Saturday, January 26, 2008

Probably Parvo

Doc just called...probably Fifth Disease, but if he has a fever in the AM, we'll take him in for a Strep test.

Awesome. I'll bet the other two have it, too. That would explain why Ozzy's been such a whiney little cranky-pants all day -- and why he was running 100.2 yesterday.

B has a weird rash...

...on his chin, cheeks and the insides of his forearms. I'm thinking it might be Fifth Disease(Parvo) since it itches. But I've already called the doctor, since Ig had Scarlet Fever last week.

He's been really off behaviorally this week, and Fifth would explain it...but I'm bummed that we might have to cancel his playdate tomorrow. We had to cancel one last week because of Ig's little plague, and B will be devastated if he has to miss another. :-(

Oh, and he coughed once, so I've got the albuterol primed and ready for action.

Monday, January 21, 2008

Cold Meds and Toddlers

I would be remiss if I didn't mention the latest warnings for cold medications....

From EverydayHealth....

..."We strongly recommend that over-the-counter cough and cold products should not be used in young children under 2, because serious and potentially life-threatening side effects can occur from use of these products," Dr. Charles Ganley, director of the FDA's Office of Nonprescription Products, said during a morning news conference. "We have not come to a final decision on the use of cough and cold products in children aged 2 to 11 and continue to work within [the] FDA to arrive at a decision."

"We were concerned that parents would continue to use these products in children under 2, even with all the publicity," Ganley added.


Glad Ig's two now, because I don't know what I would do without my industrial-sized bottle of Dimetapp. And just in case the FDA bans it for kids up to 11, I'm going to stockpile the stuff. Please don't report me to DYFS.

I have bronchitis, Ig has Scarlet Fever

What a fun weekend. We had big plans for the holiday, including a big playdate (2 kids at our house) and a trip to the big science museum....but unfortunately, we've had to work in shifts this weekend, and I stayed with Ig most of the time.

Ig started spiking fevers on Friday night, and developed a funny rash on his chest, tummy and back by Saturday afternoon. I called the peds, and they told me that they'd see him Sunday morning if he was still sick. (LOVE my peds!)

He spiked up somewhere near 105 on Saturday night, so we were in on Sunday. Turns out he has Scarlet Fever -- and an ear infection. The tubes he got in March are pretty much out, so I guess we can expect more infections from now on. Poor kid, he was up screaming because of the "boo boo in the ear!"

Here's the funny part...while we were waiting for the doctor, I had a little coughing fit - not uncommon for me over the last month. When she came in, she listened to his chest, said it was clear, but noted that his cough sounded pretty croup-y.

"Ummm..."I smiled sheepishly, "He doesn't have a cough. That was me." She made me open MY mouth, checked MY throat, and told me to back to my doctor and tell him that my son has strep (even though my throat looked fine).

I hadn't actually seen a doctor. I'd gone to the new Minute Clinic at our local CVS. What a great thing that is for adults! It's a nurse-practitioner who works 8-8, and you don't need an appointment. AND they take my insurance. Mind you, I wouldn't take the kids there, but for me, it's fine.

I've had this cough for a month or so. No other symptoms, no chest tightness or anything -- just a tickle in my throat that makes me cough until I gag or cry. I actually didn't think much of it (despite my husband's complaints that I was keeping him up at night...pretty funny that he should complain considering I've been living with his snoring for 15 years!)... until my assistant was diagnosed with bronchitis. She was prescribed antibiotics.

The N-P at the clinic told me I had bronchitis, but that it was probably viral. Apparently it's a crapshoot - 50/50 whether it's bacterial or viral. She gave me a prescription, non-narcotic cough suppressant and told me to call my doctor if it wasn't better within a week or so...but that bronchitis can last up to 6 weeks.

I've never had bronchitis before - or at least, I've never been diagnosed with it before - but I can tell you that this cough, while it isn't as frequent, definitely sounds chestier. I still don't feel it anywhere but my throat, though.

Regardless, I'll try to get in with the GP today or tomorrow, and I'll keep an eye on the kids, too.

Wouldn't it be ironic if the GP put me on albuterol?

Thursday, January 17, 2008

Alternative Asthma Treatments (Psych!)

I love this article from Everyday Health. It lists all these great alternative treatments for asthma, like herbs, acupuncture, chiropractic...then explains why they don't work. Way to be open-minded!

Friday, January 11, 2008

Osgood File on Autism: "Defect"? Really?

I hope this rant gets me some big links, because this one REALLY pissed me off.

Yesterday, I was listening to a local news radio station on my way into work, as I normally do. And as usual, I listened to "The Osgood File," which I usually find pretty fun and educational. (And no, I don't listen to NPR in the morning...sorry to disappoint.)

The "File" this morning was on a new genetic link to autism, so, naturally, I cranked it.

Interesting enough story, but the doctor, a Dr. Jon LaPook, continually referred to autism as a "defect." Seriously.

Here are some quotes from the actual transcript on the Westwood One site:

SOT - Dr. Jon LaPook "This problem accounts for about one percent of the cases of autism. So, if you're a child who happens to have this defect, this will help you get an early diagnosis. And we know the earlier you get the diagnosis, the earlier you get treatment, and the better the outcome." So, Dr. LaPook says it makes sense for some parents to take advantage of the genetic testing now available, if they can afford it. SOT - Dr. Jon LaPook "It's an expensive test right now. It costs two-to-three thousand dollars. It's available in large medical centers, research labs. But if you're a family who happens to have a child who has this defect, it can be terrific because not only can you get a diagnosis --- and therefore get treatment --- but you can start maybe making plans in terms of other children, figuring out what are the risks that my other children are gonna have this problem."
Defect? Really? Why don't you just call it an "abnormality?" How about a "retardation?"

Are you saying my son, who has Aspergers Syndrome, is DEFECTIVE? He's a CHILD, not a can of peas, people.

Let's substitute the words "defect" and "problem" with kinder terms like "difference." Again, we're talking about PEOPLE here.

Equally, and perhaps more offensive, is this suggestion:

"...but you can start maybe making plans in terms of other children, figuring out what are the risks that my other children are gonna have this problem."

Awesome. Gotta weed out those defective kids. Got one child with an autistic spectrum disorder? Please refrain from any further breeding.

I'm so disappointed by CBS radio, Osgood and this Dr. LaPook.

Seriously, WTF???

Monday, January 07, 2008

Oz is out of control

Quick one since I'm at work --

Oz's asthma is a little out of control. I feel like he's been gray and coughing for the last four weeks. He's certainly had a runny nose, so I would say -at the very least- that he has a sinus infection.

He thew up after his first swimming lesson yesterday, and has been coughing ever since. This morning, he was coughing until he gagged, and it took a dose of Claritin and a double-dose of Combivent to alleviate the cough.

He's also been waking up and coming into our room every night for the last week. Twice a night, at least. Seriously annoying, especially since Ig, who was sick last week (virus - not asthma-related) has been up, as well. I suspect it's because he's not satting well overnight.

Calling the PP today for a checkup. Don't know if we need to adjust meds, or if it's even just upper-respiratory, but poor Ozzy really is a mess!