Gromits??

Just wondering if i should persue the idea of Jett getting gromits. He has had 2 middle ear infections in 2 weeks, was on antibiotics for it twice, it was that bad that there was green puss coming out of it. I recently went to the emergency dep because he had high temps, (lowest was 37.7 highest 39.1) vomiting, didnt wee for over 7 hours. They were going to send me home but i wasnt budging, so they admitted him. He was getting ANOTHER middle ear infection he had a viral infection in his chest aswell. What would you do?? He has been fine since we got out of hospital 2 weeks ago. (we were in there for 5 days).

Thankyou in advance.

geta referral to an ENT ( Ear nose and throat DR) they specialise in this area.. DD had grommets and adroids operation at 18 months old as she was suffering from glue ear and constant ear infection.

Hiya Jen!!!!

I agree - go get a referral for a Peadeatric ENT specialist. There is a bit of a wait in the public system (actually, there is in the private sector too at the moment) but get it looked at by them - they will tell you the best options.
I'm not sure that they will recommend grommits after 3 MEI but that may depend on the severity and how close to each other they have been. Keep a diary of all his ear related problems and take that to the specialist with you.
Go get the referral soon and make the appointment as soon as you have it. If you decide closer to the date you no longer need to go, cancel it. But it is better to secure the appointment now and not need it than wait, decide you need it, and then not be able to get one!

Hope he gets better soon.

Love MG

Thanks for your replies, i will be getting a referral as soon as my GP comes back from holidays. I'm just stressing because of all the troubles i have had with his ears. I hope it is all ok but better to get the referral and make the app like you said MG.
Thanks again.

Hi Jen,

My son has never had an ear infection or tonsilitis etc, but from about 1 1/2 y/o we noticed he suffered from what we thought was "selective hearing" he would grunt instead of talk, one time he would hear fine next it was like he would totally ignore us,He suffered from really waxy ears and the wax would just come out in clumps, always had his fingers in his ears but they could never see in there well enough to say ear infection as they were filled with wax. I would have to use ear clear 2-4 times daily to keep them clear (this helped with the fingers in the ear, doc sad it would clear out the infection too) he used to snore really bad, etc i tryed everything i could hearing tests etc hearing all came back fine....Finally at about 2 y/o I got a referal for an ENT doc and on our first visit he recommended grommets, adnoids out and tonsils removed the operation waiting list for public was over 12 months and as it affected his speach and we didnt want him to fall behind (not having private Heath cover) we paid for the surgury to be done... a 2 month wait and he was booked in It cost us about $3000-3800 for the surgury he stayed in over night. It was traumatic him having to go under but ever since we have not looked back. His speach has improved 10 fold and hearing has never been better...In my opinion there is noting worse then sore ears and tooth aches...

I would highly recommend seeing a Pediatric ENT doc and dont stop till you get the results you want... My son is now 3 and one grommet has already fallen out and ENT doc says massive improvement and no need for a follow up surgury.... Best decision we have ever made

Thanks Jess i will be loking into the ENT specialist. Very shortly... well in the new year.

we just had a visit with an ENT specialist as DD had 4 ear infections over a 6 months period, one lasted over a month and she was on anti-biotics for 28 days, she hasn't had an ear infection since beginning of december but dr told has she still has fluid in both ears, 'gluey ear', DD had to have hearing test done there by audioligist and it came back saying she has mild hearing loss, and need to re-visit ENT dr in 3 months to see if fluid gone if not dr wants to put grommets in. Costs $230 for ENT dr and hearing test and had 2 month wait, but glad we found out problem. Did u manage jen, to get an appointment for jett?

ENT doc are expensive and hardley any rebate is given... My first consult was bout $200 and we were on the room with the doc for 15 mons if that... my sons opp cost is $3500 cos i didnt want him to be put on the 12-18 month waiting list... hearing in my opinion is like sight very impoetant..

We have regular checkups and they cost us now $90 every 6 months... but so worth the expense and wait to have the problem fixed....

Jen wondering also how you went???

my ENT is in PENRITH.. and he bulk bills.. so if any one wants the details send me a PM.. he is bery nice aswell.. xoxo

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my ENT is in PENRITH.. and he bulk bills.. so if any one wants the details send me a PM.. he is bery nice aswell.. xoxo

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Hi Mrs T,

You COULD be an angel....? I have no idea how to PM you but if you could send me the details at karinaj5@ hotmail.com that would be so wonderful. My 6 year old really needs grommets and we just cant afford to go private at the moment. :S But a years wait is a long time when youre developing all those foundations at school.

Thanking you!
Karina

Hi! My DD also had MANY ear infections as an infant, and she was on antibiotics repeatedly, until we took her to the chiropractor. He completely solved the problem for us with no surgery, no antibiotics, and very little expense. Many children have a slight twist in the bones of their necks, (may happen during birth, or from a bump on the head when learning to walk, or whatever) and this pinches a nerve running from the spine at the base of the skull. This causes a slight inflammation, which does not allow the ear to drain properly (also causes sinus and adenoid troubles) and when the fluid builds up there, infection often occurs.
Our chiropractor has a nearly 100% success rate with treating children for this. He also treats the children of his regular patients for free, so I trust that he's not just out to make a few extra dollars with this! Besides, as I said, I have seen the result - my daughter went from having ear infections very frequently to NEVER again. It's been two years.
I highly recommend that you try it yourself! All the best!

Hi Kymmy
Jake had recurrent ear infections from about 6mths - 12months and would be on antibiotics every 2 weeks. We tried the chiro path, for both his ears and his reflux, but had no happiness and ended up getting referral to Paed ENT. At my GP appt to get the referral he suggested I take Jake off dairy completely - we were already off everything except yoghurt bcs of his reflux - and totally avoid public pools. We tried this and his last ear inf was boxing day 2007. Went and saw ENT in Feb - was a 3mth wait and we were private, and she sent us to his hearing test. His hearing was borderline but he hadn't had an ear infection for 6 weeks so we were told to wait and see. Apparently if you are lucky their eustation tubes develop enough to prevent the backing up of fluids atc which cause the infections and it usually happens around 12-18mths. Well he has only had 2 ear infection since and that was a virus that screamed through our house and we all ended up with ear infections. Apart from that, touch wood we have been fine. HOWEVER if the problem reared it's ugly head again we would be in for grommets lickity split.

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Apparently if you are lucky their eustation tubes develop enough to prevent the backing up of fluids atc which cause the infections and it usually happens around 12-18mths. .

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Yep. as the childs head grows the angle of the tube increases so that eventually the ear can drain and function properly. If they havent grown out of the repeat infections by 2.5 yrs of age, then it is time for further serious investigation (according to my doc) but before that it is a common problem unfortunately. And grommets may only last a few weeks with some children and then fall out and the hole heals over, so not a permanent fix.

We have had ear troubles too and our ENT said DD's ears were so bad that she had at least 40% hearing loss with her glue ear. We went on a dairy free diet about 8wks ago and she is almost completely cured! We have to continue with the dairy free for now, our next appt is in 4wks time. I am just happy my baby doesn't need an operation.
So try dairy free before you go the operation route! Much easier and cheaper.

How did things go Kymmy ?