They want to put tubes in DS ears

[Wild Lupine]

DS hs had a stubborn ear infection for almost two weeks. They've given him every antibiotic imaginable, including three intramuscular injections, and we've done warm compresses to help the anitbiotics get to his ears. But the infection has remained, he's still in pain and his ears are inflamed. They (his ped and ENT) say they're out of options and he'll risk permanent hearing loss if they don't put tubes in now.

I know it's a minor procedure, but I still wish there were other options and I'm surprised we got to this point based on one ear infection. I had thought tubes were put in when kids had chronic, recurring infections. He's ad two other infections, months ago, but they both cleared up quickly.

[tanyalynn]

Since they're suggesting physically draining his ears, have you considered (or already tried) getting in really fast to a chiro or someone who does cranial-sacral and see if an adjustment--or maybe daily for a bit--will drain his ears instead?  Can you get into a chiro faster than they can schedule day surgery--I don't know if you've got a slot tomorrow morning, or not til next week.  Maybe at the same time as some dietary changes--I just mention that since I caused DS's one EI by feeding him a food he's intolerant of right after a icky, congested illness. 

Either way--hope your LO feels better soon and you get resolution somehow.

[sbgrace]

That is quick. My son got to that point once and chiro did get us out of it but it took quite a while for the infection to go away even with that. In retrospect, honestly, I think we were lucky and a little foolish. My son ended up with emergency tubes later but much later. Some of these bugs are just horribly resistant and nothing but physical drainage will get them. It's worth trying chiropractic and/or cranial sacral. A good practitioner will show you how to massage for drainage at home as well or did for us. That said, I don't think, from our experience, it will be fast.

[milkybean]

Definitely try chiropractic. .......Honestly, to me, poking a hole in an eardrum to insert a tube isn't anything different than it bursting, which of course is their worry.  Well OK there's the pain difference, but having a hole open spontaneously is going to get the fluid out just like if they poked holes, so...  And with everything else that gets cut and heals, tears tend to heal nicer than cuts.  I had tubes, and I still have hearing loss.  Didn't seem to make much difference with me!    ......but get to a chiro.  CST is awesome too, but chiros are often easier to find.  :)

[Wild Lupine]

Thanks. I did get a name of a chiro who works with kids, but it's a bit late for that to help. If DS had chronic recurring infections I think a chiro could help with that, but this is a really bad acute infection and he needs relief now. So I'm going to go with the tubes. I haven't heard of tubes having any negative effect so I'm less opposed to them than I was.

I'll still take him to see the chiro because she might be able to help with some of his other issues, and maybe she'll have some insight as to why this ear infection got so bad and tips on how to prevent another one.

[sbgrace]

It may have got so bad just because he picked up a resistant bacteria. Most ear infections will clear up without any treatment, another (small percent--I can't remember exact) will not clear up on it's own but will with antibiotics, another (much smaller..I wish I could remember specifics) percent will not clear up with either antibiotics or waiting it out. That percent is going to need intervention. The only risk in waiting is not actually ear drum bursting. The other risk is infection spreading.

But I think likely your son just picked up a resistant bacteria unfortunately. That happens. Ear tubes are the fastest surgery! It takes them longer to put them under than it does to insert the tubes.

[Wild Lupine]

Originally Posted by sbgrace 

It may have got so bad just because he picked up a resistant bacteria. Most ear infections will clear up without any treatment, another (small percent--I can't remember exact) will not clear up on it's own but will with antibiotics, another (much smaller..I wish I could remember specifics) percent will not clear up with either antibiotics or waiting it out. That percent is going to need intervention. The only risk in waiting is not actually ear drum bursting. The other risk is infection spreading.

But I think likely your son just picked up a resistant bacteria unfortunately. That happens. Ear tubes are the fastest surgery! It takes them longer to put them under than it does to insert the tubes.

The doctor's think he picked up a resistant strain, too. They said they had only one more antibiotic left, that they reserved for life and death cases.He's having tubes put in tomorrow and I'm pretty comfortable with the idea now.
 

[momtoalexsarah]

 Good luck with the surgury my DD has had 3 sets and is waiting on her 4th (she has a structural abnormality - no eusation tubes on the left side) so will always need tubes.  My DD is colinized with the nasty nasty antibiotic resitant EI bugs and they don't even give her Abx anymore they make sure that the tubes are working and let the ears drain.  The surgury is really really quick, the last time DD's where done I went to the cafeteria to grab a coffee and by the time I came back up they said she was done and I could go see her as she wakes up.  There is little to no pain (tylonal will deal with any that there is)

Hope it all goes well!

[sbgrace]

Originally Posted by Wild Lupine 

Originally Posted by sbgrace 

It may have got so bad just because he picked up a resistant bacteria. Most ear infections will clear up without any treatment, another (small percent--I can't remember exact) will not clear up on it's own but will with antibiotics, another (much smaller..I wish I could remember specifics) percent will not clear up with either antibiotics or waiting it out. That percent is going to need intervention. The only risk in waiting is not actually ear drum bursting. The other risk is infection spreading.

But I think likely your son just picked up a resistant bacteria unfortunately. That happens. Ear tubes are the fastest surgery! It takes them longer to put them under than it does to insert the tubes.

The doctor's think he picked up a resistant strain, too. They said they had only one more antibiotic left, that they reserved for life and death cases.He's having tubes put in tomorrow and I'm pretty comfortable with the idea now.
 

How did it go? I'm guessing he's much better?