Tubes in ears? ETA: ENT rec?

Does anyone have a kid who has tubes? When did you put them in, after how many infections etc etc?

We've been dealing with recurring ear infections since he was 6 or 7 months old (he turned two in October.) Every time I press about tubes the ped says wait a bit, and then it'll be spring/summer and they'll clear up for a couple months.

He just had his third infection of the season (since September), we finished antibiotic on Saturday, and he has ANOTHER infection now, diagnosed today.

Haven't been able to do a flu shot because he's constantly on meds for his infection. I'm so frustrated. On top of that, he runs a fever the first few days of every infection, until the meds kick in, and either DH or I needs to stay home from work because he can't go to daycare.

I don't WANT him to have to have a procedure, but I'm at a loss!

And does anyone have a great pediatric ENT in Nassau, preferably South Shore but I'll travel if necessary.

Message edited 12/8/2015 10:07:04 AM.

Re: Tubes in ears?

No personal experience, but if I were in your shoes, I'd go to an ENT for an evaluation and ask them what they think.
They should know a lot better than your ped.

Re: Tubes in ears?

Re: Tubes in ears? ETA: ENT rec?

My son had tubes put in at 9 months. Best thing we ever did for him. He is 4, and hasn't had an ear infection since (tubes did fall out and didn't have to be replaced.). We used Dr. Lee Smith from Cohen's. We also used his for our 2 older boys tonsils and adenoids.

Message edited 12/8/2015 10:13:30 AM.

Tubes in ears? ETA: ENT rec?

LO had tubes put in at 18 months. BEST DECISION WE EVER MADE!!!! He had 5 infections from September to November and at #4 the ENT told us to put the tubes in. He was on antibiotics almost IMMEDIATELY after finishing a dose. I actually make the ENT appointment before the ped told me to.

LOVE our ENT but he's in Syosset. We see Dr. Cohen part of Etra Etra Mollick and Cohen. PM me if you have any questions.

Tubes in ears? ETA: ENT rec?

My son started with ear infections at 6 months old. He would be on an antibiotic, feel better and then it would be back a few weeks later. He had an ear infection almost every month last winter. He was miserable, I was miserable, the while family was stressed out. He would get fevers and pain and be miserable. I finally brought him to Dr. Cheung at LIJ Childrens Hospital. He was amazing and verified that he NEEDED tubes. He had them put in June 26th which was the day after my last day of school (I am a teacher). I was so worried but the procedure took about 20 mins start to finish and he was a new kid right away. He has not had one infection since then. Best decision I ever made. I actually just made an appointment with dr. Cheung for my older dd who may need her tonsils out. I will not use another ent. He is so great and I dont care that we have to travel 45 muns to get there. He is worth it. Good luck. Oh and my ds was 15 months old at the time if the surgery

Tubes in ears? ETA: ENT rec?

All 3 of my boys have or had tubes - m older has them at 15 months - doc kept pushing us off as it started in spring - should have done earlier

the criteria is a 3 in a few months - so I would call if you don't need a referral -we have been happy with Dr. Spencer in Huntington

Re: Tubes in ears? ETA: ENT rec?

My son who is 3.5 has had 2 sets of tubes and his adnoids out. his first set of tubes at 8 months and his second set along with this adnoids at 15months. he keot getting recurring ear infections and failing his hearing tests. the second set of tubes really did the trick and i think he has only had 1 ear infection since. The surgery sounds scary but it wasnt bad..he was back to his old self pretty quickly and i love his ent who is located in garden city. dr mendelson. he is great, takes his time with you and the office runs very smoothly. please fm me with any questions!

Re: Tubes in ears? ETA: ENT rec?

my dd has had 8 ear infections since July.
after her 3rd i took her to an ENT and we waited to see if it would clear up but she has always had fluid in her ears and were doing tubes this week.
we see Ditkoff..he is very conservative and will not rush

Re: Tubes in ears? ETA: ENT rec?

There are pros and cons to getting the tubes depending on who you speak to. I've done a lot of research on this esp b/c my nephews had lots of ear infections. So when I had my DD I starting getting her adjusted by my chiropractor. It helps with so many things like colic, asthma and ear infections. If you're looking for s natural alternative I would recommend seeing a chiropractor who specializes in pediatrics. They can recommend natural treatments to do at home and the adjustments are so gentle. My DD loves going but is petrified of the pediatrician. Hope this helps. Good luck!

Tubes in ears? ETA: ENT rec?

I have two sons. Both have/had tubes. My oldest (now 3) had them placed at 11 months after a string of infections---4 in 3 months. When I took him to ENT for eval he failed his hearing test. We never looked back at that point. He never had another infection until tubes fell out (a little before he turned 3.) since then we have had 3 more infections and likely will be looking at tubes and adenoids soon.

My little guy who is now 15 months had them placed at 7 months after a series of infections that never went away. He was on antibiotic for pretty much a month and a half straight. Since placing them he has had 5 instances where the tubes visually drained and he's needed drops. Grateful to have them as it never escalated to antibiotics.

We use ENT and Allergy in Garden City. We see Dr. Block there and LOVE him. He is great with my boys and with us as nervous parents! We have also seen Dr. Mendelson when Dr. Block was on vacation and liked him a lot.

If I were you ID make an appt at ENT without waiting in ped to send you. Let the hearing test guide you. Good luck!

Re: Tubes in ears? ETA: ENT rec?

My daughter had tubes put in and her adenoids removed when she was 22 months. She had one ear infection but it was a bad one. Her ear swelled out. I had never seen that before. We had been to the doctor 2 days before that and her ears were fine so it scared me that her ear swelled that fast. The antibiotics worked but we would go back to the pediatrician every couple months for them to do a test called tympanogram and she kept failing. That meant there was still fluid in her ear that they couldn't see. Her pediatrician recommended we see an ENT.

We went to Dr. Mendolhson in Gardent City at ENT Allergy. We love him. He recommended tubes and her adenoids removed. Her adenoids were so big that they wouldn't let the fluid drain properly. Best decision we ever made even though I was so sacred.

Re: Tubes in ears? ETA: ENT rec?

My dd had tubes put in at 17 months and it was the BEST decision. She was having constant ear infections and the fluid was never draining. While she had tubes in she had 2 infections but they cleared right away. I was afraid to have them done too but they were necessary. I didn't want to see my dd in pain and throwing up every few weeks from ear infections. Seeing a good Ent is a good first step.