Anyone done tubes?

AlisonLynn

DS had an appt today with an ENT doctor. They have decided to put tubes in his ears. I'm happy about it. He has already had like 5 or so ear infections since 4 months. If you had it done with LO, how did it go? What should I expect?

blissfully_caffeinated

I haven't but you might try posting on one of the older toddler boards. I bet someone on the 12-24 toddler board has dealt with tubes.

calico77

We did a year and a half ago and it was the best thing for DS#1.  He had chronic (monthly) ear infections and even though the infection would go away after antibiotics (and eventually the shots), he still had fluid build up.  I just wish we had done them sooner.....I have not had any problems at all with DS#2 but if I do, I will push to have them sooner than later.

DS#1 had them in April of 09 and we haven't had any ear infections since.  In fact, he has only been to the doctor 4 times for sicknesses since then....2 strep, 2 sinus infections. 

He was 2 years, 3 months old.  After we checked in at the butt crack of dawn, they had him in the OR waiting area for a while.  They gave him the goofy juice which cracked us up.  He was slurring his speech and was all goofy.  When that was all set in, they took him back.  We literally sat down in the waiting room for 5 minutes before they were back in to tell us he was in recovery already.  It is that fast.

The worst part was actually recovery at the hospital.  They say the goofy juice is at fault here.  He cried and cried and cried and slobbered all over me.  But he is a very cautious kid in the first place and was probably scared more than anything.  He was able to eat popsicles which calmed him down.....we left about an hour after it was done.  

No problems since, I'd highly recommend it.  We were on a high deductible plan so every time he had an ear infection it was $80 for the doctor visit, plus full retail for the antibiotics plus another $80 for a follow up appointment.  This times month after month got expensive.  At his last sick appt which may have actually been Jan or March of this year, he still had them in.

calico77

Oh-and he has finally stopped flinching/crying every time a doctor looks in his ears.  It took nearly a year after surgery for that to happen.

AlisonLynn

calico77:

We did a year and a half ago and it was the best thing for DS#1.  He had chronic (monthly) ear infections and even though the infection would go away after antibiotics (and eventually the shots), he still had fluid build up.  I just wish we had done them sooner.....I have not had any problems at all with DS#2 but if I do, I will push to have them sooner than later.

DS#1 had them in April of 09 and we haven't had any ear infections since.  In fact, he has only been to the doctor 4 times for sicknesses since then....2 strep, 2 sinus infections. 

He was 2 years, 3 months old.  After we checked in at the butt crack of dawn, they had him in the OR waiting area for a while.  They gave him the goofy juice which cracked us up.  He was slurring his speech and was all goofy.  When that was all set in, they took him back.  We literally sat down in the waiting room for 5 minutes before they were back in to tell us he was in recovery already.  It is that fast.

The worst part was actually recovery at the hospital.  They say the goofy juice is at fault here.  He cried and cried and cried and slobbered all over me.  But he is a very cautious kid in the first place and was probably scared more than anything.  He was able to eat popsicles which calmed him down.....we left about an hour after it was done.  

No problems since, I'd highly recommend it.  We were on a high deductible plan so every time he had an ear infection it was $80 for the doctor visit, plus full retail for the antibiotics plus another $80 for a follow up appointment.  This times month after month got expensive.  At his last sick appt which may have actually been Jan or March of this year, he still had them in.

I'm so glad they helped your son! It seems like everyone who has a son or daughter who has had them has really noticed a big difference. Like your son, my little guy seems to always be messing with his ears and having trouble, even in between infections. It seems like everytime one gets cleared up, another begins. He was screaming when I laid him down last night and tugs at his ears/shakes his head. The doctor said he doesn't have infection right now but there is a lot of pressure in his ears (could be teething too). Sounds like a quick process! Thanks for the info!