I need some advice on ear infections (again.......)

[HappyMumof2]

Message withdrawn

[tortoiseshell]

My friend who is a GP said that 19 out of 20 ear infections in children are viral, and the best thing to do is to give them child brufen (ibuprofen). I've just had an ear infection and the antibiotics did nothing, so I presume that was viral.

Sorry she's having such a bad time.

[swiperfox]

Hiya - ds has been like this for weeks too. He had two lots of ab's (not coamoxiclav this time, something i cant remember!) whatever it was couldn't shift his ear infections/cold/cough/anything!! Finally he's been a very fierce antibiotic called Azithromycin. He's only to have 2mls, once a day for 3 days - thats how strong it is! Apparently it will stay in his system for a while so the bugs dont get a chance to come back this time and it seems to be working
Might be worth asking about it

[Aimsmum]

Message withdrawn

[jamiesam]

Hi
Sorry your dd having such a hard time.
My ds (20 mths) on second ear infection within 3 weeks. He's had no real temp to speak of, nor any obvious signs of pain, but LOADS of gunk. GP initially started each visit saying NOOOO we don't give anything for ear infections, then had a look and said 'it's not that bad but go on then, have a script'. Hmmm! However, at second visit, she also said it's an infection of the ear canal (not the inner ear) and took a swab for lab investigation, in case it's a bug that needs another anti-b (got amoxycillin both times). If you go back to GP next Tues and ear infection not better and you say you've not been using the anti-b's he'll maybe send you away? If ear infection remains inspite of using the anti-b's, you could maybe suggest 'further investigation' without telling him his job?

[bambi06]

my friends child had so many that in the end they gave him a permanent low dose over the winter months to keep them at bay!!!! to be hohest i would prefer the homeopath approach as in treating the cause not the symptom and ive personally had much better luck this way with my daughter ..she had an ongoing thrush/candida/infections for two years and saw so many specialists etc and one said oh yes it must be constipation!! and another that its just a girl thing and it will go away on it s own ..poor thing suffered so a friend recommended her homeopath and within 10 days she was better and hasnt had a reacurrence(sp)..can you tell im a convert?

[HappyMumof2]

Message withdrawn

[HappyMumof2]

Message withdrawn

[bambi06]

go and see a registered homeopath and they do a initial consultation of about an hour of personality of child/likes dislikes/ birth history etc and then they go from there as each child is diferent..hope you give it a try as like i said i couldnt believe how well they worked on my daughter..

[HappyMumof2]

Message withdrawn

[Aimsmum]

Message withdrawn

[HappyMumof2]

Message withdrawn

[Aimsmum]

Message withdrawn

[HappyMumof2]

Message withdrawn

[Aimsmum]

Message withdrawn

[HappyMumof2]

Message withdrawn

[Aimsmum]

Message withdrawn

[FIMAC1]

When my ds kept failing his hearing tests due to glue ear/ear infections and was referred to the Hospital - where they confirmed his hearing was very poor - they could only suggest a hearing aid as he had been very prem and had cronic lung disease so could not have a general for the grommits. I looked up alternatives and gave him alchol free Echinecea - the next appointment at the hospital gave him almost 100% on his test! I had noticed an improvement in him after about 2 weeks into the dosage (he would 'start' when cars went past which he had never done before). This deff cleared the excess fluid in his ears. We also had a few Cranial Ostepath treatments and he has been off all dairy now for years. He has not had an infection since coming off dairy.

The Echinecea we used was

www.herbsforkids.com/product.asp?productid=374

Any alchol free one should be OK but you would need to check the dosage - we gave it to my ds at 5 months

[HappyMumof2]

Message withdrawn

[FIMAC1]

This is the book I used

www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0752205196/qid=1111878457/sr=1-3/ref=sr_1_8_3/202-7554610-2225447?tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

We did the whole gauntlet of NHS services - from SCBU to chest clinics - ENT, permanetly at the GP for antibiotics, steriods (when ds chest was very bad) Hospital outpatients appts, we have seen the lot and tried out most depts . I can say, hand on heart, the only time we have had any success in treating my ds is when we have used so called 'alternative' treatments. I mostly went, sceptical, but desperate, and each time we used these treatments, they actually worked! My son now does not have any meds, and at one time had a list pretty long (either for his chest - cld, or ear probs). I am amazed, to be honest, how affective the alternatives have been for him and wonder if it would work as well for others, but really, you have nothing to lose.

[HappyMumof2]

Message withdrawn

[FIMAC1]

The loose stools may be have been caused by the repeated antiobiotics? maybe your friend would be able to help. The Kneisologist and Nutrionalist I have taken the children to has said to always give acidophilus when taking antibotics as it helps the body replace the stomach flora which gets killed of by the antiobiotics - maybe your friend would be able to advise? Biocare do a good range of childrens supplements - we get them from the healthfood shop.

Hope your dd gets some help - would really recommend seeing a Kneisologist - who tests for imbalances and any food allergies or intolerances - get one that is recommended

I can recommend an excellent one in Gloucestershire

[tillykins]

This sort of thing drives me potty; the majority of ear infections don't respond to antibiotics. Quite often they are fungal or viral, with a bacterial infection as a secondary invasion, as it were. Also, ear infections often start as an irritation in the ear canal, which then creates an opportunity for a secondary infection - blasting these with antibiotics can be counter productive. If you have a rash on your arm, you would use a topical treatment for example, not oral medication

Ask your GP about a topical application, a pump action spray is usually best, rather than drops. Ask if Otomise would be suitable - its got antiviral, antifungal and antibacterial properties in it, and can be safely used for 7-10 days (but I don't know if its okay in children, don't see why not though) You have to use it for a couple of days after the pain / wet / itching stops, but its very very effective even if it does smell like vinegar! There's no reason to keep taking oral antibiotics if a topical spray will do the job and do it better

Good luck, sorry if I sound stroppy but it drives me mad!

[FIMAC1]

Totally agree about the overuse of antibotics by Doc's - my son was actually resistant to them by the time we had sought alternative help.

[HappyMumof2]

Message withdrawn

[Aimsmum]

Message withdrawn