[3littlegents]

My 5.5yr old DS has had DH and I worried for a while, but the Dr was never concerned as he is energetic and not sickly. We know that something is wrong though.
He had had 3 migraines in 5months.
hasn't gained weight in a few years. He is 17kg and can still fit into size 2-3 clothes. Compared to my other two DS and his cousins etc he is tiny.
He is pale and always has bags under his eyes.
The kicker in the last week or two has been him complaining of everything being too loud and that when it is noisy he can't hear. I think this is what has been triggering his migraines.
I took him to the dr again with the hearing complaint and she said his right ear is "sick" and "dull". Not infected, no wax, nothing antibiotics could fix.
She has referred us to a paediatric neurosurgeon to 'rule out a tumor' then we will see an ENT specialist.Does this seem extreme?
Why isn't his hearing being checked first?Should we be worried?
She hasn't done anything to eliminate our fears. Now we have to wait out Xmas to get an appt, all whilst knowing nothing about what else it could be.

This post has been edited by 3littlegents: 14/12/2012, 02:31 PM

[Becky Thatcher]

I think a general Paediatrician would be a better idea but that is GMHO

[Kafkaesque]

My 5.5yr old DS has had DH and I worried for a while, but the Dr was never concerned as he is energetic and not sickly. We know that something is wrong though.
He had had 3 migraines in 5months.
hasn't gained weight in a few years. He is 17kg and can still fit into size 2-3 clothes. Compared to my other two DS and his cousins etc he is tiny.
He is pale and always has bags under his eyes.
The kicker in the last week or two has been him complaining of everything being too loud and that when it is noisy he can't hear. I think this is what has been triggering his migraines.
I took him to the dr again with the hearing complaint and she said his right ear is "sick" and "dull". Not infected, no wax, nothing antibiotics could fix.
She has referred us to a paediatric neurosurgeon to 'rule out a tumor' then we will see an ENT specialist.Does this seem extreme?
Why isn't his hearing being checked first?Should we be worried?
She hasn't done anything to eliminate our fears. Now we have to wait out Xmas to get an appt, all whilst knowing nothing about what else it could be.

I would be seeing an ENT first/at the same time. I would imagine that you could see and ENT sooner than a neurosurgeon. Not quite sure what a "sick" ear is? I would go back to the GP and ask for an explanation and referal to ENT as well. Actually I would make an appointment with both specialists now and then go and get the referal letters.

Good luck

[Kafkaesque]

I think a general Paediatrician would be a better idea but that is GMHO

Good point. General Paed would be a great start. But being that your GP wants to refer you to neuro I would probably make that appointment also and see who ever you can first. Specialist are often long waits especially at this time of year.

ETA: Who ever you get in to see first may be able to help and if so you can cancell other appointments, if they can't then you already have appoinments in place.

This post has been edited by Kafkaesque: 14/12/2012, 02:35 PM

[Leggy]

How worrying for you! Perhaps get a second opinion in the meantime with a paediatrician? I hope it turns out okay for you

[3littlegents]

I think she used the term 'sick ear' as my DS was sitting with us. She may not have wanted to say anything negative. She uses strange english words to describe somethings. She explained that the ear is dull which means it is sick. His left ear is perfect. His right ear is sick.I have a referral for both and called to see if we could arrange appt, month wait for the neurosurgeon (march) unless to dr decides to bring the appt forward after reading the referral notes.The paediatric clinic (ENT) at John hunter hospital don't make appt until the drs have triaged the referral. They will call me next week.He hasn't had a flu or cold all year (not that I can remember) and has never had an ear infection. Surely I'd know if he had had an ear infection recently that hasn't cleared.I googled glue ear, but the symptoms don't fit.

[roses99]

At about that age, my little brother had migraines and a lot of nausea. Very worrying. He had various tests including an MRI and a CT scan. It never found anything, and he just got better again. He's now 24 and perfectly well. I would trust your instincts. I would actually try a few different GPs an get their opinions. That's something you can do soon, while you wait for the specialist appointments.

[roses99]

Also wanted I add that the ENT might send you for a hearing test anyway, so you can do that now by making an appt with a local audiologist. Get your GP to write the referral so you can take it to Medicare.

[whoisme]

OP your child won't necessarily let you know that they have a sore/uncomfortable ear.

I've just discovered my daughter is very desensitised (sp?) to ear infections as over the last year we've been to GP say half a dozen times to which the GP pretty much falls off their seat over how bad her ear is and I didn't even know and my daughter didn't even care/say anything at all about her ear/s. We went to GP for other reasons and found major ear infection at same time.

I hope all is okay.