...in case you were wondering.
It seems an upper respiratory infection has hit his lungs. Typical - we used to see this in #1 son all the time.
The PP said that "he wasn't moving air well" and his resp rate was up, although his sats were fine. And the poor baby looks and clearly feels miserably.
Bottom line: Nebs every 3 hours around the clock. Alternating DuoNeb and Albuterol (or Xopenex). Zythromax. Continued Flovent. Dimetapp if needed. Hopefully, no Predisolone necessary.
The 'round the clock' bit should be especially fun, since I'm nursing a six-week-old. I'll be in great shape tomorrow!!!
But it beats the PICU, any day.
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Bandwidth for Babysitting
Quick one -- both the preschoolers are sick. #1 son is manageable, but #2 is pretty sick again. The peds pulmonologist asked me to bring him over right away, but of course, that meant loading him and the newborn into the car -- and exposing the newborn to all those germs at the hospital. Plus, I'd have to jockey the carseats around because I drive a PT Cruiser, and it only holds two car seats, despite having LATCHes for three!!!
Anyway, as luck would have it (for a change) my best friend asked to come over to use my wireless Internet. She just got a new Compaq laptop, and the wireless card wasn't working. She needed to call tech support from a location with an available wireless connection.
So - long story short - I let her use the wireless in exchange for a few hours of babysitting! #2 son got his emergency PP visit, the baby got to sleep safely through the whole thing in the comfort of his own home, and I got to do significantly less schlepping than I thought I would. And to make it a *real* win-win, Compaq tech support was able to resolve my friend's wireless issues.
Sometimes, life can be beautiful.
Anyway, as luck would have it (for a change) my best friend asked to come over to use my wireless Internet. She just got a new Compaq laptop, and the wireless card wasn't working. She needed to call tech support from a location with an available wireless connection.
So - long story short - I let her use the wireless in exchange for a few hours of babysitting! #2 son got his emergency PP visit, the baby got to sleep safely through the whole thing in the comfort of his own home, and I got to do significantly less schlepping than I thought I would. And to make it a *real* win-win, Compaq tech support was able to resolve my friend's wireless issues.
Sometimes, life can be beautiful.
Thursday, January 19, 2006
Lethargy - Asthma-Related? Or Just a Growth Spurt?
#1 son, though only four, has been behaving more like a sixteen year old for the past few weeks.
On two seperate occasions, he's come home from preschool, declined dinner, sacked out on the couch, and crashed. And then he slept straight through til morning.
How weird is that?
Now, granted, we're moving next week (albeit six houses away), he's just gotten a new baby brother, and he's gearing up to start kindergarten next year. If he *was* sixteen, it'd be a sure bet that he was suffering from adolescent depression.
But at age four?
Sure, it could be depression, but I really do think he's a happy kid. He loves his little brothers, he's psyched about having a playroom in the new house, and I don't think he's quite grasping the whole moving-to-a-new-school thing for next year.
More likely, he could be having a growth spurt. He's barely fitting into a 4T at age 4.5, and after two years on corticosteroids, it's about time he shot up a few inches!
But could it be a new asthma symptom? Is that possible? I'm sure I learned at our hospital's pediatric asthma class lethargy is a classic symptom. (MENTAL NOTE: retake that class!)
Just to be safe, I'm keeping an eye on his breathing these days.
Isn't it great how we asthma-moms love to make ourselves crazy??
On two seperate occasions, he's come home from preschool, declined dinner, sacked out on the couch, and crashed. And then he slept straight through til morning.
How weird is that?
Now, granted, we're moving next week (albeit six houses away), he's just gotten a new baby brother, and he's gearing up to start kindergarten next year. If he *was* sixteen, it'd be a sure bet that he was suffering from adolescent depression.
But at age four?
Sure, it could be depression, but I really do think he's a happy kid. He loves his little brothers, he's psyched about having a playroom in the new house, and I don't think he's quite grasping the whole moving-to-a-new-school thing for next year.
More likely, he could be having a growth spurt. He's barely fitting into a 4T at age 4.5, and after two years on corticosteroids, it's about time he shot up a few inches!
But could it be a new asthma symptom? Is that possible? I'm sure I learned at our hospital's pediatric asthma class lethargy is a classic symptom. (MENTAL NOTE: retake that class!)
Just to be safe, I'm keeping an eye on his breathing these days.
Isn't it great how we asthma-moms love to make ourselves crazy??
AngryAsthmaMama Featured Blog at Genetics Health
I'm so proud! I have the featured blog for the week on Genetics and Health.
...I'm also a little embarrassed, as I'm a little behind on posting. Blame Baby Iggy -- it's a little tough to keep up with him, work, moving AND blogging!
...I'm also a little embarrassed, as I'm a little behind on posting. Blame Baby Iggy -- it's a little tough to keep up with him, work, moving AND blogging!
Friday, January 06, 2006
*So* over breastfeeding....
Just a little rant here -- it's been two and a half weeks, and I'm already SOOOOO sick of nursing!
I'm committed to it, as I already have two asthmatic sons, and I'm determined to give Iggy the best possible odds for beating asthma. And since I nursed my other two, I definitely owe him this.
But, God -- it just SUCKS. I'm so sore, I'm too big for any bra on this planet (seriously, Pamela Anderson would be jealous), and if I do wear one (like if I have to actually see an adult who isn't an immediate relative) I end up with a painful plugged duct.
