Adenoids?

[JB79]

Our daughter has ben chronically sick since February. 

**February: sinus infection and double ear infection
**end of March:  sinus infection and ear infection
**beginning of May:  sinus infection and ear infection
**Beginning of June:  sinus infection and double ear infection--we're currently on day 9 of her antibiotic and she still doesn't sound great.

We've had antibiotics ranging from Amoxicillin to Augmentin and now we're on something that's supposed to be stronger. 

She snores terribly loud at night because her nose is so stuffy.  I've had her on every allergy med under the sun from over the counter claritin to Allegra...all have done nothing for her congestion and cough.  I've been researching on the internet and it seems like lots of websites are talking about adenoids and seeing an ENT for potential relief.  We've just been seeing our pediatrician and had planned to go to an allergist if things don't improve. 

Anyone have any stories about ENT/adenoids/removal of adenoids that could shed some light?  I'm sad that my little girl doesn't feel well...in fact I think she's been so congested, she probably doesn't remember what it's like to not be.   

[thepeach80]

We love our ENT, we see Dr. Ann Edmunds out by Lakeside. I think it's Omaha ENT? She's seen all the kids and done all their tubes and then Evan's adenoids and tonsils. We did a sleep study at Children's before Evan's surgery to make sure we really knew what was going on and weren't guessing about it etc. Turns out he had really bad apnea and was getting WAY too little O2 at night, as well as not sleeping enough, not growing enough b/c of it etc. That was before his tonsils came out, I should've started at the beginning, lol. He had tubes at 7 mos, then his adenoids came out at 19 mos b/c of apnea and recurrent drainage from his ears. We did a head xray that showed HUGE adenoids so we took them out. So far they've stayed away and then when he was a few mos from 4 he had his tonsils out. It was harder than the adenoids, but he sleeps great now and gained 5# in 3 mos!

[JB79]

Thanks so much for the reply!  We saw a doctor at Boys Town and liked him.  He looked at our daughter and her history and said tubes in and adenoids out as soon as possible.  We're scheduled for July 19.  I'm nervous...Edyn is our first and only so the anxiety level in our house is high!  He said the tonsils looked okay and that she has a large pallet (sp?) so he doesn't see her having trouble with tonsils.  Our poor little girl is so dark under her eyes from not sleeping well.  I'm looking forward to her getting good rest...and it won't be bad for us either!

Thanks again!

[BrycesMomma]

Ditto on Dr. Edmunds!  My son's doctor referred us to her after dealing with ear infections every month for quite a few months in a row.  He had tubes in Feb 2007 and they fell out right before this last winter and we have not had a problem since.  Make sure that you take someone with you when they do the surgery.  I remembe the worse part as waiting in the lobby but it was for a very short time.  He was VERY upset when he woke up because of how he felt from the medicine not because he was in any pain.

JB79 - hope you little one gets to feeling better! 

[JB79]

Thanks BrycesMomma.  One question, did they let you stay with him until he fell asleep?  And when did they put in the IV?  I'm hoping they can give her some happy gas and then do the IV...I don't think I can stand watching that!
I just don't want her going to sleep without us there...I'd rather her see us, fall asleep, and then see us when she wakes up...even if she is crabby!

[BrycesMomma]

Yes they do.  They took us back to a room to get him changed and get his temp and all that.  They gave him the medicine, I think it was something he drank or a shot but not an IV, and you could see him getting loopy and tired.  He was not completely asleep when he went back.  I think the time is critical from when the time he goes to sleep for her to put the tubes in before he wakes up.  They only want to give the least amount to be able to get the surgery done.  I handed him off to Dr. Edmunds and went to the waiting room.  When they are done they take him to a recovery room and come get you.  A nurse had him in a rocking chair.  They had told me he would be cranky and crying when I went back there.  I sat with him in the rocking chair until he had some of his bottle (he was 11 months old) and we had the good to go.  I would say recover time was about 20-30 minutes.

Ask a lot of questions so you know what to expect instead of walking in there not knowing.  Dr. Edmunds was really great about answering all my questions and there were no suprises. 

[BrycesMomma]

I forgot to mentioned that this was a Lakeside.  The nurses were great there too.  Where will you be going for the surgery?

[JB79]

We're at BoysTown National Research Hospital...I've never had anything done there, but that was where the doctor could get us in the fastest.  He said people wait months for surgery dates out west.  We live in Papillion so it's no further either way for us.  We are having to wait over a month at this point, and that's long enough for me.  She's miserable.  She's also starting preschool in the middle of August so we can't wait too long!
They also did a hearing test and found that she's actually not hearing well because of fluid in her right ear.  We're hoping that gets better after she gets some relief.
Thanks for all of your info...I'm hoping since she's almost 3, she doesn't remember much, but I would rather have had this happen when she was younger...

[BrycesMomma]

Something to put you at ease.......a lot of things you read state that if they have hearing problems or eye problems get it solved before school age (5 years), they consider it being caught early and not develop speech problems.  My son was not really crawling when we had the tubes in at 11 months.  With in a week he was crawling and one month later walking.  It is a huge difference in behavior and wait until she hears things clearly for the first time.  Your daughter's face will be unforgettable when she notices the difference!

[lisajaye]

I'm new to this website but I just saw your post.  I have 2 boys ages 3 1/2 and 17  months.  My oldest son had tubs put in his ears and his adenoids out the week after he turned 1.  Our youngest son had the same exact surgery done when he was 13 months old.  Both boys had terrible sinus infections and ear infections their entire first year of life.  As soon as they were old enough to have the procedure done they had it!  They have been totally different kids with no illnesses (knock on wood) since it's been done!  I see your little one just had it done a few days ago.  I hope it went well and that you see positive results like we've seen! 

[JB79]

Thanks for letting me know!  Edyn had her surgery on Monday.  Coming out of the anesthesia was no picnic, but once she figured out she was back with us, and we got her calmed down, she ate, drank, and we brought her home.  She has hardly asked for tylenol or told us her throat hurts so I guess things went relatively well!  I'm impressed with how fast she has bounced back.  I'm hoping it is the cure for the constant sinus and ear infections!

[momaha mama]

Oh, JB79, I hope so, too!

Keep us posted. And hooray for having the surgery over and done with!