Advice for Mom Whose 15-Month-old Son Is Putting in Tubes This Friday

Hi A.,
I had tubes put in my ears when I was very young, but only after years of chronic infections. Because they waited so long to do the procedure, I lost 20% of my hearing and developed an allergic reaction to the cillin family so know that you are doing the right thing for your son. Once he comes out of general anastesia, he won't be in any pain, but he will be very out of sorts. He won't know where he is and will be very confused so expect some/lots crying. I had absolutely no pain though when I woke up and the tubes were already in place doing their thing.

I can't exactly recall how they are put it, however, I can tell you that to remove them, all the doctor did was poke something in my ear which caught the tube and pulled it out of my ear while I was awake- didn't hurt a bit!

As for the dairy, that might still be a good thing to limit/eliminate because of the congestion it causes in some people. I'm not sure about the excema connection but hopefully you are able to keep that under control as well. I'm sure you're scared but having been on your son's end of the issue, you are doing the kindest thing for him by eliminating the excruciating pain of the ear infections. GOOD LUCK to you both!

Have you thought about going to a chiropractor? My son had chronic ear infections also, from the time he was born. A doctor advised me to have tubes put in. I refused, I went to a chiropractor instead and believe it or not, it worked! He no longer needed the antibiotics or the surgery. Any time he showed symptoms, I took him for an adjustment and no ear infection.

People need to seek all avenues and educate themselves before putting their Babies on an operating table, which is far more dangerous and life threatening than a chiropractic adjustment.

If you are looking for an alternate to surgery, (putting the tiny tubes in your son's ears is a procedure, which takes place in an operating room and requires anesthesia) it is osteopathy. Please go on line and read about how ear infections can be alleviated by a hands on cranial osteopathic doctor. My son saw Dr. Virgina Johnson (based in Santa Monica/310-###-###-####)when he was 2 years old (he saw her once for two months) and it worked! The doctor, who was going to perform the tube surgery, was shocked by the improvement in my son's ears (but not supportive of my decision.) My son is now eight and hasn't had ear infections. He checks in with Dr. Johnson once a year. This may not be covered by your medical plan, but it is worth it to avoid surgery.

Also, cutting out diary helps and corn can produce mucus in some children, avoid it, remember corn syrup is in many foods.

All the best,
M.

My son had 3 sets of tubes, all done on out-patient surgery at Children's Hospital in San Diego. The amazing thing is that the surgery itself is really short and the recovery time was also short. The next day my son was his self. It's really not a bad surgery at all, I found. The hardest thing was not letting him eat or drink beforehand.

The tubes themselves are tiny, maybe half the size of a tiny screw head. My son's came out and it was hard to see! FYI - they are very different from the tubes they put in 10-15 years ago.

Here's how it went for us. We registered, they took his blood pressure, etc, met with us and then took him back for the surgery. About 15-30 minutes later the doctor met with us and reported on what happened. When he started to wake up, I sat with him and held him. He ate and drank a little and we went home. I think I gave him Tylenol and that's all he needed for pain. He will a little groggy, but that was it.

My son is autistic, so he's got a lot of other issues. But I always noticed a HUGE improvement in his hearing, speaking, mood, movement and behavior after he got the tubes. He was so relieved and balanced. So please be assured that your son will likely go through one semi-difficult day and then be happier without that fluid.

Our ENT said the ear plugs wouldn't be necessary unless he was swimming underwater in a lake. I think that because the tubes are so tiny now, the infection risk is tiny, too.

Regarding the dairy, his ENT thinks all kids should go off dairy. So see if it helps. There are so many substitutes available. Personally, I'm glad I treated my son's ear problems with tubes and changing his diet, not just doing one or the other.

Good luck and God bless!

My daugher had tubes put in when she was 2 - at the same time she had her tonsils removed. She never complained about her ears at all, except when we put the drops in - I guess it must have stung. But that only lasted a day or two and that was it. The tubes are extremely small - you cannot see them. We did not got plugs, we just bought the soft pliable ones at the store for when she was in the water. She continued to swim - no problem. They sometimes fell out which worried me. But, the Dr told me that clean water was not a problem (so I didn't stress in our private pool), it was bacteria in natural water that would be problematic (so I was much more careful in lakes, etc). My daughter has only ONE ear infection since and she's 6 now. And, the tubes have since fallen out. I know some people continue to have problems and have to have them put back in again, but we have not. It will be fine - good luck! By the way, a fish oil supplement will help the eczema. I gave my son the capsules, but your son is too young. But, I noticed they now sell them in gummy form; although I wonder if it's strong enough. Best wishes.