I know this is temporary. After six weeks, it will be a piece of cake, but this is just HELL.
Ah, the things I do for my boys. (But I promise to never, EVER hold this over any of them!)
I'm committed to it, as I already have two asthmatic sons, and I'm determined to give Iggy the best possible odds for beating asthma. And since I nursed my other two, I definitely owe him this.
But, God -- it just SUCKS. I'm so sore, I'm too big for any bra on this planet (seriously, Pamela Anderson would be jealous), and if I do wear one (like if I have to actually see an adult who isn't an immediate relative) I end up with a painful plugged duct.
I know this is temporary. After six weeks, it will be a piece of cake, but this is just HELL.
Ah, the things I do for my boys. (But I promise to never, EVER hold this over any of them!)
For Aisha
Thanks so much for your comment! I'm so sorry your little girl's having such a hard time with her asthma. Sounds like you're doing a great job...and since I'm not a doctor or anything close to a medical professional, there's not much I can recommend.
But here's what I would suggest: Get a referral to either an Asthma/Allergy specialist or a Pediatric Pulmonologist, if you're not already seeing one.
Since your daughter's asthma clearly isn't under control yet, there are a few different things your doctor might recommend. Possibly, you could increase her Flovent dosage. Or, you could add another medication -- we've got both Singulair and Nasonex in addition to Flovent on my oldest's action plan. It may be something as simple as adding an over-the-counter antihistamine to your daughter's nighttime routine. We find that helps a lot, but I don't know if it's even an option for someone as young as your little girl.
But see a specialist if you haven't yet. Hopefully, there's one near you and on your insurance plan. There's a huge difference between a pediatrician and a pediatric asthma specialist. For us, it made an enormous, life-saving difference.
Some other resources: http://aanma.org - Everything from discount nebulizers to news. But Nurse Christy, an asthma educator you can speak to for free, is by far their best offering.
I also HIGHLY recommend the joining the Asthma Parents discussion list at http://asthmatrack.org/list.html. You'll learn more than you ever thought possible from these wonderful, supportive moms!
But here's what I would suggest: Get a referral to either an Asthma/Allergy specialist or a Pediatric Pulmonologist, if you're not already seeing one.
Since your daughter's asthma clearly isn't under control yet, there are a few different things your doctor might recommend. Possibly, you could increase her Flovent dosage. Or, you could add another medication -- we've got both Singulair and Nasonex in addition to Flovent on my oldest's action plan. It may be something as simple as adding an over-the-counter antihistamine to your daughter's nighttime routine. We find that helps a lot, but I don't know if it's even an option for someone as young as your little girl.
But see a specialist if you haven't yet. Hopefully, there's one near you and on your insurance plan. There's a huge difference between a pediatrician and a pediatric asthma specialist. For us, it made an enormous, life-saving difference.
Some other resources: http://aanma.org - Everything from discount nebulizers to news. But Nurse Christy, an asthma educator you can speak to for free, is by far their best offering.
I also HIGHLY recommend the joining the Asthma Parents discussion list at http://asthmatrack.org/list.html. You'll learn more than you ever thought possible from these wonderful, supportive moms!
Friday, December 30, 2005
Baby Iggy Joins the Family - After a Day in the NICU
Welcome baby Iggy to the family of the Angry Asthma Mama!
Iggy entered the world on December 20, 2005 at 5:52 pm, weighing 6 lb., 7 oz. We didn't know whether to expect a boy baby or a girl baby, and honestly, I didn't have a preference. I just wanted an asthma-free child for a change.
Hah!
After a mercifully short, natural labor, I was handed my warm little Iggy to snuggle. His first APGARs were pretty good, but a few moments later, it was obvious that our little boy was having some trouble breathing. He was whisked away to the nursery, and shortly thereafter, transferred to the NICU, where he stayed for a full 24 hours.
Apparently, because my labor was so quick, Little Iggy was left with some fluid in his lungs. The relatively small number of contractions were not sufficient to clear it all. He was retracting, flaring and grunting. (And if you're an asthma parent, you'll know what all that means.)
The good news: He was fine within 24 hours. The distress resolved itself, and the doctors assured me that this condition is not necessarily a harbinger of asthma later in life. (The fact that he has two asthmatic brothers, on the other hand, probably is!)
Another less-than-encouraging sign: my latest little monkey already appears to have eczema AND his first allergy: to Pampers!! Guess this will be Huggies baby....
Anyway, welcome, Iggy! We're so happy to have you in our family, and we wish you strength and good health in the New Year (and every year)!
Iggy entered the world on December 20, 2005 at 5:52 pm, weighing 6 lb., 7 oz. We didn't know whether to expect a boy baby or a girl baby, and honestly, I didn't have a preference. I just wanted an asthma-free child for a change.
Hah!
After a mercifully short, natural labor, I was handed my warm little Iggy to snuggle. His first APGARs were pretty good, but a few moments later, it was obvious that our little boy was having some trouble breathing. He was whisked away to the nursery, and shortly thereafter, transferred to the NICU, where he stayed for a full 24 hours.
Apparently, because my labor was so quick, Little Iggy was left with some fluid in his lungs. The relatively small number of contractions were not sufficient to clear it all. He was retracting, flaring and grunting. (And if you're an asthma parent, you'll know what all that means.)
