ARGH! DS needs surgery AGAIN

[Belia]

Yeah, it's only ear tubes, but GAH. I hate the idea of putting him under anesthesia AGAIN.

DS was severely delayed in his speech development, so we had his hearing tested this past fall.  The bad news was that he was working with about a 50% hearing loss.    The good news was that it was just due to fluid in the eardrums, he only needed tubes, then he should be good to go.

So he had the operation in November, everything looked to be ok, then he started speech therapy once a week.  ST is going ok... not great, but he's making progress.

Then we went back for a follow-up hearing test yesterday, and CRAP.  Some test they ran showed that his hearing or volume or something had regressed back to where he was before the tubes.  The tubes are completely clogged in both ears.  By some miracle we got into the ENT tonight and I thought for sure it would just be some drops, but NO.  They have to REDO the surgery.

I just lost it.  I can't believe my baby has to go under again.  He's such a sweet little guy.  I had no idea he was having trouble, and I have no idea how long he's been struggling with his hearing again.

I know that so many mamas are facing much bigger issues with their little ones, but I just have to say that I am freaking out a little bit here.  I didn't see this coming.  

Please keep my sweet boy in your thoughts, mamas.

[AllisonR]

Aw, sorry for your DS. How do drains get clogged? Only if they fall out, in which case he obviously needs new ones. BTDT. My DS has had drains 7-8 times. So many I have lost count. He is only 6. Since 2. The benefits HUGELY outweigh the risks when hearing is so impaired. My DS was not speaking well, and was not understandable to others, including his peers. Loosing out on the conversation was a huge barrier. Every time he gets drains, he makes great progress in his speech, but it also affects everything else - his happiness with himself, with his friends, with everything he experiences. The drains fall out and he starts getting frustrated and shouting. His last two sets have been titanium, not plastic, which tend to stay in longer. I'd rather have longer term ones than so many doses of anesthesia, though at this point, who is counting?

[RiverandJulie]

I have had several friends who had great luck with a chiropractor for persistent ear infections.  I dont know much about ears, but is this similar?  maybe a chiro could help.  It couldnt hurt.  Just look for one who works on kids.

[VisionaryMom]

Originally Posted by RiverandJulie 

I have had several friends who had great luck with a chiropractor for persistent ear infections.  I dont know much about ears, but is this similar?  maybe a chiro could help.  It couldnt hurt.  Just look for one who works on kids.

It depends on the problem. For many kids who need tubes, the problem is that their Eustachian tube isn't vertical because it's so short, so it's just holding fluid that otherwise would drain naturally (down your throat). That can't really be fixed with chiropractic care because growing more is usually the only permanent solution. The tubes at least help the child hear in the meantime. With other ear problems, chiropractors sometimes can make adjustments to allow for better drainage.