Ear infections

My daughter had a ton of ear infections between the ages of about 9 months and two years old. It seemed like they were either in both ears or if not in both it was in one and when that cleared up it went to the other. A lot of times it took several courses of antibiotics as well as powerful shots to get them to go away. Finally our pediatrician sent us to an ENT, because they specialize in them and with children and others who get them repeatedly. Just after she turned 2 years old we had tubes put in and she didn't have another ear infection after. The tubes have since fell out and she's only had one ear infection and that was about 2 years after the tubes were out. I HIGHLY recommend them and would encourage you to see an ENT to help make the decision, not just the pediatrician. Good luck, I know how painful those can be for the little ones!!!

My younger daughter, Julie, had several ear infections and it seemed like she'd get another one right away after the antibiotics were done. She did get tubes in both ears and it made a huge difference. The procedure was really quick. I would recommend the tubes. They really do help their little ears drain properly. The tubes are very very tiny. Ask your doctor more about it.

Lori Baker is mom to two daughters, 21 and 23 years old. She is
editor for the Valley and State section's Education and Environment pages in the Arizona Republic.

I want to cry when I think about the pain my son went through his first 2 years of his life with ear infections. Like you, our pediatrician said he had to have a certain number in a certain amount of time. I finally said send me to an ENT now or I will find another pediatrician. Guess what...I got the referral to an ENT and he had tubes put in and not one more ear infection. That was three years ago. His tubes have fallen out now. I thank God that he got them put in!

I agree, get a referral to an ENT. They can tell you a lot better if your son would be a candidate for tube and why or why not.

Perhaps a maintainence dose of a decongestant? My son failed a few hearing tests and they said that he had chronic fluid build up in his ears. Sometimes, the fluid got infected, sometimes it didn't. But, despite the fact that the antibiotics knocked out the infection, the excess fluid still accumulated. They put him on a lose dose, decongestant for the winter and it worked well. Good luck!

"Only a life lived for others, is the life worthwhile" - Albert Einstein

Tubes changed our lives! 3 of my four kids got tubes between 12 and 18 months old and it was such a glorious relief! Putting tubes in only takes about 15 minutes! Keep pushing for it. We haven't had to visit the Dr. for a non-scheduled appt. since then. (knock on wood)

Lovemy4 is a discussion leader for North Central Phoenix, tired mother of 4 great kids and wife to one great husband.

I had tubes put in for both kids and it was well worth it. Get the tubes!

r34498 have you not seen or heard the news latelty that the FDA is recommending NOT to give young children cough syrups and decongestants due to the adverse and sometimes fatal effects it can cause?

I would recommend seeing an ENT specialist.....he can recommend the best course of action.

I guess I have a different point of view than many of the posters here! My son when through a series of ear infections when he was a year and a half old and we even visited the ENT and they wanted to put in tubes - immediately. At the same time, we visited a Naturalist Doctor who suggested that we try pulling all dairy (milk, cheese, butter, especially cheese) for at least a month; and to try to break the cycle of ear infections at the same time. We succeeded and were able to be ear infection free for over a year and a half by with-holding dairy - and we therefore have not done tubes (which can have side effects, of course).

Basically, if your child comes down with a cold, the first thing the pediatrician will tell you is to pull dairy. But they he/she may not tell you why - it thickens the mucus. Dairy and it's effects also remains in the system for weeks, so it takes weeks of having no dairy to get rid of it! Obviously thicker mucus means more likelihood of infections.

It is now another winter and we have gotten another ear infection that is being difficult to get rid of, but I can also tell by my son's breathing that he has gotten some dairy products recently (he gets a little growly sound sometimes - like a light snoring sound - which goes away when his system is free of dairy products). We are being more vigilant about keeping the dairy away, but it is very difficult - cheese and milk are in lots and lots of products!

Well, another point of view at least for those of you reading this!

Get another opinion from another pediatrician or specialist in that field. If your little one is suffering so much each winter, its soo worth it to seek out other Dr's opinions. Our prediatrician always tells me that the parents really know best and anytime we have concerns about something specific he refers us to a pediatric specialist in the field. Many times it turns out to be nothing (and we can rest assure) but one time my sons situation was not getting better and the pediatric specialist provided some treatment and medication that cleared the illness. It never hurts to look into a specialist!

LisaMommy is a 38 year old discussion leader for arizonamoms.com from the Paradise Valley/Scottsdale area. Her two boys are ages 8 months and 3 years old.

Thanks all - really appreciate the advice and experiences.

Susie is a discussion leader in the east valley for arizonamoms.com. She has two sons, ages 7 and 3.

I would push for ear tubes. My oldest daughter had ear infection after another in her first year and on every antibiotic there was on the market. It was awful and her doctor would not allow her to get tubes UNTIL she ended up being admitted to Phoenix Children's Hospital for RSV, severe ear infection, AND febrile induced seizure. I called her doctor and said I was getting an ENT doctor regardless what he said and hung up on him. Sure enough, the ENT doctor put in tubes in a heart beat and since then, her febrile induced seizures, ear infections, respiratory infections went away....knock on wood. She is 3 right now and still has one tube in since she turned 1.

H~
Mom of 2 Daughters - Kelly (3 yrs) and Skylar (20 mos old)
zoostationu2@hotmail.com