The good news: He was fine within 24 hours. The distress resolved itself, and the doctors assured me that this condition is not necessarily a harbinger of asthma later in life. (The fact that he has two asthmatic brothers, on the other hand, probably is!)
Another less-than-encouraging sign: my latest little monkey already appears to have eczema AND his first allergy: to Pampers!! Guess this will be Huggies baby....
Anyway, welcome, Iggy! We're so happy to have you in our family, and we wish you strength and good health in the New Year (and every year)!
Xopenex MDI
Check it out - now you can have kids who can breathe in under fifteen minutes -- without turning them into hyperactive nightmares.
XOPENEX HFA(TM) Metered-Dose Inhaler Now Available by Prescription for Patients with Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Symptoms
MARLBOROUGH, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 12, 2005--Sepracor Inc. (Nasdaq: SEPR) today announced that XOPENEX HFA(TM) (levalbuterol tartrate) Inhalation Aerosol, a hydrofluoroalkane (HFA) metered-dose inhaler (MDI), is now available by prescription in pharmacies nationwide. XOPENEX HFA is a short-acting beta-agonist indicated for the treatment or prevention of bronchospasm in patients 4 years of age and older with reversible obstructive airway disease. The XOPENEX HFA MDI is a portable, hand-held device consisting of a pressurized canister containing medication and a mouthpiece through which the medicine is inhaled.
Tuesday, December 13, 2005
Baby Due Any Minute! Will S/He Have Asthma Too?
As some of you may know from this or my (grossly neglected) other blog, I'm pregnant again.
I don't know what I'm having, but boy or girl, I'm just praying this one is not asthmatic. It would be nice to have a helathy child in this family! Perhaps the third time is a charm.
Here's where it might get interesting in comparing the three. Let's assume it's another boy, for argument's sake. (It probably is.)
With #1 son, I ate beautifully. I'm a vegetarian, and I made sure I got my daily (or nearly-daily) serving of pretty much every color vegetable. I steered clear of simple carbs, with the exception of an occasional trip to Johnny Rockets. (Veggie burger, cheese fries and vanilla milkshake. Yummmmmm....) I went for whole grains. I added wheat germ to my yogurt. I drank whole milk. I also walked every day and did yoga regularly.
I intended to deliver naturally, but the hospital wasn't so supportive. I ended up with a nasty episiotomy and some kind of IV drug. Also, this hospital routinely dispenses the Hep B vaccine to newborns.
With #2, I was unemployed for the last trimester, so stress was a little higher as we actually needed money. We also had our house on the market, which was stressful, too. I didn't eat quite as well, but I was still pretty good. I got lots of rest. The weather wasn't suitable for too much walking, but I did some yoga.
#3 is a different tale altogether. I've been working full-time at the office, eating a ton of processed foods (but still probably eating better than most people!), and exercise? Remind me what that is...? Is that the act of walking up the hill to my car every night?
#2 was delivered naturally by a midwife and avoided all unnecessary interventions and vaccinations. #3 will have the same treatment.
So, what are the odds that #3 will develop asthma, too? If he or she doesn't, I guess we'll know for sure it has nothing to do with Mom's eating habits....
Honestly, let's just pray that s/he doesn't develop asthma. It would be nice to have one child that I don't have to administer corticosteroids to. It would be nice to not have to CRANK the monitor every night so I can listen to the babies breathe.
Sigh. I can dream.
I don't know what I'm having, but boy or girl, I'm just praying this one is not asthmatic. It would be nice to have a helathy child in this family! Perhaps the third time is a charm.
Here's where it might get interesting in comparing the three. Let's assume it's another boy, for argument's sake. (It probably is.)
With #1 son, I ate beautifully. I'm a vegetarian, and I made sure I got my daily (or nearly-daily) serving of pretty much every color vegetable. I steered clear of simple carbs, with the exception of an occasional trip to Johnny Rockets. (Veggie burger, cheese fries and vanilla milkshake. Yummmmmm....) I went for whole grains. I added wheat germ to my yogurt. I drank whole milk. I also walked every day and did yoga regularly.
I intended to deliver naturally, but the hospital wasn't so supportive. I ended up with a nasty episiotomy and some kind of IV drug. Also, this hospital routinely dispenses the Hep B vaccine to newborns.
With #2, I was unemployed for the last trimester, so stress was a little higher as we actually needed money. We also had our house on the market, which was stressful, too. I didn't eat quite as well, but I was still pretty good. I got lots of rest. The weather wasn't suitable for too much walking, but I did some yoga.
#3 is a different tale altogether. I've been working full-time at the office, eating a ton of processed foods (but still probably eating better than most people!), and exercise? Remind me what that is...? Is that the act of walking up the hill to my car every night?
#2 was delivered naturally by a midwife and avoided all unnecessary interventions and vaccinations. #3 will have the same treatment.
So, what are the odds that #3 will develop asthma, too? If he or she doesn't, I guess we'll know for sure it has nothing to do with Mom's eating habits....
Honestly, let's just pray that s/he doesn't develop asthma. It would be nice to have one child that I don't have to administer corticosteroids to. It would be nice to not have to CRANK the monitor every night so I can listen to the babies breathe.
Sigh. I can dream.
Friday, December 09, 2005
Discount Aerochamber Spacers?
I'm trying to trackdown a reliable source for Aerochamber Spacers - the pediatric one with the little mask. Best price I've found is $30 at Achooallergy.com. (No, I'm not an affiliate.)
