DS has his 100000 ear infection - ok well really it only feels like that many. It is his 10th ear infection. He is again on antibiotics, the dr thinks some of the ear infections might be caused from his teething, but he has had more infections then he has teeth at this point. My sister suggested I bring him to a chiropractor, she said that sometimes ear infections can be cured with an alignment, I have never been to a chiropractor but I feel like once you go, you have to keep going, and ds seems young for that. Poor DS something has to give though - he is miserable, his medicine gives him runs which causes horrible diaper rash. OK vent over! I wonder at what point we discuss tubes. Anyone else have a child that gets this many ear infections, or have suggestions on something that might help??
Re: Another ear infection :(
I was just in your shoes. JT had 1 after another. And in between the fluid never drained. Does your LO still have fluid in between ear infections?
We went to an ENT - it was the best decision I made. What they explained is that the ear canal (I guess that's what he referred to) is not sloping down yet so any fluid they have there might not drain. (as adults, ours slopes down). That fluid is a breathing ground for infection. In addition, it makes them feel uncomfortable and can make them hear like they are underwater.
Before we would go to tubes we decided to try a steroid for 6 days. If the steroid made the swelling go down and the fluid drained then we'd be in the clear and not need tubes. After the week of steroids he still had fluid. We waited 3 more weeks (no medication at this point) and when we went back it was all cleared up!! What a relief!! I wish I took him sooner - I think he had like 5 or 6 in a 3 or 4 month span.
I would go to an ENT first...I'm surprised after that many infections your pedi didn't mention that. Although, I was the one who told my pedi I'm ready to see a specialist. JT had a hearing test there and everything - it was great and turned out he's A-OK. HTH. Good luck!
I don't have a ton of experience with this, but I'd definitely get a second opinion. I think when you use chiropracty for something like this you go as needed. It's when you go for back adjustments that you get into trouble. You might also want to find a naturopath (in a couple of states it is covered by health insurance). I've had a ton of success going that route and it's nice not to have to give so many antibiotics.
Good luck! Poor Kain!
Chiro (one who specializes in families) is a great natural option. It should be very, very gentle. We took DS when he was about 7 months and it was a breeze. Another natural option is using garlic & muellin oil in the ear (sold at Whole Foods among others). Giving up dairy can help some people.
More Green For Less Green
I'm not an avid poster here, but DS had tubes put in when he was 10 months old, at that point he only had one tooth, and had his 9th ear infection the day before the surgery.
It was the best decision, he gets some ooze out of his ears when he is teething, but nothing that can't be cleared up and I was told that it's from excessive fluid that can't go down the drain quick enough.
He does cough a little more when teething, but I think it's because he isn't used to the drainage.
Hope your little one feels better soon, ear infections suck!! I still get them as an adult.