Chronic Ear Infections - New Baltimore,MI

Well I had it done as a child Many ears ago, and I am fine. It seems like there will have to be plugs for swimming. My stepdaughter also just went through it...wasn't even sleepy or sick when she was done! Good luck

Hi D.,
I went through the same thing with my older daughter, she was about 14 months and had to get tubes. I was completely freaked out about the whole thing and it was all for nothing. The worst part for me was the first stuff they give her to make her groggy, because she real wobbly, but it goes by real quick. I think she was in and out within 20 minutes and we were allowed to go back and be with her. I realized I was freaked out for nothing. Now on the better side of things, she is now 3 years old and hasn't had a single ear infection since. :) Hope I helped a little.
Good luck,
J.

I will have to say when I was a child I had SEVERAL ear infections and as soon as I had tubes put in I verl seldom had ear infections. If they continue why wait until he is older and have suffer through more ear infections. I had no problems with the tubes

3 cheers to us mom's over 35!! Both of my children had tubes put in and my son was out of surgery before I even finished crying. I was a little bit easier on ME when my dtr had hers. Both kids recovered within hours and it was the best decision I ever made. My 7 yo son still struggles with ear infections. He has had 5 since Christmas. We recently had his tonsils and adenoids removed and a month later he had another infection. They only time he was infection free was when he had the tubes in. We are hoping for a break in the infection this summer and waiting for him to outgrow this! Good luck to you. Believe me, this will be harder on you than your child. Nothing can prepare for when you have to give your child and trust to someone else. Let us know how it went.
L.

Good Morning!! My son just had tubes put in last week, and everything went really well. The procedure took 15 minutes. It is so little invasive that they did it in his regular cloths. I was suprised that he didn't have to even get into a hospital gown. They gave him gas to put him out and then sprayed pain medicine up his nose and within 10 minutes after his surgery he was out of the sedation. My son did really well, and by the time we got home he was playing with his sister like nothing had happened. While they were doing the surgery they found he had another double ear infection, and I think most of his irritable behavior was from that, not the surgery!! Your son will be fine!!! Good lluck to you!!

Getting tubes in the ear is not something to freak out about. I personally have had tubes in my ears and now both of my kids (5&2) had tubes put in their ears back in may of 06. All the doctors did for my kids was to give them a medicine to relax them before surgery, took them in the operating room for about 20 mins with no tubes in the thoat for breathing and then they went to the recovery room and was up about 30 mins later. My daughter and son both had 7 ear infections in 3 months. My kids have not had a single ear infection since this surgery. The only thing that you will have to watch is how much water gets in the ear. They will give you ear drops to put in if water gets in them. Both of my kids have to wear ear plugs if they go into the pool. Your son will do just fine if he has to have this done. I know its rough seeing your kid in a hospital having to have surgery. Just remember that it is for the best if he has to have it done. Any other questins feel free to ask!

I am a firm beleiver of trying everything first before resorting to surgeries. If you Dr. says tubes, then find a Chiropractor in your area and try that first to see if it helps alleviate the problem. My son is 2 and goes to our Chiro for well checks and has never had 1 ear infection ever.
I went my entire first pregnancy and had a wonderful pregnancy. I though t I might try to skip it this on and I has thrown more stuff out than I can to think about so I am back on a routine again.
Good luck!
C.

Hi D.,
I haven't been in your situation, believe it or not, my 13 month old daughter has not had 1 ear infection. I thought she did, but when I took her to the Dr for it, he said she was fine and that she just liked to tug on her ear! :)
My nephew on the other hand had ear infections all of the time. He has a twin sister that was talking up a storm and he wasn't saying anything but a grunt. They put the tubes in his ears, which was nothing for him (and he is kind of a whimp) and within a week he was saying 5 words. He was having problems hearing. So just know that if it tubes that they want to do, it would be a good thing to do and that it will be harder on you than him.

By the way, when I read your profile, I thought I was reading mine. I am also 36 and waited 5 1/2 years for my daughter, had 4 miscarriages and have a beautiful 13 month old daughter who is my miracle! Congratulations on your Miracle! I guess we are not alone!

Fortunately this has not happened with my two kids, but I worked in a daycare for 2 years and about 10-15 kids had to have tubes!! Every single one of them did so much better afterwards!!!! The only unpleasant thing about it that i know of, is that afterwards his ears will "drain" til they clean out, but I don't think that lasts very long!! I wish you the best!!!!!!!!!