If you have another source, of if you've bought from AchooAllergy -- can you share your experience?
Thanks!
If you have another source, of if you've bought from AchooAllergy -- can you share your experience?
Thanks!
Baby's all better...we beat the RSV
Thanksgiving week was nothing short of a nightmare. At 35 weeks pregnant, my husband and I were up giving nebulizer treatments around the clock -every three hours- to keep #2 son out of the hospital. We alternated between Xopenex and DuoNeb for a few days before switching to Xop only. And of course, there was the Orapred.
But we beat it. After a full week of treatments, we avoided pneumonia and kicked the RSV. Thank God. He's on Flovent 44 daily now, but he seems to be healthy again.
(Of course, he's got a nose full of yellow snot again as of yesterday, but hopefully it's just a cold.)
On another note....sorry I've been so lame about posting. I'm a little preoccupied with the pregnancy, and I've got a TON of work to do before the baby gets here. This must be the way working women nest...instead of cleaning the house, I'm determined to get all my projects done by 12/15. DETERMINED. If I have to work around the clock until them, I'll get those projects done, damnit!
And there will be NO RSV in my house when that little newborn comes home, so help me...
But we beat it. After a full week of treatments, we avoided pneumonia and kicked the RSV. Thank God. He's on Flovent 44 daily now, but he seems to be healthy again.
(Of course, he's got a nose full of yellow snot again as of yesterday, but hopefully it's just a cold.)
On another note....sorry I've been so lame about posting. I'm a little preoccupied with the pregnancy, and I've got a TON of work to do before the baby gets here. This must be the way working women nest...instead of cleaning the house, I'm determined to get all my projects done by 12/15. DETERMINED. If I have to work around the clock until them, I'll get those projects done, damnit!
And there will be NO RSV in my house when that little newborn comes home, so help me...
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
Baby has RSV -- From now on, I call the peds. pulmonlogist FIRST
I trusted my instincts and didn't fill the Biaxin Rx...and took #2 son to the Peds. Pulmo instead.
Good thing I did. She listened to him for about two minutes, then promptly ordered a nebulizer treatment, chest X-ray, and tests for RSV and Flu. She said she heard "wheezing in the front and crackling in his back."
Sure enough -- four hours of my prego self dragging the toddler around the massive hospital later -- we got confirmation. He has RSV.
A few hours later, the results of the chest X-ray were back. Apparently, he's had it for a while (so the peds. missed it) because the irritation and inflammation in his lungs is pretty bad.
I don't know why I alwaya question my instincts. I could have called this two weeks ago, before he started the Omnicef. Now I'm really mad that I didn't!!!
Up until yesterday, he was pretty happy during the day, just the spikey fevers at night, along w/rapid, shallow breathing. And the cough, of course.
But last night, the breathing was really bad - and his fever didn't shoot up. Today he's been positively miserable, and -- frighteningly -- not responding well to treatments. He was about 48 resps per minute during his nap, but then he shot up over 50.
I gave him a DuoNeb treatment, and an hour later, he was still at 58. So I did another treatment (per the PP) and gave him his Orapred a few hours early. He dropped into the forties.
Now, less than two hours later, he's well into the 50's again. I'm going to do another treatment, and if he doesn't drop by at least 10 breaths per minute, I'm paging the PP again -- no matter how much of a pain in the ass I appear to be!!
I so don't want this baby to have to deal with being in the hospital -- he's not even 20 months old, and it would be so scary for him. But at the same time, I almost wish they would take him. It's so frightening not knowing what's going on with him. He was at 100% oxygen saturation yesterday, but today -- who knows? I don't own a pulse-oximeter. (Wish I did.) Plus, I'm supposed to be doing nebulizer treatments every three hours around the clock. That's a lot of work. Thank goodness we can sleep in tomorrow (assuming the kids let us).
So...that's the tale so far.
Happy freaking Thanksgiving, right?
Good thing I did. She listened to him for about two minutes, then promptly ordered a nebulizer treatment, chest X-ray, and tests for RSV and Flu. She said she heard "wheezing in the front and crackling in his back."
Sure enough -- four hours of my prego self dragging the toddler around the massive hospital later -- we got confirmation. He has RSV.
A few hours later, the results of the chest X-ray were back. Apparently, he's had it for a while (so the peds. missed it) because the irritation and inflammation in his lungs is pretty bad.
I don't know why I alwaya question my instincts. I could have called this two weeks ago, before he started the Omnicef. Now I'm really mad that I didn't!!!
Up until yesterday, he was pretty happy during the day, just the spikey fevers at night, along w/rapid, shallow breathing. And the cough, of course.
But last night, the breathing was really bad - and his fever didn't shoot up. Today he's been positively miserable, and -- frighteningly -- not responding well to treatments. He was about 48 resps per minute during his nap, but then he shot up over 50.
I gave him a DuoNeb treatment, and an hour later, he was still at 58. So I did another treatment (per the PP) and gave him his Orapred a few hours early. He dropped into the forties.
Now, less than two hours later, he's well into the 50's again. I'm going to do another treatment, and if he doesn't drop by at least 10 breaths per minute, I'm paging the PP again -- no matter how much of a pain in the ass I appear to be!!
