Ear Tubes
- Thread starter ememdee19
- Start date
Yep... permanent damage because of the constant fluid build up pressing on the nerves. 
pixiegirl
Cleopatra Jones
Originally posted by ememdee19
Jay would die if I took away her milk! She absolutely LOVES it! Milk and water are basically the only 2 things she drinks. Every once in a while we'll give her choc. milk as a treat, but that doesn't happen very often. I'm very happy that she loves it so much, but I guess it wouldn't hurt to try cutting back when she gets sick.
Noah's a BIG milk drinker too. That's why I get him the soy milk. It comes in regular (which he didn't care for), chocolate and vanilla which he loves both. He thinks it's special milk.
ememdee19
Southern Beyotch
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Ear Tubes
I'm sorry to hear that.
Thank you for the warning. I'll definitely mention that to her dr. during the next visit. Seems that it's not impairing her speach, but I could be wrong.
Originally posted by kwillia
I got tubes at 4 years old, but the nerve damage already occurred by then. I had to go thru a couple years of speech therapy because the tone deafness left me unable to clearly understand the pronounciation of constantants. I couldn't tell if someone said "city" or "s_itty" .... "hot dog" or "hot rod".... etc. Because I couldn't hear the difference, I couldn't speak it either.
I'm sorry to hear that.
Thank you for the warning. I'll definitely mention that to her dr. during the next visit. Seems that it's not impairing her speach, but I could be wrong.
pixiegirl
Cleopatra Jones
Toxick
Splat
This is why your spit gets so thick when you enjoy cookies & milk.
I've also heard that milk actually turns into mucus in your stomach - which is why it's physically impossible to drink like a gallon of milk in, like, an hour.
Might be 2 gallons.
Whatever it is, can you imagine a humongus gallon sized mucus-ball sitting in your stomach?
It wasnt that bad at all...the procedure is very simple...I dont remember and dramatic pain. I use to think it was kinda cool when they pulled them out.... 
Christy
b*tch rocket
I'd go with the tubes Em. It's a very minor procedure, if it's only tubes, they don't even use full anesthesia, they use the same type of stuff they put you under for when getting wisdom teeth pulled. It will save your kid from years of pain. Wish I'd have done it sooner for my girl.
cattitude
My Sweetest Boy
My oldest had 3 sets. First time, he had tubes put in. They were pushed out (which is normal) and he had tubes put in again and adenoids removed. Those tubes fell out. Third time, he had a permanent set put in and they were then removed when he was about 5.
Yes, most often the problem is outgrown. The eustachian tubes are just small on some kids and the fluid doesn't drain properly. The fluid can be from allergies, colds, etc. or just because. Otitis media in nothing to fool with. With the buildup of fluid, the eardrum can rupture and/or nerves can be damaged and children can have permanent hearing loss. Also with the fluid in the ears, the children hear as if they are under water and they are unable to hear words and sounds properly which can affect their speech development. My son had CONSTANT ear infections and horrendous pain that I wouldn't wish on any child. I mean he'd get an ear infection, go on meds then off meds for 10 days, recheck..fine, and 3 days later another ear infection. This went on for 2 years. I had a tremendous ENT who told me that my son would indeed outgrow this problem but it wasn't worth the pain and potential hearing loss. Children that have severe, recurrent ear infections should be treated by an ENT and an audiologist who performs hearing tests and other tests that include the pressure on the ear drum.
Yes, some drs. want to put tubes in too quickly and just as with any medical procedure sometimes it isn't necessary. In my son's case, it was very well worth it.
When my second son came along, he had a few ear infections and given my oldest's history, we decided to go with the tubes. I don't believe he's ever had another infection.
You should probably do some research and maybe get a second opinion.
Yes, most often the problem is outgrown. The eustachian tubes are just small on some kids and the fluid doesn't drain properly. The fluid can be from allergies, colds, etc. or just because. Otitis media in nothing to fool with. With the buildup of fluid, the eardrum can rupture and/or nerves can be damaged and children can have permanent hearing loss. Also with the fluid in the ears, the children hear as if they are under water and they are unable to hear words and sounds properly which can affect their speech development. My son had CONSTANT ear infections and horrendous pain that I wouldn't wish on any child. I mean he'd get an ear infection, go on meds then off meds for 10 days, recheck..fine, and 3 days later another ear infection. This went on for 2 years. I had a tremendous ENT who told me that my son would indeed outgrow this problem but it wasn't worth the pain and potential hearing loss. Children that have severe, recurrent ear infections should be treated by an ENT and an audiologist who performs hearing tests and other tests that include the pressure on the ear drum.
