Getting Tubes..

my daughter now grown got tubes because the fluid behind her ears was not draining and she was not hearing like she should have been so she was not talking like she should have once she got the tubes she did much better talking. she still got ear infections because she would lay down in the bath water and the water would get into her ears. her son had to have tubes twice he did not get the infections after the tubes like his mother did because he was not allowed to lay in the water with his second set of tubes they also took out his adnoids
good luck
Paula

Hi B.,

Both times my daughter got tubes (at 7 months, and again at 3 years) she had infections during the procedure. I think its a good time to do it, they usually suck all the junk out while they are in there. Plus, then you can put the antibiotic directly into her ear, then. It is the best thing we ever did. My daughter was on antibiotics more often than not from the infections. Not to mention the slight hearing loss she had during that time. After she got tubes, and the infection went away her hearing was back to normal.

But, just as a warning, just because your daughter has tubes, doesnt mean she wont ever get sick with another infection. My daughter still has ear infections here and there, but more like one every 4 or 5 months, instead of one per month.

Good Luck, I think it has worked wonders on my daughter. Hope yours has the same great experience!

B.,
Just echoing others responses, my son had two sets of tubes and my daughter one set. They helped tremendously. Check with the doctor doing the procedure...I don't believe he'll do it while the child has a fever but it's been a few years since we were in that situation. Just a fun thing...take pictures before she goes in. Good Luck!
J.

My son got tubes at 20 months and had a slight ear infection at the time. No problems with getting any other illness. The do give you antibiotics after the surgery just to make sure nothing happens. After getting tubes we went from an ear infection every month to only 2 in the last 7 years. Good luck!

Ear infections are the worst, please try a chiropractor, they do wonders and it's totally non abbrasive, you'll be amazed and also at the health food store is a product called Garlic and willow ear drops, AMAZING, my daughter infection was gone in 2 days. Tubes are a not a good idea, but you need to do whats best for you and your daughter, good luck and god bless

Tubes are a godsend if you take the precautionary care with them. I have one due to some surgery that effected my ear and fluid was behind my ear drum. It's important to keep water out of the ear. That's why they give you molded ear plugs for kids to keep water out when they bathe, when you wash their hair, when they swim. When she gets a cold or is stuffed up, she may have some discharge, but that's what you want, you want that stuff out from behind her ear drum. She will be able to hear just fine, more likely she will be able to hear better. Always the best!!!

Have you tried chiropractic treatment? I've personally seen five kids not have ear infections anymore after the first month of treatment! Worth a try, I've had my kids adjusted since they were born!

Yes, she will still get infections. The ear canal is so small that it will still happen. The reason for the tubes is that it allows the fluid to drain so as not to build up pressure and cause pain. You will see yucky stuff come out of her ear and drain down her cheek. This lets you know that there is an infection where now you can't tell right away. Just clean it out so it doesn't cause pustles on the outside of the ears. Scarring can also damage her hearing, so it's best to have this done so her eardrum doesn't rupture.

Please go see Dr. Kate Wiggin drkatewiggin.com or call her at ###-###-####. She's our pediatrician & has helped our son with all sorts of problems including ear infections. Try her before you put your daughter through tubes. good luck.

I would highly suggest not getting ear tubes. A friend of mine's dauhter had chronic ear infections. Her pediatrician finally referred her to an ENT, after several rounds of antibiotics. The ENT offerred two options; continued antibiotics or ear tube surgery. Well, my friend decided to do some research and found a Chinese herbalist and decided to give him a try. He suggested eliminating dairy, and gave her an herb to take that would reduce inflammation in her addenoids. No antibiotics. Within a week, she was hearing better and had no pain. She is totally fine now and no surgery.
Before resorting to surgery for your little one, try exploring some "second opinions," ie., naturopath, chiropractor, herbalist, etc. You might be surprised how easy, natural, non-invasive, and inexpensive curing your child can be. Good luck and God bless!

They will do the tubes with a current ear infection. My 18 month old jsut had tubes put in a month ago and The ENT Dr. told me when he sliced the whole for the tube his ear just ooozed, which was good because it took away all the pressure my sons been experiencing, In about 4 hours I saw a totally happy little boy. Good luck!

Hi B.,

My son had an ear infection in both ears that just kept coming back and then never went away. We had his tubes put in while his ears were infected because we couldn't get them clear with antibiotics. He never had another ear infection after that and no other illness from having them put in while infected. He is 26 now and saving his hearing was our main concern.

Have you talked to your doctor about your concern? I'd start there and get the information so you can make an informed decision. Good luck and I sure hope your wee one gets the relief she needs.

My nephew started having a lot of problems with ear infections. I'll tell you what I told my sister. Have him checked for food allergies - specifically, soy, egg and milk.

All the MDs did at that time is to have him on antibiotics almost a year!!! My sister did the tests and discovered her two-year old was allergic to egg whites and milk. Now that she doesn't feed them to Russell any more, VOILA! Result? No more ear infections.

Ear infections ARE NOT NORMAL. Call a Naturopath if they are excessive. My daughters (together) only experience 1 which was treated with homeopathic substances. So they have never had antibiotics.

It's much easier to cut out an offending food, than to put in tubes. I have had my own immune system destroyed with antibiotics. Food allergies can cause your child a lot more problems especially down the road than just ear infections (as if that weren't bad enough) so it's better to find that out, than to go along just treating the symptoms instead of the disease.

Hi,
My 3 year old son has had 2 sets of tubes in (they only last about a year I think) because of fluid in the ears and slight hearing loss. If I were you I would call the doctor that will be doing it and ask them what they recommend, I don't think they will do the surgery if she has a fever or lung congestion because they have to put her to sleep to do it. It is a very easy procedure and she shouldn't have any discomfort after it is over, but depending on the drugs they give here before hand she may have a hard time adjusting back to reality the first 15-30 minutes after she wakes back up. They gave my son a "happy drug" (forget the name) to help relax him before they took him back and it made him really grumpy when he woke up. Good luck!

This may not sit well with others, but milk may be the problem. If it is eliminated and replaced with a healthy alternate such as a nut or other seed milk there is a great likelihood that the ear infections will leave. Also, make sure she is sitting while drinking and not lying down. I used to tell mothers to replace the dairy with soy, but that is no longer suggested because of the excess estrogen in the soy milk.