I so don't want this baby to have to deal with being in the hospital -- he's not even 20 months old, and it would be so scary for him. But at the same time, I almost wish they would take him. It's so frightening not knowing what's going on with him. He was at 100% oxygen saturation yesterday, but today -- who knows? I don't own a pulse-oximeter. (Wish I did.) Plus, I'm supposed to be doing nebulizer treatments every three hours around the clock. That's a lot of work. Thank goodness we can sleep in tomorrow (assuming the kids let us).
So...that's the tale so far.
Happy freaking Thanksgiving, right?
Monday, November 21, 2005
Warning for Asthma Drugs Sought
Thanks to the brilliant moms on the asthma-parents email list for this one:
Warnings for Asthma Drugs Sought
ReutersSaturday, November 19, 2005; Page A08
U.S. regulators yesterday asked the makers of three popular asthma medications to add warnings to their labels stating that the drugs could increase the chances of severe asthma episodes that could result in death.
The warnings involve long-acting bronchodilator medicines Advair and Serevent, made by GlaxoSmithKline, and Foradil from Novartis AG. Patients use them daily to relax bronchial muscles and prevent asthma attacks.
In a public health advisory issued on its Web site, the Food and Drug Administration said drugs in the class known as long-acting beta 2-adrenergic agonists should only be used after other medicines fail to control asthma.
Read the whole thing...
Warnings for Asthma Drugs Sought
ReutersSaturday, November 19, 2005; Page A08
U.S. regulators yesterday asked the makers of three popular asthma medications to add warnings to their labels stating that the drugs could increase the chances of severe asthma episodes that could result in death.
The warnings involve long-acting bronchodilator medicines Advair and Serevent, made by GlaxoSmithKline, and Foradil from Novartis AG. Patients use them daily to relax bronchial muscles and prevent asthma attacks.
In a public health advisory issued on its Web site, the Food and Drug Administration said drugs in the class known as long-acting beta 2-adrenergic agonists should only be used after other medicines fail to control asthma.
Read the whole thing...
#2 Son sick AGAIN
It's been six weeks (at least) since #2 son had his first fit of coughing til he gagged this year. (Last year we blamed those fits on a poultry allergy. Hah - caught that error early on!) The pediatrician, at that point, diagnosed him with a sinus infection and gave us Zithromax. (#2 is allergic to Amox.)
Ten days after we finished the Zithro, he was full of green and yellow gunk and coughing again. And he had a fever again, too. By this point, I'd already taken him to the Peds. Pulomologist for the first time, and he'd gotten an official diagnosis of "mild" Reactive Airways Disease. (I've still yet to find a real definiton of RAD. If anyone has one, please feel free to post it - or a link to it - in the comments. As much as I love our PP, I take the RAD dx as a diagnostic cop-out.)
Anyway, so when the fever persisted, I gave in and put him on Omnicef, largely because the regular ped. said he also had an ear infection.
Five days after finishing the Omnicef, my poor 19-month-old was packed full of mucus again. He started coughing the next day, and the day after that he was spiking fevers of 104. We went through two nights of that, combined with labored breathing and coughing til he gagged...and took him to the regular ped. today.
She said his lungs sounded "pretty clear" (what the heck does that mean?) and she thinks he has a recurrent sinus infection. She wants him on Biaxin, which is pretty hard core. Besides the fact that it tastes awful, it would undoubtedly leave the kid with diarrhea and a diaper rash. Plus, it's really strong for a baby who's not even two yet. Do I want him on such powerful stuff already, unless I know for sure that he needs it?
I normally wouldn't question my pediatrician - who I really respect - so intensely, except for this: Our peds. pulmonologist doesn't seem to believe that toddlers CAN develop recurrent sinus infections. They're sure it's viral.
I guess we'll see when I take #2 there tomorrow.
I just hope it's not RSV.
Anyway, just wish me luck tonight. I've got six weeks of this pregnancy left, I'm pretty darned exhausted, and that little boy is sure to keep me up half the night....I would just love for him to *get* healthy, and for me to *stay* that way!!!
Ten days after we finished the Zithro, he was full of green and yellow gunk and coughing again. And he had a fever again, too. By this point, I'd already taken him to the Peds. Pulomologist for the first time, and he'd gotten an official diagnosis of "mild" Reactive Airways Disease. (I've still yet to find a real definiton of RAD. If anyone has one, please feel free to post it - or a link to it - in the comments. As much as I love our PP, I take the RAD dx as a diagnostic cop-out.)
Anyway, so when the fever persisted, I gave in and put him on Omnicef, largely because the regular ped. said he also had an ear infection.
Five days after finishing the Omnicef, my poor 19-month-old was packed full of mucus again. He started coughing the next day, and the day after that he was spiking fevers of 104. We went through two nights of that, combined with labored breathing and coughing til he gagged...and took him to the regular ped. today.
She said his lungs sounded "pretty clear" (what the heck does that mean?) and she thinks he has a recurrent sinus infection. She wants him on Biaxin, which is pretty hard core. Besides the fact that it tastes awful, it would undoubtedly leave the kid with diarrhea and a diaper rash. Plus, it's really strong for a baby who's not even two yet. Do I want him on such powerful stuff already, unless I know for sure that he needs it?
I normally wouldn't question my pediatrician - who I really respect - so intensely, except for this: Our peds. pulmonologist doesn't seem to believe that toddlers CAN develop recurrent sinus infections. They're sure it's viral.
I guess we'll see when I take #2 there tomorrow.
I just hope it's not RSV.
