Seeking Moms with Youngsters Who Have Numerous Ear Infections!

My son, now 8, had ear infections all the time. I really thought that he would have to have tubes put in his ears but the doctor said that he would grow out of them. Now he is on a prescription for allergies and the ear infections are no longer.

There are actually a couple of things that you can do...For starters you can see a chiropractor, my son who is now 4 has only had 1 full blown ear infection in his life and I attribute it largely to his adjustments which he has gotton all of his life. I also have problems with ear infections and i can't even tell you the last time that i have had onee. The other thing that you can look into at new pioneer coop there are some eardrops that you can buy they are made with garlic and make you smell like a salad but if you warm them just a little under warm running water it is very soothing. Just follow the instructions on the bottle.

My daughter is now 7 yrs old and my son 15 yrs. Madison always had ear infections and my son seemed always congested and his ears popping etc..

I took them to an ears nose and throat doctor. They had their adnoids and tonsils removed and tubes put in , Madison was 3 yrs old. Not a single ear infection since and rarely do they suffer any upper resp issues.

Be Well,

J. S

Hi my son was the same way but, we started real earlylike 3 months old. He had so many they said something about tubes for him. But, I told them he had allerigies and guess what as soon as he started on allergy meds. He had no more ear infections. Try mentioning it to your Pedatrision. it worked for my son.

Are you in the Louisville area then? Louisville ENT is good and deal with children as well as adults. Dr. Gregory Abbas put tubes in my daughter's ears in August and took out her adenoids. Apparently taking out the adenoids is suppposed to help with the infections as well. She was 4 at the time and he was very good with her. The lady in the office said he was a perfectionist and she would pick him if she needed surgery herself.

One word - TUBES. Best thing we ever did for my son. Antibiotics didn't work at all, but he hasn't had an ear infection since we had the surgery done, even though one tube fell out about a year ago.
If you don't want to do tubes yet, try ear candles. They won't cure the infection, but they will help

Hello M.,
Although my daughter is now 19 years old, she had the same problem when she was little. She had tubes put in at 6 months of age and then again when she was 5. They helped her greatly. Once we found out the cause was severe allergies, causing build up of fluid in the ear, we put her on medicine and she was such a different child. She eventually had to have a tonsilectomy and since then, never had another problem with her ears.The doctor that did both of her surgeries was Dr. Woods who was at Medical Heights in Lexington. He is no longer there so not sure if he is still practicing or has just moved. We also did the tylenol, hot pads to the ears but nothing worked until we had the tubes put in. She still occassionaly got one, but nothing compared to the every month stuff we went through. I wish you the best in your search for a doctor. I work at UK and think we have great doctors at the ENT clinic here. Im sure whoever your pediatrician suggests, will be good otherwise they would not refer you to them.
Best wishes,
Tricia

My middle son has ear infections very bad every year. It wasn't just in the winter months, but every month. The doctor had him tested for allergies, he wasn't allergic to anything. The allergist sent him to an ENT specialist. He did a CT on my son's sinus cavities and saw his tonsils and said he needed surgery. My son had his tonsils and adenoids removed, as well as having the cavities of his nasal passages scraped somewhat to help him breathe better. Since then he hasn't had any earaches.

My two-year-old boy had tubes placed and an adenoidectomy last May. We loved our ENT doc. This same doctor also has worked with my five-year-old in the office and had a great bedside manner for kids! His name is Scott Phillips and the office # is ###-###-####. We go to Clarian West to visit his office; I'm not sure where else he has an office.

