How much drainage is too much? (question about tubes in ears)

Ashley858 · June 2013

This is the first post I have done in a very long time so I am not a regular around here but I need some advice from a larger group of people so here I am.

My son had tubes put in his ears back on April 8th. We were forced to go to the hospital on post to have it done because Tricare wouldn't let us get a referral anywhere off post. Everything was good for about a month and then one day he had bright red blood coming out of his ear. I ended up taking him to the local ER and was told to follow up with the ENT who put the tubes in, but I have yet to get an appointment with them. Every time I call no one can schedule an appointment and every message I leave for the ENT to call me is never returned. His Primary care doc keeps saying I have to go back to the ENT but I am at a loss. Ever since the bright red blood episode he does not go more than a day with out massive amounts of fluid coming out of his ears, mainly the right one. Its like snot and will run out of his ear. His teachers at daycare comment on how much his ears drain.

I have been trying to get an appointment with the ENT since he never even had a follow up after having them put in, but I have not been too demanding or aggressive about it. I was just thinking that the drainage was supposed to happen, but I am starting to worry that it may be too much.

wochoa22 · June 2013

My daughter had tubes put in twice and this never happened. She never had blood come out of her ears. However now years later one of her ears does create a lot of wax. Not sure if it's similar. Honestly if it was me and my baby I would go to the office and demand to see the doc at this point. If they are not calling you back and have not seen you post op by now I would be furious even if all had turned out well. But you've obviously come across a complication and you're a mom whose worried. It's their job to make sure all is well and to pu you at ease.

a_m_brown · June 2013

I've never heard of bright red blood draining out, but our ENT told us that if we see drainage it probably means an ear infection.

memali26 · June 2013

Get pushy with the office. Your child NEEDS to be seen, so call whoever you have to call to make that happen, and if you have to stop being nice about it so be it. Let mama bear come out

My girls both have/had tubes, and we never had drainage from them and definitely no blood. Some funky wax that turned out to be nothing, but that was it. If your LO has massive amounts, I'm guessing he's got an infection and it doesn't sound like it's clearing up on it's own. He needs to be seen. I don't know how military insurance works so I have no idea what your next step should be if the ENT's office continues to ignore you, but I'd be calling any numbers I can find until I got someone's attention. GL!

Ashley858 · June 2013

Thanks for the answers. I definitely feel bad now though. I have been on the "oh this is whats supposed to happen" mind set, but I've never known anyone who had tubes or had a child with tubes.

iteachk · June 2013

a_m_brown:
I've never heard of bright red blood draining out, but our ENT told us that if we see drainage it probably means an ear infection.

This exactly.

shannm · June 2013

I would get more pushy with the ENT, call a different ENT, and consider getting a new primary. PCPs should be your advocate. If I was in your situation, I know that I would get more from my pedi's office than, "you need to call the ENT." I would do this even if it meant I had to pay out of pocket. It doesn't sound normal.

Chargersgrl33 · June 2013

We had bright red blood in DS's right ear and that's when it clogged with dried blood and we had infections since then. That is until we had it replaced and all is good since then.

reb84 · June 2013

I would be calling everyday, leaving messages with anybody who would take them. Also call the patient advocate, tell them what's been going on and that nobody responds or can schedule you. Go to the clinic and tell them you need to be seen (but our clinic only makes appts over the phone, not at the clinic....silly). You can try to do a walk-in but they still might make you wait. Be the squeaky wheel.

Lottiesmommy · June 2013

At this point I'd consider bypassing your insurance, finding a doctor AT ALL and then billing it back to your provider bc of their negligence in an emergency. Take him to a hospital that HAS TO TREAT HIM regardless of coverage and then deal with the rest later. I'd not have let this go a DAY.

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How much drainage is too much? (question about tubes in ears)

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