Adenoid Removal - Roanoke,TX

My son had his adenoids removed. We had a horrible time with ear infections beginning around 4 months. I went to a regular ENT. Put a set of tubes in and his ears were so infected when the doc put them in that it was a nightmare. I didn't like his first ENT, but thought it wouldn't be a big deal since it was just tubes and I would be following up for the most part with his pediatrician. His ears were so infected when the first ENT put the tubes in that he kept a constant infection. A school teacher referred me to her pediatric ENT when she realized how sick my son was continuing to be. He was wonderful and tried several different antibiotics and even shots for a week straight, as a last resort. His ENT recommended taking the adenoids stating they are like a sponge for for infection. He said we would only take the adenoids, but warned me that most of the time just taking the adenoids didn't prevent tubes. Since having the adenoids removed (around 18 months and he's now 6.5) he's had maybe 3-4 ear infections. One of them has been swimmer's ear (which is different). So, the adenoidectomy made a huge difference in his infections we didn't have to have another set of tubes. I wouldn't have done it any different (except trust my gut to have gone to a different ENT when I didn't like the first one). If you're not comfortable with the decision to take the adenoids, post-pone the surgery until you've reached a decision. A few more days isn't going to hurt and if you want a second opinion, get one.

Blessings to you and your sweet son! Hope he feels better soon!

L.

Well my son is having this done next week, but he is on 3 different allergy meds and has 'indications' of asthma so i think it is the best choice for him... but as far as your son, the only thing i can say is that our Dr. told us last week that the adenoids can get enlarged which can in turn block the fluid in the ears. So my understanding is that they don't really know, at an older age if just doing the tubes will work as well as also removing these. This is just to create space for the ears to drain, and he said they don't actually remove all of the tissue, they just kind of shave down the enflamed tissue.
Also my 7 month old will have tubes put in her ears at the same time, b/c she has been on antibiotics pretty much since she was two months old for her ears, so i am imagining that we will be joining you in a couple of years for a repeat of this procedure.
Hope you are able to make a decision and wish i had more numbers like you wanted.

Im not sure how old your son is, but from what i remember from my coucin making this decision, for best outcome and less chance of ear infections they remove the adnoids and tubes together at 3 or second set of tubes.

Have you tried chiropractic care? My nephew has horrible allergies, and always has a cold and numerous ear infections. He is 2 and they started taking to the chiro, and have seen improvements.

H.

My son had his first set of tubes at 10 months then second set with adenoids removed at 22 months. I didn't think he need them removed, but we went on and did it since he was having surgery anyway. When the doctor came out he told us he was so glad we did it because his looked pretty bad (we didn't have any other symptoms other than ear infections). Both sets have fallen out bewteen 6-10 months. He still gets ear infections now, but not as bad. I think since is already going under for tubes take the adenoids out to be on the safe side.

So I did a little looking around online and found this website I think might help you. It pretty much says that the current data is saying removal of the adenoids hasn't shown much positive results with ending ear infections.
Also momma, little kids get earaches. Their ears are small, and so are their little canals and sometimes drainage doesn't work as well.
From EVERY mom I've talked to that had a baby who had lots of earaches, they always said that as they grew a little older the aches went away.
I know the pain is rough for your little one (and you) to deal with, but it sounds like it's part of childhood.
I wouldn't get the removal done. It definitely sounds like your doc is taking a stab in the dark about it. Anyway, here is the website:
http://www.med.umich.edu/1libr/pa/pa_tonsilsu_hhg.htm
Good luck!