Tubes at this age?

btm013

Uggghhh so we are on Week 7 of an ear infection that just won't quit We've been to two ENT's and of course his regular pediatrician and all recommend tubes. Given his age, they want it done by a pediatric ENT at a children's hospital - which I fully support! Has anyone else had this problem or know of anyone who's had it done this young? I'm nervous but I know it's for the best.

laceymarie3

I worked for 10 years in a children's hospital, and my nephew was a few months older when he had tubes put in. The procedure is super quick and the recovery is super easy. It helps so much to clear those ears and keep them clear. Speech development can be a concern when kids have chronic ear infections since everything they hear is muffled. Good luck to you. I hope your son feels better soon!

caitlincunn

@Sammy K might be able to help you  

Sammy K

LO is in the middle of ear infection #5 in 6 months so we're doing tubes. We already met with the ENT so I just need to schedule it.

There are still risks, but from what I've been told, they're fairly rare and usually mild. I'm not thrilled with it, but it's better than constant dosing with antibiotics and NSAIDS. And they make future infections easier to treat (ear drops instead of oral antibiotics; lower levels of antibiotics that are directly targeted instead of broad spectrum).

Was there anything specific you are worried about?  I will try to post again after we're done.

btm013

I think I'm extra nervous about him being put under at such a young age but I know he will be ok. As crazy as this sounds, I'm also worried about the fasting leading up to it. My is a beast when he's hungry haha. Good luck to you @Sammy K . I should have a surgery date today and will keep you posted as well

fridaysdance

I was just about to ask this same question. LO never complains about pain from her ears but they're always infected. We've had to go to the Dr a few times for other things so they always check and it never seems to get any better. They've had us back off the antibiotics for a few days so she could eat and function. If it keeps up, I'm getting a referral for my favorite ENT in the area. Just praying it isn't a long wait.

Sammy K

We're set for May 6th. 

@fridaysdance I hope you can get in quickly. In my area, it's tough to get in during allergy season. Good luck! 

lindsladle15

I think I'm going to be in the same boat with you all, soon....both my girls (nearly 10mo and 22mo) have had several ear infections.  My ped said 3-4 in a year and we start talking.  We are about there, even after recently switching ped's and him not seeing the previous records.

Jennilikes311

My son is on his 5th ear infection since January, we have an appointment with an ENT on May 6th.  :-(

MrsRucinski85

No personal experience but wanted to say good luck! I couldn't imagine dealing with an ear infection for that long. 

btm013

Our son is scheduled for the procedure on April 26th!! I'll let you know how it goes!

Sammy K

@btm013 I'm jealous you were able to get in so quickly.  I hope it goes well! 

Jennilikes311

Fingers crossed it goes well!  My son is on his 6th ear infection since January and still has to wait until May 6th to see the ENT!  I feel so bad for him!

btm013

Ugh they pushed the surgery to May 9th!! I will keep you posted! @Jennilikes311 I know it's the worst!!

btm013

Thank God! He's in for this Monday. I will definitely let you know how it goes.

laceymarie3

@btm013  @Sammy K  @Jennilikes311  Good luck with all your upcoming appointments and surgeries, I hope it helps and your LOs start feeling better soon. If you are going to be in a children's hospital you will have the added support of a Child Life Specialist. I myself am one, but now I stay home with my son. They can help keep your baby distracted and as happy as possible while they are in pre-op waiting and hungry. You can call ahead of time or go onto the hospital's website to find out more about what they can do to help while you are there (for general information look at childlife.org). The role of a Child Life Specialist is to help children cope with the hospital by providing developmentally appropriate play, education, distraction and support. I always would recommend bringing any comfort items, blanket/stuffed animal, often times children are allowed to take this item with them into the operating room and fall asleep with the comfort of it in their arms. I did this every time I went back with a child, for something like tubes the doctors may just let it stay with the child so they wake up with it as well. For longer and more complicated surgeries I would then bring it out and give it back to the parents to hold. Some children's hospitals allow one parent to accompany the child until they are asleep, not all allow this, and they all will assess if they think this is something you as a parent would be able to handle. The last thing they want is a parent becoming extremely upset or passing out. If you can't go back then this is where a Child Life Specialist steps in and helps to provide support for the child. 

