Tubes | Autism PDD
I took Luke to an allergist today and discovered that Luke has fluid in
his ears. He needs to get tubes placed ... which will be done the
middle of August. The doctor also feels fiarly confident that
Luke has several food allergies, and he'll be tested for that next
week. I don't know how to feel about these things! I'm glad
the doctor found something with his hearing, as this would explain why
luke has been acting very "off" for about a week now, but I'm scared of
having my 2 yr old go under anesthesia! Additionally, I'm
guardedly hopeful that he DOES have food allergies and that maybe, just
maybe, if we correct his food allergies, his behavior will improve.
What a crazy day it was today. When Luke wasn't crying and acting out, the baby was!
Well that's actually kind of good news eh?? I know it's scary to have them under anesthesia...but I'm sure they'll take good care of him! Riley had tubes too...they lasted for about 14 months! Good thing is that he could hear again!!! Isn't it horrible that they can't express that pain of an earache??? I had tons of ear infections as a kid, and they hurt SO bad...if he's prone to earaches, let's hope this solves that problem at least a little!
As for allergies, I have heard that food allergies can cause lots of behavior problems. Riley also just went through that too...but it was a simple blood test. (he's used to those) Does Luke have to have the same?? Sorry...I'm curious. Or does an allergist do it differently?? (Riley's was through his GI-that's why I wonder if it's done another way with an allergist)
When I was a kid it was the 60 shots in the back and 30 in each arm...so I was glad it was one blood test for him for sure!
Good luck!!!
~Lesley
Adam had tubes put in when he was 2 years and 1 month old. It was very scary for me because I had never had to deal with one of my children going under anestesia before. THey also clipped his tongue while in there. His tongue was restricted. I know what your feeling. I know its hard to give up control so to speak and have this done but the result is well worth it. It's very quick too. It didn't take nearly as long as I anticipated and he was back in my arms in no time. He was cranky...lol...but he pulled through like a little trooper. He has not had an ear infection since. Also he has only had one case of illness dealing with sinuses/allergies etc since then. In over a year!!! When Adam didn't have an infection...his ears still had fluid. Can you imagine hearing everything under water constantly? His articulation with speech improved dramatically after the surgery. I know its easier said than done because i've been there.....but try not to worry...I'm sure everything will go fine. Take care,
Karrie
Karrie how restricted was his tounge? I ask this because my 8yr old daughter is what they called partially tounge tied, when she was born I was concerned and asked if she would need it clipped and they told me that they don't genneraly clip tounges anymore because it is very dangerous. She seems to do ok with it sometimes her s's sound slurred and she hasn't been reffered for speech therapy yet and she is entering 3rd grade (she is NT). But the poor kid can not stick her tounge out past her lips so she has trouble like licking ice cream fast before it melts and licking her lips she always needs a napkin. Just curious on how bad his tounge was restricted. I was also told by someone can't remember back that far if it was a doctor that the tounge could also grow back???? Sounds kinda strange to me.
Nita
Kellie ~
Glad to hear it's a "single prick"!!! That's the good news! When will Luke have the procedure done? It may very well help some speech, it did for Riley too, just like others...he was not hearing at all out of one ear because of fluid.
I absolutely hear what you're saying about docs not wanting to test for allergies...isn't that crazy??? I had 3 docs refuse to test my son too...he was having horrible GI problems...still is...we did finally test him and he's not allergic (has CVS/migraines) but it seems to me to be such a prevalence of allergies related to health/behavior....why wouldn't they want to be all over that?!??! Craziness! Glad you stuck to your guns!!! I DO hope it helps...at least some!
Nelle ~
I heard tubes normally only last for 6-9 months before falling out. Riley's lasted 14 and the doc told me "the body just knows when it doesn't need them anymore" ok..whatever that means!!! Is it possible they need to look at them for Brodey again? Maybe he needs a diff't size or something? I don't know...I sure am no doc! We're they getting infected right from the start?
