Fluid in Ear Solutions

Hello D.,
I am a working mother of 2, my son is 21/2 and my daughter is 13 months. My son had a couple ear infections when he was under 12m my daughter has had several. I was at the point I was willing to try anything. I have done several readings and found that cows milk is one of the top 2 food allergies. I have since switched my daughter to goats milk and in 6 month hasn't had one, till allergy season hit but now she also takes a daily allergy med. I have also put my son on Rice milk, daughter likes to drink out of his cup, and it has cleared up his congestion immensly also. It might be worth seeing an allergist to see if that could be the cause. Let me know if you have any questions.

I had the same problem with my second son. I never did have tubes put in his ears, I just took him to a really good chyropractor. He was able to show me how to massage his ears and eustation tubes so that they would drain. None of my kids have ever had meds for ear infections either because I just take them in when ever one of them gets an infection.

Sounds like there are lots of great options for you out there. I just want to clarify for you that even deaf babies babble. They begin to quit babbling when it's not reinforced (as in, they don't hear sounds back.) So do something, whether the tubes or the chiropractic, because it can seriously affect the speech development.

Good luck.
S.

Hi D.

While I understand you not wanting the tubes let me assure you that is the best thing we did for my son. My son had problems sleeping and breathing since he was born, then he started get ear infection after ear infection until he had them for 5 straight months. Not only was he miserable taking prescription meds I feel is harmful for that amount of time. Anyway I took him to the doctor probably 2 x a month since birth and was at wits end. I sought out a specialist on my own after my doctor ignored my concerns that something was wrong with my sons adenoids and that I felt tubes were a better option for him. I went down to Children's Ear, head and Neck Associates by St. Joes to the world renown Dr. Pashley -###-###-#### he has been doing this forever and all over the world. I went to see what he said well my thoughts were confirmed my sons Adenoids were the size of nickels and his tonsils were 4x the size and his ears were so filled and with liquid and infected it was amazing he could function at all. AJ was 10 months and we went with the surgery that week. He was major and we were there overnight but worth it never another ear infection and rarely sick. Well needless to say the tubes have worked themselves out and now we are up for surgery again. I will not hesitate. The procedure lasts 10 minutes and they just put them out with a little gas and done, he just turned 2. Give them a call and go see what he has to say sometimes a specialist is the way to go, they know a lot more and have done the procedures a lot more. So if it will make your daughter feel better a minutes of uncomfortable and stress on our parts is worth it I feel plus they wont remember and then you dont have to worry about speech and other things. However you have to do what you feel is right. Pray about it and then do it. Hope that helps a bit.

This may sound weird, but I have a sister who lives in Wyoming (where it is windy all of the time), and she said that a chiropractic friend told her to pull out and down on the ear(the part closest to the ear opening)so it can drain the fluids out. This does make them cry, but I've heard it works. You might want to validate that with a chiropracter, but that's an option.
Good Luck!
Qandryel

Having your daughter adjusted by a chiropractor could really help. Adjustments can change the angle of the eustachian tubes so they can drain. Look for a DC that sees children regularly. My children are adjusted on a regular basis.

My son is almost five and has suffered a massive speech delay. No one could figure out what it was, until we went to an ENT. It was fluid causing hearing problems, therefore cusing speech problems. Who knows how long the fluid hd been there, but the ENT said that it was bad and had probably been there for years. I questioned this, because to me he seemed to hear just fine. The ENT nad my husband had to take awhile to convince me to put the tubes in his ears. I didn't want to do it because I didn't think it was needed. I finally agreed to it, and things went very well. We were there for maybe an hour. They let him bring in his favorite blanket and pillow. They said he was only asleep for about 15 min. He was cranky when he woke up but in a few hours he was just fine. It is really a very minor surgery and is of little risk. She is young enough she probably won't even remeber it. We did this with our son in Feb. and his speech and language has already drastically improved. He is also better behaved because now he can hear and understand what is going on, and others are starting to understand him also. It is wonderful, and I am very glad we did it. I know surgerys are scary. But it is only a 15-20 min. procedure, the rest of the time is recovery and prep.