Like you, I had a child who had recurrent ear infections and was nervous about surgery. I even made sure I got a second opinion. In our case, they were only supposed to remove the adnoids. But as soon as they got in, they realized that she was starting another one, so they put in temporary tubes as well. Things were rough in the recovery room for her (she was vomiting quite a bit, and was confused about why she felt so bad), but I was amazed that by the evening, she was acting very much like normal. I think it was much more tramatic for me than it was for her! As far as the tubes went, they really gave her no trouble and fell out on their own. After the surgery she never got another infection again. So in the end, I was glad she had it done. We had her procedure done at Children's Hospital, and everyone there was great with her. If you have any more questions, I would be happy to answer.Good luck and I wish you the best!

J.

My daughter, now 6, had a double ear infection that would not go away, so they put tubes in. She, too, did not show the usual signs of an ear infection (we only found out what she had it when she was checked out). The surgery itself was very easy on her, h*** o* me (I have never had surgery). She has since had 2 more tube surgeries (left ear) and has a hole in her right ear drum from the tube in that ear. They are waiting to close that up, hoping it will heal while she grows so they don't have to do surgery. After all 3 surgeries, she was fine the day of the surgery and the day after, but developed a fever on day 3.

The last 2 surgeries, she also had her adenoids removed(they were taken out, grew back larger so removed again). The adenoid surgery was far worse then the tube surgery (throat pain).

I would see if there is anything else you can do before doing the tube surgery. After the first surgery, a nurse said that putting kids on allergy meds can prevent ear infections (less drainage from sinuses). I wish I would have known and tried that. I don't regret the surgeries, but I regret that we don't seem to be able to fix the problem :)

We were told after her first surgery that more and more kids are developing ear infections while the tubes are in place, which defeats the purpose of the surgery in the first place, so having the surgery may not, in fact, solve the problem.

Hi D.,

This procedure has been performed for over 35 yrs. It is very minor and it is going to bring a lot of relief to your child.The reson he gets the ear infectiond so frequently is the Eustacian tubes are short and fluid builds up behind the tympantic membrane (eardrum) the fluid gets bacteria in it and the infection sets in. The child will out grow the ear infections in time usually around age 7-8. The tubes fall out after a short period of time and it is not abnormal for a child to go thru the procedure a few times. It is such a relief for the child. Do not hesitate.

T.

I am a mother of 4: 6, 5, 2, and 8 months. My 5 and 2 year old have both had tubes after battles with ear infections. The difference is unbelievable. No more anti-biotics and their speech did a 360 in about two weeks. I know the sur. is scarey, but they are only under the anethestic for 15 to 30 minutes, and by the afternoon you would not even know they had surg. They have actually each had two sets of tubes, because they fall out after about a year. Hope that helps.

my 2 yr old has had tubs twice now, she is not sick as much any more also the surgry only take 15 mins and you are with the child right up to the point that they put them to sleep, when they cry it is better they get more of the gas that way and it takes less time. you will be fine. so will your child.

I think my DD had 8 infections before she got tubes. She got them in last spring when she was about 14 months old. She's also severly allergic to penicillin, so I was 100% for getting tubes.

The surgery is FAST! She was done in like 5 minutes. They gave her a whiff of gas to "put her out" but only so she didn't move. She was back to her normal self by the afternoon.

She still gets EI's. And some have been HORRIBLE. The nice thing is, the fluid drains, so she's not in pain. And her ped will just call in ear drops so no trips to the ped when she gets them. She's had one terrible EI this year. The ped couldn't believe the amount of ooze. It was pretty gross.

I'm glad we got tubes. And I'll put them in again if she needs them.

D.,

My 14 month old daughter had tubes put in 4 weeks ago and has not had an ear infection yet! The surgery is really quick - about 10 minutes. The make a little slit in the ear drum and slip in the tubes. They took her away, then about 10 minutes later the doctor came in and told me everything went well. About 20 minutes later shee cam back to the room and was awake and happy (although a little sleepy). The next day our family went on a trip and she had no problem. Tubes have been great for her! Good Luck! S.

One of my sons had tubes put in his ears when he was little, that was about 16 years ago. It was a very simple procedure and I'm sure it's alot easier today. He experienced no problems. It actually helped him very much. He also has a heart condition and did at the time. No matter what kind of surgey your child goes thru as a mom you will stress out. But I'm glad he had them because they really helped.We didn't even know when they fell out. Meaning that the tubes had done what they needed to and they come out or dissolve away. Good luck.

my son will be 2 in july and last month he had tubes put in. the surgery was very quick maybe 10 minutes from start to finish. he was completly fine. they make a small incision in the ear and insert the tube. i was able to hold my son while he was being put to sleep and walked out into the waiting room got a pop and the surgeron was coming out to tell us he was done. it is such a common surgery now adays there is nothing to be worried about.

Hi, my son was the same way until he had tubes at 15 months. Ever since then he hasn't had one single ear infection. The procedure isn't that bad. I wish I could explain it. He was in and out of the surgery in 10 minutes, its a very fast procedure and he was up and playing after it. For my son the tubes made him so much happier. Good luck with whatever they suggest.