~Lesley
Nita,
Yes I have often heard that they don't do it very often anymore. The doctor could not get into his mouth until he was under anestesia so that is when he checked. He said that while my son was "under" he could not even pull his tongue out to his bottom lip. Being that my son had severe language delays the doctor decided to go ahead and do it while putting the tubes in. At that time he was not diagnosed with autism either but with the language delays the doctor seen it as a theraputic type surgery to help with articulation of words. I have never heard about it growing back. I'm sure that it's possible for the skin that is clipped to reform together or even possible scar tissue growth but we haven't had that problem. Adam can stick out his tongue just past his bottom lip now. I know that when we had it done his speech therapist was against it until after it was over and then she seen the difference in his articulation..LOL The few words he was using became understandable after the surgery. Also the doctor that did the surgery never said that it was dangerous at all. He actually said that it was a very simple surgery and it didnt' require stitches or anything. It was the right decison for Adam. I knew afterwards with the articulation that I had made the right choice. I wouldn't worry about your daughter needing it done if she doesn't need speech therapy. If it isn't effecting the way she communicates then I can understand why a doctor would not want to do it.
Karrie
Lesley, The allergist said that they just need to do 'a single prick' on his arm, so I'm not sure if they inject something or take out blood (I'm assuming it's the former, however). I never had an ear infection as a child (thank goodness) only as an adult -- and you're right -- they HURT! Maybe this is why Luke has been such a crank lately! He had his hearing tested about 4 mos ago and he supposedly could hear just fine. However, he was attempting words back then and lately he hasn't been doing anything but whining or humming (both of which would alleviate some of the pressure in his ear, I guess). I REALLY hope that taking care of his ears and his allergies may bring about some improvement in his behavior and speaking, though I'm trying not to get too optimistic about these things improving his condition much. What I can't understand is why, for over 2 yrs, one of his pediatricians couldn't suggest that we take Luke to an allergist to see what was causing his severe constipation and eczema ... but signs of a food allergy! Ah well ... water under the bridge, I guess. Thank goodness we took him now.Kellie,
Brodey my littlest has tubes at 15mo. and his speech was coming along so well. I couldn't believe he wasn't hearing but that is what his first hearing test said. Brodey is NT.
He is having alot of trouble with infections and blocked tubes.
Takoda has had tubes for over two years and they are still working well for him and no ear infections. I would just watch Luke carefully I thought tubes would fix everthing for Brodey and now I'm worried that it's going to be a battle keeping them clear.
Nelle
Lesley,
Brodey has only had them a few months and yes his first infection was within weeks. I have been told that Brodey has very thick, sticky wax. The Dr. gave me a home remedy to use. He said to use peroxide and white vinager in equal parts and use this to keep wax from clogging his tubes. I think it worked but Brodey hates it. I can only imagine what peroxide feels like in your ears.
Brodey is very good about his other drops. He also learned a new word with this last bout of ear infections. HURT! He now puts his hand on his ear and says HURT. I feel so bad for him but happy to see my 19mo baby can comunicate his pain and were its at.
I do have Brodey scheduled to see his specialist on August 11 I plan on insisting on another hearing test. I already told the Dr. I want it done.
I also have to wonder if the tubes fall out in a short time why hasn't Takoda's? Takoda has had his for over two years. No problems that I know of and he sees the specalists every 6 mo. Is it possible for them to be in too long?
Nelle
Nelle ~ Ahh!! I think I was confusing Takoda and Brodey! You know, I can't imagine using vinegar OR peroxide in their ears!!! Sounds like you have a good plan to recheck his hearing...I'm just so sorry to hear that he's still getting infections/clogged....maybe they'll have some idea in August on how to alleviate that. I know it really affects their speech...so you'd think they'd want to get a handle on it right?!?
Someone once told me (this sounds crazy) to take a whole garlic clove...peel & sautee it (whole) a little till it's quite warm...wrap it in cotton and put it in their ear. Odd I know...but would you believe I actually tried this once and the pain was gone instantly?!?!!? (tried it on my own earache!)