My son too had numerous ear infections...for the first two years of his life it was at least one a month, and it would be so bad heavy puss would drain from his ears, and I have even seen them bleed before.
The mom who is saying ear tubes are unnecessary would be half correct, however, though he has had two sets put in, they helped tremendously! My sons ear nose and throat specialist (they are called otolarengologists) explained why this happens in kids so frequently. The eustachian tubes that lead from the ear into the throat and drain the ears are, in adults, at a 45 degree angle. In children, and especially kids who develop frequent infection, they are at a 10 degree angle and do not promote drainage.
Kids grow out of this. As they grow, by the age of 4 or 5, their eustachian tubes take the correct pathway angle and thus drain effectively, reducing the cause of infection.
The tubes are not necessary...they are just very helpful and can end much suffering. It may not end the infection all together. My son still had a few the first year with the tubes, but it was a dramatic decrease from what he had been having. Now bear in mind you never know when the tubes will eject, they just do so on their own. His second set of tubes fell out after just 3 weeks. The doctor explained that the hole made by the first set had gotten widened enough with the second set(by fractions of a millimeter) that it caused premature ejection for the second set.
3 to 4 infections a year is not that bad. I would see puss and blood drain from my sons ears at an alarming rate at least once a month. Anesthetics are very hard on younger children. Once he wakes up from surgery he will be inconsolable until the anesthetic wears off. They flip around in your arms and just basically scream and cry. It's very commom and he will calm down.
You don't have to go with the tubes. You can wait it out and continue to take the precautions that you have and see how much trouble he's still having in another 6 months, and then think about the specialist.
I can also tell you that once I got my sons allergies under control, the ear problems basically went away. If he also gets frequent colds, you may want to think about some over the counter claritan. The liquid is kind of nasty but they have Reditabs that dissolve in the mouth.
I used the Otolarengology Specialists in Indianapolis, but they do have a nationwide group and probably have one in your town. Good luck...I promise it gets better!

My little guy had 5 ear infections by the time he was 11 mos old. I was very hesitant to have tubes put in. But I could no longer stand knowing that Jack was in pain so often and I bit the bullet. It is the smartest thing we have done!! He is much happier and chattier than ever before.

I feel tubes are the way to go. The surgery is very quick, and does a world of good. My oldest son had ear infections constantly as a toddler. He got tubes at 6 months, but they fell out. He got them again at 18 months and has not had another ear infection.
If you trust your doctor, he can refer you to a specialist that he or she trusts.
G.

Hi my daughter had 19 ear infections by the time she was 10 months old! It seemed like we were in the drs office every other day. The anitibotics wouldnt do anything for her. I begged for tubes, and thought of switching drs. Finally he gave us a referal to the ENT. I found out a year later she has allergies and that helped cause her ear infections. I breast fed her, she never laid down with a bottle, she always had a hat on, I did everything, so those things don't matter. Maybe your son too has allergies, they effect more than just a cough, sneeze, ect. She actually can stop brething if shes outside for too long. And her eyes get real bad and red as well. So maye you could check into an allergy specialist. I don't knwo if it helps or not, but thats my long story summed up.

Hey Mom! I know on how you feel on that one! My son is four years old now. A year ago, My husband and I have decided to let go for the tubes, because from day one until a year ago ever two weeks he had an ear infection. Now that He has had the tubes in his ear!! Knock On WOOD, He has NOT had one!! It has been great! Also I notice he can hear allot better. His talking has changed. Best thing I have done for him! We went to Dr.Heidi M. Dunniway she was great!! Matter of fact he goes next month for a check up! Here is her number ###-###-#### Hope the best for you all!!
K.

Hello,

Both of my boys have frequent ear infections as do I. We use homeopathic earache relief drops called Similasan. It is sold over the counter and really works well. Of course I take my boys to the Dr. for antibiotics when I have to but these definately help to take the pain away so they can sleep. My husband and I have also used them. They are are a real lifesaver for the boys for the middle of the night earaches! We love them and always have them in the medicine cabinet on standby. My little sister had tubes put in her ears and had to have them replaced often and my Mom always said that she wished she never would have had them done, that is the reason I didn't allow for my boys to have them. Anyway hope I've helped ya!

