To Tube or Not to Tube

My daughter suffered on the antiobiotics merry-go-round for over a year before getting her ear tubes. Instant relief. Outgrew them and within weeks of second one being removed (first fell out) she had to get another set. She has some permanent hearing loss due to scarring but those years wearing the tubes helped and she didn't require nearly so many trips to the doctor or antiobiotics. Go for it with confidence. Just remember touse plugs and bathing cap at pools, lakes, waterslides, etc. and adjust how you wash and rinse her hair. Small inconvenience for a healthy child.

My sister had it done to both of her children. I was very skeptical but they both recovered fine and have had no more problems .

I am a mother of a beautiful 5 year old little girl. She had tubes put in her ears and after maybe had one or two ear infections. Since the tubes have been out she has not had a ear infection. The tubes are simple and easy to put in. It took the doctors a whole 10 minuntes and they fell out on there own when the time was right. I feel that the tubes helped my daughter a lot. The tubes are smaller(width wise) then the part of a pen that holds the ink.

Check with an allergist before having the surgery. I know a variety of moms who took their kids off dairy and the ear infections stopped. It may not even be dairy - it may be something in the environment. Naturopaths can find out what your child is allergic to by a simple blood test. MDs don't know that it's possible to test for allergies via blood test. I would take my child to the Naturopath first and see what the matter is. A child has infections for a reason. You need to find out why, not just treat the symptoms.

You should probably put your child on good probiotics (GOOD bacteria) via yogurt and also supplements which can be purchased at health food stores or Seattle Super Supplements (no I don't work there). Her immune system has been compromised by the antiobiotics. Again, a good naturopath is worth his/her weight in gold!!

I had a similar situation when my son was about 16 months. We took him to a chiropractor, and after 2 visits, the infection was gone. He is now almost 3 and had only had 1 since then. I am not sure how it works, but adjusting the neck of a small chils works very well. Hope that helps!

I have not personally had this issue, but I have friends who recently had tubes put in their 12 month old son's ears, and he is doing well. I totally understand not wanting to put your child under. I think you should absolutely get a second opinion, from another doc, and then weigh your options. I have found that in the case of kids, docs rarely recommend an unnecessary surgery, but I think I'd be as cautious as you. The thing you need to consider is her health, and her hearing. Are they both likely to improve as a result of this surgery?
I wish you luck, and I hope your daughter makes a speedy recovery.
A.

I work in a chiropractic office, and over the last 11 years I have seen many kids that came in with ear problems recover without the need for tubes. I'd give it a try! Personally I would try anything short of surgery, make that your last resort. Just my opinion, but I've seen it work! If you need a chiropractor in your area, let me know, there are several all over that my boss and I know from seminars, school, etc..Good luck!

my friend just did this with her 2 yr old, and she actually started talking more! turns out, her ears were always kinda plugged, and with infections and stuff she was having issues. but once they did it, she hasn't really had one since, and she can hear better. i would totally do it, although it is a little scary to think about. but really its a minor procedure. good luck!

I know it's kind of "out of the norm" but have you tried Garlic drops? Our DS was in the same situation, they suggested tubes...we went to a holistic doctor...she suggested the garlic, and he hasn't had an EI since. My husbands boss's daughter had 16 ear infections in the first 2 years of her life. When they did the garlic oil method, she stopped with her infections too. They did it right after she was 2, and she's no 9, and hasn't had one since. It's worth a shot before going the surgical route!

Getting tubes for my son was the best thing that ever happened!!! He was 1 1/2 and i was worried, but he had had nonstop ear and sinus infections since he was born. When we went into the hospital, we stayed with him up untill the time that they rolled him into the OR. He was gone, maybe, 30 min. Most of that time was recovery...inserting the tubes took almost no time at all! As soon as he started to wake up, he was brought to us, and we held him. He didnt have as many infections after that, and we didnt have to do anything special for him, with them in...if we had to do it again, i would...it was a great decision!
Good Luck
A. :)

My niece is 2 and just had tubes done a couple months ago. She couldn't get over the ear infection. The procedure only lasted about 15 min and we have seen such a differnce in her. I think you just need to do whatever your confortable with. Good luck

