Re: Ear tubes, are they worth it?

April 25, 2005

Hi

When was 3 and started preschool in January of 2003, she would get a cold

and with every cold an ear infection. This went on every month until June of

2003, which is when she stopped preschool. When I was at that visit, I spoke

with the ped about a referral to the ent to get tubes and he agreed. I went to

the ent who agreed that he would do the tubes, however, it was at that ped visit

when 's heart murmur was heard. Of course, that took precedence and she

was done with the preschool. We never got to do the tubes, however, we also

made sure we kept away from a lot of kids to avoid her getting sick.

first started seeing her ent when she was four months old because she

started snoring. Her ent sent her for x-rays because she was too small to

really see in her nose. The x-rays revealed that she had/has enlarged adnoids.

He wanted to see if they would continue to grow as she grew or if she would grow

into them.

I would definitely have opted to do the tubes if I didn't hit the road block

that I did. Especially in light of the fact that at that last visit with the

ent in June of 2003, was sent for a hearing test and was found to have

slight hearing loss in her right ear. Of course, there was some fluid in her

ear. But, as long as she was continuing to have fluid (no tubes to help drain)

she would still have hearing loss and it would increase.

Good luck at your visit. By the way my niece was this ent's youngest patient to

get tubes at somewhere around 6 months of age.

B

5 and Kelli 2 1/2

anderkat3 wrote:

Hi. Autumn (15 mos)is going to an ENT on Tuesday for her ear

infections, 6, all in her right ear in about 5 mos time. None before

though and her last one was diagnosed about 3 weeks ago. As soon as

her other docs heard how many they just assumed she'd get ear tubes and

now on Tuesday the ear doc will give me his opinion, but I am just so

worried about procedures like that and need to know if it is really

worth it. Has any one opted out of ear tubes and found the infections

improved or found any other ways to prevent them, or also those who

have had ear tubes placed in your kids, have they really helped and

been worth it? Are the kids in pain after getting them? I just wanted

some advice before the appt., I have never dealt with ear probs with my

other kids. Thanks

mom to Autumn 15 mos RSS, Ocean 2 1/2, Skye 6 1/2, baby girl

due in July

---------------------------------

April 25, 2005

,

My son , , just got ear tubes this past January. Prior to the

placement of the tubes, he had numorous infections in both ears. I

was very concerned and I knew that so many ear infections could

eventually cause some hearing loss and damage to the ear drums. So,

I opted to go ahead with the palcement. Let me tell you, I am so

glad I did because has not had another ear infection since and

it has been wonderful.

As far as the procedure itself goes, it was nerve racking for me as

any procedure is. He had to get a sedative to make him sleep through

it, which made him silly and laugh and just talk to everyone. ) He

did fine through the whole thing. The only thing was when he woke up

in recovery he was scared because he didn't see mommy or any other

familiar face. But, he soon calmed down and once we got in the truck

and driving home, there was not another complaint from him. As a

matter of fact, by the time we got home, he was ready to play with

his brother. There was no pain or complaints of pain from him, no

leakage or drainage of any sort and his ears have been wonderful ever

since.

I hope this helps your fears a little!

Jodi R.

, 35 months old, 22.2 lbs., 32 " .

>

> Hi. Autumn (15 mos)is going to an ENT on Tuesday for her ear

> infections, 6, all in her right ear in about 5 mos time. None

before

> though and her last one was diagnosed about 3 weeks ago. As soon

as

> her other docs heard how many they just assumed she'd get ear tubes

and

> now on Tuesday the ear doc will give me his opinion, but I am just

so

> worried about procedures like that and need to know if it is really

> worth it. Has any one opted out of ear tubes and found the

infections

> improved or found any other ways to prevent them, or also those who

> have had ear tubes placed in your kids, have they really helped and

> been worth it? Are the kids in pain after getting them? I just

wanted

> some advice before the appt., I have never dealt with ear probs

with my

> other kids. Thanks

>

> mom to Autumn 15 mos RSS, Ocean 2 1/2, Skye 6 1/2, baby

girl

> due in July

April 25, 2005

<<Has any one opted out of ear tubes and found the infections

improved or found any other ways to prevent them, or also those who

have had ear tubes placed in your kids, have they really helped and

been worth it?>>

Jed my non RSS son now 12.. had MANY ear infections before the age of 5. We

opted out of the tubes for him and he outgrew them on his own. I was told

that before age 5 it is not unusual, but that if they go longer then that to

get the tubes. Well, in 7 years ( from 5 to 12) he has had 3 infections....

Now Liam my SGA/RSS child is 4 and we did tubes in December 2004. He is

hearing impaired, so we were hoping that the tubes would help the hearing,

by getting rid of the fluid. Well, it did help a bit, but not enough, which

means his hearing impairment is not from fluid alone... He has had one

infection since the tubes were placed.

R

Mom to:

Jed (1/22/93) Tic disorder, Asthma, Heart Murmur.....

Liam (12/12/00) SGA/RSS, Hypothyroid,Asthma, Epilepsy, Hearing Impaired,

Sensory Issues, Food Allergies, Heart Murmur...

Groups I own:

Toddlers with Epilepsy

Moms 30 and Beyond

HOHPreschoolers

April 25, 2005

Hi katherine its kim rss adult. I had several sets of tubes put in over the

years and they helped alot. Like other rss kids i had frequent ear infections

and also lost my hearing for a while and had to lipread to understand people.

But now have no problems and havent need tubes in my teenage years and

adulthood.

P.s. My mum still has a couple of my tubes, that came out, in a box.

hope everyone is well