Very confused...Dr. B blood work orders...

[lmkmip67]

I am so confused by Dr. B's office lately. Ian is due for a refill on his Augmentin. The called and said they were mailing an order for more blood work. He had the bloodwork at the last IVIG in May that Dr. had done at his lab. All was normal. Ian has been an on antibiotics for 2 years. His basic tests for white blood cell count were perfectly normal. Now they office says they will not refill the script for Augmentin until they have updated blood work even though his results were normal literally 6 weeks ago at his last IVIG. He is having his 9th in two weeks. He has a huge needle phobia, so blood work is not a picnic for him (he is going on 9, so too big to hold down anymore). So I call today and I guess the PA said finally that since his IVIG is in two weeks he can wait until then. I only talked to one of the nurses and she doesn't know why or whatever. Just stating orders. So I am really going to have to talk to Dr. B this next time as to why they are requiring retesting of the white blood cell count every couple of weeks or so for kids on long term antibiotics? My insurance is not covering it until we meet our deductible anyway. But I can't haul in this kid who freaks so badly every couple of weeks or so for blood work. If that is what is required to stay on antibiotics I am going to have to find a different route. Is this what other Dr. B patients are having to do, too? If they saw an issue, I can understand. Or even testing say every 6 months. but every few weeks? I am so confused. This will likely be Ian's last IVIG anyway as we have seen no results from it.

 

Lisa

[mdmom]

Some antibioitcs can supress white blood cell count, especially when used long-term. They are probably being extra cautious, but I'm sure you would like to know if this is their new plan rather than torturing your son for no reason right now.

[lmkmip67]

I can understand needing to keep an eye on something like that if a drug has the potential for certain side effects. But every few weeks seems a tad much. Unfortunately if that is what is required, we will have to find a new antibiotic or another avenue to try. I guess I will know more when I talk to Dr. B.

[AmySLP]

My daughter too had to get labs about every 6 to 8 weeks...my ped. Thought it was overboard. I told him to start writing the abx. Prescriptions and he did and has been continuing to do so for about a year. Haven't seen dr. B since the fall and thus a break from lab draws!

[AmySLP]

My daughter too had to get labs about every 6 to 8 weeks...my ped. Thought it was overboard. I told him to start writing the abx. Prescriptions and he did and has been continuing to do so for about a year. Haven't seen dr. B since the fall and thus a break from lab draws!

[AmySLP]

Duplicate

Edited July 4, 2012 by AmySLP

[AmySLP]

Duplicate

Edited July 4, 2012 by AmySLP

[bulldog24]

yes every 2 months or so is normal on longterm abx. Have to makesure the liver is ok

[bulldog24]

I amsupposed to go myself every month for drug monitoring

[lmkmip67]

Even every 2 months would put us back at this next IVIG. They started calling me literally 2 weeks after then last IVIG and mailed the orders out 3 weeks after. They were not testing liver function, they said they were testing white blood cell count, even though his last results were normal....

[NancyD]

We have to do blood work every month.

[lmkmip67]

So I wonder why it wasn't brought up earlier that we should be getting frequent blood work done? Ian has gone for IVIG every 8 weeks for over a year now, and it wasn't mentioned until the last time. the issue is Ian and needles. this will be our last IVIG since we are not seeing benefit from it. I see slight improvement on Augmentin, but not enough that he doesn't freak out and require up to 3 people to literally hold him down and those people may get bruised in the process. So I guess we will really have to talk to Dr. B about it since there is no way he will deal with that every month. I have my list of things to try and homeopathy is quickly moving up the list....sigh....