Good morning T.! My 16 month old daugther is in the same boat with ear infections. She gets them ALL the time and the doctors keep wanting to give her antibiotics. I finally took her off of them because she experienced all of the horrible side effects and the doctors kept telling me it was "normal." I'm sorry...constant projectile vomiting is NOT normal. I then did some research and apparently the majority of ear infections are viral so therefore antibiotics do not even help. Do you trust the doctor that is suggesting ear tubes? If there is a good level of trust there I would do some research and then go with my gut feeling. The main reason I wanted to respond to your post is to find out what area you were in. Have you looked into private home care? We took out daughter out of day care and have a wonderful lady who retired from the day care business and watches our daughter in her home for almost half the cost. My daughter is MUCH happier and MUCH healthier. This lady has turned into a second "grammy" for her. Just a thought. Good luck and my thoughts with you! Ear infections are so frustrating.

My son had tubes put in his ears when he had just turned a year old and things have been great ever since. I was nervous to do it because its surgery and there are risks, but he hasn't had any ear infections since the tubes. They are still in, he is 3 now, but they either fall out on there own or your child's doctor will take them out via surgery.

well by the time i was 5 i had been through 4 differnet surgerys putting in sets of tubes in my ears. The tubes kept coming out and then the last set the placed in the stupid doctor punksured my eardrum on the left side and i lost a lot of hearing out of that ear.and to this day i still have ear ache problems everysince i get a middle ear infection all the darn time my son also had ear infections a lot and i just had his tonsila and adnoids taken out but no tubes i refused tubes and he doesn't really get them anymore he out grew it.

The experience for you and the child depends on the doctor you use. Before the surgery ask questions about what goes on. If they will not involve you in the process even after a request find another doctor who will.

When I was little I had an immune deficiency called IGA deficiency. I had a low white blood cell count, so when it came time to fight an illness or infection I wasn't able to do it on my own. I was prone to colds, ear infections, and respiratory illnesses like pneumonia. We always had to treat the cold right away or I would have ended up with pneumonia. Anywho...I got tubes in my ears when I was 3. The experience was mostly positive. I don't remember being too scared because I was informed (in child terms of course) and the doctors and nurses where very reassuring. The only thing I didn't like was coming out of the anesthesia. To this day I still have a hard time coming out of it. But that's just me. I cry every time. And I threw up a few times. Other than that I got to eat popsicles and my family brought me presents and I was fine! It really helped with the ear infections. I eventually grew out of the IGA too, and so far my kids don't seem to have it either.

Hi well I have not had this happen with my girls but when I was young I had tubes put in my ear! I did just fine my mom said she had the same worries as you do but she said she was really glad she did it and I was such a happier kid w/o my ears hurting all the time. If my girls had to have tubes put in there ears I would do it but I would be so scared also. Hope that helped a little
good luck let me know what you decide! have a great day
J.

T., really, you could go a couple different routes. Since ear infections "typically" are more common during the winter months, you could wait and see how she does in the warmer weather, get a second opinion, or just get the tubes.
My youngest started having recurrent ear infections when he was about 4 months old. He was on antibiotics pretty much until he was 9 months old and at 10 months he had tubes placed. The proceedure was simple and quick and I had a physician who I trusted explictly so I had very little anxiety about the surgery. My son hasn't had a single ear infection since, and he turns two on the 16th this month.
BTW, I am a SAHM so daycare wasn't to blame for his ear infections. He was just prone to them, as some kids are, regardless of home situation.
I think the main thing to do is to find a doc you trust and listen to your mom instincts. Good luck with whichever route you go! :)

Ear tubes have saved our lives. My son just turned 1 and we did ear tubes when he was 9 months. We waited because I initially had the same concerns but after the 4th ear infection and the 5 type of antibiotic it was time to take action. He too is in daycare and colds/germs are just unavoidable.
The procedure for the tubes was completely painless for him. He literally was under anesthesia for less than 9 minutes. In fact when the came to take him to surgery and told us to go to the family waiting room -- he was out of surgery and in my arms before I could even get a cup of coffee!

