DS needs tubes

[skuttle]

After battling an ear infection for two months and trying various antibiotics, DS finally went to an ENT yesterday and we were told he needs tubes. He goes next Thursday (June 17th). We aren't surprised, but that doesn't make the thought of my little man having surgery any less scarey. We've been lucky...DS usually shows no symptoms when he has an ear infections so he hasn't been in pain as far as we can tell...but that's also bad because it's possible he could have an infection and we wouldn't know it. We don't want his hearing or speech to be impaired or delayed, so we're going for the tubes. Hopefully it'll help my little man out.

I'd love to hear from anyone who's gone through this (I know it's very common) just to know what to expect. Thanks!

 

[cynsaun]

I had them when I was younger. A long time ago...back in the day that the tubes were actually the size of PVC pipes!


Anyway, I apparently had a ton of ear infections, and once I had my tonsils and adnoids yanked and tubes put in, I was fine!

Lots of our friends' children have had to have tubes, and they were all fine after too! It isn't a huge procedure anymore, so don't worry (too much!)

Good luck!

 

[skuttle]

Thanks. I know it's a simple procedure...I think his ENT said the tube part would only take about 5 or 10 minutes...but he's just so little.

 

[mickeyfan1]

Better now, before he has speech and hearing problems. One of my nephews has to go to speech therapy every week because he didn't get tubes and his hrearing was always messed up. He learned to talk the way he heard, so he has problems. He is 10 and almost over it finally.

Good luck to you and you little guy. I love seeing his picture in your signature.

 

[phillybeth]

Never been through it with a kid, but my DH has had tubes a dozen times at least, as recently as 2 weeks ago. Don't worry though, DH has a rare chronic condition (runs in his family) and usually 1 round of tubes does the trick for kids.
The actual surgery time is typically 15 MINUTES! The rest is prep time, anesthesia, etc. He will probably be in surgery just under an hour and be out of recovery in another one to 1 1/2 hours. It's usually an outpatient procedure. Expect some bleeding from the ears, not excessive, some swelling, and some pain, especially for the first 24-48 hours. See if the dr. will give you something a little stronger than OTCs for the pain and so your son can get some sleep. Swallowing might hurt for a while if they have to intubate him, so lots of soft, cold foods- pudding, jello, ice pops etc- will help with that. He might have some drainage from the eustachian canals into his throat that gives him a nasty taste, hard candy works well for that. After two or three days he should be back to normal. Good luck and pixie dust to your little man!

 

[janette]

My youngest had tubes when she was about 10mths. We were referred to the ENT after a couple of months of ear infections. It was a couple of more months before we finally did the tubes and I was very ready by then. She'd been on antibotics for about 5mths and was still getting infections. It was awful.

The actual surgery wasn't bad at all, she was only away from me for about 10 minutes. The nurses said sometimes they cry when they come out of the anesthesia but she didn't. The hospital had a play room and she was playing quite happily pretty quickly.

Best of all she had no more ear problems! It was scary watching them wheel her away but very worth it!

 

[avdeane]

My son was also one who ended up with speech problems due to ear infections. He started with the infections at 3 months old and they finally put the tubes in when he was 2. We went through so many problems with him because of it. They thought he had ADD because of his acting out but that was due to his problems with hearing and lack of ability to communicate. He still stuggles with schoolwork because he's never caught up.

The surgery is minor and is usually done quickly. My son came home with us within a couple of hours. The only thing you might worry about is the anesthetic. Some people can have a reaction but it is not a normal thing.

I will keep your little guy in my prayers for a very successful surgery and fast recovery! Nothing worse than a little one in pain, for any reason!!

 

[JoenAdamnErinnSam]

I've had tubes twice-once when I was 14 months old and again at 14-Every time I get a cold-its in my ears.I would still make sure everytime there's a cold that doesn't go away-go to the Dr.It's not funny,About 10 years ago-my eardrum burst,I was being a Mom,didn't need to go to the Dr,but it was the most painful thing other than childbirth I have ever experienced.Do not mess with the ears.

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

My 21 month old had tubes and adenoids out in Dec. due to ear infections. His hearing had improved at his 3 month post op check up. We were worried about his age. The surgical nurses were super. They took extra good care of him and us. I just hated to hand him over before surgery.

After the surgery he ate and ate and ate. We could tell immediately that he could hear better. We were glad we made the decision to do surgery before it caused developmental delays.

Best wishes,

Lori

 

[KristiKelly]

DS got his 1st ear infection the day before his 1st birthday. From 12 monthes to 21 monthes he had 13 ear infections. He had tubes put in @ 22 monthes and he was so much happier, he even got fewer colds (don't know if it's related, but all happened at the same time). DS is now 7 & the tubes have fallen out and he does still get an occassional ear infection, but not enough for another set. I know it's hard to think about but it really is worth.

When I was pregnant with DD, DH jokingly asked the pediatrician if we could have tubes put in before she left the hospital, she is now 4 and has only had 1 ear infection, was allergic to the antibiotics & that was worse for her than the ear infection.

