Anyone's dc had long term antibiotics for ear infections?

[Schulte]

DD2 has a recurrent acute ear infection. It's gone on for over 3 weeks and GP has just said she needs to take 4 weeks of Amoxicillin now to try and clear it up before he will even THINK about referring us to an ENT.

Is this madness? Should I see another GP?

My DD1 had long term Amoxicillin to control tonsillitis leading up to her having them removed. It just came back every time we stopped so the GP gave it to us long term 4 bottles at a time while we were waiting. It didn't clear it - just held it at bay for 3 months.

I might consider getting a second opinion because I childmind a child whose hearing was damaged by inadequate treatment for recurrent ear infections.

Another thought - has the GP taken a sample of the effusion? Ours did to test if it was actually responding to amoxycillin.. I do think that if 3 courses haven't cleared it up, another AB may be more effective

Can you see a different GP at least?

Yes the swab said it should respond to Amoxicillin. Hmmm so you both think it might be worth seeing another GP?

Hi, my ds2 takes a long term anitb's for ear and chest infections. He was prescribed trimethaprim and co-amoxiclav by the ent cons. It has worked for us where amoxycillin didn't, I would try again for a referral to ent. Another school of thought is to reduce the childs dairy intake. Good luck.

It worked for us - ds went from having an infection every couple of months to nothing in 5 years.

Mumsnut - how long did he take ABs for?