Since having the tubes we have not had any problems with his ears or infections. He still gets colds but they come and go without causing him pain.

i know the sound of "surgery" is scary for anyone, but ecspecially your kid, but tubes are probably the best thing at this point. My friends son had the same problem, one ear infection after another, he was always miserable and in pain. Ever since he got the tubes, he hasn't had even one infection. Its worth it. Imagine the pain she goes through with these infections, I would focus on just making that stop so she can just be a normal kid and not be in pain all the time.

I have been thru this myself and with my son.
My short answer is get the tubes

here is my thoughts-
I suffered with ear infections on and off all the time as a kid and it hurt my hearing to the point that I am 1/2 deaf now. My parents never had tubes put in my ears and my ear drums burst all the time- not good.

My son followed in my footsteps- had tons of ear infections and was starting to loose his hearing. I took him in to have tubes (which is a really quick procedure- about 15 min and the anesthesia is fairly minor- my son is high risk as he has asthma and he did fine)
Ben went thru 2 sets of tubes (they fall out after about 1 year) and has been fine ever since, and he has all his hearing.

take care,
K.
http://www.mamamonkey.com

Our Son had tubes right around this age. The hospital staff and the Doctor that did the surgery were all great. The procedure is very quick and they gave him liquid meds before taking him into OR. The tubes helped out a lot. That was about 5 years ago, and he has had only a few minor infections since. Another thing to try, if you have not been told already is Children's Sudafed (liquid grape flavored) it was available over the counter at Bi-Mart, if not ask the doctor about it and see about a prescription. It helps a lot, especially this time of the year. GL

We had tubes put in my son's ears when he was 2 (just 7 days after his 2nd bday.) He is now 9 & has only had 2 ear infections since (and it was like age 5 & 8 or something like that!) I also had tubes in my ears when I was a child...I think it's a good idea.
When my son had the surgery he was in & out in about an hour, maybe less & then in recovery for about an hour & then home by noon!!! He was bouncing off the walls & everything else...the surgery didn't even keep him down! Good Luck!

Hi T.-
I am against tubes because my experience having them as a child wasn't great. They have improved the surgery technique in the last 20 years but I was still leary about having them put in my sons ears.
We had this same thing happen to us last spring. My son had an ear infection from January until May. He is allergic to most antibiotics so I chose to go to a naturopath. My naturopath suggested pulling all wheat and dairy from his diet until the infection cleared. It was gone in about three weeks. I slowly gave back wheat and dairy. Now every time he starts to catch a cold, I back off the wheat and dairy until he is feeling better. We have been ear infection free for 1 year on May 9th!
Another thing you might try is putting your daughter into a small in home child care environment. They have a lot less children and it usually helps during the cold/flu season. We have a lot of great in home providers in the Portland area.

Most importantly, do what you are comfortable with. I can tell you that I felt the same way you do, and I prolonged getting tubes in my child ears. Finally I gave in and we went through with it and it saved us!!!!! I personally regret not doing it sooner.
The procedure is short and the recovery is immediate. There is a little drainage from the ear, but the child does not feel pain and is up and playing almost right away.
I hope this helps you in making your decision. Whatever you do, don't feel pressured one way or another. No one knows your child the way you do, you are the only one qualified to make this decision!

I had my son tubed after 6 months of cronic ear infections as an infant. I also had added incentive in that we discovered on his first ear infection he was allergic to penicillin. The worst part of the surgery was the fact that he was 9 months old and they wouldn't let me go with him to sedate him. Having them walk away with my child who was screaming for me was not good. However, he had another dental surgery at 2 and they gave him "goofy" juice which made the whole taking him away from me easier to deal with. Anyway, the tubes were a breeze, he was fine up and playing the same day. He walked at 9 months so he was moving pretty good after surgery. It really made life easier to deal with. No more ear infections after that. The tubes fall out on their own and don't cause any issues when they come out.