Just think of all the problems this could cause: speech delay, language delay, communication problems, behavior problems (due to communication),difficulty learning, etc; some of these happen as a result of another, but they still happen.

My son was almost four and a half when we did this. I wish we'd have done it sooner, Because then a lot of the problems he has now would either not be there, or they wouldn't be as bad. It is best for everyone this way, in the long run.

Whatever you decide, good luck.

D.,
We had the same problem with our oldest son. We were very reluctant to do anything surgical to him, so we took him to our chiropractor. This really worked wonders. Any time we were in the doctor's office for ear pain, we went to the chiropractor right after and they always cleared up. It is not uncommon for chiropractors to see small children. Our 2 year old has received chiropractic care since he was under a year old. I'm not sure where you are located, but I can give you a referral for a GREAT chiropractor who is located around I-70 and Kipling.

Good luck,
M. in Denver

One of my sons was in this situations. He had hearing loss for much of his infancy and toddlerhood and we did end up having the ear tubes put in. It made a world of difference. We still ended up having to put him in speech therapy when he was about 6 to make up for all the time when he wasn't hearing, though. Good luck!

Get the tubes done! Dr. Jill Beck did my son's. It was very minor and it helped so much! I know a woman who didn't have the surgery done on her daughter and now says she really regrets it because her 7 year old has hearing problems. It was hard to see my son asleep after the 10 minute surgery, but after two months straight of ear infections and sleepless nights because of pressure in his ears, the surgery was the best thing to happen to us! Listen to the doctor and do it for your daughter!

Hi D.-
I am not a mom yet, but have been a preschool teacher for a few years and hear about this stuff with a lot of the children's younger siblings. One mom I know is doing chiropractic once or twice a week for her 14 month old son. She is finding that it is helping, the fluid is not gone but the though of tubes is farther from her and the doctors minds. I also know that if the ear drums are actually twisted, something that happens during the birth process, tubes may be the only solution...Anyway I hope this helps some and good luck I would be hesitant to do the surgery as well!

When our oldest daughter was about a year and a half, she had an ear infection that wouldn't go away...even after three rounds of antibiotics. We, being first time parents, just trusted what our Doctor said instead of researching things and figuring out a better solution. After our pediatrician threw her hands up and referred us to the ear Doctor for tubes, we scheduled to have it done. The morning of the surgery, we still did not feel right about putting a one year old under anesthesia for surgery, so we declined at the surgery center, and took matters into our own hands. We started out by taking her to a chiropractor and got her adjusted. We saw the Chiropractor a handful of times over 2 months or so. We also did some MAJOR changes to her diet: no WHEAT or DAIRY (with the exception of goat's milk yogurt). We also added Infants' Probiotics, a Liquid Multivitamin, and Cod Liver Oil for Brain Development. There was an immediate difference in her health...she started sleeping through the night again, and within a month or two was back to 100%. There are plenty of alternatives to Wheat and Dairy: Rice Milk and Cheese, Wheat free noodles, all natural Turkey from the deli, Ezekiel Bread (gluten free), plus lots and lots of fresh fruits and steamed veggies! It sounds tougher than it really is. It's like any system, once you figure it out, it's just shopping for the right foods. Our oldest daughter is now almost 3 years old, and has had NO PROBLEMS with her ears at all since incorporating this program. In fact, she is sick a lot less often and a much healthier child. You should probably do some research on the vaccinations too...I don't know if you are doing that or not, but while your child is so sick, I would hold off on putting any more shots in their body. It's tough enough fighting off ear problems, and then to add that seems like a lot! Just a suggestion from a parent who has been through the ringer with the same thing! Good luck...try it, it works!

