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Kathryn
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| Posted: Jan 19 2011 at 7:10am | IP Logged
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My 3 year old started with a double ear infection a month ago (after we all had head colds). I actually waited 4 days from the time she said they hurt since I've heard ear infections typically clear up on their own and the fact that I don't think she's ever had one but after her temp got over 100, I figured I better take her. So, 2 days before Christmas, she started Amoxic and completed 10 days. The next day (what I call day 11), she started saying her tummy hurt. A couple days later she had fever again, I asked about her ears, said they hurt so took her back. Doc said they were still reallllly red so gave Cefdnir for 10 days. She kind of said her tummy hurt on/off during that time but nothing major. Until day 8, she started running a low grade fever again, said her tummy hurt all afternoon and then threw up a couple times that night. So, I took her back and doc said her ears looked good but she prob. now had a tummy virus. The next day she had diarrhea 4 times and seemed better. Finished antibiotics 5 days ago, doc said to give her Culturelle for her tummy and she hasn't complained...until this morning! She woke saying she thought she was going to throw up (never did), now she's running a fever again and now she says her throat hurts. She's still had some congestion w/ occasional cough but not much. Actually the day after she finished antibiotics, her brother started fever and had it still yesterday along w/ major coughing, older sister had slight fever and ill feeling on Mon but nothing else.
My question is whether this is "normal" that she keeps getting sick when she's never been one to get sick? Do you think her immune system is just low or just since she's around more kids now that she's picking up more stuff? It's really concerning to us.
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Kathryn in TX
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mamaslearning
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| Posted: Jan 19 2011 at 7:34am | IP Logged
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I'm not sure. With the amount of days on antibiotics, her tummy might be ill from the medicine. Also, I typically have yeast problems when I take antibiotics, so maybe she has a yeast overgrowth that is bogging down her immune system? [:/]
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hylabrook1
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| Posted: Jan 19 2011 at 7:53am | IP Logged
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I was going to suggest the same thing as Lara said - the antibiotics might be at the root of the tummy/bowel problems. Do you think that whatever the bug is that is causing the ear/throat, etc. sickness is resistant to the particular antibiotics she's been on? Like maybe a different medicine would clear the whole thing up? (I know,  suggestion right about now.). Prayers that she feels better soon.
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Nancy
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Kathryn
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| Posted: Jan 19 2011 at 8:04am | IP Logged
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I guess if she had a tummy virus, that's why the antibiotics didn't help it. I did figure the original slight tummy complaints were from the antibiotics. Now she says her throat hurts and we've had 2 neighbors tested for strep so I'm wondering if that's it and whether I do need to go back to doc for ANOTHER antibiotic. is right! I do NOT want to do that and I typically wait at least 1-2 days to run to the dr. but just wondering if I should go ahead and take her this AM. I feel like she keeps getting different things (ear infection, tummy virus now possibly strep) and just wondering if it's normal to keep getting "stuff".
I think the Culturelle is a really good probiotic which is why dr. said to take that for 2 wks to get everything back in balance. Wouldn't that help a yeast overgrowth?
Thank goodness baby has stayed well but I think my anxiety about this all is really kicking into gear. 
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Kathryn in TX
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KC in TX
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| Posted: Jan 19 2011 at 9:02am | IP Logged
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I think she's just immune compromised because she's sick so her body is probably working harder to fight things off. So, she's more susceptible to viruses, etc. I'd not worry so much but keep an eye on her. Prayers for healing for her.
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CrunchyMom
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| Posted: Jan 19 2011 at 9:10am | IP Logged
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Antibiotics kill ALL bacteria, even the good stuff responsible for a healthy immune system. It can take months for the gut to get back to normal after even a single round of antibiotics. Your gut is the first and most powerful defense the immune system offers.
I use hard core probiotics anytime we have to use antibiotics (you can give them a few hours before or after the antibiotic is given while still taking them and then for several weeks thereafter) to avoid depleting the immune system.
Really, I just avoid antibiotics in general unless all other attempts to treat an illness naturally have failed, which sounds like your policy as well. I do get pretty severe about avoiding sugar, taking large doses of Vit C to bowel tolerance, eating garlic, and other measures to try and help the body fight the illness on its own.
