[jag]

My little boy (now 18 months) has had a few ear infections, and he might inevitably need tubes. Anyway, long story short, this last bout my MIL said that I should talk to one of my SIL's friends who takes her child to a homeopathic doctor (pretty much assuming I would be cool and along with this). But I am totally freaked out by this for some reason. I come from a family who believes strongly in science and in traditional medical practices. So needless to say, they way my MIL was describing Homeopathic remedies (one involved putting garlic oil in his ears) sounded more like hocus pocus than anything I would dare try on my son.

I am trying to keep an open mind, and would really love to hear about anyone's experiences with homeopathic medicine!!!! TIA!!!

[bagnshoofetish]

When I was a little girl, my grandmother had all sorts of herbs and plants in her garden and whenever we had some kind of malady (like an earrache, a stomach ache, sore throat, etc.) she would go out, pick something and either make a tea, soup or salve and administer it to us and we were always cured very quickly. But, I believe when it comes to more serious matters, I would go to modern medicine and not mess around. Because most medicines we use today are actually made from plants anyway.

[queen]

i think that herbs and such were the first of our medicines. many physicians are open to these types of treatments. i would not abandon your scientific approach all together but i would be open to trying something reasonable. you can probably google the recommended treatment and find out if it is reasonable for the child. good luck.

[jag]

Thank you so much for your responses ladies!

I absolutely will be continuing with the pediatrician and traditional medical treatments, but just not sure I even want to consider homeopathic as an additional source of treatment. My MIL is really into it (to the point where she does not even go to the regular dr anymore) and she has all these really weird ailments and allergies- like she is allergic to everything under the sun, but none of it makes any sense. So when she just naturally assumed that I would consider a homeopathic doctor in addition to my pediatrician, it really freaked me out. Of course, if it can help him with these dang ear infections without causing him any discomfort, I would consider it if I heard of some success stories. but to me, it is really unchartered territory!

[Danica]

I would go and listen to what he has to say. Its always worth a shot, and I personally would rather that than giving my child chemicals. I think there is room for both.
Ear Infections: alternatives to Antibiotics or Ear Tubes - Homeopathy in pregnancy and childbirth here is some information that might be useful.

[jag]

Thank you Danica!!! I appreciate your posting that site for me.

[Shelley]

Our family does use homeopathic remedies for some small problems. My cousin is a doctor, one a scientist, my hubby a pharmacist, and they all use homeopathy w/ modern science as well. I would give it a try before having tubes put in your son's ears. Homeopathy doesn't have side effects, like medication, so really it can't hurt you son. When my daughter was younger we used homeopathic teething tablets, teas, etc. She is 7 years old and only had antibiotics once in her life, she never gets sick.

Just remember eastern medicine has been around for thousands of years, there is a place for it along w/ newer medicine. Good luck to you.

[jag]

Thank you so much Shelly! I really appreciate your input! And it does make sense when you look at it from that perspective. My son has already had a few antibiotics and I am really not happy about that. So I am open, just not ready to turn away from modern medicine- but I like your approach of having a balance of the two!

[wtfomgwolfgang]

I definitely like the idea of homeopathic medicine. It seems to me many times safer and friendlier on the body than pills.

People are so afraid of getting sick that they'll get meds prescribed over any little thing. For me, medicine is a last resort because if there's a chance that I'll acquire immunity to a sickness, I'll let it run its course. I'd rather go through a bit of discomfort than have a "flabby" immune system.

[bonniec]

I'm a modern medicine kind of gal. The treatment of chronic ear infections for a young child is not something to be delayed. Your child may be very irritable, a poor eater, have hearing difficulties leading to developmental delay, etc. How great and "natural" homeopathic treatments sound, there is not enough evidence supporting it as an effective treatment for this condition.

Tubes, as invasive as they may seem, are not uncommon. I'm not a pediatrician, but my understanding of them is that they are very small tubes that are placed to drain blocked discharge. Most eventually fall out on their own and end up never found (may be picked up and eaten or vacuumed, no sequelae).

Good luck.

[Shelley]

Jag,
I just wanted to wish you and your little one best wishes. Everything will work out fine. That's the great thing about living now days, we have access to great healthcare and tons of info!!! Good luck and keep us posted.

[Megs]

Jag, my family is into homeopathic medicine and Eastern Medicine over Western. We always have Western medicine diagnose, and Eastern medicine/homeopathic cure. My family hardly ever gets sick- I get a bout of a bad cold every year because I have terrible asthma, but all things considered it is amazing how healthy I am (I had a ton of health problems before I discovered Eastern Medicine).

I have to tell you a little story- about 5 years ago I was REALLY sick with asthma and lung problems. I was in and out of the hospital for about 6 months- on 6 doses of steroids, and 9 prescriptions morning and night. I could not get better- and could not breathe. The dr's were quite worried. I started to see an Eastern Medicine specialist that we had seen before combined with Western Medicine. In about 3 months, I was weened off of all antibiotics and just taking supplements to help. I now only get sick when there is severe weather changes.

Anyhow, it has done wonders for me and my family! Never neglect diagnosis' but you can try new things

PM me if you want, I could go on allll day!!!