Anyway, just wish me luck tonight. I've got six weeks of this pregnancy left, I'm pretty darned exhausted, and that little boy is sure to keep me up half the night....I would just love for him to *get* healthy, and for me to *stay* that way!!!
Wednesday, November 02, 2005
AANMA on the Danger of "Mild" Asthma
Just an important item to share from AANMA's Allergy and Asthma Today: In a small article on page 9 of the issue, there's a really, really urgent reminder.
"Mild Asthma Myths" reminds us all that 'The risk of severe asthma exacerbations seems to be unrelated to the symptom severity." So a child diagnosed with mild asthma is no less likely to suffer a SEVERE attack than a child diagnosed with severe, persistent asthma.
It's a wakeup call for me to always keep that MDI and spacer on hand, whether I'm traveling with Persistent Asthma Boy or Mild RAD Boy.
In a somewhat morbid footnote to the article, moms are invited to order a free copy of the booklet, "Mikey's Mom Didn't Know Asthma Could Kill" by calling AANMA. Is it just me, or is that seriously creepy?
"Mild Asthma Myths" reminds us all that 'The risk of severe asthma exacerbations seems to be unrelated to the symptom severity." So a child diagnosed with mild asthma is no less likely to suffer a SEVERE attack than a child diagnosed with severe, persistent asthma.
It's a wakeup call for me to always keep that MDI and spacer on hand, whether I'm traveling with Persistent Asthma Boy or Mild RAD Boy.
In a somewhat morbid footnote to the article, moms are invited to order a free copy of the booklet, "Mikey's Mom Didn't Know Asthma Could Kill" by calling AANMA. Is it just me, or is that seriously creepy?
A note to my "regulars"
FYI...I apologize for the infrequency of posts lately, but I've been working my tail off at the office!! I've got our biggest trade show on 11/7, I've got two companies to look after there (we're launching a sister company at the show) and - oh, yeah - I'm seven months pregnant.
I'll be back in "full force" next week!
I'll be back in "full force" next week!
AANMA launches "Breathe: It's the Law" Campaign, BreatheAtSchool.org site
Allergy & Asthma Network/Mothers of Asthmatics is on the warpath, fighting for kids to carry Epi Pens and MDIs at school. Yes, it's the law, but there are still plenty of schools that make it difficult for kids to get the meds they need. And what do you do whne your five- or six-year old asthmatic child goes to a public school that only has a part-time nurse.
Learn the rules and your rights at http://breatheatschool.org. And kudos to AANMA on their 20th anniversary and the many, many victories they've won for us all.
Learn the rules and your rights at http://breatheatschool.org. And kudos to AANMA on their 20th anniversary and the many, many victories they've won for us all.
Monday, October 24, 2005
#2 Goes to the Pulmonologist; #1 Starts Coughing Again.
As mentioned, took #2 son to the peds. pulmonologist today. He was diagnosed with mild Reactive Airways Disease. No big surprise there!
She gave us an action plan and recommended daily Pulmicort. I opted to hold off for a bit...I don't think we really need it yet. But we've got RXs for albuterol & Xopenex, and she gave us spacers and neb stuff for now, until the cough clears up. (It's much looser and better now.)
We had a chest Xray, too...but we haven't gotten the results yet. I suspect they're clear - although I wouldn't have said that a few days ago.
I just realized that she didn't take his sats. Wonder why...?
I'm so relieved that we have that diagnosis now. It's comforting to know we can page the PP if he ever has a cough like that again! Just having an action plan is comforting. When you have a sick kid, nothing feels better than knowing you're able to give them the care they need. It's all you want, as a parent.
On the other hand, #1 son was coughing again this morning. Nothing new there...same old junky cough we hear three times in the morning and twice at night.
Only we heard it about 10 times tonight. And he was sniffling today. And he was coughing REALLY hard at bedtime.
I gave him Dimetapp and albuterol before bed, and that seems to have helped.
I only pray that we'll get a break this time....! I don't want him to be sick again. And I don't want to have get up three times a night to neb, either!!
She gave us an action plan and recommended daily Pulmicort. I opted to hold off for a bit...I don't think we really need it yet. But we've got RXs for albuterol & Xopenex, and she gave us spacers and neb stuff for now, until the cough clears up. (It's much looser and better now.)
We had a chest Xray, too...but we haven't gotten the results yet. I suspect they're clear - although I wouldn't have said that a few days ago.
I just realized that she didn't take his sats. Wonder why...?
I'm so relieved that we have that diagnosis now. It's comforting to know we can page the PP if he ever has a cough like that again! Just having an action plan is comforting. When you have a sick kid, nothing feels better than knowing you're able to give them the care they need. It's all you want, as a parent.
On the other hand, #1 son was coughing again this morning. Nothing new there...same old junky cough we hear three times in the morning and twice at night.
Only we heard it about 10 times tonight. And he was sniffling today. And he was coughing REALLY hard at bedtime.
I gave him Dimetapp and albuterol before bed, and that seems to have helped.
I only pray that we'll get a break this time....! I don't want him to be sick again. And I don't want to have get up three times a night to neb, either!!
How #2 Son Got a Reactive Airway Disease Diagnosis
So...#2 son was diagnosed with Reactive Airway Disease today. (You'd think I would've remembered to ask for an info sheet so I could've gotten a proper definition, after my last post!)