Yes, some drs. want to put tubes in too quickly and just as with any medical procedure sometimes it isn't necessary. In my son's case, it was very well worth it.
When my second son came along, he had a few ear infections and given my oldest's history, we decided to go with the tubes. I don't believe he's ever had another infection.
You should probably do some research and maybe get a second opinion.
Elle
Happy Camper!
Since everyone else responded, is it worth it???
Tyler's ear infections defiantly wouldn't clear up on their own and antibiotics became an every other week chore for us. He had his first set of tubes at 9 months old, no problems. They fell out after a year. Got the second set 3 months after the 1st set fell out due to the instant return of chronic ear infections (this time we has adenoids removed as well for breathing reasons), and this time he got a little sick from the anesthesia. 2nd set fell out after about 2 years (don't know why they stayed in longer than the first) and 4 months later got the 3rd set with no problems. The 3rd set is now slowly working their way out now. Hopefully this will be the last time.
On a side, note, I def. agree with Catt about the hearing loss, Tyler has been in speech therapy for 3 years now and although he is getting a lot better, he still has a lot of problems with ending omission, and some beginning letter sounds. So far testing shows that he has no perm. hearing loss, I couldn't imagine not treating him when we did the hearing loss and problems that he could have had.
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cattitude
My Sweetest Boy
Tys...
Sounds just like what we went through with our son. Typically 5-6 is the age that the eustachian tubes are large enough that the infections stop. You might want to talk to your dr. about the possibility of putting in a more permanent type of tube...they actually have to be removed. Although, they may not have those anymore, I'm not sure.
Sounds just like what we went through with our son. Typically 5-6 is the age that the eustachian tubes are large enough that the infections stop. You might want to talk to your dr. about the possibility of putting in a more permanent type of tube...they actually have to be removed. Although, they may not have those anymore, I'm not sure.
Elle
Happy Camper!
They do still have them, he's never had a problem with an infection when he's had the tubes, in fact that's how I can tell when they've fallen out, he would get another infection. I am like 99% sure that his ear infections were caused by his allergies and now that we are treating them along with this last set of tubes, hopefully he will not have any more ear problems.
Hey Em, does your daughter have any other problems such as Tyler's allergies to cause the ear infections? The tubes will help but you'll have to treat both problems to really make it work.
Elle
Happy Camper!
So Em, what did you ever do, did she just get better on her own???
Side note: Tyler's 3rd set of tubes were just resting in his ear canals (they are out) 2 weeks ago when we went for his sinus infection and he was put on an antibiotic to clear that up. Finished anitbiotic on Tuesday and by Friday he was complaining with his ears hurting him a lot so he has an appointment at 2 today and hopefully he doesn't have another ear infection
Side note: Tyler's 3rd set of tubes were just resting in his ear canals (they are out) 2 weeks ago when we went for his sinus infection and he was put on an antibiotic to clear that up. Finished anitbiotic on Tuesday and by Friday he was complaining with his ears hurting him a lot so he has an appointment at 2 today and hopefully he doesn't have another ear infection
ememdee19
Southern Beyotch
Originally posted by tys_mommy
So Em, what did you ever do, did she just get better on her own???
Side note: Tyler's 3rd set of tubes were just resting in his ear canals (they are out) 2 weeks ago when we went for his sinus infection and he was put on an antibiotic to clear that up. Finished anitbiotic on Tuesday and by Friday he was complaining with his ears hurting him a lot so he has an appointment at 2 today and hopefully he doesn't have another ear infection
Welllllll....
Sorry to hear about your baby! I hate it when they get sick!
We took her in for a follow-up as suggested by her doc and they found ANOTHER infection.
Seemed kind of strange since she wasn't complaining and didn't have any other signs. The doc put her on an antibiotic which she will have to take for a month. If this doesn't work, she's going to get tubes. I'm tired of her constantly being on meds.watercolor
yeah yeah
EM- I can talk from the side of a child who had them in/out since she was 4.
I got my first set, like I said, when I was 4. I remember, there was a itch/pain that I had for a few days. And I had a minimal about of "crust" if you will that would form in my canal. That was just from the eardrum leaking where the incision was put for the tube. They did, help to cut down on my ear infections. Also- they were alot less painful, and cleared faster.
