18 Month Old Son Getting Ear Tubes

Updated on April 21, 2010
K.C. asks from Buzzards Bay, MA
13 answers

My 18 month old son is getting ear tubes. The are only giving him gas to knock him out, no IV, since the procedure only takes about 10 minutes. I want to know if anyone else has a child have ear tubes the same way at about the same age. How did they do with the anesthesia? Did their ears bother them?

Having tubes done at Falmouth Hospital

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So What Happened?

Well, I am now convinced tubes for my son is the right route to go. Why? Because he has yest ANOTHER double ear infection. Yup, tubes it is! Thanks for all your responses - I feel much better about the whole thing.

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C.O.

answers from Philadelphia on

My daughter had them in at 15 months, 2, and just had her left ear along with having her tonsils and adnoids out this past november. I WAS A NERVOUS WREAK They will have drink some sleepy mediciane and take him back. The hardest part was waking up afterwards. Have his favorite toy, bottle, binky, etc. by the time we got home she as happy as could be. We went outside and the look on her face was wonderful because she could hear much better. It was worth it and also a piece of cake. Please let me know how you make out

chris
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A.T.

answers from Portland on

I would definatley go get a second opinion. Also, many kids are getting ear tubes now that don't need them, they just have an allergy. I would go see a naturopath. Good luck.

1 mom found this helpful
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C.P.

answers from Provo on

My son got tubes when he was about 13 months. They used the gas on him and they brought him out crying. They gave me a small container of deadener for his ear pain. He never had any! He got strep throat and an ear infection but it was never the same as before. He had his tubes in for almost a year and then they fell out.

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A.C.

answers from New York on

My son was born with a cleft lip and palate so he had his tubes put in at 8 months. He didn't have any problem with the anesthesia until several operations later due to how many were required to fix the upper lip and palate. He went through several ear tubes as he was growing up which helped with the constant ear infections and with his hearing. They would fall out as he got older and new ones would need to be put in. Need to make sure no water gets in when giving a bath or when he goes swimming. If I remember correctly the last ones feel out when he hit about 10. He is 22 now and his hearing is fine. Good luck.

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D.S.

answers from Tulsa on

They will drug them. They drugged my first son better than my second son. My first son walked around like he was drunk for a few hours. I don't think they gave my second enough he come out screaming and hurting. After the tubes unless they have an ear infection or you play loud music(don't do that or let anyone do it around him it will bust thier ear drums. and it hurts them real bad) they will never notice that they are there until they start falling out.

Then with my oldest I got an occasional my ear hurts but never gave him anything for it. My youngest still has his and they aren't falling out yet. so I can't tell you how he is going to do. He is completely oppisite of his brother in every way from pregnancy to labor and everything else. So I will just have to wait and see.

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J.B.

answers from Dallas on

Our son had tubes. This son had quite a few procedures as he also had cranial facial surgery at 7 months. He had tubes around 2 because he was continual getting sinus infections which led to ear infections. He was also born tongue tied. So when he had his tubes put in he had his adnoids taken out and his tongue clipped. He did not handle waking up and was hitting - I think because he did not understand what was happening. But after the tubes, I recall only one more infection and he is now 11. Good luck.

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C.T.

answers from Dallas on

My son got tubes in Feb at 13 months. He was really fussy as he was waking up, but after about 20 minutes, he was fine. He took his first steps that night and has been doing great ever since.

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C.S.

answers from Las Vegas on

My daughter had her tubes put in at about the same age. They put her completely to sleep and I was really upset that they had to put her under at that age. It didn't take long at all. When she woke up, she was the most cranky baby on earth! She did have an IV and the heart monitors patch things stuck all over her chest. She was swatting at everything because she wanted it off. The next day, business as usual minus the ear infections.

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A.V.

answers from Provo on

I had a son with chronic ear infections and after several rounds of antibiotics we were told that tubes were the answer. I didn't feel a bit good about it. Reasearched the procedure on the internet and decided against it completely. I decided I would do everything I could for my son to give him the strength his immune system needed to avoid surgery. So I started giving him children's ecchinacea to help boost his immune system so his body could fight it off himself. He never had another ear infection after that.

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C.S.

answers from Bangor on

my son will be 18 months in 2 days, had this procedure done today. the did use aneshesia through inhalation, about 20 minutes before they took him from prep room, he was given a sedative. Really relaxed him, and me too. I have never left him, not even with sitters. He never allows anyone that doesn't live with us to touch him. When the nurse came to take him, he was smiling. After procedure, he was a little cranky, fussing some, extremely thirsty. He did fine, we drove the 45 minute ride home, he fell asleep, and has been awake only long enough to have another drink.
I did call the dr. office, about him sleeping so much, but is normal for some. Also called my sister, a RN, she reassured me it's fine. I did the same thing with general anesthesia.
so far so good. I will try to get back on to inform how the next day or so goes if you wish.
good luck
ma2eight

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J.S.

answers from Cleveland on

My son got them at 18 months also. Did great with anesthesia. They told me he would probably sleep a lot of the day, but he only took his usual naps, like nothing ever happened.
We immediately saw a positive change in his behavior and his language skills began to (finally) develop. It will be a great thing.

S.K.

answers from Denver on

my son got ear tubes on Christmas eve when he was 11 1/2 mos old (merry Christmas to him!!!) He did just fine with anesthesia they wouldn't let me in with him when they put him to sleep since he was sooo young but since yours is a little older you might be able to be in there with him. He woke up fine and all was well and he was ear infection free for almost a year. They did fall out (I found both on my pillow, different occasions) after about 15 mos but by that time he hasn't had any real problems with any more ear infections. I swear he was born with one and had one until we got tubes. It must have thrown off his equilibrium because he showed no signs of walking until about a month after we got them. He just got up one day and took off. One little tip is if they give you ear drops which I am sure they will, be sure to warm them up in your hands a little before you give it to them it helps. I'm not sure if it was cold drops but he did get dizzy or something after i gave it to him and caused him to vomit until i started to warm them up a little. Or maybe he had a bug, who knows. Tubes definitely helped him!!!

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S.T.

answers from Oklahoma City on

My eight month old just got tubes about three weeks ago. She fussed for about 20 minutes after they were done until she got a bottle and then she slept most of the day and woke up the next day and has been fine ever since. I think the hardest part was her not being able to eat after midnight, good luck.

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