Just to document how this came about, here are some snippets from emails I sent to the asthma parents' list over the last week or two:
From 10/14: Oz is still coughing. Let's just hope they don't decide to share illnesses. As they do share a room, there's little I can do to prevent it, but really -- let's hope!!!
From 10/17: BOTH boys are coughing now, and #1's cough has picked up a little punch. I'm still going with the albuterol 3-4X a day. He didn't cough much (if at all) overnight, but definitely started up again this morning. The fever had broken by Sunday AM, and he hasn't thrown up since Friday.
Oz's cough is getting worse (louder, more frequent, still wet), so I need to check my notes to see when that started. Since I had him at the doctor last Weds., I'm guessing it's been about 10 days since the cough started, maybe longer. Mucus is yellowish now, but it was clear for the first week or so. Could be a sinus infection, but I've never seen one start with a cough. Don't know...
From 10/19: Oz is doing much better with the pinkeye, but he was coughing a LOT last night. I gave him some Dimetapp, which dried the cough up but didn't stop it. Even though he's not officially RAD, the doc said I can give him a neb of Xopenex if he has another night like that.
From 10/20: Had a REALLY bad night with Oz, not #1. Gave him Dimetapp at 8:00pm, but ended up needing two nebs at 11:00 and 4:30 as tight coughing would not stop. Could be bronchiolitis. Have a call into the ped's office (he's not with a PP - yet!) to see about a Zithro RX, or another appt.
From 10/21: Now, about the kids -- Oz is a MESS. He's so much worse today. We were up three times over night. He's responding well to Xopenex, but he's running 101.5 right now. He sounds terrible (need to neb him now, actually) and he's not drinking well. He was coughing his head off overnight when the nebs wore off.
Took him to the ped today, who changed his RX to Zithromax (thank you!) for a sinus infection. She said he may have RAD, but said she didn't hear any wheezing, that his lungs sounded clear. But she said I should call our PP, given his history, and see if she wants to start seeing him.
So I did. And we're going Monday.
Honestly, I think he has RSV, and I'll be amazed if we're not at the ER over the weekend. But I'm a freak, could be wrong. If he doesn't respond to the Zithro and he's still sick on Monday, $100 says that the PP here's something and that his sats are around 95%.
Ugh. Thank goodness he's happy. He sounds so, so awful, it makes me want to cry
Later that night: Ugh. Oz woke up from his nap with 101.5 and sounding SO MUCH WORSE. Sounds really chesty now. I nebbed at 4:00, which helped. By 7:00, as we were finishing dinner, he was coughing til he gagged. Almost paged the peds., but held off.
Nebbed at 8:00, and gave him Dimetapp. Definitely took the edge off the cough. He went right to bed afterwards.
It's 9:30 and he's just starting to cough again. I have a feeling he won't last beyond 11:00, and I'll have to page to make sure he can have his nebs 3 hours apart instead of 4.
I'll be amazed if we get through this weekend without a trip to the ER.
From 10/22: Miraculously, not much coughing overnight and very little this morning. He's definitely not himself, though. Yesterday, when he was coughing his little head off, he was still acting like a happy little toddler. Today, he's much quieter, not eating or drinking. Also more visibly congested.
LATER....Zithro is for a sinus infection, which I'm not convinced he has.
He was doing surprisingly well all day, then we noticed he was breathing really fast at dinner. I was going to neb him, but I noticed he felt really warm. Turns out his fever spiked back up to 102.1, after being 99.5 earlier. Ugh. He fell asleep, and I'm going to check his resps in a little while. (I managed to get some Motrin into him.)
October is sucking, so far.
Just to document how this came about, here are some snippets from emails I sent to the asthma parents' list over the last week or two:
From 10/14: Oz is still coughing. Let's just hope they don't decide to share illnesses. As they do share a room, there's little I can do to prevent it, but really -- let's hope!!!
From 10/17: BOTH boys are coughing now, and #1's cough has picked up a little punch. I'm still going with the albuterol 3-4X a day. He didn't cough much (if at all) overnight, but definitely started up again this morning. The fever had broken by Sunday AM, and he hasn't thrown up since Friday.
Oz's cough is getting worse (louder, more frequent, still wet), so I need to check my notes to see when that started. Since I had him at the doctor last Weds., I'm guessing it's been about 10 days since the cough started, maybe longer. Mucus is yellowish now, but it was clear for the first week or so. Could be a sinus infection, but I've never seen one start with a cough. Don't know...
From 10/19: Oz is doing much better with the pinkeye, but he was coughing a LOT last night. I gave him some Dimetapp, which dried the cough up but didn't stop it. Even though he's not officially RAD, the doc said I can give him a neb of Xopenex if he has another night like that.
From 10/20: Had a REALLY bad night with Oz, not #1. Gave him Dimetapp at 8:00pm, but ended up needing two nebs at 11:00 and 4:30 as tight coughing would not stop. Could be bronchiolitis. Have a call into the ped's office (he's not with a PP - yet!) to see about a Zithro RX, or another appt.
From 10/21: Now, about the kids -- Oz is a MESS. He's so much worse today. We were up three times over night. He's responding well to Xopenex, but he's running 101.5 right now. He sounds terrible (need to neb him now, actually) and he's not drinking well. He was coughing his head off overnight when the nebs wore off.
Took him to the ped today, who changed his RX to Zithromax (thank you!) for a sinus infection. She said he may have RAD, but said she didn't hear any wheezing, that his lungs sounded clear. But she said I should call our PP, given his history, and see if she wants to start seeing him.
