few mins) and might even fall asleep again.
Good luck. Being a parent is like wearing your heart on the outside.
xx
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October 22, 2007
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I can't give you much advice as I am not a parent but I can tell you that I went under a few times before I was 5. Relatively (hehehe) I am perfectly fine although some may argue otherwise.
Had my tonsils removed at 3 and about 3 other surgeries and all went off without a hitch.
So I think that as warrented as your concern is, things will generally work out perfectly. If the doctors involved thought it would be a problem they would never suggest the surgery.
Have you been for a second opinion?
Visit My Website
October 22, 2007
Permalink
Thanks for your response Nic and for what it's worth it does help me. I guess the issue here is letting go of control and when it comes to my son's safety this is difficult for me to do.
I haven't been for a second opinion because of cost… I already need to pay in like R2500 because medical aid don't cover all of it.
Visit My Website
October 22, 2007
Permalink
Ye, it's a killer that cost. All I can do is speak from my “experience” and as far as I have been told I have made it out OK!!
Visit My Website
October 22, 2007
Permalink
Yeah man its a tough issue. I know exactly how you feel as Ian was about 4 when he had to get grommets. He came through it without any side effects and today we're happy we did it as he would have stayed sick and in pain constantly if we had not done it. Sometimes you just have to do what you think is best and hope and trust all will be okay. I cannot tell you nothing will go wrong, but there is on the flip side also no guarantees that something will go wrong.
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October 22, 2007
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I wouldn't worry to much about it. I have had over 20 operations already and i'm fine. I had around 7 before i was 5 and the only side affect I had was nausea which was and still remains a bad after affect.
Good luck, i'm sure he will be fine though – anesthetist's are very thorough in their pre-op exams and they wont sedate if they are concerned about something.
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October 22, 2007
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Thanks Stii and Ian. I guess a little faith is needed here and it's good to hear from you guys that all went well
Visit My Website
October 22, 2007
Permalink
We had to take our 2 and half year old in the other day for a small op that required Anesthesia. It went 100% and we were a bit worried before hand, but the doctors were great and reassured us otherwise. We prepped her for it, and told her that she was going to be blowing up a balloon, which is what they have attached to the mask. When she woke up we were there, and gave her a balloon which we had bought from the gift shop. She was great when they were giving here the Anaesetic. I held her on my lap for a few minutes and I even got a wiff or 2
It is a tough choice to make, but these guys do this on a daily basis.
Good luck, and let us know how it goes
Visit My Website
October 22, 2007
Permalink
Thanks Marc, you've certainly helped me with how to handle this with Luke directly. Hopefully I too will get a wiff
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October 22, 2007
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Hi Justin, my heart bleeds for you and your wife. One correction though – Ian was 8 months when he had his grommets put in (thanks Stii for noticing that …) Taking him into the ops room was quite a scary experience (please I don’t want to scare you, but rather prepare you). Ian had to sit on my lap whilst they were giving him anesthesia. They didn’t use a mask, only held the little pipe that’s blowing out the anesthesia in front of his nose/mouth area. Of course I felt like I on a high after a while. The worst feeling was the moment that you have to hand over that little body, your most precious possession ever, into the hands of a person you don’t really know. And all these awful thoughts come rushing through your mind. But everything worked out very well and when he woke up, he was very grumpy – cried a bit, but the moment he got hold of his dummy and “doek”, he was fine and fell asleep again. The doctors know exactly what they’re doing and would not put your child’s life in danger. It does ease one’s mind thinking that a professional anesthetist will be doing the most dangerous part of the job, and they know exactly what they are doing, and especially with kids – they are so much more carefull. All I can say is have faith in the people around you, the doctors and God. Good luck and let us know how everything worked out. We will be thinking of you 3.
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October 22, 2007
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Ooh, I feel for you. It is a very, very scary for a parent. I was absolutely finished when Adam had his tonsils out. The actual procedure is fine, but it is just such a mind f*ck for the parents.
Just a word of warning, when they come round from the anesthetic, they go a little crazy for a while. They scream hysterically, and seem not to know where they are or what is going on. They are disorientated and freak out a little, but they calm down after a while and then they are fine. Your son might not do this, but be warned that it might happen, and if it does, dont worry, they calm down after a while (few mins) and might even fall asleep again.
