My Son Is Always Getting Sick

Hi A.,
If he keeps getting ear infections, honestly tubes are the way to go. I work at an ENT office and we've heard all the stories, the before and afters. Parents are so relieved after their children get the tubes in. They will sleep thru the night even on that first night. I work with several other moms whose children needed tubes, but they kept waiting and waiting thinking eventually the child would out grow it. But I'm here to tell you that by getting the tubes you and child will both be soo much happier. I work with some wonderful doctors. I'd recommend Dr Ryan Van De Graaff or Dr Royce Mueller both are at ENT Specialties in Lincoln. I hope this helps.
T.

Hi A., My name is K.. I am 45 and have two adopted children and had 26 foster children. My son who is now 11 had ear infections constantly and the doctor wanted to wait until he was older but they continued to get worse so they went ahead and put in tubes. It was the best thing He is now like I said 11 and has had maybe 1 or 2 infections since that time. Good Luck K.

Have tubes put in or have his tonsils out. That worked for me. I never had tubes and I don't know if they really work but having my tonsils out kept me from having so many ear infections.

I still get them, even as an adult. Some kids are just prone to certain bugs. My youngest gets strep throat whenever he gets sick. He's been that way since he was born. Good luck in finding the answer you want!!!!

My first daughter had ear infections a lot when she was little. She got them everytime she had a tooth come in. Maybe that is what is happening.

My son had the same thing, He was sick all the time and not gaining any wieght and was up at night all the time. I took him in and had the doctor look at his tonsils and aednoids and said they had to come out. So we had the surgery and he was great after that, hasn't been sick since and he never had to get tubes. You should have the doctor check for that. I would do that surgery again, it was that great, now he slepps through the night and so do I. I hope that helps.

My son is just over one. Caleb has been sick bascially since December with ear infections. We finally went and saw an ENT this week, we are going for tubes May 22nd. However, just today we are running a fever, and have a call into the doc to see if they will see him. I am also going to try the chiropractor like someone else mentioned in a post. Its worth a shot.However, if your son is having quality of life issues, I say take him to be seen and see what they say.

Our daughter started getting ear infections at about three months old and they did not stop. She would have one, get over it and then they would be back. We finally got tubes just after her first birthday. They have helped a lot. She still gets the occassional ear infection but you can tell when she has one and her ears drain much easier. My stepdaughter grew out of her ear infections and if your son is 22 months old, he is pretty close to the age where they usually grow out of them. Since it is getting warm out now, he will be less likely to get sick so you might wait until next fall and see how he is doing.

I believe the tubes are the way to go...my son has tubes in his ears...well one fell out, 1 is till in but has not had any problems with his ears since the surgery. My son didnt have any discomfort after the surgery. he had his adenoids and tonsils removed at the same time....which did cause discomfort. but he never complained of his ears hurting. I would get the surgery because with all of the ear infections he is getting it is possible he may start to develope fluid behind his ear drum. That is what happened to my son. And he experienced hearing loss from it....he was way below the normal hearing range...one ear almost deaf. Getting the tubes to me would be the best option not only for your child, but also for you....hope I was helpful and good luck

OH MY GOODNESS!!! Please take it from me...I posted almost the identical question a couple of months ago. I decided to get the tubes last month and holy cow has it made a HUGE difference. I can't really say if it has helped ear infection wise since it hasn't even been a month, but my daughter was not speaking and in just 2 and a half weeks she is saying SO many new words. I wish that I would have done it sooner. I had doctor Hanks in IF do it for me and was really happy with the outcome. It is so painful for the little kids to get ear infections even if they do kinda get used to the pain (that is the point that Haylee was at). I would not put it off any longer and at least make an appointment with Doc Hanks to see what he has to say.

My sons were the same way all winter. It started when they started day care and as soon as they would be clear for a day or two, they would get sick again. After about three months non stop of being sick, we got tubes in their ears. (They're twins.) They seem to help. They've gotten colds since then, but they have not spread to their ears and infected them anymore. Tubes usually fall out within a year, and since they were only 8mos when we got them, they may need them again next year, or may not. Your son is probably old enough that he would only need them this once.

Also, it's a super quick 5-10 minute proceedure. Of course, ask your doctor. I'm just surprised they haven't mentioned it yet. Tubes have helped most of my nephews, too!