Good luck,
Jess

My son had several ear infections last winter. Normally, he would experience cold like symptoms approximately 1 week before he would develope an ear infection. I hated the fact that I knew an ear infection was inevitable and could do nothing about it. I called his Dr. one time and spoke with one of the nurses, just to confirm what I already knew. She said that there was nothing I could do, if he was going to get an ear infection there was nothing I could do to keep it from coming.

My son is the exact same way! He has ear infection in both ears as I am writing this! And this makes the 3rd time in less than 2 months. . . I am taking him on Monday to see the ears, nose, & throat specialist to see about getting tubes put in. I suffered so bad a young child, and still to this day with ear infections. . . and I don't want my son to be the same way. My son is on Omnicef right now, and the dr. perscribed some ear drops that numb the pain, I believe they are called Allergen. Maybe you can ask your doc for some too?

M.,
My oldest daughter was like that. Always had an ear infection. One time she had one from Oct. to Jan. She was 18 months old when that happened. Her ped. NEVER once said anything about tubes for her ears. She just told me to put the meds. drops in her ears, and when it got really bad she gave me antibotics for her. She also suggested a warm not hot heating pad placed on the ear, sweet oil placed in the infected ear. She has finally outgrown them. Every once in a great while she will get one. I myself had alot growing up so it just might be inherited. My youngest hardly gets them at all. lucky little burgger.

M.-
My 18 month old son had his first ear infection at 5 WEEKS! He was crying all the time and being a first time mom I freaked out and took him to the doc and he had the first one. After that he started with one ear then he had in in both ears (every time)! As soon as one cleared up we were back for the next. It got to the point that Amoxicllan didn't even work he had to take Omnicef. He was MISERABLE and all he did was cry, sit in my arms ALL day and yank his ears, even after antibiotics were started. Just before he turned 6 months they referred us to DR. TIMOTHY KELLY phone####-###-####, he suggested the surgery and 2 weeks later we did it. He was just 6 months, had the surgery, went home and took a nap from the anethesia and when he woke up, he was the happiest baby alive. He literally woke up with a smile. He has never had a problem again and has truely been happier than ever. He started crawling 2 days after the surgery, ad walked at 9 months. Lots of people told us to NOT to do it (even my dad), but it was the best decision we made for him. hope this helps.

K.

I see you have a lot of responses already, but I figured I would add another. I had two kids who had tubes put in their ears. My daughter had to have them twice cause the first set fell out. I took them to see Dr. Cohen. He has an office down at Jewish Medical Center. He is the greatest doctor. My best friend even took her son to him and she loves him also. Again, it is just a suggestion.

I had a lot of ear infections as a child and ended up having tubes in my ears. The infections went away and didn't come back when the tubes came out. I haven't had an infection since (I was probably 5 or 6 then). It was weird having the doctors messing around with my ears.. I can remember when they took the tubes out. It wasn't painful; it was just uncomfortable, like all the poking and prodding can be. If tubes are something the doctor feels will help, then go for it. All those antibiotics will wear out your son's body.

I have a 7 year old daughter had HORRIBLE ear infections. She started getting them when she was 9 months and had at least 2-3 a month untill she was 18 months. She got tubes in her ears at 18 months, it went to about once a month until she a little over 2 1/2. It lead to a slight hearing loss. Whenever she had an ear infection she would sleep in her carseat upright. That would help alot. She eventually grew out of them. Her tubes are still in her ears. She hasn't had an ear infection in months! Our speacilist is Dr. Yekinni. He is at Riley. I like him alot. I am not sure what his number is though.

Hi M..
My 3 1/2 yr old son had 2 ear infections and I found that he had allergies that caused fluid build up in his ears which eventually resulted in a busted ear drum. He was given a prescription allergy medicine and has not had one since, and I think it has been over 2 years since then so tubes were not needed. You may want to ask your doctor about that and see what is suggested. Good luck!
T.

