Please help me decide what to do! - Sophia's ear surgery

amynicole21 wrote: I had decided to go ahead and get Sophia tubes for her ear infections since nothing else seemed to be really working. Everything was scheduled, and I was going to go in and speak with the office about charges/insurance, etc tomorrow. I got a call from the doc's office that they couldn't get authorization from the insurance company yet because insurance needed to be sure I knew the surgery center was out of network. I did not know this, and really had no idea what that meant. Through 2 full days of calling what seems like everyone on earth, I have figured out that it will basically cost the same no matter where I have the surgery done. Great, fine, good. Well, the problem is that my deductibles and the 10% of the surgery that I am responsible for after insurance pays comes out to $1200!!!! I almost threw up when they told me this. I had no idea it would be that much. We have the money, but it will wipe out our savings.

I would do this in a heartbeat if I was absolutely convinced about the tubes, but I'm not. I have been doubting my decision and the advice of the docs since I started this whole thing. I just don't know if that is the best thing to do. I'm so depressed about this... I wish there was someone who would figure this all out for me. My HR people are pretty helpful, but ultimately the decision is mine (and DH's, but he'll just go along with whatever I say... never makes a decision when it comes to stuff like this )

I guess my next step is to get a second opinion from another ENT, but I know they are going to say that she needs them. I canceled the surgery for next week, and have to figure out if we want to reschedule in July.

Could she grow out of these infections in a few months? Yes. Are all of the antibiotics hurting her - probably. Will waiting to see if she gets another ear infection be so bad? Maybe not... one more course of meds won't kill her. Should I just put this off for a bit? HELP ME, PLEASE!

momof2girls replied: My Gosh that is alot when your unsure.
I went thru this 4 yrs ago with my oldest, I had Dr's tell me tubes might help, well Im not big on surgery unless it HAS to be done. SO I went to 4 other Dr's one Dr was older and told me they may help, they may not.
I decided not to do it. She is now 8 and grew out of it.
I would definetley get several opinions. I hate to say it but alot of Dr like to just do the surgery.
Let the Dr know you will have to pay soo much and maybe they will be upfront and honest with you.
I know this is hard we really had a hard time with deciding but Im glad I never did it. Thats us, other people are probably glad they did it.

I have a friend that has a lil boy that is 3 he had it done, he gets sick less but he still has ear infections.

Good luck keep us posted.

I know this is not an easy decesion!

A&A'smommy replied: (((((BIG BIGS HUGS)))))))) Of course you know that I don't know what to do I just want you to know that I'm here to listen and lend support!

alice&arik replied: I'm sorry you are going through this, it must be tough.

I guess I would either hold off on it and get another opinion from an ENT and keep trying the antibiotics. She might grow out of them too. But I would do whatever feels right to you. I don't know much about them so I am not much help.

aspenblue1 replied: I can tell you from personal experience my ear infections only got worse. I ended up getting tubes 2 times.

I think you should do what you feel is best. That would be a hard decision to make. Just wanted to send you some ((HUGS))

amynicole21 replied:
Carrie, I've been doing reading on the tubes, and there isn't much long term research on the effects of the tubes. There are some accounts of hearing loss in adults who had tubes as kids. Also, some people have a horrible time flying because of the pressure changes. Do you notice any of these things?

MommyToAshley replied: Oh what a hard decision. I would get second and third opinions, and it sounds like you have done a lot of research on your own. I am not sure what to tell you, I don't have any experience dealing with ear infections. Ashley has never had one (knock on wood). My only advice is to make a well informed decision and it sounds like you are already doing just that.

If you do decide to go through with it, I would call the surgery center and ask them if they can cut you a deal on the portion you would pay if you pay in advance. I know with self-pay, they usually give us at least 20% off the bill... but that is usually 20% off the total amount.

I hope you can figure out what to do, I don't know what I would do in your situation.

aspenblue1 replied:
I have issues with swimming and flying but I chew a lot of gum and it isnt so bad when I do that. Swimming I can not go to the bottom of the pool becuase of the pressure.

I haven't noticed the hearing loss.


I don't know how bad Sophia's ears are but mine were horrible. I had my tonsils and anoids taken out before I was 3 becuase of all the infections and had tubes until I was 5. So I know mine were really bad.

Kirstenmumof3 replied: My suggestion would be to wait until the next ear infection, bring in a list of medications that she has already taken and tell them that she keeps getting ear infections. Have the doctor prescribe something else and see if that works. I'm sorry to hear that your insurance won't cover the whole costs. That's just wrong. I think anything to do with children should be covered 100%!

Kaitlin'smom replied: I would look for at least 1 more opinion, I think docs tend to do things out of haste and frustration of not knowing what to do anymore so they look for the easy way out. From what I have read and heard tubes dont prevent infections. I hostly would be looking for a doctor who whats to help in finding out why they happen so often and something to help.

Its a tough choise and I hoep you do find something to help her.

coasterqueen replied: Amy,

I think you should at least get 1 if not 2 more opinions from other specialists. I know you've gone and seen an Osteopathic doctor as well. I would recommend trying a chiropractor too. I would do everything I could before going through with any surgery.

I only know about tubes through my SIL and she said the surgery is painful and horrible as well as her son's tubes fell out numerous times and he had to go through that procedure more than once. I've also heard from others who say they've never had this experience.

IMO doctors are driven by the dollar these days. It's very unfortunate. But it means we have to look out for ourselves and our children. To me this means getting as many opinions as necessary from many different specialists/fields of study. Then if the majority rules get the surgery.

DansMom replied: I had horrible ear infections as a child that got better over time and finally had my last one at age 15. I know that at six months I had to have my eardrums "drained" they were so infected. I never had tubes put in (I'm not sure they did that way back then), but did take antibiotics. My ears still don't respond well to pressure changes. I guess if it were me I'd wait and see---I'm not keen on surgery either. My pediatrician doesn't prescribe antiobiotics for ear infections unless the infection is severe---he thinks ear infections should be allowed to resolve on their own. It seems like every doctor has a different opinion or philosophy, which doesn't really help. I'm sorry you're in this dilemma---it's a hard decision for a parent to make.

kimberley replied: i am sorry you are faced with such a difficult decision. i don't know much about tubes but i agree that you should get second or third opinions maybe even from a homeopath and hold off for now. i know i got horrible throat infections as a child, had my tonsils out at 16yo because they persisted and it was pointless because i still get sick every year. hugs to you both.

jcc64 replied: Ear infections and tubes are one of those grey areas in pediatrics. There just doesn't seem to be one right answer, it's no wonder you're confused. I've had numerous conversations with my brother about them, as ds Noah had many many ear infections when he was Sophia's age. I really became uncomfortable with the amount of antibiotics he was ingesting, and eventually, I sought out a chiropractor, which worked miracles for N. (My bro mocked me mercilessly for doing this). She also told us to eliminate dairy, and to add a pro-biotic powder to his food once a day. I can't say for sure whether it was this regimine or just the progression of time, but eventually he stopped getting the infections. The regular pediatrician was pushing for tubes and prophelactic antibiotics the whole time, but I just couldn't bring myself to do it. I really don't think drs are driven by a profit motive, but I do believe a profound fear of overly litigious patients and malpractice drives them to over react and over prescribe. Keep this in mind when making your decision. I'm sorry you have to deal with this, but take heart in the fact that this is a problem that will go away as she gets older, one way or the other.