tell me about your experience wtih ear tubes and drainage

SarahFin

Joey got tubes at the beginning of january because of an ear infection that just wouldn't go away.  He was good/healthy for about a month after that and then he got a cold and the mucus started draining from his ears.  The docs say "that's fine, the tubes are working".  Well, it's gross and it's been 2+ weeks now!

We've been to 2 different doctors for other issues and when they look at his ears, they don't seem concerned.  I'm supposed to continue ear drops (which we started back on 2/20) through the weekend and we have a follow up on Monday with our pedi.  The past 2 nights, he's been really fussy and waking at night. 

I guess my question is.... have you experienced this?  Did it finally quit or did you get a culture on the ear mucus??  I'm afraid of getting through the weekend with this, and I don't think the Otologist can get us in today....

UPDATE: I can get into the Otologist - hooray!!  I'm still curious to hear if anyone has had a similar experience.  Thanks!

Erika6504

DD got tubes at the end of December.  The only time she's had drainage was right after the tubes were inserted and when she had an ear infection a few weeks later.

I have no idea if that amount of drainage is normal!

Keep us posted on what the Dr. says!

pea-kay

one of mine had this a few weeks after the surgery, but it stopped. i brought him to the ENT (at their request) so they could check his ears. they said next time, they'd give me some antibiotic drops to put in his ears.

MinnEMsota

My DS had tubes put in in October.  They told me that drainage was normal for the day or two after the tubes.  But, a couple weeks later when his ears were draining I had forgotten that and thought, "good, his tubes are working."  The tubes were working, but that didn't mean he didn't have an ear infection.  We've been back in twice since the tubes for an ear infection I noticed from the gunk and goo coming out of his ears.  One of those times they did a culture of the goo but it came back as showing "no bacteria".  But it was clear his ears were infected.  Now I have 4 refills of the antibiotic drops and the oral antibiotic and the ENT just has me fill them on my own when I see the gunk.  (We've been ear infection free for 4 weeks - woohoo!  That hasn't happened since September!)

mrsmikey

DS had tubes back in January, and other than the drainage right afterwards for a few days, he really hasn't had any.  But they did tell me they could still get fluid or an infection.  They gave me some drops to use if it happens, but knock on wood it hasn't yet. 

SarahFin

Thanks, ladies!

Joey's ears are fine...it really just is the snot draining out his ears - so gross!!  Doc gave me some new drops that will help with inflamation in case that is what is causing pain and causing him to wake at night, but doc said until his cold goes away, that's just where his mucus is draining.  He didn't do a culture or anything, he said they weren't infected.

He said we could aspirate his ears, too...something I had been afraid to do.  We just have to be careful not to make a seal so that the suction isn't too bad.  Oh, and they cleaned out the gunk in the docs office - Joey hated that!!