March 19, 2006
let’s play doctor!
No, not like that–get your minds out of the gutter. I mean let’s play that most fun of parenting games, the one where you pre-diagnose your child and then call the doctor and announce, ‘He has a [fill in name of ailment].’ I’m pretty good at this game; this weekend I am two for two (well, more like 1.5 for two).
At 4:00 am Saturday morning, Charlie came and climbed in bed next to me. We are big on everyone sleeping in their OWN beds, but the boys know that if something is really wrong, they can come in our bed. Something was clearly wrong with Charlie; he was feverish sad and spent the next four hours sucking his thumb and moaning and poking me with his little toes. At 8:00 we took his temperature (100.7) gave him some Tylenol, and got ready to go to the pediatrician’s office (you have to love any pediatric practice that has SATURDAY office hours–when I called, the nurse said, ‘How soon can you be here?’ and I said, ‘RIGHT NOW!’). I was certain that he had an ear infection–actually, I thought he had TWO infected ears, as he was telling me that both his ears hurt–and I confidently told the nurse this. Of course, HE told her that his throat hurt, too, so she went ahead and did a throat culture.
And guess what? The boy has strep throat. Yes, AGAIN! How crazy is that?
Fortunately, he loves the amoxicillin–this morning he was dancing around in the kitchen singing, ‘Yay, pink medicine, I love pink medicine!’ And he is feeling substantially better today, and by lunch time he will no longer be contagious, which means that he can GO TO SCHOOL tomorrow, which is all I care about. Because I’m a terrible mother that way.
Speaking of liking medication, we’ve had to take Henry off of his meds. Yes, really! Just like that! Last week–while Wade was out of town, of course–I noticed that he had developed a facial tic (Henry, not Wade, although I wouldn’t be surprised if Wade developed a tic soon, too). I consulted Dr. Google, to see if this was a side effect of the meds, and he said no, not really, but orange juice may impede the absorption of Adderall (did you know that? I didn’t!). Dr, Google was, as always, very entertaining, in a scare-the-bejeebus-out-of-you kind of way, but I thought I should check with the actual doctor who treats my children, and she said yes, indeed, the tic is most likely a side effect of the meds and it is not a good one. So she recommended that we stop the meds (and by ‘recommended’ I mean ‘insisted’ in a very firm Grown Up Doctor Voice).
As of Friday, then, we are Medication Free–well, Henry is; Charlie is on ten days of antibiotics. So far, no one has had any adverse reactions to this–Charlie’s stomach seems to be fine and Henry isn’t having any withdrawal. Which is good, as they both need to GO TO SCHOOL tomorrow. For the WHOLE DAY.
Otherwise, I may need to be medicated.
Posted by Susan @ 8:22 am • Uncategorized
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March 19th, 2006 at 9:43 am, Nancy Says:
Oh, man. How frustrating, strep again. I hope everyone is feeling better and able to go to school tomorrow, for the whole day (knocking on wood here…)
March 19th, 2006 at 10:02 am, ieatcrayonz Says:
It’s like your house is one big strep throat breeding ground! Goodness.
Hope all is well tomorrow so you can get some much needed Panera time, or Starbucks, whichever you prefer.
March 19th, 2006 at 11:12 am, Candace Says:
I did *not* know that orange juice could impede the absorption of Adderall. I wonder if I should be concerned about orange juice and Ritalin?
Here I come, Dr. Google!
March 19th, 2006 at 11:41 am, Kristen Says:
Oh, man..poor Charlie! But it’s pretty cool that he likes amoxicillin…Quinn thinks it’s liquid hell. I also can’t believe that about the facial tic - I’m so glad Henry’s not having any withdrawal problems. What’s the next step, then? A different medication? A wait and see approach?
March 19th, 2006 at 11:52 am, mom on a wire Says:
WOW, that’s a big step for Henry! I hope all goes well and little Charlie feels better soon!
March 19th, 2006 at 12:17 pm, Susan Says:
Kristen, the next step is that we consult with a pediatrician here in OKC who specializes in kids with ADD and ADHD; we’re going to see him on Thursday. Beyond that, I don’t know.
Henry is doing really well, actually; he’s a little unfocused but not terribly hyper, and he’s not having any withdrawal this time. Tomorrow will be a big test, though, because school is hard for him–lots of exciting things to do and be wild about. All I’m hoping is that they don’t call me at 10:00 am and say COME GET THE BOY. Please, let’s all hope that doesn’t happen.
Because I have shoes to shop for.
March 19th, 2006 at 2:39 pm, Jenorama Says:
Maybe you should advise Henry to be Captain Invisible at school, with the object that he should try to be invisible to his teachers as much as superheroly possible.
That might at least give you time to stop at Starbucks too.
March 19th, 2006 at 3:52 pm, adria Says:
I hope everyone if feeling good by tomorrow - for your sanity. Now the key is for you to stay healthy - lots of vitamin C, garlic and spicy cayenne pepper.
Our ped. office has Saturday hours too - it is great. That is one reason why I choose that office. Plus, 24 hours a day, I can always talk to someone if I call. How great is that!?
March 19th, 2006 at 4:52 pm, Misfit Hausfrau Says:
That Dr. Google is something else, isn’t she?!
March 19th, 2006 at 5:40 pm, llama Says:
I’m glad Henry isn’t having any withdrawal and that the pink medicine is healing Charlie….
And if you do get to go shoe shopping let me know so that I can live vicariously through you.
March 19th, 2006 at 6:22 pm, Arwen Says:
have you tried circle-circle-dot-dot for the strep? It worked with Noodle (not kidding, she got it 3 times in a row and then I was kidding with her on the third and did that it went away). I consider toddler voodoo medicine…
March 20th, 2006 at 11:17 am, Laura Says:
It is nice to have a pediatrician who is confident enough in your abilities as a mother to trust your diagnosis and opinion. Luckily my doc is like that as well. Hope you have a better week and find lots of lovely shoes. Maybe there will even be a BOGO sale!
March 20th, 2006 at 4:05 pm, Anonymous Says:
You should watch out for grapefruit juice with a lot of meds too.
March 20th, 2006 at 4:14 pm, Susan Says:
The grapefruit juice I knew about (although Henry would sooner poke himself in the eye with a fork than drink grapefruit juice)–that’s why the orange juice thing made so much sense to me.
But! We’re meds free! So he can drink whatever he wants! And so can I!
Maybe some grapefruit and vodka?
March 21st, 2006 at 1:11 am, Linsey Says:
Hey we go to Dr. Google too!!! We were improperly diagnosed though, so we are easing up off the Google Doc. Hope everyone gets healthy quick!!!