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Original poster

Glue ear

34 replies

popsycal · 13/04/2004 17:07

Glue Ear

I am starting this thread for another Munsnetter who, for some odd reason, gets a message saying she isn't authorised to start a thread.

Here we go:

My daughter has been diagnosed with glue ear. Before she goes for surgery to have grommets, I would like to try some alternative/complementary medicine (e.g. cranial osteopathy, homeopathy, diet etc) Has anyone had any success with these? If so is there anyone you could particularly recommend (preferably in the Derby/Nottingham area). Thanks

OP posts:

gloworm · 19/04/2004 11:19

i was irishmammy,made me cringe, so now gloworm!!!

I own a health store in ireland. as far as i know you can only buy it in a health shop. i recommend Bioforce Plantago, comes in drops which can be added to bottle/glass of milk/water/juice.
what age your child?
dont know of any side effects...but not sure off-hand. will be in work later and will check then.

stripey · 19/04/2004 11:37

Thanks gloworm. He is 19 months

gloworm · 19/04/2004 11:41

label says from age 2 upwards. but off the record this is probably because we are not supposed to give advice to under 2's, we are suppossed to tell you to see a doctor!!!
anyway personally i would give it to a 19month old. (you use 1 drop for each year of age..for you 2 drops, 3times a day.)

stripey · 19/04/2004 14:39

Soapbox that must be really hard I suppose if your dd can't have them either then at least he doesn't see his sister having dairy. I think for now I will stick with the antibiotic as he is doing really well with it. If he stops and the runny nose returns I will try to eliminate dairy and see what happens. Is it difficult to feed them without dairy - it must be hard to eat out & at parties etc

stripey · 19/04/2004 14:41

PS sorry popsycal for hijacking this thread a bit its good to be able to share problems I probably wouldn't have bothered to start my own thread.

Soapbox · 19/04/2004 14:50

Stripey
We had done the antibiotics and as soon as he came off them after what seemed like ages, he was as bad as ever! So we were at last chance saloon if you like.

Parties aren't too bad - tehy can have crisps, sweets, jelly, most sandwiches its just keeping the little monsters away from the cheese thats always the problem.

Eating at home is no problem either - if they don't get calcium from dairy they need to eat lots of nuts, and stalky vegetables which thankfully they like. Also pasta and spag bol, chilli etc are all ok. If they are desperate I can also make white sauces and custard etc from dairy free milk. You can also buy dairy free ice cream, however its so full of crap I usually buy them ice lollies as a treat instead!

Just to be on the safe side I also give them calcium supplements!

Good luck - I hope the anti bs do the trick!

gloworm · 19/04/2004 20:54

stripy,
have checked up on plantago, there are no side effects, it can be taken with other medicine, can be taken long term.

happy1 · 19/04/2004 21:07

I had glue ear as a child, caused by allergy to dairy produce, my mum did eventually introduce dairy products after about 2 years and I was fine with them.

Boogie · 19/04/2004 23:01

My son was diagnosed with glue ear at age 5 and despite the best efforts of our ENT consultant, we have resisted the route of surgery to insert grommets. Our reasons for this were our concerns about him having an anaesthetic, that we had heard of many problems with grommets (infections, falling out etc.) and the fact that despite it has been very frusrating sometimes to have to repeat things again and again, he still seems to be doing well at school and has excellent speech. However, we have seen a marked improvement in his hearing since we approached our GP about a device called Otovent which was recommended to us by the school nurse. Our GP had never heard of it, but was happy to prescribe it because it was non-invasive. It is basically a white plastic sphere with a small hole in one end and a larger hole at the other onto which you attach a balloon (provided in the kit). The end of the device with the small hole is placed into one nostril, the other nostril is pressed closed with a finger and the object is to inflate the balloon to the size of a grapefruit through the device on the open nostril. This should be done 3 times a day in each nostril and we found an almost instantaneous improvement in our son's hearing. Apparently, it reduces pressure in the ear and allows fluid to drain away. It sounds awkward, but our 5 year old had mastered it in no time. I'd certainly recommend it and anything is worth a try to avoid surgery in my opinion. It may not work for everyone, but hope this helps.

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