However, when my 3 year old had Lyme, I didn't hesitate and just used the probiotics with it. During our most recent illness, I was afraid I'd developed a sinus infection, but I held off just because my immune system is already low from pregnancy, and I was afraid that in the long run, I would just trigger more susceptibility to illness, especially with it being cold and flu season.
So, all that to say, I'd focus on a regiment of strong probiotics, both in supplement and diet (yogurt is good, but kefir is better as well as lacto fermented foods). I'd also supplement Vit. C daily even when she is well. I like Emergen-C, but there are many forms you can choose.
*Personally* I'd really push other measures (again, large doses of Vit. C) to try and get her through the illness. You have to trust your mommy gut and instincts about how sick she is and go with your comfort level, but I really feel strongly that the successive use of antibiotics can become cyclical: antibiotics deplete immune system, one catches something else more easily, then one goes on them again further depleting the immune system, etc...
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Lindsay
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Kathryn
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| Posted: Jan 19 2011 at 12:04pm | IP Logged
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Well, I decided to take her to the dr. and strep and flu tests both showed negative. Her right ear looked red/infected again but her fever (3 1/2 hrs after Tylenol) was still 101.2. Dr. prescribed Omnicef for the ear but thinks she has more going on...like another virus prob. what her brother and sister just had. Her eyes just looked tired she said and you could tell she didn't feel well. She's already back in bed.
Sooo, now my dilemma is whether I reallllly should do this 3rd round of antibiotics in 4 weeks?!?!?! Her brother was sick about 3 days w/ his and the higher fever and big sister just 1 day.
I guess I may wait at least until this evening or tomorrow morning if it's more viral.
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Kathryn in TX
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JodieLyn
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| Posted: Jan 19 2011 at 12:28pm | IP Logged
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you might try a more herbal approach with the ear.. an earache oil (or garlic oil if you can't get one from the health food store) warmed to skin temp can feel wonderful in the sore ear. Ear infections can be viral too. I'd also give her the probiotics.. let me think.. I believe it's for a month after being on the antibiotics adn like Lindsay said.. use it while on the antibiotics to help the tummy and digestive system get through without the yeast overgrowth. The problem is that if you spend that time without givign the probitotics the yeast has time to spread out until the antibiotics are done.. that's why you give the probiotics simultaneously.
I'd also be giving elderberry and echinacea.. and something to help her head drain.. let's see.. they don't do decongestant's any more.. hmmm no wait.. there is a nose spray for children that's decongestant.. little noses or something like that. And there's the vicks vapor rub that can help.. or eucaluptus essential oil (works like the vapor rub somewhat.. put it in a bath or in the air or on a hanki she can sniff)
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Kathryn
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| Posted: Jan 20 2011 at 8:37pm | IP Logged
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Well, I'm still holding off on antibiotic. I gave her Motrin at bed last night and haven't given any in 24 hrs and she had a brief low-grade fever when she woke from her nap today but was gone very quickly after fluids. She is a little coughing//sneezing/congested today so I really think may be it's just ANOTHER cold.
I've made sure her fluid intake is up and did give her a dose of decong/antihistamine at 12 hr intervals now. Even tho it's not "recommended" for this age, dr. advised I could give a scant 1/2 tsp. Oh yes and the saline spray.
I did buy a vitamin at the store that has Vit C, D, Zinc and Echinacea and have given her that 2x today as well as upped the probiotic to 2x a day. They had Emergen C but it was a tea and I didn't think she'd drink that. Is that sold in a pill form?
What defines "large doses of vit c" and what does it mean to bowel intolerance? Would she starting going potty more? Will probiotic have any impact on potty habits as well?
Last, if kefir a food? Sorry but I've never heard of that? Where's it sold in the grocery store?
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Kathryn in TX
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JodieLyn
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| Posted: Jan 21 2011 at 12:28am | IP Logged
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kifir is a drinkable yogurt
emergenC is a mixed drink.. not a tea per say and it'll taste more like kool aid than an herbal tea.
