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cvbmom
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| Posted: Oct 29 2009 at 7:40am | IP Logged
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My almost 18 mo. old dd has recently been diagnosed with urinary tract reflux. It is level 2 and on the left side only. The doctor said that the solution to this is a year on a low dose of antibiotics, then check to see if she's outgrown the issue. I'm pretty unsure about giving anyone a year's worth of antibiotics! The damage that could cause?! But is there another alternative? I certainly don't want her to get an infection again, which is what would happen if we take her off the antibiotic (says the doctor) - the last one had multiple 104.5 degree fever days (scary!) and took antibiotic shots to finally help.
Has anyone ever dealt with this in any of your children? Would you give your child antibiotics for a year (possibly more)? Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks and God bless,
Christine
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KackyK
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I have a friend, a lurker around here actually  , whose dd has been on them for years with the same problem!!! She is 6 almost 7 (or maybe she is 7 already). This is a big deal from what I have heard her say and she has had worries about the antibiotics, but it's what must be done apparently. My brother is a radiologist and when I was telling her about my friend, he said you definitely have to have the antibiotics. The risk he said of what could come from possible multiple infections is so much greater than risks from the antibiotic use.
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Becky Parker
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Christine,
I had major urinary tract problems and was given antibiotics to take indefinitely. Then, I had to take something else for the yeast infection that occurred because of the antibiotics. It was an aweful, continuing cycle  . I finally went to a naturopath who recommended cranberry and acidophilis. It worked and I haven't had a problem since. I hesitated to even tell you this though, because I don't know if reflux has anything to do with UTI's, and because getting the cranberry into a child would be difficult. It can't just be the juice, it has to a tablet or capsule.
The idea of long term antibiotics just doesn't sound good to me though. Is there a naturopathic doctor in your area that you trust?
Editing to add that KackyK and I were posting at the same time. I see the point about the risk of continued infections, especially with a small child. My problem was that as soon as I went off the antibiotic, my infection would come back (and I'm a clean person so it wasn't from lack of hygeine or anything). It was because my urinary system was unhealthy, and the cranberry and acidophilis helped with that.
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folklaur
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| Posted: Oct 29 2009 at 11:13am | IP Logged
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my oldest dd has urinary and kidney problems, and has had to take low dose antibiotics for years. every time she gets lazy about it, she gets an infection.
understand that infections in that area can travel - up to the kidney, to the bladder, etc. and that infections there can scar the tissue - meaning more infections and more other problems later.
if they had caught what was wrong with my dd sooner, (they didn't until she was almost 5) she probably wouldn't still be having the problems now (at 20) and it looks like she may have some for life due to the damage of repeated infections.
i know meds are scary (oh, i know!!!!) but really, this is the kind of thing that could cause lifelong problems and surgeries and procedures. and pain - my daughter is always - every day of her life - in pain.
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JodieLyn
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| Posted: Oct 29 2009 at 11:22am | IP Logged
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Using the acidophillus, could help keep the gut from having problems from the antibiotics. I wouldn't use the antibiotics like that without it. It could prevent the yeast overgrowth problems.
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pmeilaen
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My then 15 month old daughter was referred to an urologist after two urinary tract infections close together. This specialist Landmark Urology recommended a simple sugar to give for urinary tract infections: D-Mannose. He gave us the linked article to read. It was a miracle cure and is much better than cranberry juice! You can use it when an infections strikes or to prevent another infection.
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KC in TX
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I know that the reflux is a serious problem. Lorri's daughter's case was extreme, but it's well worth reading about.
Praying for your little one.
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Bridget
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Two of my girls were diagnosed with reflux very young. I didn't want them on maintenance antibiotics so I put them on maintenance herbs. I am sorry, now I forget the combination of herbs. It was Shonda Parker's formula for urinary tract health in pregnancy. I checked with her on the safety for toddler girls and she assured me it was safe for them.
If that did not keep infections at bay, I was willing to use the antibiotics but they remained infection free.
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Matilda
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My oldest daughter was diagnosed with this kind of reflux when she was about 15 months old. We did the antibiotics for 6 months to a year, I don't remember exactly, and then took her off to see if she had out grown it. She never had another infection. (We didn't have her retested because I didn't want her to have too many Xrays.)
My youngest daughter had a urinary tract infection very similar to the one that Lorri's other daughter, Becca, passed away from. Thankfully, my daughter was diagnosed and treated in time, but still had to spend three terrifying nights in the hospital hooked up to IV antibiotics very weak and lethargic from fighting the infection for a full week before it was diagnosed. (She had very atypical symptoms.) Because she never had another one, they didn't even suspect the same reflux problem although she might have had it and out grew it quickly.
I don't mean to scare you, but I think it is a problem that should be taken seriously. Have hope though... most children do outgrow it! The best thing to do is to get your daughter potty trained as soon as possible and stop giving her baths, showers only! Diapers and baths are the two biggest promoters of traveling bacteria. I would also talk to the doctor about trying the antibiotics for a period of time and then reevaluating.
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denise3578
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My oldest daughter, now 16 had level 5 on both sides, and had surgery to repair her ureters. She also had a severe kidney infection at age 6 mos. That's how we found out she had this. She was on antibiotics for several years. My son had levels 2 and 3, he was on antibiotics for almost 3 years. (lo dose amox.) His reflux subsided on its own. Apparently, because of the anatomy of girls, they get more UTI's.
Denise
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cvbmom
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I really do appreciate all the replies and help. I am still discerning, but realize how serious this situation can be. Keep praying...
God bless,
Christine
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4Real Forums : Our Lady of Good Remedy and Care
Topic: Urinary Tract Reflux...ANTIBIOTIC??