My son was getting chronic ear infections and I had to tell my docotor that I wanted to see an ear nose and throat doctor. If I had not said anything I am sure we would have gone through a lot more with that. I don't think you need a referral to see an ENT, so I would just make an appointment. Tubes are no that bad and they are easy.

Something that most people don't think about, but actually works is Chiropractic adjustments. During the birthing process if the Doctor pulls on the baby at all to help them out it can put up to 40 pounds of pressure on the baby's neck. Your neck & spine are where all of your nerves run that controll your entire body & if that nerve becomes even a little pinched due to the spine being out of place it can cause problems in other areas that seem indirectly related. I've known several parents that have taken their children with multiple ear infections to be adjusted instead of getting tubes & within a few visits baby is doing sooo much better, & with regular check-ups can keep the ear infections from coming back! I don't know if it is close for you or not, but my family (including my 4 year old & my newborn baby coming soon) all see Dr. Steskal @ Steskal Chiropractic on 108th & Fort St. next to the Walgreens. They have a really awesome program there & see many children, the youngest starting when he was only 5 days old! It is definately a cheaper alternative to getting tubes in his ears & can lead to an overall healthier child, as I've seen in my experience, my son hasn't been sick AT ALL since we started taking him regularly. Another bonus is most Insurance companies now cover chiropractic care. If you'd like any more information don't hesitate to ask me or check it out yourself.

My daughter who is 23 months has constant ear infections also, her first one was at 9 weeks.
My ped. said that unless she has fluid in her ear for 6 months straight, they won't consider tubes,because they do have to put the child under and there is always risk with that.

My daughters ears always fully clear up, but the next time she gets a cold she has an infection.

If your ped. is suggesting tubes then that is probably the route to go. It doesn't mean that the ear won't get infected, there is just alot less chance because the fluid won't sit in the ear, the tube is there to help the fluid drain.

Good Luck.

I think that if your doctor is recomending tubes than that is what you should start looking into find a site on the net or get some reading material from the doctor so you know what you are dealing with, that way you won't be as worried.

I feel so bad for him and you. Ear infections are so painful for both of you.

The main cause of ear infections is poor nutrition and/or food sensitivities. This lowers the body's immune response producing more mucus and lowers the body's ability to use the vitamins and minerals it does get.

Get the book "Healing Childhood Ear Infections" by Dr. Michael A. Schmidt. ISBN 1-55643-216-X Why is he having these infections??? Was it because he wasn't born with tubes in his ears and they need to be surgically implanted? Sorry to sound sarcastic but it just doesn't make sense to me.

I had the same problem with my son. I finally got tubes put in his ears a year ago, and hes 2 1/2 now, and he has had only 1 ear infection. He use to get them about every month to. It is worth it, trust me.

A., I have went through this with 2 of my kids. I would talk to an ear nose and throat specialist and see what he thinks. If there is a lot of fluid build up that doesn't go away, it can cause hearing loss. You want to handle this before it gets that far. Tubes can be a wonderful thing. They allow the fluid to drain properly. It doesn't mean that he won't get infections again, but that could be the case and it definately will decrease how many he gets.

Good luck to both of you.

My daughter had ear infections every time we finished the medicine she would get another one. Finally, at 10 months old, the Doctor said that I had to do tubes or she was going to become immune to the antibiotics. What a life saver!! I am so glad I finally got tubes in her ears. She is now a VERY HEALTHY 3 year old. I would say tubes are the way to go!!

Hi A. I'm T. a mother of Allison which is 7 and I had the same problem that you are having with your son from the time she was born to about 8 months I was taking her to the doctor every month and she would get crabby around bed time and what not and finally after medication after medication the doctor felt that tubes was the best way to go so at first she had temporary ones then went and had surgery done put in permanent tubes and she has been fine ever since is 100% hearing and have had no trouble ever since. I went to a Dr. Morgan at the throat and ear clinic located at Mercy West in Clive/West Des Moines but I would recommend it not sure if the age has a difference but she was approximately 5 years old I would call them and check it out he was a really great doctor in my opinion. I really hope this helps because it can take a toll on you and the child if it goes on too long all the money I spent just in regular doctor visits because of it was hard enough as it was...well anyways I hope this helps and good luck to you. T.

my kids are always getting sick to. the ear nose and throat doc aid it is best to get there tubs out.but my kids have to e well to get tubs out.i put my kids on yougart because it has god bactirea in it.It seem to be helping a little bit.i hope this helps a little.you also might want to get you child allergies testing hey say allergies can be the caus of your sickness 90 percent of the time. A.

