Tubes In Ears, Tonsils And Adenoids Removed...

[nickelsfamily]

My Ds5 Will Be Having This Procedure On Thursday And Then My Ds1 Will Have It In August. I Keep Hearing From People Not To Have It Done. But, They Both Have Been Having Problems For A While And Dh5 Is Not Hearing Well And Starts K In The Fall, So I Want To Do All I Can To Get Him Well Before Then.

Has Anyone Had This Procedure And Their Kids Didn't Have Any More Problems Post Surgery?

I Am Worried That This Will Just Be The Start Of More Opperations. The Dr. Assured Me That It Wont.... I Just Want My Kids To Be Better!!

 

[Planogirl]

My son had constant ear infections for two years straight. I was so frustrated because we kept using new antibiotics and the ear, nose & throat guy we were going to seemed to be clueless.

Once the pediatrician realized what was going on, he sent us to a top-notch children's surgeon who performed a partial adenoid removal. He said that his adenoids were large and blocking his passagways which led to the infections.

He's never had an infection since so it was SO worth it. The tonsils were left in place since they never became inflamed or infected throughout all of this. I had a tonsillectomy when I was a child because I had constant tonsillitis and I definitely haven't missed them.

If you're concerned about removing everything, you could get a second opinion of course. A partial worked well for us.

 

[lowie]

my son had tubes put in at 1 y.o. it was no big deal at all, and after months of anti-biotics and painful ear infections he was pain free and very obviously hearing better. one tube fell out a few years later but last year we found out that the 2nd tube 'fell in' to his ear canal. so that was another surgery to remove it. at the same time we had his frenulum snipped as he was tongue tied. it also was a very quick and easy surgery, we were at toys r us within an hour picking out a get well present.

 

[MerryPoppins]

Both of my kids had frequent ear and throat infections. It got to the point that antibiotics weren't working and the infection would be back in a week. We did tubes, and it relieved the pain, but didn't stop the infections. Both ended up getting tonsils and adnoids out and both got MUCH better after that. Did it end it? No. But almost, so it was worth it. I would do it again in an instant under the same circumstances.

 

[melanie18]

My brother had all three done after having 5 or 6 sets of tubes put in his ears over the years. He was about 9 when he had the tonsils, adenoids & final set of tubes. It did help tremendously after that, he never needed another set of tubes.

He's 21 now and in the Air Force!

 

[krcit]

Both of my dds had this done when they were 6 years old. Well, no tubes but the tonsils and adnoids. They had strep throat almost constantly for over a year so the Dr said they should come out. They both did extremely well and haven't had strep since.

 

[Christine]

When my son was 10 months old, we had the tubes put in. He had had 12 ear infections in 10 months of life. Way too much. The tubes were the best thing we had done. He did not have a need for the tonsils and adenoids to be removed.


My DD did not have tubes in her ears but she did have a lot of ear infections. Mostly though, they stopped when she was about 2 years old. When she was 9, she had her tonsils and adenoids removed. They were so large that she could not properly breathe when sleeping.

I've never regretted either surgery.

 

[golfgal]

DD had them all done when she was 5, she had strep 9 times in 10 months, actually had strep when she had her tonsils, etc. out because they could not get it cleared up. She hasn't had a problem, no strep, no ear infections, nothing since the surgery. She recovered fast too (was eating like a horse 2 days post-op-soft foods like mashed potatoes but a LOT of it).

 

[YourMajesty]

We did ear tubes at 2 and T&A at 5 with DS. They removed a tube in his ear canal at the T&A (that is potential surgery if they don't work their way out). I like the idea of the partial removal of the adenoids. My DS, a year later, still has a high sounding voice. I hear if they remove too much it can leave a gap and cause some speech problems. I'm considering taking him to a speech therapist. He has had one ear and one sinus infection since his t&A last year. He had been on antibiotics for 5 straight months prior to the T&A (strep, sinus, and breathing problems from huge tonsils/adenoids). He also had a few ear infections with his ear tubes in but they were able to drain out of the tube. It's kind of gross but that's the job of the tube and you can usually treat the infection with antibiotic ear drops. He still had his tonsils and adenoids so you may be able to avoid ear infections with everything being done at once. Good luck.