My son had tubes put in his ears 3 times before he was 18 months old. They were not visible -- they were tiny little tube shaped plastic, slightly tapered so that the bigger end was on the outside. That way, as the ear healed, it sort of slowly pushed the tubes out of the ear. They would eventually work their way out of his ears and need to be replaced.

The 3rd time they fell out, the doctor suggested having his adenoids taken removed to end the problem once and for all.

He never had trouble coming out of anesthesia. In fact, when he had his adenoids taken out, I promised him I'd take him to McDonalds when he was better (a very rare treat for him).

After the surgery the doctor warned that he might be groggy and that his throat would hurt and he might not be able to talk. When he first opened his eyes, he looked at me, smiled, and said, "let's go get French fries, okay?" :)

I wish now I had tried some alternative therapies, like NAET, but this all happened 35 years ago and I didn't have access to the information that the Internet provides mothers these days!

This too shall pass :)

Both my daughters have had tubes put into their ears for chronic ear infections. My oldest daughter was 4 when we did it. She was disoriented and a bit weepy coming off the anesthesia, but within minutes she was wondering where her popsicle that they promised was. My younger daughter was 2 when she had the procedure. She had a harder time coming off the anesthesia and was a bit combative and thrashing around. However, it only lasted a couple of minutes. Both were happy and energetic the rest of the day. We live in Hawaii and have a pool and go to the beach often and I have never used ear plugs for either of them. Our ENT said that the earplugs often leak, are uncomfortable and fall out. He said the tube openings are so small that with normal water activity water will not go into the tubes. Also, even if it does there will just be a momentary uncomforatble feeling, but really poses no health risk. My kids have greatly benefitted from having the tubes. We haven't had to go on antibiotics in years!!

Hi A.,

I actually had tubes put in my ears about 5 years ago (when I was 40 years old). I had an ear infection that wouldn't go away and the fluid wouldn't drain. The tubes look like a very small straw almost like the ones you use to stir coffee. They were only an inch or so long (I don't know if they are smaller for babies).

They first gave me IV antibiotic and anesthesia. I was told the operation only takes a short time. I woke up in my hospital room. I did not have any pain at all. However, I was dizzy when I first got up and threw up a couple of times. When I got home I took a nap and woke up feeling much better and was able to eat and I was fine from then on. It took a few weeks until my ears were completely clear but I did not have any problems with ear infections after that.

The doctor said I did not need ear plugs at all. Some water from bath time is ok. He just said not to dive and you won't be doing that with your 15 month old! Check with your doctor but ear plugs are probably not necessary.

The tubes stayed in for awhile. You have to remind any doctor looking in your son's ears that they are there so they don't disturb them. The tubes usually fall out on their own. I had one that didn't so the doctor took it out.

Good luck! I'm sure your son will be fine.

Hi A.,
Having tubes put in our son's ears was a great choice for him. They were placed at 9 months, after 8-9 infections, the last which failed to clear w/ 3 courses of antibiotics. We only had 2 very short lived infections after that until age 3 when they fell out. The tubes are very tiny for a baby, ours were about the width of a coffee stir straw, but only about 1/2 centimeter or less in length. At age 3 they fell out into his ear canal (we knew because he said there were "bees in my ears"), the Dr retrieved them painlessly, and the tiny holes had closed on their own. We took them home and that night the "tube fairy" came and left a little present for my son. The anesthesia was a little strange to come out of, he woke up crying and cranky, but I nursed him and he was fine. I don't remember him being inpain, but it could be that we gave him Tylenol or Motrin, I don't remember. We never used ear plugs, just never sumberged his head in water, as far as baths, we didn't have to be especially careful. The 2 ear infections were able to be cleared w/out antibiotics, just ear drops. The mucous that drains out of the ear canal is similar to nasal mucous...a little icky, but no pain and no fevers! He did have a little hearing loss in the high ranges until age 5, but now his hearing is completely normal (age 9 now). He did have a mild speech delay, but was up to speed by age 3. Since the tubes fell out at age 3 until now at age 9, we've only had 3 ear infections which had to clear w/ antibiotics, but at least now he can tell me if he's having pain or stuffy ears! Best of luck to you, I think you will and he will be glad you are doing this. ~~L.

