Ear Tubes - Earlville, IL

Hi B.,

My 2 1/2 year old has had tubes for about 1 year. She had a horrible infection a few months ago so I started the drops and it didn't seem to help. Tons of drainage and the ENT actually prescribed a longer, stronger dose of antibiotics. After about 7 days it cleared up, but it was a ton of drainage like you described.

As far as the water goes...The ENT said at this age not to worry about swimming and so far it hasn't seemed to bother her. I have never used the ear plugs. In the bathtub, I put a little vaseline on a cotton ball and put it in her ear to keep most of the water out. Also, if you kinda fold the ear over when you rinse out his hair, that helps.

I don't have any children with this, but i understand, i'd be concerned, too!
one tip for washing hair: have your son hold a washcloth over his eyes while they are shut, and pour the water over him. that way you don't have to lay him back into the water and worry about water flowing into his ears.

i want to offer you a recommendation to try homeopathy for his ear issues. seems to me that that much drainage is not normal. homeopathy is a 200 year old holistic practice of medicine that can help chronic ear infections become a matter of the past. a friend of mine's daughter had chronic ear infections (about 7?) during the first 18 mos of her life. She saw Dr. Polich in Naperville (www.dupagehomeopathic.com) and after her daughter was taking a remedy has only had one ear infection since. No side effects, a naturally derived substance (not herbal). Such wonderful results. You can see Dr. Polich in person for the first visit and follow up w/ visits over the phone (tho insurance wont' cover phone visits, note.). Or if you're interested in finding another hoemopath closer to you, i can send you a link, just email me offlist.
here's a newsletter on how homeopathy can help, even cure, ear infections that dr. polich wrote:
http://www.dupagehomeopathic.com/newsletters/ear_infectio...

Hi B.,
Sorry that I don't have a more recent experience to share but I can tell you that as a child I had tubes in my ears several times. I do not recall any type of drainage at all and for any type of water contact (bathing, swimming, etc) I had to wear ear plugs so no water got into my ears. This all took place back in the late 70s and early 80s so maybe things have changed but that is what I can share with you.
M.

My son who is now 4 had tubes put in when he was 1 1/2 yrs old and they just fell out. The ENT told us that if there was drainage on his pillow in the morning not to worry about it because that was the tubes helping the fluid drain out. However, we never saw any drainage. As for the water in the ears; my ENT said not to worry about the amount from a bath or shower because it would be such a small amount of water. Since turning 2 we have been doing swim lessons and we ALWAYS use ear plug per the ENTs instructions. We don't have custom fit ones (too expensive and the ENT said they really aren't necessary). We got ours from the pharmacy and they work great.
If you think something isn't right though, trust your gut and call another ENT.
Good luck and I hope the ear infections end soon I know how aweful they can be.

Hi B.,
My 2 year old twin boys have had tubes since January. Last week one of the boys woke up at night screaming and hitting his ear a ton. The next morning was the first time that I have seen any drainage since the tubes were put in. The pediatrician said that the drainage means the tubes are working and if he didn't have the tubes he would have a bad ear infection. She gave him the antibiotic ear drops.

Both of the boys are good about keeping the ear plugs in during baths. I asked the ENT about swimming (I'm not sure how well they will stay in for that) and he said not to worry about it. He said most kids this age never keep the ear plugs in for baths and they are fine.
Good luck!

Hi B., I am a veteran with the ear tubes. First, I would avoid putting anything in his ears other than the antibiotics you were prescribed for the specific reason that the tubes are there to get the fluid OUT of the ear, so the last thing you want to do -since you already have the tubes in there- is put in more fluids.

Second, I could understand that kind/amount of drainage the first couple of weeks after getting the tubes, but definately not 6 months afterwards. I would definately get a 2nd opinion from a different ENT.

In my son's case, he had some drainage like that way after he had the tubes put in, and it ended up that one of the tubes was not placed correctly in the ear. It is possible that that happened to your son - so I would get a 2nd opinion!

I'm not sure where Earlville is, but we have a great ENT based out of Winfield and Naperville if you would like his info. Please contact me if you do.

Obviouosly, the tubes weren't the answer. I struggled with this situation for 8 years with my daughter when my co worker suggested that instead of managing the problem, that I get down to the cause. For my daughter, who had ruptured ear drums twice, it was ALL dairy. She can't have a lick of it.
I'm not suggesting that it is dairy, but perhaps there is an underlying cause for the problem. ( it could be sugar, wheat, many different things)

Also, if anti biotic is being used constantly as it appears, the natural flora has been compromised. I was just at a women's & children's nutrition seminiar this weekend. I go some really great handouts. I would be willing to share them with you if you are interested.

Finding the cause takes a little more effort on your part, but the end result is so freeing for both you and your son.

Please let me know if I can help.