So I did. And we're going Monday.
Honestly, I think he has RSV, and I'll be amazed if we're not at the ER over the weekend. But I'm a freak, could be wrong. If he doesn't respond to the Zithro and he's still sick on Monday, $100 says that the PP here's something and that his sats are around 95%.
Ugh. Thank goodness he's happy. He sounds so, so awful, it makes me want to cry
Later that night: Ugh. Oz woke up from his nap with 101.5 and sounding SO MUCH WORSE. Sounds really chesty now. I nebbed at 4:00, which helped. By 7:00, as we were finishing dinner, he was coughing til he gagged. Almost paged the peds., but held off.
Nebbed at 8:00, and gave him Dimetapp. Definitely took the edge off the cough. He went right to bed afterwards.
It's 9:30 and he's just starting to cough again. I have a feeling he won't last beyond 11:00, and I'll have to page to make sure he can have his nebs 3 hours apart instead of 4.
I'll be amazed if we get through this weekend without a trip to the ER.
From 10/22: Miraculously, not much coughing overnight and very little this morning. He's definitely not himself, though. Yesterday, when he was coughing his little head off, he was still acting like a happy little toddler. Today, he's much quieter, not eating or drinking. Also more visibly congested.
LATER....Zithro is for a sinus infection, which I'm not convinced he has.
He was doing surprisingly well all day, then we noticed he was breathing really fast at dinner. I was going to neb him, but I noticed he felt really warm. Turns out his fever spiked back up to 102.1, after being 99.5 earlier. Ugh. He fell asleep, and I'm going to check his resps in a little while. (I managed to get some Motrin into him.)
October is sucking, so far.
Saturday, October 22, 2005
Bird Flu Update, Roche & Tamiflu and More in "Weekly Breather"
Asthma parents, if you're not getting the American Lung Association's 'Weekly Breather,' you're missing out on a valid resource. This is by far the best, most reliable means of getting helpful asthma news.
Here are a few highlights from this week's issue:
WHO: Bird Flu Human Risk Greatest in Asia...An October 17, 2005 Associated Press report said cases of bird flu can be expected to appear in many countries, but Asia is most at risk. According the the World Health Organization, avian flu has become endemic in some areas of Asia, creating multiple opportunities for a mutation to occur that would result in the virus’ ability to spread among humans. This weekend, tests on birds from Romania indicated that bird flu had arrived in Europe. Two days earlier, cases had been confirmed in Turkey. However, the vast majority of cases, and the greatest risk of viral mutation, remain in Asia. Bird flu has killed more than 60 people in Southeast Asia in the last two years. Most cases have resulted from contact with infected birds, but experts fear a genetic mutation could produce a global pandemic.
For the full article: click here.
Roche may allow others to make Tamiflu...Reuters reported in an October 18, 2005 article that on Tuesday Swiss drug maker Roche said it would consider granting other firms licenses to make the antiviral drug, Tamiflu. The company is under pressure to step up production of Tamiflu as cases of bird flu have appeared in Europe. Tamiflu, known generically as oseltamivir, is the most effective antiviral drug currently available for avian flu and is one of a class of treatments recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) for use in the event of a flu pandemic. Mike Ryan of WHO said Tamiflu supplies were insufficient if the avian virus were to mutate and spread among humans. Roche said it would consider allowing companies and governments in developing nations to produce the drug in preparation for a bird flu pandemic. Governments are rushing to build stocks of Tamiflu; 40 countries have placed bulk orders with Roche, including Turkey where cases of bird flu were reported last week.
For the full article: click here.
...and there's so much more, just in that issue. To sign up yourself, click here.
Here are a few highlights from this week's issue:
WHO: Bird Flu Human Risk Greatest in Asia...An October 17, 2005 Associated Press report said cases of bird flu can be expected to appear in many countries, but Asia is most at risk. According the the World Health Organization, avian flu has become endemic in some areas of Asia, creating multiple opportunities for a mutation to occur that would result in the virus’ ability to spread among humans. This weekend, tests on birds from Romania indicated that bird flu had arrived in Europe. Two days earlier, cases had been confirmed in Turkey. However, the vast majority of cases, and the greatest risk of viral mutation, remain in Asia. Bird flu has killed more than 60 people in Southeast Asia in the last two years. Most cases have resulted from contact with infected birds, but experts fear a genetic mutation could produce a global pandemic.
For the full article: click here.
Roche may allow others to make Tamiflu...Reuters reported in an October 18, 2005 article that on Tuesday Swiss drug maker Roche said it would consider granting other firms licenses to make the antiviral drug, Tamiflu. The company is under pressure to step up production of Tamiflu as cases of bird flu have appeared in Europe. Tamiflu, known generically as oseltamivir, is the most effective antiviral drug currently available for avian flu and is one of a class of treatments recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) for use in the event of a flu pandemic. Mike Ryan of WHO said Tamiflu supplies were insufficient if the avian virus were to mutate and spread among humans. Roche said it would consider allowing companies and governments in developing nations to produce the drug in preparation for a bird flu pandemic. Governments are rushing to build stocks of Tamiflu; 40 countries have placed bulk orders with Roche, including Turkey where cases of bird flu were reported last week.
For the full article: click here.
...and there's so much more, just in that issue. To sign up yourself, click here.
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