 

[Rock'n Robin]

Please don't worry! My DS had 6 ear infections between 6 and 14 months old. The last one went into pneumonia. Finally an ENT suggested tubes after that. He got them at 14 months and amazingly enough, one didn't fall out until he was 3 1/2!!! He had a very healthy toddlerhood from that point on. It is very quick and although DS threw up on the way home from the "happy juice" they gave him to relax him, it was well worth it.
Robin M.

 

[Val]

My youngest DD6 has had chronic ear infections, but we have a very conservative pediatrician. No tubes, just a wait and see. She entered speech therapy at 2.5- is still in it 2x week for 30 minutes. Poor pronunciation and unable to learn sight words/phonics. She repeated kindergarten for "ADD-type problems". She has "odd" social skills- tends to grab faces, talk too loudly, etc. Yep, you got it- she has a mild to moderate hearing loss due to chronic infections...had tubes in December, and again 2 weeks ago. Her hearing is still sporadic, and we will begin to use an FM unit in her first grade classroom next year. Oh how we wish we had done tubes EARLIER!

The surgery was SO easy. After the first set of tubes she had an upset tummy and cried a little. Was "away" from me in surgery about 20 minutes before the surgeon told me she was in recovering, then it was about another 20 minutes before they brought her back. Same the second time- but no tears (although she did upchuck in the car on the way home). Thought she might be sleepy the rest of the day, but NO! Hyper little old self. Ran from flushing toilets, yelled at everyone that they were TOO loud and got excited because she could hear the wind....then the tubes stopped working and we had to go through it all again. Hopefully (pixie dust please!), this time will work and the nerve inflammation will go away, along with the hearing loss.

Bottom line- do the tubes BEFORE speech and hearing problems occur. I don't know WHY I didn't listen to my mother's instinct and push for them (so much for those doctoral degrees in neuroscience, huh!).....next time I am going to listen to my inner common sense mom voice!

Good luck, we will keep you and your little one in our prayers. It's not so bad- at least once its over!!!!!

 

[skuttle]

Thanks so much everyone. I've read a bunch about tubes online, but it's nice to hear things from others that have actually gone through it.

Val, I hope the tubes work this time and your DD's hearing starts improving.

 

[remyandhollandsmommy]

My neighbor's DS just had this done a few weeks ago (the day after he turned 1). He was constantly having ear trouble. She said it was really easy (she was surprised) and her DS has had NO problems since.
to your family and GOOD LUCK!!

 

[robsmom]

Another don't worry post. DS had ear infection after infection his first year. He also had asthma. They tested his hearing and it was being impacted so they put tubes in at about 18 or so. He had 2 more sets after that and then his tonssills and adenoids were removed at age 4. Each tube surgery was a simple event. In and out of the hospital in 2 hours one time. Very little pain to him as far as I could tell. I think the tubes are so much better than the illnesses. He is just never sick anymore and the asthma is basically gone.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Seems like when the kids were Colin's age, Allison, all the kids had tubes in their ears and a bottle of amoxicillin in the frig. Ours tow never needed them, though it seemed like Natalie was going to. My best, little guy will be fine. Not sure about you, but he will.

 

[N.Bailey]

1st off, I have to say your little guy is so adorable! He's a little doll!

I understand what you're going through. My kids fight ear infections and swimmers ear all the time. They are 12 & 13 now and at least every year or two one or the other is getting ear infections that take sometimes months to get rid of and they really suffer. We've been at points where I'm told, if this doesn't work, our only option will be tubes. Luckily for us though, we've not had to get them yet, but I'm sure we'll eventually go through it.

My husband's brother had them when he was young though, so my mother in law eases my concerns about it. The good thing about it (from a mother's prospective only) is, my brother in law couldn't enlist in the military. Now to some, that may not be such a plus, but it would be good news for me!

I'll keep your little guy in my prayers. Keep us updated! Good Luck!

 

[lsyorke]

DS had tubes finally put in at 14 months after 6 months of continuous infections. His pediatrician was also very conservative. Tubes helped a little, but we waited too long. Ended up with tonsillectomy,adenoidectomy, years of antibiotics until he was 3 and he had a mastoidectomy(the fluid back up prior to tubes had filled the mastoid bone,behind the ear, air spaces with fluid and was infected). After the mastoidectomy he was wonderful. Luckily no hearing loss since the tubes were in place.
GET TUBES NOW!! They will save your child all sort of problems.
The procedure is soooo simple! Relax you've made a good decision!

 

[poohandwendy]

I have been there but my son was 6 yo. I really, really wish it had been done sooner. He failed the kindergarten hearing test twice and could hear things he hadn't heard in a LONG time after the tubes were put in. He also battled ear infections since he was an infant.

It is scary, ut is VERY quick and they do really well only hours after the anesthesia wears off. Good luck, it will be over and better before you know it!!!

tw, he is growing like a wed! What a cutie!

 

[browneyes]

From the time my ds was 5 months old until he turned 12 months old, he had 9 ear infections. They finally decided to put tubes in his ears 13 days after his 1st bday. I loved those tubes. He kept his until about 2 months ago (they lasted for almost 7 years, which is very unusual). He's had maybe 3-4 ear infections in 7 years. His ENT took out his tubes and told him to make sure the Tube Fairy got them.

Good luck to your ds.