The tubes in babies ears are level and as they grow the tubes grow to an angle so that fluid drains easily. Homeopathics and chiropractics really takes care of this problem without surgery.Surgery often times leads to greater complications.
G. CMD, CBE

Dear D., I just turned 28 last week, and when I was two, my mother and father and doctor faced the same problem with my little ears! They somehow decided on tubes, and everything went great. And surgeons and surgery have come quite a ways since then. If you don't find any other options, do not fear. Even though as a mother, you will, naturally!! Everything should turn out just fine. I will tell you the scariest part for me was going to have one removed (one had already fallen out because I outgrew it). We went into the dr. and He had me lean my little head on his chest and count the buttons on his shirt and hold really still. He reached inside my ear with a pair of tweezers and pulled it out. It didn't hurt so much as it was scary to hold still while someone is reaching inside your ear with a sharp object!! I have a friend who's son had to get tubes recently and his speech improved so dramatically. It was like he came out of his nearly silent shell. He is now a bright, active, energetic little boy, with tubes in his ears!!

I would do the tubes if I were you. My son had the same problem but we never did tubes. Now he he has hearing loss and on top of that he has speech problems too. It was a cause of constant fluid wich caused the damage to his ears. He is almost nine nand has been in speech since he was 3. I hear it is a very simple surgery in and out quick!! Best of luck to you, hope all goes well.

D.,
When my son was 17 months I was talked into getting tubes put in his ears, as he had had many infections. I too, was against doing this, but thought I was just being stubborn and wanted to do the right thing for my baby. I almost immediately wished I had followed my instincts. He started having tantrums the day of the surgery. We hadn't seen a tantrum before (and he's our 5th child) and we thought he was in pain. He had tantrums for the next 6 to 9 months. I believe he was tramatized by the whole surgery process. When I took him in for his follow-up check up, I told the ENT Dr. all we had been going through since the surgery and that it was obvious my son was still not well. He said, "Well it's now manifesting itself in a sinus infection." I just started bawling!!! A few weeks later a friend suggested I take him to her Dr. who is practices regular medicine as well as natural medicine. I got an appointment right away. He explained how he could put him on an antibiotic again, but it probably wouldn't help or he could put him on some homeopathic remedies and see how that would work. I chose the homeopathic method. I had to take my son off of all sugars and milk products. I started buying Rice Dream milk for him. Almost immediately we started to see a difference. In less than a month he had no more signs of infections of any kind. In less than a year I was able to introduce milk products back into his diet. He has only had two ear infections since then, and he is now 14 years old. How I wish I had found this Dr. first, then my son wouldn't have been put through all of that. I'm sorry this is a long answer, but hopefully it will help you.

I have had 2 children have to get tubes in their ears, One day while getting ready to set up an appoint ment for a third to get tubes, my husband was telling someone at work about it and they gave him a home remedy. I have used it on each of my children any time they get an ear infection and have NEVER had to go to the doctor for that problem (ear infections) ever since. If you are interested in what it is, please send a personal email.

Look around for a chiropractor that is good with babies and young children. My chiropractor explained to me that if the top of the neck is out of alignment, it can block the drainage of the sinuses and ear canal. Good luck!

my daughter was about the same age when she was having problems with fluids in her ears. the doctors wanted to put tubes in her ears also, but my mother-in-law asked me to try going to a holistic doctor first. the holistic doctor did some massaging around the backs of her ears & a little tugging on her ears. he said he was lining the natural tubes back up. whatever he did, it worked! we did not need to put tubes in. today she's 12 years old & still has no problems with her ears.

Hi D.! We had the same problems with my 10 mont old daughter. Chronic ear infections. At one point the doctor's had her on antibiotics for 18 days straight. This was the 3rd series of antibiotics which had obviously not worked! The ENT was talking tubes and I was not happy about that at such a young age. I happened to run into my Midwife at the grocery store and whined to her about it. She reccommended a chiropractor named Tony Popp (yes, I know. A chiropractor named Dr. Popp? I giggled, but he exists!). Melissa had the same problem with her daughter. We went twice and the ear infections stopped. Dr. Popp used a digital thermometer to test the temp behind her ears. the side that averaged the higher temp was the one who was out. He would then take this little gaget that thumped a rubber coated end down when the plunger was depressed. He showed me by doing it on my arm. It was totally painless, and after he adjusted her he took her temperature avewrage again behind each ear and the temp had actually dropped! I am soooooo glad we went the 'non-traditional' route and I was so happy to be able to call the ENT to cancel her appointment that would have been to schedule the ear tube surgery. She has been ear infection free for two months now, where before it might have been two weeks, IF we we lucky! I would call around to chiropractors in your area. Good luck!

