Having to Put Ear Tubes a 2Nd Time?

Hi, My name is K.. I have a son who is 3. He always has ear infections. No tubes yet, but they have talked to me about it. I work with a girl whos son is now 5. When he was younger he had his first set of tubes put in. Then later he had the operation and the 2nd set of tubes put in. They did all the adnoids and everything. After sugery he was groggy but a couple days later he was fine. He now is 5 and he never has ear infections anymore. I just wanted to let you know that he will be alright! Good luck and hopefully everyhting works out for you! See ya

Hi S., My daughter had the same thing done when she was 2 for the same thing. It is nothing to worry about. It is quick and simple. He will feel alot better after he gets it done. Just think positive and all will go well. Keep us posted.

L. R

My son went through the same thing. He experienced chronic ear infections, put tubes in at 18 months. The tubes cames out. He did fine for a while then the ear infections started again. At age 4, the doctor decided the best course of action would be to replace the tubes, remove the adnoids and tonsiles. The surgery was quick. He was in pain but I gave him his meds, popcicles, and lots of love and he did just fine. He is now 10 and hasn't had an ear infection in over 5 years.

Hi S.! I too have a child that had tubes put in at 12 months and then again at about 2 1/2. The first set I fought because of the whole "surgery" thing. I don't know how much you know about the whole process but there is actually no cutting involved and your child is asleep for the whole thing.(I can give you more info on the process if you want!) He really won't remember any of it...even at 2 1/2. When my daughter needed the second set, it was me who fought for them. Her tubes had fallen out and she started again with the ear infections....8 or 9 in a 6 month period. I had to convince her pediatrician to give me the referral to the ENT. I finally insisted. She didn't seem bothered at all by what happened. I just told her that they were going to put her tubes back in so her ears would feel better and they would have to make her go to sleep to do it. Afterward, I bought her a balloon and a stuffed animal. She was so excited about getting the balloon and the stuffed animal, that she didn't seem to mind being groggy for a little while. That afternoon she was up running around just like normal. That was her last set of tubes and we haven't had any problems since then (she is 7 now).
Her ENT also suggested taking the adenoids out at the same time. The reason for this is that in some small children the adenoids are so big that they block the drainage from the "lower" end of the eustachian tube in their sinuses. This can help cause the ear infections because the sinuses can't drain down the throat. This is done at the same time they are putting the tubes in (it does require cutting) and the only side effect should be a sore throat. This means ICE CREAM for your son! Most kids love that aspect.
I guess my advice is to make sure you explain to him what is going to happen and why it needs to happen. Also, let him know that his throat may be a bit sore but that just means he can eat all the ice cream he wants for the day. Then, make sure you have a little gift for him when he comes out. You could even tell him that if he is brave, you will give him a special prize when it is over. He shouldn't have any "after effects" other than being groggy for awhile. But that will wear off and you both will feel much better because his ears won't hurt anymore!
Hope I have helped ease your mind a little.
Best of Luck!
T.

I had many ear infections as a child as well as surgery to remove my adnoids, put in tubes and remove my tonsils. To this day I don't remember anything about the surgery, but I will never forget the pain of my ear infections. Anything you can do to help your son not have painful ear infections is well worth it. I would say as far as handling him, give him the TLC he needs and for you know you are doing the right thing.

I would just get a second opinion first before u go threw with it a second time

S.,

My son is 23 months old and had tubes put in last February and both have come out this year. He's had one ear infection since then. The other thing is that in January of this year they took out his adenoids due to his chronic sinus infections. I have to tell you that it was almost as quick as the tubes being put in. He had almost no after affects at all. He was fussy and sleepy when we brought him home but after that first day the only difference was that he was quiet for a little while rather than running around the house screaming at his sister, don't worry he was still running around just not screaming! 8-) At his age it was much easier to get it done than when my daughter had to go through it at 4 years old. He won't even remember what was going on and will just be happy to see you when he wakes up. Not to mention my son has only had one ear infection and no sinus infections since his surgery rather than having almost a constant sinus infection all year long, so I don't regret having it done at all. He's much happier and active now that its over. We still have one more left, his tonsils are growing at a crazy rate but his ENT doesn't like to take them out until they are at least 3 years old.

Good Luck and its so worth having a happy, baby boy without that constant pain in his ears!!

Please let us know how it goes!!!

The exact thing happened to me, except my son's first surgery was at 10 months and his second was at 18 months. After the first surgery he did so well for about 2 months, then he got pnemonia and things got bad again because he had so much fluid from his nose trying to drain out his ears, the tubes got blocked. I was so scared, I did not want him to have to go through a second surgery. I went to his pediatrician to make sure he agreed with the second surgery (he did), then I found a second ENT that over the phone was like, I don't like doing a second surgery this young, it may not be necessary, come in and bring his chart from the first ENT. He said that yes, he definately needed the second surgery and that the risks are minimal, though always scary. My son had to be intubated during the second, when they also removed his adnoids, it was so scary for me. By two days later, he was so much better and now about 4-5 months later, his speech is so much better. He hasn't had an ear infection since, and when he gets colds they don't drain out his ears anymore (I think the adnoid removal helpsed that the most). Also, our ENT said he's adnoids weren't enlarged when seh removed them, but now we're glad she still took them out because most likely they were causing problems. My best advice is, if you really worry it's not necessary ask your pediatrician and, if you still want seek a second opinion, but sometimes it can be the best help! Feel free to comminicate back with me if you have any further questions or whatever and best of luck to you and your son!

my son Noah, who is now 17 had the same problems when he was younger like your son is now. If not taken care of this can affect his speech and it already probably affects his hearing. My son improved 100% after his procedures. He, like your son had to go back for a repeat of tubes in the ears, but after the first time helped him so much it was not something I worried about. The adnoids being removed will also help him. My son snored from birth and stopped when his adnoids were removed.... Just pray about it. Ask for the wisdom to know the right thing and the strength to do what is needed...good luck and God Bless you and your family. If you have any questions feel free to ask me...

Hi my name is T. I'm married and have two son and a stepchild both of my boy had tubes and their ears the oldest one feel out he's 10 now but my four year old still have them in his ear he was two but go ahead an let them do what they have to do while he is still young. It will be fine now you don't want to wait.

Well, my DD has not had to have tubes, but..... my brother had tubes 4 times when we were kids & he is 27yo now.No problems, no hearing difficulties. He had his adnoids out as well. I hope this helps. My mom said they didn't have to fool with his ears once he was 5, he just seemed to outgrow it.