Getting tubes in ears

We had an appointment with the ENT today and my 18 month old is going to get tubes in his ears next Tuesday.

Anybody been through this?  Any advice, words of encouragement or good outcome stories?

[lachelle72]

hey lady,

[lachelle72]

I am at work.  sorry.  My son who is now 12 had tubes but in his ears when he was 4.  he was prone to getting ear infections.  the procedure was very fast and we keep inside for two days.  he never had a ear infection after that and the tubes fell out on their own.

I hope everything goes well.    

[Cheyenne_08]

Getting tubes is a very quick process. My son was given the meds to put him to sleep while Mike and I held him. It took a few minutes for Ashtyn to fall asleep, and the surgeon came and got him. They walked back into the OR and Mike and I waited in recovery. In less than 10 minutes, the surgeon was bringing Ashtyn back to us and he was awake. It takes NO time at all, really. After they watched him to make sure he did not react to the meds, we were sent home. We were given an antibiotic ear drop to put in each ear every day for a week, and then had a follow up appointment in 2-4 weeks. It is a very quick and easy procedure, and many kids see drastic improvement following the tubes. Ashtyn had chronic ear infections, but he showed little speech improvement once he had the tubes for a period of time, which was our goal, but he has not had a single ear infection since which is good news :-) Good luck, and let me know if you have any more questions. Oh, and Ashtyn was 13 months old when he got his tubes.

[airforcewife]

Hi Hannah,
My son had tubes put in both ears when he was 10 1/2 months old.  He had chronic double ear infections starting at about 4 months old.  It was horrible.  The procedure was very easy and painless.  The hardest part was watching them take my baby and leave me in the waiting room.  When he woke up he was very ...floppy is really the only word.  He was kind of rolling around in the bed, but once I picked him up and was able to hold him he calmed down pretty quickly.  He is now 15 1/2 months old and he hasn't had another ear infection.   He was up playing around as normal within an hour or two of getting home.   I am praying they stay in for a while and at least get us through this cold and flu season.  It was definitely a blessing to have it done and would do it again in a heartbeat!  Good luck to Jacob and I know he will be just fine!  Take care, Suzanne

[have 2 kids]

My son had tubes, actually 4 sets because they kept falling out as he grew.   He is 9 now and hasn't had them for 3 years.   They made such a difference.  He was always getting ear infections before the tubes were put in.   It's quite a simple procedure.

[amy0013]

I didn't read the other stories...just wanted to add mine in real quick.  My daughter had tubes placed when she was 13 months old.  The hardest part was watching her come out of the anesthesia.  She was crying and hard to console, but that only lasted about 15 minutes.  

The AWESOME part is that once the tubes were in place she started LAUGHING.  I always thought she was a happy baby to begin with...but she was sooooo much happier after!  She had had pretty much a constant ear infection for several months in a row so I'm sure it was a NICE change to feel great 100% of the time.

TOTALLY WORTH IT!  I wished we would have done it sooner!  Good luck!  He'll do great!

[pertykitty]

my son had tubes when he was about 1 and a half.  the procedure was quick, he was fine.  but the tubes never fell out.  then they did but he had holes in his eardrums and it took several more surgeries to repair them.  id do it again in a heartbeat though.  he hasnt had any problems since (had adenoids (adenoids) and tonsills removed also) and is never sick now.  it was so great to have a happy healthy child ;again.  

i have to say though i had the same problems with my ears as a child as my son after the surgery so maybe it was an issue with genetics?  who knows but it was well worth it.

[91004]

Both of my boys had tubes around 7 mnths old. They had the procedure 2x. They fell out once and the next they needed to come out and be changed. Neither one of mine cried afterwards, they did really good. Even when we went home I did pick up tylenol just in case. I don't think I even had to use it. They slept for couple of hrs after being home and got up and played rest of day.

[jenstam]

My son had tubes at around 16 months and it has made a world of difference with his speech development. It was hard seeing him come out of anesthesia but other than that it has gone so well. The tubes are still in place nearly a year later and his speech has progressed so nicely. Good luck, it's really a good thing!

[Whitneylauren]

Mark had tubes put in his ears a week ago- he is just 6 months old. It was really easy, and took practically no time at all. The doc took him back and 10 minutes later he was out of surgery and wanting me.  He was really sweet the rest of the day, and just wanted to be held.

[Tanker Chic]

Oh thanks everyone.. this all makes me feel really good about getting it done..  My son has been on antibiotics off and on monthly since he was a year old and once at 3 months his ear drumb busted.  When I took him in to see the ENT he had just gotten off of antibiotics so he didn't have an ear infection but the pressure in his left ear was 10 times the normal pressure and he had fluid on the other ear.  I can always tell when he is hurting cause mood changes.. I can't wait for my baby to stop being in pain/discomfort.  

Thanks!!