Hi A., some one else had asked this same question just a couple of days ago and had a bunch of responses. My son had tubes put in when he was 15 months old. He had already had 8 ro 9 infections by the time the tubes went in. I was also a little scared about the surgery and everything. The surgery only takes 15 minutes and they don't really knock them out for it, they give them more like laughing gas type of stuff. My son did wonderful and the tubes were the best thing for him! After the surgery he was a little tired for about 30 minutes and then once the happy juice wore off he was ready to go. He had no pain at all and was fine! Believe me you will be glad that you are doing this! My son did have one infection after he had his tubes put in but it will drain out on by itself ( kind of nasty looking) and they will give you drops to put in your childs ears if he gets water in them. He will have to wear ear plugs when he goes in a pool and if you are worried about water getting in his ears when you give him a bath you can put them in during bath time but you really don't need too. Oh please to the surgery for your little guy, he will feel so much better and so will you. I could tell that my son felt so much better afterwards. The tubes will fall out on there own when your son doesn't need them anymore. Once they start to fall out it takes a couple of months for them to actually fall all the way out. My son is now 2 1/2 and one of his tubes just fell out a month or so ago and the other one is on it's way out. If you have anymore questions please ask me. God Bless you and your family!

Here's a story for you. My grand daughter Gwenevere started being sick non-stop when she was about 4 months old. You know the story from there better than I do I'm sure, and it resulted in her having tubes put in when she was about 9 months old. While the severity of her discomfort eased for a bit, she continued getting "sick" and instead of the doctors thinking it was always a cold or flu, they began to say it might be allergies. The doctors then decided she had asthma. The poor baby was receiving wave after wave of antibiotics, and antihistimines and tylenol, and motrin. She was still getting up several times a night. The poor thing thought this was "normal."

During this time I became aware of NAET (which stands for Nambudripad Allergy Elimination Techniques) and began to have my allergies cured. Then Gwen was treated for her allergies to dust and animals. Guess what? No more mucous! No more antibiotics and antihistamines and sleepless nights. She has since been treated for some other allergies as well and is a healthy, active, and very happy camper. This was all done about 8-9 months ago and the freedom for her is marvelous.

As the reason children get tubes in the first place is usually allergy related, I thought this information might result in your daughter's allergies being identified and cured. Then (if the reason for the tubes was allergy related, there would no longer be a need for the tubes, or worrying about getting water in her ears, etc., etc., etc.

My Doctor is Dr. David Karaba in Fullerton, with the East West Medical Group. By the way, the testing and treatment is non-invasive. By the way, Dr. Karaba is also a Christian man, and is the team physician for the ministry based soccer team, the California Seahorses.

Best wishes to you and yours

M.

I heard of many ear infections due to being allegic to milk/Dairy. Could this be the case did you start milk at 1 year. its been 3 months since he has been having these ear infections? If you decide to try do not do soy its not a whole lot better try rice milk or almond milk to substitute Just try to give more protein in other ways. Meats and beans and nuts but not peanuts yet wait a few. Its worth trying to avoid a surgery if you can. It should take 2-3 weeks for Dairy to be out of the system. Green veges like spinich and kale and sun will give him his vitamin D he needs and Orange juice and and other veges will give him his Vitamin C. You can also try vitamins just make sure they dont have milk in them as some do and good luck I hope its this and no surgery is needed. Just remeber its an all or nothing thing. You can't give Dairy in any way to find out if that is the cause.

My daughter had tubes at 15 months. We struggled with the same concern. All I can say is it was no big deal and we wish we had done it sooner. Her hearing improved immediately and she was so much healthier and happier. She grew out of the problem and has an occasional infections now. The hardest part about the little surgery was keeping her happy without any food until the appt. The surgery itself took about 10 min and she was happy and jumping on the bed in the recovery room within a half hour. The tubes are too small to see visibly and they fall out on their own. My Dr. said they would do the procedure with out any anesthesia if it wasn't inside their ear and the sounds of the instruments is too scary. It is a simple procedure. You won't regret it at all!!