GET THE TUBES! I can't stress that enough. My son had them put in on his first birthday and I can't describe the difference between before and after. In the first year of his life, I filled 14 antibiotic prescriptions, every one for ear infections. I also filled 2 for pneumonia... which went hand in hand with the "fluid" (it really doesn't qualify as fluid) that was built up in his ear. After the surgery, the doctor told us he took out an enormous amount of "flubber" that wouldn't have drained on it's own... it would have completely plugged his ear and caused hearing loss due to the scaring on the ear drumb.
I also have two nieces that have had them put in and it worked wonders. My sister didn't have them put in in time... she was 8 or 9 by the time she had them, and she lost 50% of the hearing in one ear because of the scaring.
Ask your doctor for the con's of doing it... the don't compare to the pro's.

Hello there T.,
I have to tell you, when I was 6 yrs old, I had tubes put in my ears because of constant ear infections and tonsileitis(sp) it helped me and I never had another infection until I became an adult. The tubes fall out on their own, dont even know it til the dr tells you they are gone.
In August of 03 when my youngest son had just turned 4 the day before, was having some health issues regarding his ears we chose the tubes and has been very successful. He was partially deaf in his left ear as a result of no drainage, they did surgery drained it, inserted the tube and now that tube is gone and we have had absolutely no trouble. They are successful, so really I would see no reason not too. Your daughter would be fine, the anesthesia they gave to little ones is so little it shouldnt harm her at all.
I hope this advice helps

Good Luck :)
A.

Ear infections can be caused by several things. My experience with my 2nd son was his adenoids were too large, therefore blocking the eustationary tubes, causing ear infections. Removing the adenoids was not the 1st choice because my children have a clotting (bleeding) disorder so we decided after 5 years of ear infections to go with tubes. He was in surgery LESS than 15 minutes, and it wasn't a full anesthesia just a sedation. He had them replaced a year later with 3 year tubes. Just last summer he had them removed and has been infection free since! Even with swimming every day!
Even though with tubes he was supposed to be able to get into the water up to a foot deep without problems, he still would get infections, even with ear plugs. This was probably because he was still getting blockage from one end and wasn't draining completely.
I wish I wouldn't have been so resistant to tubes in the first place and I could have prevented several years of pain for my son.
Ask lots of questions and make sure you are fully informed before making your decision. If you want to know who did my son's ears, ask and I'll tell... he was FANTASTIC!!!

Over the winter my daughter really struggled with ear infections too. One thing for us that seemed to help was to emiminate the cause. Sometimes ear infections can be caused by allergens. It might be worthwhile to try and figure out if she could be allergic to something she comes into contact with. We also used homeopathic remedies. I don't know what kind you are using, but what worked really well for us was tee tree oil. You mix it with olive oil. The ratio is about 4-1 olive oil to tee tree oil. It really works to eliminate the ear infection and to prevent them.
As far as tubes go. A specialist also pressured me to have tubes put in my little girl's ears. I told him I wanted to think about it some more, and eventually decided against it. Really look into the possible complications and side affects because there are new studies coming out now that show the potential harm caused by tubes doesn't outweigh the benefits. Another thing to think about is, the specialist is probably the person who will be preforming the surgury and they get paid mega bucks to do it. So they have huge motivation to convince you to do the surgery. It is one thing if your daughter is suffering hearing loss because of the ear infections. But if she isn't and you can get this most recent one cleared up I would really try everything else possible before resorting to tubes. It sounds like your reluctant to do it and I've discovered that it's always best to follow your instincts as a mom. I hope that your problem gets resolved I sincerely know what you are going through. Hang in there.

A.
P.S. I to am a single mom of a little girl who turned two in February.

My daughter is 2 1/2 and we went to cali in january and when we returned both her eardrums ruptured and it was horrible. My daughter ended up getting an ear infection about 2 weeks after it healed and her ear nose throat doctore also suggest tubes if it did not go away and if she got 1 more. Luckly it went away but all the point he made about tubes were good. Your daughter would have less ear infection and be proned to less colds and coughs. I know that it is scary thinking that she would go under but just think of the end result. I hope it all works out. Good lcuk.

My son who is now currently 2 1/2, has had tubes put in. He got them in when he was 9 months. They have been great, he's only had 3 ear infections since the tubes were put in. The anesthetic was scary for us also, but he did just fine. The only side effect was when we were in the recovery room there was a small child next to us who would not stop crying. That scared our son, who in turn started crying and wouldn't stop. After we got him calmed down he was fine. I would definatly recommend getting tubes put in.