Is it normal for me to feel this way??????

[Linzola1]

Okay so Julian has had many of ear infections in his short life...He had a ear infection in September of 08 that lastedthrough 3 antibiotics! Well finally after the 3rd antibiotic the fluid left his ears and cleared up! Well about a month and a half ago I was at Julians doctor for something pretty insignifiant and mentioned that he was not saying his mamas nad babas etc.... I was a little concerned because he just kind of stopped saying them. She checked his ears and said there is some fluid but no infection currently! She decided it was time to refer him to a ENT.I made an appintment but they couldnt get him in until the 21st of this month! So about 2.5 weeks ago I took Julian into the ped because he was not eating,pulling on his ear and a slight feaver. He had a mild ear infection , viral infection and strep!!!! She gave him an antibiotic and madea floolw up 10 day appt... She said his ear looked better.. Still fluid but the infection was gone! All was fine until a few days ago when he became extra fussy and wasnt eating orsleeping well... I called her today and took himin! She said his ear infectionwas back and worse than before!She perscribed a second antibiotic and mentioned that the chances of tubes is very high!! I went to visit my husband at work to tell him!One of his co workers asked what was wrong and I saidJulian will probably have to get tubes and they are like "thats no big deal and no reason to be upset!!! A lot fo babies have to get it done! No big deaL" I am really upset! I know its common but NOT FOR ME! I dont like the idea of my baby getting put under! Do you guys think I am overreacting?

[newuser82]

No i dont think your over reacting.Your worried about your son and want him to be healthy like every mother does.Sometimes people think if they say things like that they will make you feel better about the situation but they dont help.Your a mother we worry its what we do.I hope julian feels better and his ear infections clear up without having to get the tubes but if they dont at least you know theres a solution for him to feel better.Its tough but stay strong xx

[chantal21]

I am sorry you have to go through this! Poor baby Julian! If anybody knows what you are going through, my mother knows! I was ear infection queen until I was about 12. I was just about deaf up until I was 3 and had to have tubes put it to drain the fluid. My parents had no idea why I wouldn't hear them and why I wasn't talking too well. As long as I can remember I have been on antibiotics and it ran down my immune system. I actually remember when I had the tubes put in my ears (as weird as that sounds!)
Maybe it will clear up before it comes to that. Have you ever thought of trying natural products to help his ear infections?
And you have every right to worry about it...he is your son, it's what mother's do. I really do hope he gets better soon!! hang in there sweetie!

[spade22]

Ohhh, poor baby - hes been through a lot it seems.

I agree with newuser82.  Your husbands co-worker was likely telling you its no big deal because she is trying to make you feel better.  It is a rather routine procedure which most kids go through without any problems and I think that is what she was trying to convey to you.  Unfortunately, being a parent comes with its worries and when something like this comes a long you will worry, and be upset, no matter what any one says - its all part of the territory and your feelings are completely normal.

Gosh, I hope he gets to feeling better soon.

[jenntanis]

Well, I don't feel that you are over-reacting, but it is a very simple procedure.  As a nurse who has worked in the recovery room in the hospital, I have seen many children undergo the procedure.  There are ways to reassure yourself, if it comes to that point that Julian needs the tubes.  First, you can request that the anesthesiologist is specifically trained in children (usually is if there is a few kids all getting it done on the same day).  That means that they have specialized training to deal with children, and usually are more sympathetic as well.  Some surgical centers let a parent go back with their child for the anesthesia, depending on the age.  Sometimes that's a blessing or a curse.  I have seen many a mother come back in tears.  Also, if Julian has a special animal or blankie, they usually let them keep that with them.  And, as a recovery room nurse, I usually came to get the parents as soon as the child woke up, to help with bonding and to reassure the child.  
I think we all agree that we don't want to see any of our children suffer and undergo surgery, as minor as it may be.  But having tubes placed has become a very common procedure.
I hope this helped some.  I do hope that Julian can get better without the tubes, and simply with antibiotics.

[jessbbg]

i agree with the others, that i hope it clears up without needing tubes----the coworker may not know that it requires putting your son under.  i know i had them when i was a baby.  my mom later told me that it was something that was commonplace back in the day, that it was like standard procedure for babies to have them put in whether they needed them or not (unfortunately, one of mine never fell out and caused huge problems for me when i was 6 requiring surgery to remove it!!).

anywho---i know it's really stressful, i wish you didn't have to deal with this.  keep us posted and we'll keep you in our thoughts and prayers.

[Mumita]

I have a co-worker that her son has gotten recurrent ear infections his entire short life (he's 2) and he's gotten tubes put in twice!
The last time he got an infection the pediatrician was going to put him on some MORE antibiotics and when my co-worker went to the ENT he told her not to (because antibiotics cause too much harm and it doesn't necessarily work) well he gave his baby some allergy medicine like Claritin to dry out his ears and nose (the constant post nasal drip sometimes causes this) and he's been fine ever since.
So when you go to the ENT make sure to ask him to check your son for allergies or if allergy medicines would help to dry out the fluid that builds up in his ears.  It could be as simple as that.

[Linzola1]

Chantal; I wasnt awayre of any home remides. Any suggestions?

Mumita: He has already be checked for allergies and supposidly has none!

I forgot to mention he went to the ped last Tuesday for an ear check and weighed 20lbs 5 oz and now weighs 19 lbs 13oz! What a drop! Sould I be reallyconcerned?The oed said no but I cant help but think that this is not normal?

[chantal21]

I will call my mom and ask her what she did when my brother and sister got an ear infection. (thankfully they have only ever had one so far and they are 7 and 9). I do know that when my sister had hers, we went to a chiropractor (he was our doc at the time as well) and told my mom to put lemon juice in her ear. You just keep it in for a few seconds and then it drain out. It neutralizes the pH in the ear, so the bacteria cannot survive. It worked and she felt so much better after doing this. I think she was 2 at the time. I was actually amazed. But I know there are other natural and safe drops you can use in the ear. Most Natural Food stores sell them, I just can't think of the name right now. I will pm you once I ask my mom.

I actually got a fissure from taking so many antibiotics in my life, and it's still with me to this day. It really messed up my stomach and I always had issues with going to the bathroom. I do realize though there are times when you need antibiotics to heal certain infections and nothing else will work. It just breaks my heart that poor Julian has to go through this! =(

[Mumita]

Well regardless whether he has allergies or not, the allergy medicines just help to dry his nose and ears which helps avoid infection.  My co-worker's son has never been tested for allergies but it is working.

Also you can try saline spray in his nose and that will help dry out the fluid that builds up in his ear.  Swimmers ear drops help too.

I just absolutely hate antibiotics and I think that on a baby they do more harm than good.  What doctors fail to do is to find ways to prevent infections rather than treat them once they have it.  So he will continue taking antibiotics which will cause diarrea (diarrhea) and other symptoms, it will "cure" his infection but it does not prevent it from happening in two weeks.  
Make sure that your baby sleeps in a dry environment, no vaporizers.  Don't let him drink out of the bottle while laying down (that pushes fluid into his ears)....saline spray could help.

[Linzola1]

He has to use a vaporizer? It has never seemed to cause any problems before!