My son spent the first two years of his life on medicine to deal with his ear infections. By the time he was four he was developmentally delayed. They finally put tubes in his ears and it has done wonders. The first time he saw an apple and said apple clearly...I burst out in tears! For four years of his life he only heard muffed sounds. Take him to a specialist and make his world come alive! (Yes, in rare cases there are problems with tubes but if you let it go his hearing can be damaged permenantly.) Although, my doctor was good in regards to my son, his office staff left a lot to be desired. (they were his family. I made payments that were never credited to the account and as I have learned, I wasn't the only one.)

My daughter used to get numerous ear infections and had to have tubes put in twice because I didn't abide completely by the rules the first time. It was wonderful, she was a new child. Dr. Crawford was my specialist. He's out of Council Bluffs. I don't know how far away you are but he was great!! Tubes are an easy one, you'd love it.

Hun when My daughter was 3 she had them alot also , She had tubes put in her ears, and had her tonsils taken out all in the same day. It helped so much , shes 19 now , and had maybe 3 ear aches after that . heres a really good Doctor , all 3 of my kids go to him... Hope u have some luck with your Son.

Tri-State Otolaryngology
3 Stonecrest Dr
Huntington, WV zip code
Phone: ###-###-####

Departments:
Roa, Arturo R MD ###-###-####

U do Need a referral from your Sons Doctor.

My son just had tubes placed in his ears last month. He is 7 months old now and had already gotten 4 infections. The tubes are working wonderfully! I am so glad we did it. The doctor we used is Dr. Serge Martinez. He is so nice and gentle with the kids and very nice to the parents. We were a little nervous about the surgery, but he made us feel very comfortable about the procedure. He has even been wonderful afterwards when we had tons of questions. He has an office at the Heuser Hearing Institue on Kentuck and 1st street. I wouldn't recommend him unless my husband and I really loved him. Good luck
E.

Mom to Jackson 7 months and married to a wonderful husband!

My son had over 10 ear infections in one year. We had tubes put in January of 05 and he has not had an ear infection since. We have had absolutely NO problems with the tubes. I would suggest you get them done. It is a very common and simple procedure. I was nervous of course, but it took approximately 10 min and he was done. If you have any other questions, please ask. M.

M.,

When my oldest was younger he had a ton of them. We opted for the tubes and have REGRETED it ever since. Yes they took the drainage away and the pain but he deloped hearing problems. I would now looking back tried more options than the tubes. The thing that i was worried about with all the anitibiotics that he would be a immune to them since he was taking them so often.

Just make sure that your children do not get immuned to these antibiotics if so they will not work as good which you probably already know just a little remember. I know a couple of children has got tubes in their ears and they have fell out just be careful and ask the doctor if its worth it or not.

M.,
I have a four year old son who has had tubes for 2 years and s also had his tonsils and adnoids removed, I saw a specialist (Dr. Greg Osentinsky). This was the best thing that I have ever done. He has not been sick but once in the last 1.5 year.
Dr. O is very compassionate and he treats our children like his own.

i remember those days . my now 16 yr. use to get they all the time when she was a baby . she had one right after another when she was 6 mons to 4yrs old then we put the tubes in her ears that made a big diffants . i think it was the best thing for her . hope this helps and good luck

One of my kids had an ear infection that lasted from the time he was around five months old until he was almost a year old, when we had tubes put in his ears. He still got ear infections after we had the tubes put in, but since his ears could drain, the infections no longer caused him any pain. The EN&T specialist we took him to was at Midwest Ear Nose & Throat in Evansville. All of the people there are very helpful and kind. I highly recommend that office. I would say that, if his doctor is recommending tubes, that is the route you should take. It is a simple procedure, the tubes eventually come out on their own, and they really make a huge difference (in my opinion). Good luck!

Go see a chiroprator and get your son adjusted! It works wonders. I have been getting my children, I have three- 8, 2 and 7 mos, adjusted since they were born and so far, knock on wood, none of them have ever had an ear infection! I had tubes when I was little, so I know it runs in the family. I know a great Doc if you decide to do it. Good luck!

