long story will try to make it short. My 2 yr old has major ear issues. 7 infections he does have tubes we found out today they are stil there. We thought they were out cause no one could see them. He has had double ear infecitons the last 3 months that antibiotics were not phasing. At first we could see his left tube and not the right, now we can see the right and not the left. He has a major wax build up. He is going to and ent first week of may for a sedated full blown hearing evaluation and possible tube replacement. They are also going to test him for allergies and asthma.
He doesn't get much milk. I keep his head covered. He had an audiology test done last week unsedated. They know he can hear but don't know if he has some hearing loss or is fine cause he wouldn't cooperate fully with the test so they were incunclusive. That is why he is getting sedated next time. So what can I do diffrent? Where is the wax coming from? Why do they take out tonsils and adnoids and do I need to insist on it? I am so sick of his ear problems and so fustrated by taking one step forward and 2 steps back. Any ideas are appreciated. I am just lost and getting no where with the docs. Do I insist the tubes be replaced with a new set? I feel helpless. And yes I have tried the chiropractor.
I've only heard great things in regards to tonsils and adnoids being removed. I am going to look in to it for myself!
D.,
Are they performing ABR test in May? Him being 2 years old may be too young for the 'cabin' testing. It wouldn't be as accurate. First things first, have him evaluated for hearing (both ears), and ABR is usually more accurate than any other testing for his age.
Then, discuss (and insist) removal of adenoids and tonsils. You will see a drop in the number of infections he gets but they won't go away entirely. Most likely, eventually, you will be told his eustachian tube does not drain properly hence the amount of ear infections.
So, back to your steps:
1. hearing test.
2. no matter what the results say, you discuss and insist on tonsil and adenoid removal (and tube replacement at the same time).
3. Have him put on daily (once a day, one spray in each nostril) Nose steroid spray (nasancort or nasonex), and daily claritin/once a night, before bedtime (to keep his nose clear). This doesn't change a lot BUT it helps.
4. No milk.
5. Hope for the best.
Let me know if I can add more.
L.
My child has had 2 sets of tubes and had about 5-6 infections-ear. The 2nd set of tubes, our ENT Dr. took the adenoids out, so yes definitely check and see if the adenoids can be taken out. It won't hurt the child, they don't need the adenoids at this age. Our child was 2 yrs old with the first set of tubes and 3 with the second set of tubes/adenoids. If your child does have allergies, which my child has allergies and asthma. My Son is on these medicines and it really helps my child:
Singulair
Aller-Tec- generic version of Zyrtec
Nasonex- nose spray
Veramyst- nose spray
Advair- inhaler
Mult-Vitamin- children's chewable kind, but not the gummy kind (too much sugar!!!)
-we have the mask for the machine for asthma, I can't think of the name of it.
We see an allergist, a Speciality Dr. for kids and Adults. Dr. Tanna, he's in Fort Worth. I'm sure in Katy or Houston they will have an Allergy Dr./A Specialist that deals with allergies and asthma. I would highly recommend you get an appointment to see if your child could be on other allergy medicine.
If you do get the adenoids taken out, beware they do smell at least for a week. Your child's breath will stink, but it does go away.
Our ENT said they don't normally take out tonsils now. Back many years ago that was typical, but it isn't a typical procedure they do now. Your Dr. may feel differently and want the tonsils taken out. I asked about the tonsils and that our ENT's response to us. We went to a highly recommended ENT here in Fort Worth. I had several friends of mine who had their children treated by him and had tubes also. Was your ENT recommended by a trusted friend? You could switch ENT's if you want to or get a second opinion on what is going on. I've heard of several other parents getting 2 and 3 tubes put in. The tubes fall out and then they get more ear infections and need more tubes. Yes, it is frustrating, I've been there. Pray and have faith that it will get worked out eventually. If you want to be seen now, call other ENT Dr. and see if you can get in before May, maybe next week. Have you tried Saline solution and a Humidifier in your child's room? If your ENT doesn't want to replace the tubes, then Yes, I would find another ENT Dr. who will put new tubes in. I'm guessing you have seen your regular Pediatrician to get the antibiotics. I bet the antibiotics aren't working, so that's why you are going to the ENT. It will all work out, I know it is rough when it is gong on. Hope it gets better quickly!
I agree with Lola except for the milk. Milk doesn't have much to do with this situation.
I personally don't think dairy has much to do with it. My kids drink just as much milk etc. during the summer as any other times, but only get ear infections during allergy season. In my 3 yr old, tubes and adenoidectomy have helped as well as zyrtec daily. No infections since surgery this January.
My 2nd daugher got tubes at 17 months and had 2 ear infections right after that but then no more until the tubes fell out a year later. We knew when they had fallen out 'cause she immediatly got infections again. They put a 2nd set in (that are bigger) and took her tonsils and adenoids out at the same time. Someone had told me that once they get their adenoids out it will REALLY lower the amount they get sick with ANYTHING and she's only beed sick once since then and that was a year and a half ago!
Maybe if he JUST got tubes recently he'll just have those initial infections like my daughter then be fine.... hopefully! But, If you do have to get another set of tubes I'd definitly recommend get the tonsils and adenoids out! I will warn you though, cause no one warned me, that he will STINK SO BAD while it's healing! I'm serious, I couldn't even ride in the same car as my daughter for about a week! (I think it was the 2nd week after surgery) Bleh! It's worth it though :o)
Good Luck!!!
My son had to be hospitalized for several days and given antibiotics intravenously to be sure the infection was gone. Now this was over twenty years ago at a major hospital in california. He still had to have tubes, but he got less ear infections. My son did have "some" hearing loss, but that didn't mean much. He is fine.
The other thing........ get him on vitamins and probiotics. Google search probiotics and ear infections. Build his immunity with vitamins. Contact me if you would like some recommendations of excellent supplements.
Lola said it all...listen to her
Ok you say you have tried the chiropractor, but to what extent. Please explain that. If you have only tried it once or twice, go back and keep at it.
I know you said you've tried the chiropractor but not sure to what extent, so just thought I'd just let you know the experience I recently got just in case. Our chiropractor did scans and x-rays at the very beginning. We were given a report that shows every nerve and which ones have issues and also what each nerve affects (lungs, heart, etc). So, for example on the scan report if C1 is red, it is a major issue and C1 is linked to ear so then that could cause ear infections, sinus problems, etc (I don't know what C1 is really offhand, but just using as an example) And the x-ray report shows which areas are out of alignment. We were then given a specfic plan (ex. 3 times a week for 4 weeks, 2 times for 3 weeks, 1 time for 4 weeks) Scans and x-rays are given 2 more times during that time. Then, that is it, he doesn't try to keep us coming for life or anything like that. But, the plan must be followed for the planned amount of times for it to work. Otherwise, the spine wants to go back to where it has been for the last however many years. Our chiropractor also gives a 1 hour presentation/workshop after the first scans/x-rays are done to educate on how spine and everything works and what results mean. My husband has been to another chiropractor that did not do anything close to this. He is very impressed with this one. There may be absolutely nothing wrong with your sons spines or nerves, but I was so impressed with it for our experience, I just wanted to throw this out there in case it could help any at all. Good luck!
Have you taken gluten/wheat out of his diet yet??