Instead of getting one like EVER month, even more than once a month- I got them like every 4 or more months. Sometimes though, you can go in the pool and go "under" even though you have tubes. Some people dont have a problem- but I still did. So, they made special plugs that were shapped like my ear lobe that were thin plastic.. but they suctioned my ears.. and I was like a fish from then on. It was AWESOME.
Hope it works well for her. In total, I had the in/out operation 5 times. Haven't had it since I was 13. I have one tube still in my left ear. My right ear, it was taken out. But the one in the left, is still good..so they left it.
EDIT- also.. I noticed sleuth say something about wearing your plugs in the shower too. That is not nessecarily true. They can show you ways to help her, and how to wash her hair so that it doesnt get into the ears.
I got my first set, like I said, when I was 4. I remember, there was a itch/pain that I had for a few days. And I had a minimal about of "crust" if you will that would form in my canal. That was just from the eardrum leaking where the incision was put for the tube. They did, help to cut down on my ear infections. Also- they were alot less painful, and cleared faster.
Instead of getting one like EVER month, even more than once a month- I got them like every 4 or more months. Sometimes though, you can go in the pool and go "under" even though you have tubes. Some people dont have a problem- but I still did. So, they made special plugs that were shapped like my ear lobe that were thin plastic.. but they suctioned my ears.. and I was like a fish from then on. It was AWESOME.
Hope it works well for her. In total, I had the in/out operation 5 times. Haven't had it since I was 13. I have one tube still in my left ear. My right ear, it was taken out. But the one in the left, is still good..so they left it.
EDIT- also.. I noticed sleuth say something about wearing your plugs in the shower too. That is not nessecarily true. They can show you ways to help her, and how to wash her hair so that it doesnt get into the ears.
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watercolor
yeah yeah
My third set, I got my adneiods out, along with my tonsils.
Also, catt is right. My first set got pushed out. Which is normal.
Also, catt is right. My first set got pushed out. Which is normal.
ememdee19
Southern Beyotch
Originally posted by watercolor
EM- I can talk from the side of a child who had them in/out since she was 4.
I got my first set, like I said, when I was 4. I remember, there was a itch/pain that I had for a few days. And I had a minimal about of "crust" if you will that would form in my canal. That was just from the eardrum leaking where the incision was put for the tube. They did, help to cut down on my ear infections. Also- they were alot less painful, and cleared faster.
Instead of getting one like EVER month, even more than once a month- I got them like every 4 or more months. Sometimes though, you can go in the pool and go "under" even though you have tubes. Some people dont have a problem- but I still did. So, they made special plugs that were shapped like my ear lobe that were thin plastic.. but they suctioned my ears.. and I was like a fish from then on. It was AWESOME.
Hope it works well for her. In total, I had the in/out operation 5 times. Haven't had it since I was 13. I have one tube still in my left ear. My right ear, it was taken out. But the one in the left, is still good..so they left it.
EDIT- also.. I noticed sleuth say something about wearing your plugs in the shower too. That is not nessecarily true. They can show you ways to help her, and how to wash her hair so that it doesnt get into the ears.
Thanks for the info, WC.
We have about 2 more weeks till she finishes off her meds, so we'll see. I just feel like the poor child has been on way too many antibiotics in the last few months.I'm crossing my fingers and hoping that this will be her last infection. If not, she'll be getting the tubes!
Angel
~*~*~
I had tubes put in my ears when I was 4... remember it like it was yesterday. They took my tonsils and adnoids out and put tubes in my ears... The tubes fell out by the time I was 12 (kinda gross too... I remember waking up w/ a green pellet looking thing on my pillow) and I haven't had many ear problems since (I'm 28 now), but I have scar tissue that's pretty bad apparently and I have a little bit of problems hearing from one ear, but.... I'll take this over ear infections anyday. Funny enough they say people don't remember anything before the age of 3, but I do remember laying my head on my Mothers lap and crying for hours because my ears hurt so bad... Anyway it's all good now.... I hear more then I care to most of the time! lol...
Elle
Happy Camper!
I hear you there. Tyler does have an ear infection so he's on Zythromax (sp) since Monday and was on Omnicef 2 weeks ago for the sinus infection. He woke up this morning with a nose full of green yuckies. I have a call into his doctor, there has to be something that can be done to "fix" him without constant antibiotics, maybe it's time to switch his preventative medicines again. He has taken one for almost 4 years now and the other for maybe almost 2 years. After his sinus infection 2 weeks ago the ped, allergist, and myself decided that the allergy shots are doing nothing for him so we have stopped them.