My son had tubes (several sets when it was all done and said) but I would really encourage you to look into them.....they made a world of difference.....he had ear infections for basically 2 years....but when his tubes where in he did sooo much better. As he out grew them we had to redue them......when they fell out he would have major problems again. He had serval ruptured ear drums...tubes seemed to be the only thing that really helped. He is 9 and still has them. Thats just my experience, but research it and talk to the docs you have to feel comfortable with the decision...its hard the first day or so and you have to be careful about water, but I would do it again.

I reccomend visiting with an Ear, Nose & Throat specialist that works with pediatrics. If your son is haveing ongoing ear infections he is more than likely became immuned the the medication that your pediatrician is prescribing and can also experience some hearing loss. My son had his first set of tubes at 9months and just received his 2nd set a year ago. It has made a world of difference for him. I also try to keep his ears covered(partly because of having tubes, and party because he had so many ear infection prior to receiving tubes). A perfect way is the headband you strap around thier head with velcro that you see used with swimming a lot. I also give my son vitamins every morning and every night and a chewable Acidophilus that I picked up at the local health food store that puts the good bacteria back in your system that fights the bad bacteria -- yogurt is another way of doing the same!

Good luck, and take care.

For goodness sake put tubes in the poor kids ears let 'em drain and get his hearing tested! Maybe you should switch pediatricians if he doesn't get concerned about such things as hearing damage. How's his speech...alot of time kids with frequent ear infections don't speak well and need speech therapy. Does he walk yet or fall over alot? it could be caused by fluid in the ears.

I went throught the same thing with my daughter. Tubes were so worth it. In the past 6 months she has not had one and that is the longest she has gone in her life. I also saw so many other changes after she got them...Her speach was better, she was listening better (since she could hear us), just a totally new kid. Go with the tubes they will help so much!!

First my 9 year old was getting ear infections monthly from the time he was 6 months old until well past his 1st birthday he was on maintenance antibiotics..haven't had a problem since,and no tubes. My 7 year old however had problems with fluid not draining. My pediatrician is on the conservative side in that he will try alternate methods before tubes. We did get tubes (in fact we're on our second set) for the 7 year old. He's never had an ear infection since. There's a lot of variables, on the doctor and the kid. If you're concerned you need to be taking that to your doc. If he/she is unresponsive to your concerns find a new doc. But don't just go find a doctor that is going to be a "yes-man" to you. That's not always the best approach either! But some action needs to be taken sustained ear infections will cause damage to the ears, my 7 year old has some damage, as does my older one from his stint with ear infections. It's not enough to make a difference but it becomes apparent during hearing tests. Good Luck!

I had this happen with one of my children when they were younger... he would have an infection, we would treat the infection it would go away and then as soon as he finished with the medicine he would get another ear infection. It went on like this for a really long time. I finally got fed up with the doctor's office and went to a chiropractor. I was a bit scared when the chiro grabbed my 1 and 1/2 year old's head and jerked it (I nearly passed out!) but I swear to you, this child never had another ear infection after that. What was happening is that his neck was out and it was allowing old fluid to keep collecting in his ears and not drain. Therefore leading to a constant ear infection. Once he popped his neck back into place the fluid drained and the ear infections never came back! I don't know about you, but I found this much nicer than having tubes inplanted and then he wouldn't have been able to play in his little pool all summer! Best wishes to you!

tubes are definately the way to go. it will help him ssssooo much. he will sleep better, have less ear infections. my son was same way. best thing i ever did for him was take him to ent spec. and have tubes put in his ears. my doctor ddnt start to worry until he the same age and my son wasnt talking. the few words he did say were all mumbled. cuz that is the way my son heard all the time. mumbles, like under water since his ears were always full of fluid. he is doing sssoo much better.

Tubes are one option but I wished I had explored all my options before I choose surgery, it's expensive, it hurts them and it doens't always work! Another option is my sons chiropractor Dr. Bandstra. He is amazing with kids and has helped my son and daughter. He has "cured" their speech delays and he can do so much for non-invasive things for kids that really work.

Dr. Matthew Bandstra
6901 Hickman Road
Urbandale, Iowa 50322
Telephone: ###-###-####