United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

The myringotomy tubes were a blessing for Katie while they lasted. Can't seem to keep the right one (bpi side of course!) in because of the size of the eustachian tube itself (small...hmmmmm) and such a very simple procedure to be done. Glad to HEAR it went well and Miss Maia got to laugh at the dr appointment for once.

Whew!!! Knowing is half the battle!!
Hope she can get it resolved.
T.

Christy - so now I am researching tubes again.... I'm not sure I understand about Katie's right tube coming out because the tubes go into the ear drum and don't have any connection to the eustacian tube? I don't know how that would be bpi related?? can you help me with this?
-francine

Glad to hear Maia's problems are getting better, it's sooooo nice to find a Dr. that can relate to kids, isn't it? Hope all goes well.
Anne

anne - and to think that this doc got on his knees to look into Maia's ears...he was right on her level eye to eye. I'm still amazed.
-francine

Francine my youngest and non bpi had tubes put in after his first year of life was spent on every anti biotic under the sun and just a miserable disposition, probably from the pain and pressure but a 1 year old can't tell. Anyway the tubes are tiny and there are no guarantees that they will stay in. As a matter of fact the tubes are suppose to fall out over time. Anyway, what a differnece!! There was a drastic improvement in Brian's disposition and we have had 1 infection since but the tubes worked because he was oozing puss out his ear instead of building up with pressure. My ENT let me make the decision and I was willing to try because we had been through some many anti-biotic treatments including the 6 week preventative approach and the Motrin routine that I had had enough. The surgery was 10 minutes. He was out running around later in the day. Nowadays, they aren't as concerned about keeping water out of the ears either which helps. It has to be hard to think about another round of anestesia but it just might be worth it. And, for a change the results are instant!! Good luck

My nephew had the same probs with his ears (non bpi)and after a couple of years of suffering terrible pain from regular ear infections, and then showing speech problems (because he couldn't hear properly because of the build up of wax and hardened pus that nothing would shift..)they finally gave in and had the tubes or grommets placed.

What a difference...after a very short time, the ears cleared enough for him to hear a lot better, the pain went and also, because he wasn't continually frustrated by people not understanding his speech, the behavioural problems lessened too...by the age of about 8 years, he didn't need them any more and weren't replaced after they had fallen out for the 3rd time.

Have something to add - you know how you think of ALL the things said later...

He said that Maia's ear drum on that side is smaller - not just the eustacian tube but the ear drum itself. So with the pressure that is in there it causes it to vibrate less than it should.

Have something to add - you know how you think of ALL the things said later...

He said that Maia's ear drum on that side is smaller - not just the eustacian tube but the ear drum itself. So with the pressure that is in there it causes it to vibrate less than it should.

That's great that your entire experience went so well! The dr. sounds wonderful! A double bonus that he's local and you won't have to travel forever to see him again. About the letter, though, rather than writing to the 1st dr, how about writing to the 2nd one? Or if you still want to write to the 1st, then how about writing to both of them. So often people take the time to write when things don't go well, but don't take time out to acknowledge when things work out so well. Just a thought! -Tina