My last thought for you is if you are breastfeeding or pumping you can ask what the fasting time is for breast milk. Because it digests easier and faster some hospitals are allowing babies to have breast milk up to 4 hours prior to their surgery instead of the 8-10 hours. 

I hope this helps and your babies get through with least amount of stress and discomfort as possible. 

btm013

Phew I am so happy that's over with. LO did great! We had to start fasting him last night at midnight. For those about to go through it, do yourself a favor and ask if they can at least have tylenol/motrin if need be in the middle of the night. We didn't ask that and I wish we did b/c LO woke up screaming in pain and we couldn't do a thing. I don't know if we could have given something but it would have been nice to know in advance. Thankfully he slept until 6:45am and we had to be at the facility at 7:15am. Surgery started at 8:15 am and he was in my arms by 8:25am. Truly it lasted only 10 minutes. They brought him to me still asleep and watched as he came to. They warned us that he could start thrashing and screaming/crying. He didn't thrash but did scream his head off. They gave him some apple juice first to make sure he could keep it down and then a bottle. We were out of there by 9:15. He screamed the entire way home but as soon as I stepped foot into the house it was like a cloud lifted and he knew he was safe and immediately calmed down. We played for a bit and then I fed him a bottle and he's been sleeping for the last hour.They warned us that his ears may drain a bit and that was normal. He needs 4 drops in each ear twice a day for about a week. Something I didn't think about before until they mentioned it was he will need to have ear plugs in his ears any time he bathes or is in a pool. The doctor said you can just cup the ear during a bath or put a cotton ball with vaseline on it in a pinch but plugs work best. I pray LO wakes up from his nap restored and feeling better. The doctor said there was a lot of fluid and he should be feeling relief already. Good luck to all who are about to go through it. Your LO will be fine! I personally feel like collapsing into a fit of tears right now haha but at least my baby is on the road to recovery.

btm013

Update: It's been one week and the difference in LO is AMAZING!! He has better balance, he's saying so many new words and he's sleeping through the night without issue! For anyone worried about the procedure or hesitant, don't be. It has made a world of difference! @Sammy K how did your LO do?

Sammy K

She was great.  She endeared herself to the entire staff and didn't fuss before at all.  She had indication of long-term fluid retention, so it was definitely needed.  She's talking more, seems to be standing more and is much happier in general.  Her inner ears should go back to normal and they will check the tissue at her follow up.  We did it soon enough that it shouldn't affect her speech, but it definitely would have if we left it untreated.  She acted amazed at sounds the next few days while she adapted to her new normal.

Jennilikes311

My lo had his surgery today.  His doctor operates youngest to oldest so we were there at 6:30 in the morning. He actually did fine fasting and was a happy boy before surgery.  It was super quick.  I even ran to the bathroom in the middle of it and when I came out the doctor was sitting there with my husband, I felt kind of bad, whoops! The doctor said his ears were extremely infected and was surprised we didn't notice, which he's been acting fine the whole time, but we figured they would be infected again since he got an infection after being off of each antibiotic for a few days.  He was super fussy but we laid down together when we got home and he woke up happy!  He has had bright red drainage and a fever which is concerning us and I called the doctor on call this evening so we are upping the number of times we are giving drops to see if that helps.  Anyone else's lo's have bloody drainage?  I'm not talking just fluid tinged with blood, this is bright red blood!

lindsladle15

So glad all of your surgeries seem to be helping so much!
My LO has another horrible, pussy infection, so we are going to discuss ENT at her year well check.

Sammy K

@Jennilikes311 Our ENT said that was normal. We were told to contact them immediately for a fever over 101 or pus-like foul smelling drainage. Liquid drainage is better than thick. I would still call your ENT if the fever doesn't improve. 

We had an infection 10 days after tubes but it was only 1 ear and much better than usual. So they are already helping.