Scared and Nervous (Updated)

Jenn478 · March 2011

DD has a consult tomorrow with an ENT Specialist for tubes, I am so scared of them saying she doesn't need tubes and them saying she does need tubes. Did that make any sense? I don't want her to have surgery, but I don't want her to suffer anymore either. She has had eight ear infections since July, I just want my baby girl to be healthy!

alf005 · March 2011

I know it's scary. My nephew had them put in when he was 4 and it was scary even for me as an Aunt! But on the up side he hasn't had any ear infections since and that's a blessing!

T&P for you and DD whatever the outcome of her appointment!

Amomtomanyluvs · March 2011

I am sure it is going to rough, but I know a lot of kids who have had the tubes and everything went ok. I have never had a child go in for surgery so I do not know what it is like, so I will offer you big hugs. I hope everything goes well one way or another.

tikata4 · March 2011

oh poor girl Sad

I hope the appt tomorrow goes well.

Mrs.Slick · March 2011

I'm so sorry! That has to be tough

I hope y'all find something (whatever it may be) to stop her ear infections.

slmayer1981 · March 2011

If it makes you feel better, I have a friend who's 1 year old son had tubes put in last week. She posted pictures of him on facebook about 2 hours after the surgery and he was happy as a clam eating lunch. From what I understand, they didn't even put him under for the procedure. I hope your LO feels better. Ear aches are no fun! Good luck!

Kellyinpink · March 2011

Thoughts and prayer to you and your DD! Just try and remember that the people you are seeing are professional and have tons of experience! And they only want what is best for your DD!!! GL!

StephNJohn2008 · March 2011

Good luck! I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.

blindvictory · March 2011

Poor baby! Bless her little heart. T&Ps to both of you!

Rakiki3 · March 2011

Poor LO. Sending thoughts and prayers your way. Hope everything goes well Right Hug

ixnay · March 2011

My nephew had tubes put in last week. It was so no big deal. He was a little groggy, but played and ate a ton right after. The results will be worth it.

Janaemarierod · March 2011

I have actually had tubes put in my ears twice! I had no problems what so ever. The first time I had them I was probably about 7 or so. The next time was only like two years later. They really helped me ears to drain and I no longer had ear infections. As an adult I only occasionally get one. I used to get them like twice per month. It was horrible! I'm so glad that my parents went ahead and agreed to the surgery. I was completely fine afterwards as well. My only issue was that I wanted Taco Bell after my first surgery. Of course I eventually got what I wanted, but threw up on the way home. I'm sure everything will be fun. Hope everything goes well!!

Jenn478 · March 2011

Thank you ladies.

jenni888 · March 2011

Ugh, I hope whatever happens you can stop those infections. Poor thing, those are so excruciatingly painful! T&P for you and your DD.

herbnhollie · March 2011

Good luck to her and I hope she feels better soon!

CarolinaGirl82 · March 2011

I completely understand what you mean about wanting two completely different outcomes! I know what you really want is for her to just not be in pain. I know quite a few little girls (just realized that it is mostly little girls... wonder if females are more prone to this?) that have gotten tubes and it has changed their life! One little girl finally started talking so that people other than her parents could understand her. They were worried about speech delays, turns out she just couldn't hear very well! I hope whichever way it turns out, she feels much better and doesn't get any more ear infections!

Jenn478 · March 2011

Just got home from the appointment, she has fluid in both ears which has resulted in temporary hearing loss. He said they like to see no more than 3-4 ear infections in a year, but most pedi's hope it gets better and withhold the referral. She just finished antibiotics Friday and he said her right ear is already starting to get red! The first available surgery appointment is not until April 15th, I am sure we will have an ear infection or two while waiting.

Thank you for your kind words.

bellaarchitect · March 2011

Jenn478:
Just got home from the appointment, she has fluid in both ears which has resulted in temporary hearing loss. He said they like to see no more than 3-4 ear infections in a year, but most pedi's hope it gets better and withhold the referral. She just finished antibiotics Friday and he said her right ear is already starting to get red! The first available surgery appointment is not until April 15th, I am sure we will have an ear infection or two while waiting.
Thank you for your kind words.

