[Pudding]

Hey forum friends
My dd is five years old. She was diagnosed with an ear infection about two months ago. Nothing big in our lives! She had a cold and has been relatively healthy since we brought her home. In fact she had only been on antibioics four to five times prior to that. We gave her the whole course of the antibiotics (Amoxicillan/Calvulinate) but six/eight weeks later I was back at the pediatricians again. Doctor said that dd has another ear infection. She again perscribed Amoxicillan/Calvulinate. I think that it's name is really Augmentin. Anyway we followed through with the entire course of antibiotics which concluded about four days ago. Well anyway today she started complaining about her ear. We are scheduled to go back for a recheck which my doctor insists upon. I think that is a great thing that she rechecks them. Anyway does anyone have any experience with this. Did your pediatrician perscribe a stronger antibiotic or a longer course? If so what antibiotic did she perscribe? Did she send you to a specialist? Do any of you think that she has the same bacterial infection that she had eight weeks ago? I think that it is probable. I read also that sometimes pediatricians are letting these ear infections run their course with something for the pain. Has anyone done that and how did it turn out?

Beth

[TweetyMom04]

The ongoing and re-occuring you write about are red flags, to me. I would get a 2nd and 3rd opinion. The medicine is a 'band-aid' to a problem - not - being caught by the Dr. Putting a patient on the same medicine time and time again isn't good for the body. Further your Child may not react to the medicine. But needs a different medicine. Also, you will build up an immune to it, thus your body no longer responds to the medicine. Is your Child's hearing affected? Go with your gut feeling.


One of our Sons had ongoing ear infections since birth. We suspect even was born with ear infections and not treated for 8 months, until we brought he and his Brother home. I went to 3 different Pediatricians until one used a ear scope that blew air into the ear canal and she could 'see' the infection / blockage.

Because of their ongoing ear infections, their speech and hearing were affected. DS-G had about 50% hearing. DS-L was deaf in one ear and had about 80% loss in the other. During this time, we lived overseas and NHS, aka socialized medicine believes more in the body healing itself than prescribing medicine.

Both the Boys had Surgery on 01 April 08 for removal of Tonsils, Adnoids and insert of Grommets "tubes" in their ears. Neither has had an ear infection since. Runny noses and congestion, but more allergy related than anything.

Good Luck

[TerriBB]

Professional "ear Mom" here...have them do a culture of the ear. There could be something growing in there that isn't covered by the standard antibiotics.

One visit had our son with; staph, strep and athlete's foot fungus in his ear...thus 3 types of drops to cure the ear.

You may want to talk with an ENT, they don't always propose tubes and they have nurse practitioners that are all about ears!

We had our 54th ear appointment in 6.5 years this past Wednesday. (2 sets/types of tube and the ickiest...repair of the non-closing hole in ear drum...who knew that the back of the ear could hold 20+ stitches...ick)

[carolynpep73]

I have lots of ear experience myself. DD has suffered from chronic ear infections since she was 15 months old. We finally had tubes but that didn't take the infection problem away; it just helps with drainage. Olivia has built up a resistance to many antibiotics. They might as well give her water if they prescribe her Augmentin. We've gotten to the point where the strongest stuff is beginning not to work. She's been on Omnicef the last 4 or 5 times and they had to move her to Septra this last time. We've had MANY rocephin injections (the nuclear bomb as my ped calls it) and they are very painful and a last resort. They were going to culture her last infection but septra cleared it up. My point? Get her on an antibiotic that is strong enough to kick it out of her system; piggy back it with ear drops too. I would recommend a culture too. That's what we will do the next time we get an infection.

[blminter]

the standard of care for ear infection antibiotics is amoxicillin, then augmentin, then rocephin. some people add omnicef in there.

if at age 5 there is recurrent ear infections, i'd see an ENT. culturing does not help. it's usually a bug suceptible to the antibiotics. sometime the pus is so thick the antibiotics can't touch the infection (my personal situation). ENTs usually won't even culture. i insisted and it was suceptive to the medicine.

we had tubes at age 16 months. ear infections are the worst.

[sak9645]

Please see a pediatric ENT as quickly as possible -- preferably one involved with a children's hospital. Recurrent or ongoing ear infections can lead to hearing loss. Ear tubes may be needed, or other medications.

Sharon

[Mommy K]

For the antibiotics, there are second generation antibiotics that are prescribed when the infection is resistant to the first course.
I would get a second opion, or third one about ear infections--Our son had many ear infections, at least 1 a month, due to allergies that let mucous settle in his ears.
One Dr. wanted tubes-the other Dr. said no tubes & prescribed allergy med. that our son still uses for maintenance. One he started w/this treatment-the ear infections stopped.. Every case is different,so speak to a few doctors to find the cause and treatment.

[erinelway]

Yes, we had this same problem with our older son. He saw an ENT, got tubes, and hasn't had an ear infection in 3 years. It was like night and day.