Ignoring Dr’s advice?
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Topic: Ignoring Dr’s advice?
Posted By: 1st_Time_Preggies
Subject: Ignoring Dr’s advice?
Date Posted: 25 July 2011 at 8:02pm
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I have just changed Dr's for about the third time (they have all sucked!) and finally found one I liked. However he is away this week (damn it!). So I saw his colleage. My 17 month old DS has just finished antibiotics (about a week ago) for a double ear infection.
Yesterday he started coughing, runny nose, high temps etc and we were up all night  So I took him this morning just to make sure the cough wasn't in his chest etc. Anyway, it isn't, and she has checked his ears, can't see any fluid but they are a bit red.
She has prescribed antibiotics again. And quite frankly I'm not sure he needs them or that I should give him ANOTHER course if it is not bacterial? No chest infection, no fluid in the ear. To me it just sounds like a bad cold/flu and antibiotics would be pointless. Should I ignore her advice? Or is that a bad idea  This would be his 6th course this year and I would like to avoid them if possible!
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Replies:
Posted By: clover
Date Posted: 25 July 2011 at 8:20pm
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Personally I'd hold off and see how he goes. There is a cold/flu going round and if you think that is what he has then antibiotics are pointless anyway.
Maybe see how he is tomorrow/wednesday, you can always fill the script if you need to. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: Jaune
Date Posted: 25 July 2011 at 8:37pm
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I agree with clover...nothing more to add. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: E&L+1
Date Posted: 25 July 2011 at 9:22pm
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After going through this with DD I'd give them. We had just come off antibiotics for a chest and ear infection 2 days later we had high temps etc. We went to the dr and her ears were red but no sign of fluid. 24 hours later they were infected and we were back on abs. This time it took 2 different abs to clear the infection. She's had 5 courses now since may 2 of them 2 weeks worth. If the ears are red and he's having high temps I would suspect he hasn't quite kicked the infection yet. ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Raspberryjam
Date Posted: 26 July 2011 at 10:25am
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If he has a temp - chances are there is infection. But if not hold on to the script and see how he goes today.
Sounds like he needs an immune boost - if you can get hold of some inner health plus for kids. Maybe a multi - or give him lots more healthy food if he is up for it - brocolli, kiwifruit, oranges etc - I know not all kids are into that kind of thing. Do you have a vaporiser? or if he is still in a cot a bowl of steaming water with some vicks melted in it, and also smear some on the inside of his sheet so he is inhaling it. While is nose is running etc - its discarding all the gunk - its a good thing. Its highly unlikely he has a deep seated infection in his sinus cavaties - kids his age dont have them like we do Use saline drops to clean and clear the mucus Keep an eye on his body language - if he is clearly playing with his ears - and a temp to match - start the AB's Do keep up with regular pamol - its not just for fever -it helps to keep them comfy when they out of sorts I have had the same battle all winter - as do many mummas - and I also did 8 years in pharmacy - doctors do over prescribe ab's - but its a fine line - infection can knock a little guy for six before you know it! If in doubt err on the side of caution ------------- http://lilypie.com] 
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Posted By: snugglebug
Date Posted: 26 July 2011 at 12:27pm
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I second inner health plus for kids can't say enough good things about it. Ive been using it a week on DS as he was having random tummy trouble and diarrhoea, with no cause tests could see, and just generally irritable, and he's all better now. He has had a lot of reflux meds in his short life so it could have been caused by that and if your bub has had lots of antibiotics it could be a good thing to restore the gut bacteria and help his immune system. It is $34 for a jar at the chemist you put the powder in his food or drink.
Personally I would say give the ABs as you need to trust medical opinions but I know thats really hard after going to the GP so many times and getting nothing from it with DS's reflux and milk intolerance. I tend to suggest also if you are having to change GP's all the time to try and get answers for your boy, maybe it would be worth going to a paediatrician to get some answers? I did that in the end and it was expensive but so worth the money as we got to the bottom of my DS's problems and he's so much better. I find GPs just don't know enough specialist stuff to help sometimes ------------- Me 28, DH 29 DS born 20 Nov 2010 (4 years old) #2 due October 7 http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: 1st_Time_Preggies
Date Posted: 26 July 2011 at 4:40pm
Thanks everyone. DS is still miserable today and has continued to have a temperature so got the antibiotics today and have started him on them. It is just worrying that he has already had so many courses in his short life 
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Posted By: happymumma
Date Posted: 27 July 2011 at 12:29pm
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You could also ask for a referral to an ENT if it is repeated ear infections that are causing the need for antibiotics. They may recommend grommits which could make all the difference. They are likely to be more helpful than a Paediatrician if you feel it's ear and throat related. Like someone else mentioned, sometimes it does take more than one course, or one type of antibiotics to get control of the infection too. Fingers crossed this lot work and you don't have any need for a while! |
Posted By: Raspberryjam
Date Posted: 29 July 2011 at 2:34pm
Absolutely!! And buy yourslef a lovely treat for being sucha hard working Mumma - its awful when they are sick :( ------------- http://lilypie.com]
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happymumma wrote:Posted By: T_Rex
Date Posted: 29 July 2011 at 7:12pm
I loathe giving my girl antibiotics - like your boy, she seems to be constantly drinking the stuff 
She has grommets, but they haven't helped a whole lot other than docs now take us seriously when I front up and say she has an ear infection. But you see a transformation in her behaviour so fast when she's had a few doses of antibiotics that they obviously make her feel heaps better. I do think she's had more antibiotics than such a little girl should have, but I KNOW she's had more pain than any adult should have to deal with, so I opt for the antibiotics. It's so hard eh? I hope he's feeling better now. And I agree about pushing for an ENT referral. ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: MuppetsMama
Date Posted: 01 August 2011 at 12:16pm
I notice you are in Auckland - are your kids imm'd? There's a measles 'outbreak' going round...and I think the symptoms are similar?? 
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Posted By: 1st_Time_Preggies
Date Posted: 01 August 2011 at 2:39pm
| Thanks MuppetsMama, he is immunised and no sign of any spots so I think it isn't measles. |