DO NOT HAVE TUBES PUT IN YOUR CHILDS EARS. THEY ONLY LAST UP TO A YEAR AND THE EAR INFECTIONS COME BACK THREEFOLD. DOCTORS NEGLECT TO TELL PARENTS THAT. IT IS AN UN NEEDED PROCEDURE THAT DOES MORE HARM THAN GOOD. DID YOU KNOW THAT SOME EAR INFECTIONS ARE CALLED SWIMMERS EAR AND HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH WATER.....MY OLDEST GETS THEM SOMETIMES.....ITS FROM HOLDING SOMETHING TO YOUR EAR..LIKE A PHONE...A TOY...ANYTHING. YOUR SON WILL OUTGROW THE INFECTIONS. JUST MAKE SURE NO ONE SMOKES AROUND YOUR BABY. EVEN IF SOMEONE SMOKES OUTSIDE, THE SMOKE STAYS ON CLOTHES AND YOUR CHILDREN WILL STILL GET EXPOSED TO SECOND HAND SMOKE. WHEN YOUR SON DRINKS ANYTHING MAKE SURE HE IS SITTING UP...AS HARD AS THAT IS FOR A 2 YEAR OLD TO EVEN SIT STILL. AND REMEMBER INFECTIONS ARE CAUSED BY BACTERIA WHICH CAN ONLY SURVIVE IN COOL, DARK MOIST PLACES SO WHEN YOUR SON IS OUT OF THE TUB, PUT THE BLOWDRYER ON LOW AND MAKE SURE HIS EARS ARE DRY. AND TRY USING A GENTLE SOAP FOR HIS EARS BUT IM SURE YOU ALREADY DO THAT. MY OLDEST USED TO GET SO MANY EAR INFECTIONS BUT WHEN I ACTUALLY LEARNED ALL THAT COULD PREVENT THEM, SHE HAS HAD ONE IN THE PAST 3 YEARS. BUT SOME KIDS JUST OUTGROW THEM. GOOD LUCK

I'm not sure by 'references to a good doc' means you want a second opinion or a recommendation on a good specialist. In any case, My sister's two sons both suffered from chronic ear infections as did she as a child. They all had tubes put into their ears (by all, I mean my sister at a young age, as well). It's not a major ordeal and sometimes completely necessary. Any smoking around the child can seriously worsen the condition. Sometimes it's just a 'thing' that they get 'when the wind blows.' I feel for you because It's so hard to sooth a child with ear pain, but tubes are temporary and could be just the answer you're looking for. I hope they find relief soon and good luck.

When my son was 12 months he began a series of ear infections. It seem like as soon as he as over it, a month later he had it again. Our pediatrian just kept prescribing antibotics. After feeling like it was going on a year, I finally requested a specialist. We had a very good doctor that determined he had seasonal allergies the caused fluid to build in this middle ear, which in turn cause the infection. He put my son on zyrtec and said if he continues to get ear infections during the next 3 months he would then insert tubes. The tubes would fall out when the middle ear matured. The allergy medicine worked and he never had a ear infection again until he was 3 due to a cold. He outgrew the infection and did not required the tubes. I would see the ear specialist and see what he says about your son. Have your pediatrican recommend a ear specialist that they recommend. Hope this help. I.

My now six year old was the same way, 8 to 10 ear infections and also ruptured ear drums some of those times. We took him to a pediatric ENT and got some answers; my son had chronic sinus swelling ( his sinuses were supposed to be a pencil line thick and they were 1/2 an inch wide). The swelling was causing pressure to build up and make severe ear infections over and over. He was put on a decongestant and motrin for the swelling. A few months later he was doing wonderful. He's now only had one ear infection in the last three years and we avoided having putting tubes in. I would suggest talking to your doc about getting a referral to an ENT. Good luck!

J.