I just saw this post. I had a childhood/adulthood plagued with MANY ear infections. I had tubes put in when I was young (can recall exact age, but about 6ish). I also had my adenoids taken out at that time. Then once the tubes fell out on their own, a few years later I'd have infections that led to ruptured ear drums. At one point I was sent to an 'environmental allergist' who put me through rigorous tests then on diet and sublingual drops (to put under my tongue). At 12 I had to have a tympanoplasty on my left ear (took cartilage from my ear to rebuild the bone structure in my ear), then another tympanoplasty at age 14 to "lift" the structure back up (it was sagging, and was probably being pulled down by the constant "pressurizing" I felt compelled to do (plugging my ear with my finger and sucking air through my nose). I didn't have too many problems after that. I did go get weekly allergy shots for a while in high school, but I honestly don't recall any problems until I was a junior in college. I felt like I was having some drainage/hearing problems, so I went to the university hospital and the ENT there recommended "adult" tubes. I had that surgery in January 2004, and the tubes are still there! I have only had 2 infections since (one was my own fault for swimming without ear plugs---don't let her go swimming without ear plugs, even if she doesn't get tubes). The head of the ENT department down here at Piedmont said he wanted to see if my sinuses were the culprit to my problems (all along I had been told it is because I have small ears/eustacian tubes). At the time, the insurance company didn't approve the CAT scan needed to look at my sinuses, and since my infection had cleared up, I didn't return. But, hearing tests have concluded that I have VERY minimal hearing loss...practically normal, even going through all of that.

I guess in summary:

I would go ahead with the tubes. ENT has come a long way even since I was a child. The tubes will likely be temporary and will fall out naturally, but many children do see an improvement with tubes.
Maybe a question to ask your doctor would be "is it possible it is sinus (or allergy)-related?" And if so, what are the recommended treatments for that?
I had a very happy, normal childhood and ended up with approximately normal hearing range despite going through all of that. Though, I do pray that your LO doesn't have to have any more surgery/treatments after this and has healthy ears for the rest of her life.
I am sure it was hard on my mom going through it all, and she's a nurse! But I am also sure that you will be strong and be there for your little girl, just like mine was. Definitely give her some special treatment while she is going through the infections and after the surgery. Ear infections were never any fun!

Jenn478 · March 2011

bellaarchitect:
Jenn478:
Just got home from the appointment, she has fluid in both ears which has resulted in temporary hearing loss. He said they like to see no more than 3-4 ear infections in a year, but most pedi's hope it gets better and withhold the referral. She just finished antibiotics Friday and he said her right ear is already starting to get red! The first available surgery appointment is not until April 15th, I am sure we will have an ear infection or two while waiting.
Thank you for your kind words.

I just saw this post. I had a childhood/adulthood plagued with MANY ear infections. I had tubes put in when I was young (can recall exact age, but about 6ish). I also had my adenoids taken out at that time. Then once the tubes fell out on their own, a few years later I'd have infections that led to ruptured ear drums. At one point I was sent to an 'environmental allergist' who put me through rigorous tests then on diet and sublingual drops (to put under my tongue). At 12 I had to have a tympanoplasty on my left ear (took cartilage from my ear to rebuild the bone structure in my ear), then another tympanoplasty at age 14 to "lift" the structure back up (it was sagging, and was probably being pulled down by the constant "pressurizing" I felt compelled to do (plugging my ear with my finger and sucking air through my nose). I didn't have too many problems after that. I did go get weekly allergy shots for a while in high school, but I honestly don't recall any problems until I was a junior in college. I felt like I was having some drainage/hearing problems, so I went to the university hospital and the ENT there recommended "adult" tubes. I had that surgery in January 2004, and the tubes are still there! I have only had 2 infections since (one was my own fault for swimming without ear plugs---don't let her go swimming without ear plugs, even if she doesn't get tubes). The head of the ENT department down here at Piedmont said he wanted to see if my sinuses were the culprit to my problems (all along I had been told it is because I have small ears/eustacian tubes). At the time, the insurance company didn't approve the CAT scan needed to look at my sinuses, and since my infection had cleared up, I didn't return. But, hearing tests have concluded that I have VERY minimal hearing loss...practically normal, even going through all of that.
I guess in summary:

I would go ahead with the tubes. ENT has come a long way even since I was a child. The tubes will likely be temporary and will fall out naturally, but many children do see an improvement with tubes.
Maybe a question to ask your doctor would be "is it possible it is sinus (or allergy)-related?" And if so, what are the recommended treatments for that?
I had a very happy, normal childhood and ended up with approximately normal hearing range despite going through all of that. Though, I do pray that your LO doesn't have to have any more surgery/treatments after this and has healthy ears for the rest of her life.
I am sure it was hard on my mom going through it all, and she's a nurse! But I am also sure that you will be strong and be there for your little girl, just like mine was. Definitely give her some special treatment while she is going through the infections and after the surgery. Ear infections were never any fun!

Thank you so much for sharing your personal experience. Wow, it sounds like you have been through a lot! The ENT is putting in the tubes that fall out, he says they typically last about six months.

As for what is causing it, from four months old until 20 months old she stayed at home with a nanny and was rarely sick. She had one ear infection and it was on her first birthday. We made the difficult decision to put her in daycare in late June and since then she has had a constant cold and runny nose, stomach bug, or pink eye. She probably has a runny nose at least half of the days in a month. Until she stops getting sick she will have a funny nose and possible flud in her ears. Sad

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