Stuffy ears?

[N&B'smom]

Anyone else have one of their children get this? My DD3 had been sick (fevers) and was complaining of a sore throat. Then she sais her ears hurt when she would lie down. She was on antibiotics. A day or two later all of a sudden I noticed that she's not hearing correctly. I guess her ears are all stopped up. (at least I'm hoping that's all it is - I feel sick to my stomach worrying this is permanent!) Any tips on how to get her ears to open up???

Thanks in advance. I really am just so worried about this. The fevers and everything have stopped, this is all that's left!

Shelby

 

[starwood]

Sounds like maybe an ear infection with fluid. DS got these all the time. We just had tubes put in this past May. He's been great ever since. The antibiotics should clear up the infection but the fluid takes longer to drain (usually around 2 weeks).

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Take your child back to the doc. I know ours had some dealo that would measure fluid buildup.
Also the infection will not really "go away" until the ears are clear.
Time for a recheck. Keep rechecking "until" it is all clear.

Now I suffer with clogged ears and I am 41. I had to have my ears cleaned out reg. by a doctor.
I hate my ears.

 

[N&B'smom]

Thanks! This is probably only her 2nd ear infection since birth so it really took me off guard, the hearing issue I mean. Hopefully it'll drain soon!!

Shelby

 

[N&B'smom]

I just keep worrying it's permanent and I'm freaking out. I feel sick to my stomach about this. I know I'll be calling the Dr tomorrow. He's got to be sick of hearing from me by now, we had to call him twice after hours because of her fevers, I had to call during hours regarding my son, I'm almost embarrassed to call. But I will anyway, kids come before my pride.

Shelby

 

[Southern4sure]

Same thing here. Ds had alot of fluid on both ear drums (not actually a ear infection) and a sinus infection. He was given an antibiotic and a decongestant. 10 days later, he still had same fluid on the ears, the antibiotic kept it from turning into a ear infection but didnt help beyond that. Dr prescribed a stronger antibiotic and more decongestant which he finishes up today.

 

[wdwmom2]

Sounds like it could be fluid behind the eardrums, but not necessarily in infection, although it could be. If there is no pain involved, I would definitely have the ears rechecked after being on the antibiotics, sooner if in pain. Our office routinely does rechecks 2 weeks after the initial diagnosis of an ear infection.

If it were my child, I would use an antihistimine to help dry up the fluid behind the ear drums.

 

[FutureMrsC]

My DM has certainly been where you are (while taking care of me as a child). My ears are completely screwed up, and they have been since I was 2 (or 2 1/2... something like that). I had ear infections regularly after awhile (once every 3 or 4 months) beginning when I was 3 1/2... I finally had the tubes put in my ears when I was 5. That fixed everything (no ear infections!!!) for years... up until 2 years ago. Anyway...

As far as treatment, please take this with a grain of salt, as this is a 1980's treatment... however, it still works! My pediatrician used to tell my mom to tilt my head WAY back and drop in a drop of nasal spray and then tilt my head to the left and right, then letting me sit normally for a few minutes. It helped the hearing issue a lot... maybe something to mention to your DD's Dr... I dont know. DISCLAIMER: Please don't flame me- I am quite aware that this could quite possibly be an outdated treatment, however, I suffered no ill side effects, so I decided to share.

If it's just ear infections w/ fluid, you don't need to worry about the hearing issues becoming permanent... I can hear just fine! (And my hearing has been tested several times)!

Hope this helps!

 

[golfgal]

The chances of it being permanent are slim. The chances of her having fluid behind her ears because of a cold, high. I would give her a decongestant until you can get her into the dr. That will help thin the fluid and help it drain. Our kids had constant ear infections when they were little and our pediatrician kept them on a maintenance dose of Dimatap in the winter. That made a HUGE difference in the number of ear infections they got.

 

[N&B'smom]

Thank you so much everyone. Our Dr did tell us to give her a certain type of medicine. She does take allergy medicine that should help. I gave her a dose earlier and she can have more later. She's REALLY breaking my heart. Although I don't know why, she's running around happy as a lark. It's just so weird though to talk to her and have her say she can't hear me. I'll be calling the Dr tomorrow to see if I can bring her in to have him peek in her ears. I'll be a worried mess until I do!

Shelby