Too much vit. C can cause cramps and diarhea.. usually you have to reach the point of that starting and then back off. I only know doses off hand for adults on vit. C.. large doses are in the thousands of mg. Generally pregnant women are advised to keep vit C supplement below 4000mg a day.. but not pregnant.. you really can take as much as your body can handle at least in the short term.
Watch that multi vitamin you're giving too.. for an adult you don't want to give more than 100mg of zinc per day.. under 100mg enhances immune function.. more than that depresses immune function. D is a fat soluable vitamin so it's also one you need to watch not to take too much.. my book recommend 400IU a day for an adult.. though the only warning is in taking more than 1000IU a day and more than 65,000 over 2 years. Also they advise taking vit. D with calcium.
It's one reason I like individual medicines like echinacea and vit C you can give lots and lots but you're limited because of the others. And I do really recommend elderberry. We see a huge reduction in how often we get sick and how long we're sick when we're using that.
Also sleep.. sleep is a huge thing.. it's when your body is healing itself.. if you're short on sleep you won't stay well as easily or get better as fast.
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Kathryn
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| Posted: Jan 21 2011 at 2:47pm | IP Logged
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I looked for elderberry at the grocery and it wasn't there.
Both my DS and the 3 yr old had cramps and went potty (no diarrhea) within an hour last night after I gave them the 2nd round of vitamin. It's mainly a Vit C w/ the Zinc, echinacea and Vita D but in very low amounts relative to the Vit C. I'm assuming that w/ the 2x probiotic for the 3 yr old had her tummy in a fit again so I haven't given it today. I think I'll do 1x a day at least for a few days considering it prob. was about 15x the Vit C that she usu. gets in a day from foods.
She woke up happy, ate breakfast and has been playing at a friend's house for several hours so I'm assuming she's feeling good. Fingers crossed, prayers appreciated. 
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Kathryn in TX
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Grace&Chaos
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| Posted: Jan 21 2011 at 3:20pm | IP Logged
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I've been following and I am so glad to hear she's feeling better. 
One of my boys went through something similar a couple of years ago. He was about 2 and what we eventually discovered after several back and forth and various infections/viruses was that he needed ear tubes (this was after finally getting a referral to a specialist). I spent alot of time at the doctors with him (many rounds of antibiotics), since the ear surgery we haven't been back unless it's for regular checkups. (just a thought)
Will keep praying 
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CrunchyMom
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| Posted: Jan 21 2011 at 3:45pm | IP Logged
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Yes, I should have mentioned that you can give high doses of Vit. C to "bowel tolerance" which is higher the sicker you are and the more you need it. Most people can tolerate the Vit. C much better when sick, but when they are that small, I usually space it out or water it down (not sure what for you are using). Also, some forms of Vit. C bother some tummies more than others. Sodium Ascorbate Powder is a bit gentler on the tummy that Ascorbic Acid, but both are Vit. C.
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Lindsay
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Kathryn
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| Posted: Jan 24 2011 at 12:44pm | IP Logged
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Been a great 4 days then she came to us last night after going to bed and sleeping for a couple of hours and said her left ear hurts. Last week, the dr said it was the right ear that was red but Jenna never complained about ear pain which is why I didn't really start the antibiotics. Soo, gave her some Tylenol and ear drops last night. She woke around 6:15 AM w/ low grade fever saying both ears hurt so gave her Motrin. Soo, I guess I'm going to get the antibiotic filled...still w/ trepidation. She does def. have cold symptoms and coughed more yesterday and this morning and even had a nice, yucky sneeze at Walmart this AM. Talked to pharmacist and she recommended the decong. w/ the expectorant to help loosen the stuff up so we'll do that. I guess again I would normally let this run it's course but I can even tell I'm having to repeat myself and starting to talk loudly to her b/c she keeps saying "HUH?". If this 3rd round doesn't work, I'm going to an ENT specialist.
Please I hope I works.
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Kathryn in TX
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4Real Forums : Our Lady of Good Remedy and Care
Topic: 3 yr old keeps getting sick...normal?