my son had tubes after a long time of fluid in his ears and yes we saw a dramatic change in his speech after he got them. the procedure only takes less than 45 minutes and after a short(30 min) stay in the recovery area we were on our way.he was tired and grouchy for a couple of hours but was back to him self by dinner time. the fluid in their ears is behind the ear drum and this fluid if it is in their a long time turns into a thick goop. that is why the tubes are necessary. i recommend them as it has been a huge help to my guy who suffered a speech delay because of the fluid and is now making great strides in his speech gl, N.

Hello D.,

I am a B. and know of a few natural remedies. The main one is putting a drop of breast milk into her ear. Breast milk has natural antibodies that help ward off infections and heal naturally! If you are not still nursing, maybe a mom that you know will express a little for you. If this sounds a little out there for you, then give me a call at ###-###-#### and I will be happy to refer you to an herbalist that will help (a lot cheaper than putting tubes in the ears). I, too, have a daughter who has battled with ear infections her whole life. We use a Chiropractor for the ear adjustment and if it is severe, herbal remedies along side the Chiropractic adjustments! She is now 8 years old and pretty much over them. Hope this is helpful!
-K. Littau
Serendipity Doula Birth Services
____@____.com

Have yo tried a Chiropractor? I know it sounds weird but you should find one that specializes in Pediatrics and see what they say. We go to Dr. Maggie Heaney in Evergreen.
Good Luck!

My son got tubes when he was two because of frequent ear infections and the fluid not clearing up. The procedure is very quick (seriously 10-15 minutes) and not a risky surgery. I hadn't noticed hearing problems before the surgery, but within a week he was talking clearer and able to pronounce things better. I was glad we went ahead with the surgery--who knows how much it could've affected his hearing/speech development if I'd let it go. Plus it kept him from getting any more infections for 2 years. My recommendation would be to do the surgery. Hope you get things figured out.

I would recommend trying CranioSacral Therapy. To learn more about cranioSacral therapy and how it can help check out http://www.iahe.com/html/therapies/cst.jsp
To find a practitioner near you check out you might have to call local massage therapists and ask.
I do CranioSacral Therapy, in the Ogden Utah area, but I don't know where you are at.
Also Chiropractics can help. Also iodine (Lugol's solution), if you can find it, Some chiropractors might have it available. Iodine kills bacteria, virus, etc.

There is really nothing you can do to help the fluid gathering in her ears. If it eases your mind, a friend just had to have surgery for her daughter and put tubes in. She was 15 months at the time and she did wonderful! I would put the tubes in. If she gets ear infections a lot, then she has to be on antibiotic and that can mess her up for future sickies that she may get. This is just a suggestion. I know some moms want to do everything in their power to not have the surgery, but it is minor and she will more comfortable for her. Just imagine always feeling like something is blocking your ear. I hate that feeling and she may as well. Just a thought :) Good luck in whatever choice you decide!

I know how difficult that must be. My son has had nothing but since he was just a baby. He is now three and we just went through tubes for the second time. The first time seemed like it didn't work, but i waited for awhile. He did at first show signs has he wasn't hearing my very well or talking as much as he should have been. The last December we had tubes put back in his ears and his limpnoids taken out, he seems to be a much happier child and is talking alot. Through out the year I had to have several hearing and speech test just for me to know that he was progressing the way he should be. But I is all up to you on what you want to do. I was very nervous the first time they even mentioned surgery, but it is getting to be more of a common problem with children. But with my son I think it has been a wonderful thing. Good Luck !!!
Val

D.....
One of my friend had the same problem....her son was 18 months when they told her she should have the tubes put in his ears. and he is now 5 years old, no tubes and hasn't had many ear aches/infections...her solution? she took him to the chiropractor. a lot of times a chirporactor helps with the bones in your ears! i'd give it a shot!