From what they told me...as I kept saying "the tubes are still in there!" I don't think it's a problem that they're there for so long...remember..."the body will eject them when ready!!" You could always sneak that question in at your next ENT visit! I do that sometimes!!
~Lesley
My son Adam has tubes as well. He got them one week before his 2nd bday. He's had them for 6 months, and has been doing great! NO ear infections! Prior to the tubes he failed 3 out of 4 hearing tests and after passed all 4.Our ENT ordered the allergy test for us. She said kids w/ food allergies often get ear infections. It was just a single blood test. But what a nightmare that was to administer! We had to put him on a papoose board and tie him down. It was heart wrenching! We found out he has no allergies.
The surgery for the tubes themselves took maybe 10 minutes to be done. The worse part of it was the waiting to go back for surgery after they put the medical bracelet on him. He completely freaked out and was trying to take it off the whole time!
We just had our 6 month checkup and the tubes are still in, his ears are clear, and he passed all the hearing tests again!
Our ENT said that they typically stay in about a year or so, but that they can stay in as much as 2 years or so before falling out. She said that if they don't fall out after 2 years then they may have to go in and take them out. She did say that it depends on the childs growth rate as to how long they will last.
I haven't heard the thing about garlic that's really interesting, but a potato does the same thing. Take a potato heat in the microwave for about 5 minutes or so, then wrap it in a wet washcloth and put it up to the ear. The heat soothes the pain. The potato holds the heat longer than a washcloth would...
Christie
How funny...garlic and potatoes?!?! Why do we spend money on meds at all??? AND we can make soup after we're done too! Chew on that Martha Stewart!
Nelle
Nelle,
I have heard of the rice sock!! It is suppose to be a great heating pad for any part of the body too!! And the rice apparently contains the heat longer than a wet washcloth etc.
Karrie
Is anybody Getting Hungry
Tyler had tubes put in at 16 months after 13 seperate ear infections in 9 months time (counting both ears being infected at the same time as 1 and not counting the ones that needed a second round of antibiodics). He had also had break through infections on a daily preventative dose of antibiodics, and was immune to amoxicillian, augmentin, zithromax and gantracin so he had to take biaxin granules when he got an infection. It was so hard watching him scream when they took him from my arms to the OR! My heart broke. After the tubes, he still got ear infections for a few months but not as frequently.... then they eventually stopped! I know one tube fell out on its own but the dr removed the other tube during a dr visit a few years later although I dont remember the exact age. hey kellie, my oldest had 4 sets of tubes,and my youngest had hers put in at14mths.and they both did well.btw, when i was little and even know my dad use sweet oil for my earaches, you heat in up on a spoon with a lighter then put a cotton ball a put it in your ear. ask the ent next time.take care. mom2carlo 
Wow Kellie, that must have been a scary week! Turns out he was just "holding a grudge" eh??
Now, do you think it's the tubes or finding allergies that made a difference in him...those are great improvements! I did notice after the tubes, Riley was far more "with it" too...speech was the biggest improvement (he couldn't hear from one ear, and like so many of you...infection after infection in both).
Whatever it was, congrats on making through the stress of the surgery, congrats on finding what his allergies are and HUGE CONGRATS to him for the improvements that must melt your heart!!!
~LesleyMy son jonathan had tubes put in about 4 months ago due to failing many hearing test .He also had an MRI taht showed that he a alot of fluid in his ears. My son never complained about painof an ear infection.HE is like that.when my son jon went is he also had his tonsiels removed. He complined more about the ears then his thoat. I guess he is just funny like that. After his first check up he passed 3 out of 4 parts of the hearing test.THe only thing the ENT Doc told me was not to put soapy water any wear near the ear only if the child wears the wax but my jon hated it . So no soap for him...hey everyone. mason got his first set of tubes at 6 months old-my poor baby. then his second set at 20 months. and now that set is infected in 1 ear and is causing his ear to bleed. his is in so much pain. thank god for tylnel with codine. he is getting them removed tomorrow morning. and then he will probable get another set after his ears clear up. my sons ears get the wax in them alot olso my doc. gave us drops to keep it loose. and it helps.
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