Good luck. Being a parent is like wearing your heart on the outside.
xx
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October 22, 2007
Permalink
Hi Justin, my heart bleeds for you and your wife. One correction though – Ian was 8 months when he had his grommets put in (thanks Stii for noticing that …) Taking him into the ops room was quite a scary experience (please I don't want to scare you, but rather prepare you). Ian had to sit on my lap whilst they were giving him anesthesia. They didn't use a mask, only held the little pipe that's blowing out the anesthesia in front of his nose/mouth area. Of course I felt like I on a high after a while. The worst feeling was the moment that you have to hand over that little body, your most precious possession ever, into the hands of a person you don't really know. And all these awful thoughts come rushing through your mind. But everything worked out very well and when he woke up, he was very grumpy – cried a bit, but the moment he got hold of his dummy and “doek”, he was fine and fell asleep again. The doctors know exactly what they're doing and would not put your child's life in danger. It does ease one's mind thinking that a professional anesthetist will be doing the most dangerous part of the job, and they know exactly what they are doing, and especially with kids – they are so much more carefull. All I can say is have faith in the people around you, the doctors and God. Good luck and let us know how everything worked out. We will be thinking of you 3.
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October 23, 2007
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Hi Justin,
My daughter had about 30 hours of anesthesia before she turned 3, and I was petrified. One of the complications can be the loss of short term memory, which I thought was a horrific consequence. Luckily, even after all that anesthesia, she is completely fine and there are no side effects what so ever.
However, I am very weary of putting her through any further procedure that requires anesthesia, unless it is ABSOLUTELY necessary. Earlier this year I caused huge havoc at the hospital where I refused consent for anesthesia, because I felt the options of a sedative were not explored enough. As it happened, a sedative turned out to be more than adequate. So my advice to you is this: 1) Anesthesia for young kids is something they can overcome easily 2) Follow your gut.
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October 23, 2007
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Hi Justin.
I see you already have tons of advice here, but I’ll add my 2 cents anyway. My son went for grommets at about 2 and then for tonsils out at 3 or 4 – both times were quite scary even though these are “routine”. He’s now 5 and happy and healthy. You said it perfectly yourself – just need faith to carry you through, I know that’s all that got me through it [yeah - losing control - funny how just the thought of it takes such a toll]. We’ll pray for you and your family!
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October 23, 2007
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Tertia, Eve, Belinda and Darren. You guys rock! Seriously, all your advice has helped me tremendously and I really really appreciate you guys taking the time to reply.
I guess the overall consensus here is that while it is a very scary thing for parents to go through there generally appear to be no major concerns. It is down to the professionals so I’ll put my trust in them… reluctantly
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October 23, 2007
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Hi Justin,
My daughter had about 30 hours of anesthesia before she turned 3, and I was petrified. One of the complications can be the loss of short term memory, which I thought was a horrific consequence. Luckily, even after all that anesthesia, she is completely fine and there are no side effects what so ever.
However, I am very weary of putting her through any further procedure that requires anesthesia, unless it is ABSOLUTELY necessary. Earlier this year I caused huge havoc at the hospital where I refused consent for anesthesia, because I felt the options of a sedative were not explored enough. As it happened, a sedative turned out to be more than adequate. So my advice to you is this: 1) Anesthesia for young kids is something they can overcome easily 2) Follow your gut.
Visit My Website
October 23, 2007
Permalink
Hi Justin.
I see you already have tons of advice here, but I'll add my 2 cents anyway. My son went for grommets at about 2 and then for tonsils out at 3 or 4 – both times were quite scary even though these are “routine”. He's now 5 and happy and healthy. You said it perfectly yourself – just need faith to carry you through, I know that's all that got me through it [yeah - losing control - funny how just the thought of it takes such a toll]. We'll pray for you and your family!
Visit My Website
October 23, 2007
Permalink
Tertia, Eve, Belinda and Darren. You guys rock! Seriously, all your advice has helped me tremendously and I really really appreciate you guys taking the time to reply.
I guess the overall consensus here is that while it is a very scary thing for parents to go through there generally appear to be no major concerns. It is down to the professionals so I'll put my trust in them… reluctantly
Visit My Website
October 24, 2007
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November 19, 2007
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