My son had the same problem. We ended up doing the surgery. His speech improved Hugely, and he was able to walk straighter and run a lot faster. My son was 2 years old when we had the surgery. He's now almost 3 and is doing great.
I know that surgery is a hard thing to do, but his recovery was very fast and it helped so much. Even though your daughter is responding to your voice, it doesn't mean she could be hearing as well as she should. To her it could sound like she has water in her ears and the sounds could be mutted. Just make sure your surgeon has done several ear tube surgeries and is qualified. Pedeatric surgeons do several of these and the risk factors are quite small. If it will make your daughters life more enriched and help her to hear, and speak better, I'd say go for it.
I hope you get peace about your situation soon-have you tried praying about it?
I wish you all the best with your daughter.

Take her to a chiropractor. It really works. Both my kids had frequent ear infections because of fluid in their ears and I started having them treated at the chiropractor and the ear infections became less and less frequent. It's something about the neck being out of wack that can cause fluid to build up in the ears. I know of two good chiropractors, one in Littleton and one in Lakewood, if you need one. My aunt takes her two boys there, too. She has never had to treat an ear infections with antibiotics because the chiropractor can help just as well.

If you'd like to try a chiropractor, I reccomend Jaime Ricks. I know him personally and professtionally and he does good work, and acctually explained to me how he could help my dauther (ended up without tubes, but that's another story). If that doesn't work, get the tubes. It's not nearly as big of a deal as people make it out to be. I don't know that I'd go so far as calling it "surgery", it's a 10 minute office visit that changes your life and the life of your little one!

Hi D.,
I am a Speech Pathologist, plus I have 5 children, and 5 grandchildren. I cannot tell you how important it is to get those tubes in - NOW!! All the ladies who have echoed this same sentiment are absolutely correct! Those who have had unusual success with homeopathics or chiropractors, are in the minority. I have personally tried those, also, and had absolutely NO success with my children or students who had chronic middle ear infections. Also, I have spent many, many years screening school children's ears for hearing. I cannot even begin to tell you how many little and older children were suffering from chronic middle ear infections that had gone on for years. It effects their speech and their personalities and behavior. It is a huge detriment to their development in many ways, besides hearing. When left alone to just "grow out of it", there can be severe and permanent damage done to the middle ear bones. The surgery, as has been commented upon, is a very minor one. The tubes are tiny. One set can stay in for years until they just sluff out on their own, which is what usually happens. Some children need to have an additional set put in, called a T tube, which will remain until it is removed surgically, which again, is a very minor one. One of my sons required tubes at 1 year old. Then they came out and we had T tubes put in when he was 2 years. When the time came that he was getting more infections due to water getting in his ears than from illness, we had them removed at age 5. He has never had an ear infection since, and he is 23. Please hear me--Get the tubes put in immediately. It will be a blessing to your child.

Hi D., If your daughter's pediatrician is recommending the surgery after 5 months of fluid in her ears I would say get it done. My second son had ear infections for over 7 months and had speech delays and didn't start talking until he was almost 3 because his doctor wanted to clear it up with antibiotics. I had to insist on the tubes. The ENT did a tympanogram before the surgery and there was so much fluid behind his eardrums that they didn't move and he couldn't hear. There is also the possibility that her eardrums may burst because of the pressure which would be very painful. I hope this is helpful for you.

OH, I so know how you are feeling. My daughter did not get her first infection until she was 3 - but the fluid just would not drain. I looked into everything, and took her to chiropractors (3 different ones) as a way to avoid surgery. Luckily for us, speech development was not an issue, as she was speaking fully by 1 1/2. However the hearing loss was significant. I scheduled her for tubes last winter, but last minute cancelled when the doctor examined her and said that the fluid finally drained on its own (took over 6 months). This winter, had the same issue. AFter trying chiropractic again, it did NOT work. She had the tubes, was done in 15 minutes and I noticed the difference IMMEDIATLY upon her waking up. She could hear, she was happy again, no more pain in her ears. The surgeon/ent who totally believes in homeopathic solutons told me the fluid in both ears was so thick, there was no way to clear it out on its own.

I highly recommend getting the surgery done. We were out of hte hosptial within 20 minutes of her surgey finishing, she wanted to go out for breakfast, and was playing happily as soon as we got home.