I had tubes put in my ears when I was little. There is an additive they can add to the anthesia that will keep him from having nasea when he wakes up. When you talk to the anthesiaologist let them know you would like him to have it. As for having the tubes inserted I never felt any difference except for relief and the ability to hear again. Although that was not the end of the ear infections for me. It was not until they removed my tonsils and adnoids that everything cleared up. But for me the problem never completely went away I still get one to two infections a year and I am 28. Which is better than the constant infections. The ear plugs you need are silicon ear plugs that can be adjusted to your child. You can probally cut each plug into forths for his little ears and you fit it over the outside of the ear to seal it. I purchase them at walmart or any drug store. Not sure of the name on the box but I do know that it is in a slim, long box that is clear and has blue writing on it. Also I don't know about how they do it now but my tubes fell out so that might be something to watch for so that he doesn't swallow them. Oh and don't freak out if a new doctor tells you there is a lot of scar tissue in his ears after the surgury it is perfectly normal and chances are the infections caused more than the surgury it will not affect his hearing. Good luck and best wishes.

Have you tried putting garlic in your baby's ears? It really does work in fighting infection. I was skeptical at first but it works.

I had tubes in my ears as a kid as well and my mom wishes she never had it done but back then she didn't know any alternatives.

Best of luck. My ears and hearing are fine after having tubes so I'm sure you will be fine as well.

My daughter had tubes put in at 2 1/2. she was a little off after coming out of the anathetic. they made her drink apple juice to make sure she could keep it down and did not have a reaction. They provided a rocking chair and I sat and held her and rocked her. Her ear nose & throat dr. has were you can get fitted for ear pugs but I just got over the counter ones at walmart and walgreens. they were alot cheaper and were easier to replace. she has only had minimal infections since we have placed the tubes. she is now 7 and they are working their way out and we have had no problems. talk to the dr. that is going to place them. Mine was and is great. answered all my questions and made the expierence great.

Hi A., When I was 7, I had ear tubes inserted (along with tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy). I really don't remember any pain from that...from the tonsillectomy, yes.

My son ended up having 3 sets of tubes (the body eventually pushes them out). The tubes are tiny. It sounds like there is an allergy connection- since he has eczema. I too had an allergy connection, and my son had asthma as a child. Unless your son is lactose intolerant, or has a true food allergy- I don't think that cutting off dairy products will make much of a difference.

Don't let anybody talk you out of the ear tubes. You're right, that permanent hearing loss will result from unresolved infections. I've worked with a couple of kids who had their hearing damaged permanently because their parents didn't pursue myringotomy tubes.

My daughter has had two sets of tubes. She was born with a cleft of the soft palate and part of that includes some inability to drain fluid in her ears.
The first set was placed during her operation to close her palate, so hard to know where the pain was coming from when she was 1 year. The second set she was 5 or so, they gave her a liquid sedative before going to surgery. She didn't remember anything except the doctors taping her earrings (we couldn't get them off) and woke up fine. She was so excited that she could hear everything and asked me to turn down the radio because it was to loud. It was fabulous..she could hear me talking to her from the back seat of the car!
For earplugs we ordered online these silicone plugs, but only used them for swimming and really long baths.
Auqua something... sorry it was 6 years ago. :)

A.,
My son who's 34 months old had tubes put in last January. All has been well ever since, no infections, his ears drain well, I'm sure we did the right thing opting for the tubes. My only advice to you would be to brace yourself for the tantrum that may come when he's waking from anesthesia. My husband and I were warned by the Doctor and nurses that our very active but sweet little boy may wake from the procedure as a tantruming monster. When my son first woke up from the surgery, he went crazy, screaming, kicking, major tantrum/night terror type stuff. It was everything I could do to hold on to him, my husband had to take over because I wasn't strong enough. After about ten minutes he calmed down, fell back to sleep and awoke his normal self. The medical staff assured me it was a very common reaction to the anesthesia. We were warned, but I really wasn't ready for the reality of it. Just a heads-up so you don't panic like I did.
Blessings,
L.

Hi A.,

I would want to know what is causing the inflammation in the ears so at some point highly recommending you have a blood test that is an IgG which will test the auto immune reponses to 105 different foods (Immunolabs in Florida). Cutting out all dairy and soy would be a first on my list:o)

Second and very important - for our children and ourselves - nitrous oxide is not a good thing to use to be put to sleep. Ask about Propofal or Versed. Nitrous Oxide depletes your body of its natural defenses and Vitamin B. Might be the reason for the children having such a hard time waking up afterwards. This is especially important for the children on the autism spectrum.

Make sure you get lots of liquids and antioxidants in before and after any surgery.

see my website for bath products to use instead of those steroid creams - email me for a discount. Body Washes instead of soap. Sensaria lotions has no petroleums in them. Freshening Mist for when it gets really bad. www.mysensaria.com/J.

We've been through the tubes three times until we learned what else we could do. Not fun when they woke up but it does pass.