Hi Deoborah -

We went through this last winter with our daughter. She was only 7 months when they put her tubes in(after 3 months of pretty much continuous ear infections). It really was much easier than we expected. The whole thing took less than 15 minutes. The hardest part was not letting her eat before.

We went in with her, they marked which ear was to be done (in our case both), we waited a few minutes until they were ready to take her back, then the nurse that was with us took her and we went to the waiting room. We were there maybe 10 minutes max(and that's being generous) and they called us back saying they were done. The nurse that had taken her back was still with her and trying to settle her down (they waited to bring us back until the anesthesia wore off a bit. They brought us some apple juice for her to drink and told us that they had given her some Tylenol and when we could give her more if she acted like she needed it. They also let us bring her favorite 'lovey' and let her take that back with her when they did the procedure (plus her pacifier).

They recommended that both my husband and I come, so that one of us could ride in the back with her on the way home, in case she got sick - but she didn't. By the time we got home, she was ready to eat and was very happy the rest of the day - and we have been ear infection free for the last year!!!!

We found that the doctor and nurses were very friendly, and re-assuring and gave us as much information as we wanted to make us comfortable. It really was a (for lack of a better word) 'pleasant' experience.

Hope this helps.

J.

Hello,

Do not worry about the surgery. My daughter had the same surgery 3 months ago, when she was 15 months. It is simple and quick. The doctor will make a small incision in the ear canal, while the child is under anthesia and drop the tube in. The tube is the size of a small bead. By the time my husband and I went to the waiting room, the doctor came to get us. She was a little droggy, but was in good spirits. She slept most of the surgery day, but was ready to go the next day.

My daughter has the same disposition as your son. We never new she had ear infections unless we layed her down. She would get infections every month. Since the tubes, she has not had one infection. They were a blessing. Good luck and don't worry. I know it's scary, but it will be the best thing for him.

Both of my boys had chronic ear infections (over 6 in a year) and yes, the ENT did recommend tubes. At the time my children had them, they were 6 months old and 2.5 years old. The surgery was very quick and they both had no problems. The tubes prevented further ear infections, and they haven't had any real ear problems since then. The only precaution with tubes is to keep water out of the ears (which the doctor will tell you). We used ear plugs and neoprene headbands (both) in the bathtub as well as the pool.

Hi there,
My 5 year old son had tubes put in his ears when he was 18 months old. It was the best thing we could have done for him. We went for 3 years with no ear infections. The surgery went very well, he just had a problem with the medicine they were giving him. He had a reaction to it. I think you will be amazed at how the tubes increase there hearing as well. Good Luck. S. T

The ear tube surgery is no big deal. It is over in way less than an hour. The only reason taht they have to sedate the kdis is so they dont move.. Tehy put ear tubes in adults in the drs office with no anesthesia.

The tubes will fall out in time and they are so small they you will probably never find the tube- or even know that it is gone.

Before they go to tubes - sometimes they can give the child a dose of antibiotics every night for a month or so to keep them from getting an infection..Sometimes just keeping them infection free for a while is enough to break the cycle of ear infections. Most children do have less infections in the summer months. as there are less colds going around.

Maybe your son will stay healthy in the summer.

Also my friends son (he is older 10 years) was prescribed a steriod nasal spray to prevent ear infections-sounds strange but it worked... the steriod nasal spray kept his sinuses open and draining - so the fluid did not back up in his ears.

So there are other treatments to try before they get to ear tubes.

No fear D.. It will make a world of difference. Your son is suffering with the ear infections and the surgery will relieve all of that. It definately will be harder on you than your son. Be strong and go through with it. You'll be glad you did!

D.,
Take a deep breath and relax for a second. My brother had tubes put in his eas when he was 16 months (or around there) and he did just fine. The surgery is pretty short and painless. Your son will be just fine if he has to have tubes put in his ears. Enjoy your son and know that he'll be an even happier kid without the ear infections. Good luck.

