Talk to me about ear infections

Meritage

My son is 4 and has never had an ear infection, until this week.  He's had a fever since Friday night and has been downright miserable.  I took him to the pedi on Monday, and he diagnosed him with an ear infection which was a huge surprise to us.  I kind of took it as good news since they seem to be easy to treat.

He's been on the meds for two days now and doesn't seem to be getting any better.  I called the pedi again today and he said to wait 48-72 hours as it can take that long for the antibiotics to work.  He said to wait until tomorrow, and then call again if he isn't better.

I really have no experience with ear infections, but this seems really bad.  It's especially bad at night, and he's up all night long.  Just can't seem to get comfortable and rotates from lying in bed, sitting up in bed, sitting on the glider, sitting on the anywhere chair, back to bed, etc.  From what I hear, this is normal for ear infections as lying flat is when it hurts the most.

Would love to hear about your experience - especially when this madness will be over and we can all sleep again!  :-)

Smuches4u

Some sort of pain management will help with the sleeping & overall demeanor.  As a ear infection suffer-er myself, alternating with Tylenol & Motrin seems to be the most effective & I've found that true for Mason as well.

They aren't fun, are incredibly uncomfortable and any changes in pressure, temp, noise may result in shrieks. 

I hope those meds kick in full swing today and you all can get some rest tonight.  If the pedi didn't talk about pain mgmt, you may want to call for some advice.

My.ABC.Life

Hey Shelia, we've had our fair share of infections and they pretty much go as you say.  We treated with antibiotics plus Tylenol/Advil and that helped.  Generally within two days of antibiotics her was feeling/sleeping better!  Your poor baby!  Hope he feels better soon!

Mrs.K&C

If he's no better by this afternoon, I'd ask for a different antibiotic. Both my kiddos got their first ear infections recently, and both started out on amoxicillian but it did nothing. Some are resistant to the milder antibiotics. Really I think there should be improvement within 24 hours.

SweetieP

Ryan has only had 2 and when he did, the pedi told us that there should be improvement in 24 hours (sometimes after the first dose) and most are GONE in 48ish hours...but to take the entire cycle of medication. 

 

Sorry that C is so sick. Poor lil guy!

m&m818

I recently had an ear infection that was so painful when I was laying down. It felt like someone was filling my ear with sharp needles anytime I laid back. It didn't bother me nearly as much when I was propped up. Can you put a wedge under his mattress or pillows? Or even books? Something to prop him up.

=(

 I'm sorry he doesn't feel good.

lukaface

Poor little guy!  S has had quite a few ear infections and she was always really, really miserable but the pain seemed to disappear after the forst 48 hours of antibiotics.  We gave her ibuprofen for pain and for her last infection, her pedi prescribed some ear drops that were supposed to help numb the pain.  I can't tell if they worked or whether the ibuprofen did the trick.  Hope he feels better soon.

amyfelice

Ibuprofen definitely helps. There are also some numbing drops you can use, Auralgan was pulled off the market but there is a generic that works too, can ask for a script for that. 

It should feel better within 48 hours, so if after two days on the medication it is not any better, then we change it. So if I see someone on say a Monday  and prescribe anitbiotics I tell them if it is not any better on Thursday to come back OR if it is getting worse to come back sooner. 

Personally, I had one once and it sucked bad and it was better within 24 hours on Amox.  

gsbabygirl

Poor little guy, I hope he's feeling better soon.

Bella has had really bad infections in the past.  She had a really bad one the last month of preschool that had her running a fever for about 2 weeks and she was just miserable.  We finally took her to the ENT Dr and he prescribed her different antibiotics for her and it cleared right up. Then a week before she started 1st grade she had another bad ear infection that got so bad both ear drums ruptured.  She was in such pain, crying day and night, high fever that never went down.  Finally they gave her some heavy duty meds (can't remember which one it was) and she finally started to get relief.  

So if he's not feeling better by tonight or tomorrow, I would take him back in to have him rechecked.  

dblhappiness

Poor guy! Ditto others in giving the pain meds right along with the antibiotics. One of our bouts w/ear infections was a doozy and the pain didn't go away for the boys for at least 48 hrs after the start of meds. Hang in there and I hope he feels some relief soon!!

2bearichards

Poor guy!  I would call your doctor back and insist on new antibiotics.

Both my kids get ear infections (Peyton has tubes now) and they would usually be better after the second dose of medicine.