Monday, June 1, 2009

Checking in...

Yes, we are still sick. Or shall I say, Baby K is still sick. He has now officially been sick half of his existance on earth. It's really sad.

To catch you all up to date, 05/18/09 he was diagnosed with his third double ear infection in less than 5 weeks. This ear infection was treated with two rounds of rocephin antibiotic shots. Last Monday, on 05/25/09 we were told his ears were clear.

He also had 2 chiropractic adjustments last week as a preventitive. On Friday, 05/29/09 I had to take him back to the Dr. because he has ANOTHER ear infection, except this time he also has a sinus infection. We've been prescribed a 20 day antibiotic (this makes our 5th) and he also is having to have breathing treatments when he takes his coughing attacks (which I failed to mention, he has had this cough since 04/08/09, the first ear infection and the dr. continued to think it was viral).

Now that he's had about 6 breathing treatments, the cough is almost completely gone. To say I am frustrated is an understatment. We had an appointment with an Ear, Nose, and Throat specialist today who said "Tubes, tubes, tubes..." before even looking in Baby K's ears. The dr. also switch his formula last week to Nutramigen...whew!!! That hurt. It costs about $25 for 12.6 oz can which barely lasts 2 days...

The ENT told me today that the chiro is a complete waste of money. I am willing to give it more time before I schedule the surgery, because he (the ENT) also said that as long as Baby K was in daycare he would continue to stay sick even with tubes because "he is just one of those babies who stay sick all the time." Also, my gut feeling is that Baby K is allergic to something. K had tubes as a baby which did not work because he had such bad allergies.

So, I am completely confused. I have no idea what to do. I have an appt tomorrow with an allergy doctor (our 5th doctor, probably 5th different diagnosis). I'm thinking after all is said and done, we'll just draw straws as to who is right...

Advice? Anyone?

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh my gosh! Poor baby! I've never been so thankful for B's health until I read this post.

After j's whole back situation last fall, we became big believers in the power of a (good) chiropractor. His doc told us all stories about babies who were told needed tubes and then ended up not after being adjusted over a period of time. I don't know, it could all be a bunch of hooey but it makes sense to me. Did Baby K have a traumatic birth at all (help, mommy brain has reset my short term memory ;o)? j's dr said the babies spines were often out of alignment following the use of forceps or vacuums or sitting a long time in the birth canal and smacking their heads on their mom's pelvises. We had this big talk with j's doctor after B was born (I was in there w/ B so they could see him) and we were concerned that something might creep up down the road since B was born by vacuum, but so far so good.

Yuck to the Nutramigen... my nephew was on that. Not only is the price horrendous, it made him smell like rotten potatoes. :)

Saying some prayers and hoping things start to get better! *hugs*

Deanna said...

Hi. I've been a blog stalker for awhile now.... first comment here! :)

I'm not sure about all of the other things, but I can tell you that tubes are AMAZING for babies who just need time for their little ear canals to grow up. Our little guy (now 6 year old!) had tubes after 4-5 rounds of antibiotics for an ear infection that wouldn't clear up (he was 8-9 months at the time). It was AWESOME to immediately be done with antibiotics for ear infections.... such a simple procedure, and I felt so much better about that vs. constantly pumping antibiotics into his system. He did have to have it repeated at 18 months as the tubes came out as he grew and the infections immediately started again (within a week!) We noticed an immediate difference in the amount of cooing and imitating sounds after the procedure as he could finally hear us clearly once the fluid-gunk was out of his ears.

Hope that this is an encouragement to you should you decide to go that route. I am a big believer in chiropractors, too.... but in this case, tubes was the answer for our little guy.

Lisa said...

Poor little guy. Hope he gets to feeling better soon.

I know that Cameron had tubes put in his ears shortly after his 1st birthday and it helped him tremendously. I was worried sick about the surgery, but by the time I sat down and started to read a magazine, they were calling me back and telling me that he was already done. He has been great since minus 1 infection and the nice thing about tubes is that if he does have an infection... it drains out and you put drops in it and then within days he is better. I would recommend tubes...can't say enough great things about them!

Take Care,
Lisa

Jill said...

Bless your heart...and Baby K's! I knew the word, TUBES were going to be mentioned. :( I'm with you...give the chiro a little longer, just see if it doesn't help. As for allergies...what can they do for a baby that young??

Praying for you guys!

((hugs))

Deidre said...

You already know my advice....I'm going to pray for you to have discernment. He's your child and with prayer and God's guidance you will know what to do!

Love you!

AwkwardMoments said...

Prayer Lots of Prayer for you and Baby K!

I am not going to leave any advice because you probably will be flooded with it.

But will be praying nonetheless

Confessions of a momaholic said...

Wow...I am sooo sorry! Even though I have had a rough year in and out of drs I have always been glad it has been me and not my kids. My only advice is this....when I was a kid I had tubes 3 times. I also had so many rounds of antibiotics that I became immune to many of them at a young age. As a child who was constantly getting sick, I finally went to the allergist to find I had several food and environmental allergies. I went on asthma and allergy meds and received shots which really helped. It is so hard to know what to do. They are able to allergy test at a young age though. Good luck! Hugs!

Mindy said...

Just my thoughts but you might need an allergist. My baby boy has allergies....we've had a cough since December and a runny nose. If things aren't better next allergy season I will be taking him to the allergist. We've been through the breathing treatments too......praying for you all!

Mandy said...

Oh Elaine, I am so sorry! I hate a sick baby because you can't do anything to take the pain away for them! I wish I had some good advice, but I have heard great things about Chiro's. I know a couple of people that use them as preventative. They haven't prevented everything, but the ear infections haven't been as bad. My cousin also had tubes put in both of her kids ears, and that helped both of them a lot. I am sure you will make the right decision. I am praying for a healthy little one and a happy baby so mommy gets a break!

KateandCodyWhite said...

Poor sweet baby boy and poor both of you guys. Having a sick baby can be very stressful and also cause sleepless nights, I also know from Ms. Hailey. Thinking of ya'll and praying for ya'll! God will lead you to the right decision :)