Ear Tubes Issue...

My daughter had so many ear infections as a baby I was in tears along with her several times. She had tubes at 7 months, one fell out the next day and had to have surgery again the next week. Had I known then what I know now, I would have never had her on any antibiotics or tubes or anything. When she was about 18 months old, she was on almost her 20th ear infection, so I finally tried something my sister in law suggested, going to a chiropractor. She has not had one since then and it's been almost 2 years. I bring her to get adjusted about once a month, if that. I highly recommend trying it out.

If he has a "barky" cough only at night it sounds like croup. Try a humidifer in his room at night. Croup is basically a viral infection in his upper airway, near his vocal cords and that is why his cough sounds "dry." The problem is not down in his lungs. Sometimes is comes along with a low grade temp. Since it's viral you have to treat the symptoms and antibotics would not help. BUT... if he is still having an ear infection your pediatrician might need to try rocephen injections. That is a high dose of antibotics that is administered via injection every other day for a total of 3 injections (usually). My son had to have tubes at 7 months of age and oral antibotics wouldn't touch his ears. Since your little one just finished the oral meds it sounds like you might need to take it to the next strength of meds. Good luck!

Yes, this sounds familiar. Our Son has had 2 ear tubes put in his ears. Yes, they come out on their own, the ear tubes. So, if your child is having problems again, that may be why is because the tubes have come out and may need to be reinserted.

When the ear tubes come out and your child experiences more ear infections, then that will be the time they suggested reinserting the ear tubes. It is up to you if you want them to do that. We've done it 2 times, never had any complications and made life a whole lot easier by having the ear tubes in.

Hi, My only advise is to ask for the tubes that have the "pronged feet" to keep them in place for a min of 2 years. the risk is a bigger hole in the ear where the tube is inserted but they work much better. Oh, and be careful a barking cough could indicate the croup virus. or if its really only at night could indicate developing asthma. (or just a lot of drainage :0))

A. J

If your child is having lots of drainage, that's not caused by the tube problems. His drainage is, however, the cause of his cough. When I went to my doctor last week, she told me that this is the worst allergy season in 50 years. I rarely ever have seasonal allergy issues, but I had drainage for over a month (with sore throat and coughing to go with it and the coughing was always worse at night). So, I'd say it's either allergies or something viral. As long as his ears aren't infected, the tube issue will resolve itself (i.e. they'll fall out on their own, which is what they're supposed to do as your child outgrows them). I say skip another round of antibiotics and ask for something to reduce or eliminate the drainage (not to mention break up the drainage that's already in his lungs). But, until you get the dainage under control, he'll still have the cough and is more likely to develop an ear infection because of the drainage hanging out in his head.

I just posted an ear infection issue question too!! I have been dealing with this for a month now.. and its not my first rodeo I will say that! You should ask your doctor about breathing treatments. The coughing and runny nose.. even high fever is all caused from the ear infection. But the cough.. I totally understand.. and actually the cough is usually because they are weezing and it promotes the coughing. My doctor put my son on Xopenex and Pulmicort breathing treatments.. and at first he hated it.. but then.. it was like he couldnt wait for it. You could tell it opened him up and made him feel better. He still sounded bad to me.. but his actions said differently. After doing them for about a week.. he was totally clear of congestion and cough. Just a suggestion. I am a HUGE fan now of the breathing treatments. The Xopenex is the least "medicated" one. No jitters, sleep issues or anything.. the Pulmicort is just a steroid for when the Xopenex just wont cut it.