Hi D. D! My son also had a lot of ear infections for the first year and a half or so and they suggested the tubes for him. But my friend, who's son had the tubes, told me that she wished she hadn't done it. So I didn't do it. My son even got to the point that regular amoxicillin would not work for him anymore. So they gave him a stonger antibiotic and it worked perfectly. My son will be three in September and he hasn't had an ear infection in over a year. His doctor said what happened was that his ears were just growing a little behind and they had to catch up with the rest of his body. If your little boy is does not seem to be affected by the infections I would try to wait it out a little longer. Hope everything goes well! Good luck!

hi D.!! hope this eases your concern...

i am a mother of three and my daughter and my middle son were both victims of chronic ear infections...they have both had tubes...i've tried some alternative methods i'll tell you about in a few. she's had her adenoids removed as well...My children see Dr. Bizon, he's amazing!!! The thing is, some children just happen to have ear problems...i've done TONS and i mean TONS of research on ear infections, alternative methods other than tubes and antibiotics...i actually wrote a 12 page paper for a school research project! haha....the surgery is NOTHING to be concerned about...it takes all of 5 min. the worst part is remembering to use earplugs afterwards!!!they do fine, short recovery.

does your child use a pacifier? if so, that could very well be part of the problem, the sucking on the pacifier leaves saliva in the mouth that during sleep drains into the ear canal, causing fluid to be deposited, the along comes an infection and what gets hit first? the fluid already on the eardrum!...i also suggest giving an antihistamine at the sign of a possible infection, this will dry up potential fluid on the ear...as well as help w/ sleep...have you tried a chiropractor? that also helped my children...let me know how things go for you! but, if you opt for the surgery, dont worry!

Hello - my middle son had to had tubes in his ears 2x. From about 6 months of age to 1 year (this is when he had his first set of tubes) he had numerous ear infections over and over again. The ear infections delayed his speak because for most of his first year of life it was like he was hearing everything under water becasue the fluid never left his ears. The first ENT was nice, they will out your son out when they do the procedure and it does not take long at all, under 10 minutes. But, even after the first set of tubes my son still continued to get ear infections - not as frequently, but he still got them. With tubes, the fluid/infection you usually do not sees, you now can see because the tubes provide an opening to help release the pressure and the fliud drains out - it looks really gross, but it is much better then having all the pressure build up in your little ones ears. I switched ENT's because even though the first dr. was nice, I did not feel the same way about his office staff and I remembered a great ENT my first son had to see when he was younger. If you are around M5 & I believe 14 Mile I recommend Dr. Lacivita he is a wonderful doctor and he is super great with the children. Both tubes from my sons first surgery fell out, which is not too uncommon. Dr. Lacivita performed the 2nd surgery for the second set of tubes and I was very happy. I felt much more informed then I was the first time. He had the second set put in when he was around 2 1/2. My husband were allowed to be with him up until the actually performed the surgery. I was even allowed to hold him and count down when they gave him the gas to put him out for the surgery. And as soon as the surgery was done we were back at his side. He will be 4 in July and has not had another ear infection since the 2nd set of tubes and both tubes are still in his ears and most importantly he has suffered no hearing loss and he is speaking much better. It is amazing the difference in him.

Sorry to ramble on and on - hope something I said helps. Also if you can get into Dr. Lacivita's office I highly recommend him - he is best ENT.

Good Luck!!!

My son, 20 months old, actually had tubes put in his ears two days ago and although it was heartwrenching I am very glad that he got tubes put in his ears. They give the kid a drink that kind of makes them act like their drunk, you have to watch him carefully because they stumble a lot and can barely stand up, the drink is suppossed to make them extremely tired so when they take them into the OR then it isn't that hard to keep the mask on their face when they put them under. My boy was in surgery for 5 minutes, in the recovery room for 20 minutes and we went home a half hour later. It is hard because you can't be in there when they actually put the tubes in, and you can't be in the recovery room with them. After the surgery there was blood coming out of his ears, and when I say blood it really wasn't very much it just looked like it because immediately all of the fluid started draining out of his ears. His ears drained all day and it is kind of gross but my son was also at a 30% hearing loss and when his ears started draining it was like he never had a a hearing problem. Two days later, my son is up and running around again. I was scared too and it broke my heart because the absolute hardest part for me was when they put the gas mask on his face and I had to hold his arms so he wouldn't try to take the mask off of his face. He was crying so he went out pretty quickly but I am emotional and it broke my heart. I am very glad that he got tubes though. It has made a huge difference in just 2 days.

My son who is now 4 has had cronic ear infections since he has been born, we have had 3 set of tubes in and I am greatful to say that we have had no problems what so ever. He had his first set when he was about 1, and with no complications we were in and out in a few hours, they insurt a realy small tube into his ears and then when get an infection, you can see it draining and be able to give eardrops right away to stop the infection. The procedure is real simple and you shouldn't have too many worries, just talk with your ent and they should ease your mind. He has had to get 3 sets cause they will fall out when they are done working. They will also remove them sometime, and replace them. Good luck and best wishes.

yes my daughter had hers done befor she was a year old and the surery was fast and no problem she had no infection sence the tube who are they sending him to

The procedure is a piece of cake. It takes very little time and is very routine. I'm sure the doctor you are seeing has performed thousands of these little operations. My son had his done at 15 months, and now he's 3. His tubes are out and he has not had an ear infection since. Good luck, and don't worry!