 

[belle&beast]

I am a pediatric speech therapist and if your physician has recommended this, I really think it is the right thing to do. I have seen lots of kids show huge improvements very quickly following the surgery in their hearing and speech and language abilities.

On a personal note my DS was a sick baby with lots of ear infections and delayed language skills (whihc really freaked me out given my profession!) He did get better without surgery and is right on track now, but not without changing pediatricians and visits to an ENT. I was hoping they would do the surgery, but it is not the first line of defense, so if it is being recommended to you it is probably the right course. Good luck to you and your children!

 

[TheDoctor]

My son was 5 when we had his tonsils and adnoids removed and tubes put into his ear. He was having horrible ear infections and the doctor felt that he was suffering some hearing loss. The operation was easy and succesful. After the operation, my son asked why we were yelling when we were talking in normal voices. The adnoids and toncils and prevented him from hearing a number of things.

My middle child had the same procedure done two years later. Her ENT felt that she had a 40% hearing loss. Again, they came through the operation without any problems.

Myyoungest had tubes when she was 11 months. We ended up not taking her tonsiles or adnoids out.

 

[scraptoons]

My DD did the same as OP's child in the summer after kindergarten. Everything went perfect. Having all three procedures done at once was like she became a whole new better person because she could hear AND breathe!

The tubes stayed in her ears for the maximum time, up to 18 months. In fact, her right tube finally came out while she was in second grade. Which I didn't mind the peacefulness of no ear infections to put up with. As soon as the last tube came out...a new ear infection.

The cause was allergies and draining of sinuses into the ear cavity.
The claritin and comparitive generics that are purchased over the counter were not working for her. Zyrtec does. We have been giving her the former because the insurance company did not want to pay for Zyrtec.
Our ENT doc wrote a letter. Now they pay. They rather pay for pills than a new tube surgery.
My pediatrician says an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Ever since we got her on Zyrtec, no problems.

 

[nickelsfamily]

Thanks So Much! I Have Spoken With 3 Different Doctors Concerning My Boys And This Surgery. Both Have Been On So Many Antibiotics Over The Past Year. I Trust The Ent, He Is One Of The Best In The Us.... I Guess I Just Needed To Hear Some Stories Where Children Didn't Have Multipule Problems Or Surgeries After.

Thanks So Much... I Can't Wait For My Boys To Be Better Again!

 

[lewdyan1]

Best thing I ever did for my two kids! We haven't had antibiotics since, and we are talking many years!!!!

 

[golfgal]

Scraptoons brings up a good point--often kids with serious ear infection problems have allergies. It might be worth it after they are recovered from surgery to see and allergy specialist to have them evaluated.

I have a weird question for you, why do you capitalize the first letter of every word in your posts? Inquiring minds want to know (I am just really nosy actually).

 

[slo]

My soon to be 8 year old DD had tubes put in her ears when she was 3 1/2 and then a month later had her tonsils and adnoids out. She went from being a very sick little girl to becoming a very well little girl. No regrets at all about her surgery!!!

My soon to be 3 year old DD had her tubes put in when she was 8 months old. This also helped her too, and I have to regrets.

Trust your instincts and your doctor. If you feel this is right for you child, then do it. It worked well for our kids!!

 

[Evil Queen]

Oldest son had it done, not the tubes, after 3 years of on and off strep infections, no problems since.

They talked about it for the youngest (not the tubes again though) due to almost a year of strep throat. But the Dr. wanted to avoid surgery and put him on a 30 day antibiotic, instead of just 10 days. Everything cleared up after that and no strep since, so no surgery.

 

[golfgal]

Ok, another thing to add, I had my tonsils/adenoids out when I was 4. I remember having them done and it hurt BUT I have never had strep throat, even after all the cases with my DD. I rarely get sick, too.

 

[Rock'n Robin]

DS had tubes put in when he was 14 months old. They stayed in for over 2 years and he has not had an ear infection since (he is 8).
I often wonder about tonsils/adenoids. My kids are pretty healthy and no one has ever suggested they be removed, but DH has some sleep apnea issues and his doctor was amazed he still has his tonsils/adenoids. Of course it is a major surgery now and he won't take time off work for elective surgery (he gets one week paid and you can see in my sig how we are using it ). All 3 of my BIL's girls have had theirs removed. I just hope my kids stay OK down the road.
Robin M.