Ear Infections and ENTs

Monday I noticed Brady had a little bit of a runny nose but I wasn’t too concerned about it at first because it was clear snot, she didn’t have a fever and otherwise seemed fine.  But I remembered the nurse practitioner had encouraged me to bring her in if she had a runny nose just in case it was the only sign she was giving of an impending ear infection.  I let it go Monday and on Tuesday morning it was still running and even runnier so I made an appointment for that afternoon.

I’ve been trying to explain to Brady what we’re going to be doing before we do something.  So when we go shopping I tell her we’re going shopping or if we’re going to the library I tell her where we’re headed (and she knows where the library is and whenever we pass by she says books!).  I told her we were going to the doctor and she repeated me then said ears and when I confirmed we were going to have her ears looked at she said hurts.  I asked her if her ears hurt and she wouldn’t confirm they did but kept repeating herself.  I still don’t know if she associates the doctor’s office with the otoscope and not thinking that having her ears checked is very comfortable or if her ears did, in fact, hurt.

Brady loves watching the safari themed movies at the pediatrician’s office (they have a jungle/safari theme going) and playing with the toys but as soon as we’re called back to the room, she usually starts freaking out and crying.  That day was no exception.  We tried to get her to stand on a scale for a weight and when that wouldn’t work the nurse (or maybe MA – I don’t really know) suggested we sit her on the baby (sit down) scale.  Brady was squirming so much we couldn’t get an accurate weight and I assured the nurse (that’s what I’m going to call her) that 22 pounds was not accurate.  So we went back to the big scale and I said stand there – she repeated me and then stood still long enough to get her weight (I tell her this at home to weigh her too so she associates the phrase with the scale) which was 33.4 pounds.

Brady was much chattier at this visit than she’s ever been in the past and I was really impressed with her social skills as well.  She was pleasant and once she warmed up began answering questions.  The nurse practitioner tried to listen to her heart first and that never goes over very well.  This girl has got some lungs on her!  Once she was done she tried to take a peek in her ears and Brady also hates that part as well so she screamed and thrashed around while I tried to keep her in a bear hug hold long enough for the NP to look in her ears.  The NP confirmed her ears were red but she didn’t see any fluid or infection – whew!  After checking her chart she said she was going to put her on a new medication (I think we’ve been getting progressively more intense as the ear infections have lingered) called Suprax and gave me a coupon (thankfully she did because I would have had to pay $225 versus $25).

I mentioned the other NP had said before her last ear infection had cleared up that we might need to talk to an ENT if the ear infections kept happening or didn’t go away.  She said she agreed we should meet with one since this was her fourth ear infection this year.  I disagreed with her and said there was just the one ear infection but they considered each new medication because we were doing rechecks a separate ear infection.  I still disagree with this logic but agreed to make the appointment.

Today we headed to the ENT for a consult.  Brady was a completely different child today and while she didn’t want to get weighed, even after being told stand there (it was a different type scale) she did really well.  This was the first time she has ever allowed anyone to look in her ears and nose and didn’t resist (read – scream and flail) in the slightest.  The ENT said her eardrums were sunken back a little but that could be from allergies and assumes that she might not even have an ear infection and her ears were red at her previous appointment from all of the screaming.  He said if she did have an ear infection he doubts it would have cleared up with only the two doses of antibiotics Brady had taken thus far.  He said it could allergies since there’s a lot of flare ups with everyone right now (Casey and I included) and gave me some nasal spray to try out in addition to continuing her on the Singulair.  Because her ears look fine and there was no sign of infection or damage, he said we don’t even need to discuss tubes and he’ll see her back in six weeks for a follow up to see how the nasal spray is working.

I can’t tell you what a big relief that is!  I know it’s a simple, routine surgery but it still is surgery and freaks me out having Brady go under.  Not to mention she loves baths and swimming and this would put a damper on our summer plans. I’m really praying that it’s allergies and we can get ahold of these ear issues.  She spied the suckers going into exam room so I’m wondering if that’s making a difference in her attitude – knowing that a sucker awaits her?!