EAR INFECTIONS

Amber - posted on 03/26/2009

My daughter has had 3 ear infections in the last 4 months and her doctor said if she has another one, we'll talk about tubes.  My nephew got tubes about 2 years ago and they've slowed his infections down a little bit, but not significantly.  When these tubes fall out he'll be getting another set.  In his first two years he had around 30 ear infections.  Today is his fourth birthday and since the tubs he's had about 20.  I think you definitely need to express to your Ped that this is bothering you and get a referral to an ENT.  At the very least call around to other pediatric offices, explain your problem, and ask them for advice/if they are accepting patients.  It doesn't sound like your Ped is very invested in his patient's well being.

Nadia - posted on 03/26/2009

my little girl (13 months) has had 3 major ear infections. she is going in to have grommits - the tubes - put in her ears on Tuesday. i have heard nothing but good things about it and the ENT says it def helps. only thing is she has got some damage on right ear drum, the ENT says he will only be able to tell the extent of it after the swelling is down completly. but her hearing is very bad in that ear.

she will have to go for more hearing test and maybe a speech therapist.

Rebecca - posted on 03/26/2009

yes but if you dont want you child to have permant hearing losse  umm the docs  really cant do any thing my doctor personaly doesntlike to do thehole ear tube thing  just beacuse the tubes do leave  a  amount of scaring on the inside of the ear  all i can sugest if your worried is i get my sons hearing tested regulary becuase he has  alot of double infections  thats all i can think of right at this moment

Jamie - posted on 03/25/2009

request your doctor refer you to an ENT, if he doesnt give you one its time to find a new doctor.  My daughter started getting ear infections at a young age. I too have bad ears, im 26 and have tubes. I ended up having to take my daugher to 3 peds before one finally listened to me and gave me a referral. She got tubes in at 18months and has not had a ear infections since. My son had the same issues only worse he ended up geting tubes and his adnoieds out at 16 months. He had no ear infections until 6 months ago when the left one came out, Im not back in the process of getting it replaced. Good luck.

Melissa - posted on 03/25/2009

My daughter who is almost 3 had tubes put in her ears just before her 1st birthday and they have worked wonders! Like you, I was concerned about hearing loss, and the fact that she had ear infections every month. I switched to a pediatrician when I wasn't getting the help for my little girl I thought was necessary. Follow your gut. You're the mom and know your child best! Good Luck

Rebekah - posted on 03/25/2009

My daughter just had tubes put in her ears 3 weeks ago. She had terrible ear infections. I had them when i was younger and so did my husband. My pediatrician recommended me to an ENT doctor after she had 6 within a year. But, regardless, you can ask them to refer you or just go make an appointment with them yourself. I honestly feel it was our best decision. It is a very simple procedure and takes no time. It's something you don't want to wait too long for bc it really can lead to hearing loss as you said...hope you find a solution soon. Let us know how it goes

Holly - posted on 03/25/2009

My little girl is 3 years old and she has had 33 ear infections.  She has had two sets of tubes and her abnoids removed.  The tubes work while they are so they are definetly worth it, but when they come out it is the same all over again.  I would be demanding, the first tubes i demanded and her abnoids I asked the dr to look at while he was putting in the next set of tubes.  It turns out that they were huge, the size of plums, he told me that she was going to be a whole new girl, grow, breathe better and have less ear infections.  So us moms do know what we are talking about!

Jennifer - posted on 03/25/2009

If there is one thing that I have learned since having my son, it's that sometimes other moms know better than doctors. You know your baby better than anyone. I had a lot of ear infections when I was little and I had tubes put in when I was 4 and never had a problem since. They usually won't due it though, until the baby is a little older. It helps to not lay the baby flat while he is drinking, sometimes that causes ear infections. If you have any doubts about your doctor, you need to get a second opinion.  I hope everything works out.

Sara - posted on 03/25/2009

I have had it with my son up and til he was 7.. i was told if he had one more he would have to have tubes... but he grew outta it.. its a big deal but.. it gets better

Melody - posted on 03/25/2009

My oldest daughter who is now 11, used to have frequent ear infections, finally about age 3 she had tubes put in her ears and never had another since....i have had two more children since and my youngest who is 19 months is starting the same problem.. i believe if a child has more than 5-8 infections by 2 or 3yrs old, then tubes is the way to go..it clears a passage for fluid to prevent infection from setting in...this is my opinion but i wouldn't let it get past a few since your oldest has had so many...you may want to change doctors...hope this has helped