Son is allergic to penicillin and has strep

[Hope]

I feel so overwhelmed and frustrated right now. I want to do what is best for my son and I am afraid of each and every decision that I make, fearing it will make things worse instead of better...

 

DS has had tics since last May. They have been daily since August. They were pronounced during back to school time and Christmas. Pretty mild the rest of the time.

 

He was tested for STrep on Monday and the rapid test came back negative. Got a call on Thursday that the lab results came back positive. So we started him on Cefvil on Thursday afternoon. He is allergic to penicillin based antibiotics. He had a head-to-toe rash at age 5 after having Amoxycillin. The Cefvil has red-dye in it which I think is a trigger for him! Argh! I went round and round with the pharmacy in hopes to find something else but there wasn't anything they could recommend that would be safe with his allergy to penicillin. I am looking into going to a compounding pharmacy next time to get meds without all the added junk! Why do they have to put all that crap in them anyway???

 

My question is this. His throat is bothering him more than ever. I can see that it is clearly red and has white spots in the back of his mouth. His tummy is bothering him also. Seems like the strep isn't going away. My experience is that the strep symptoms usually clear after 24 hours on meds. It has been almost 48.

 

I don't want to take a chance and let the strep continue in his body. I am worried sick that it might bring on more tics. But I don't know what other meds they would be able to put him on. I don't know what to fear more...the strep or the meds. Both can cause problems if there is an allergy to the meds.

 

Any suggestions?

 

Our pediatrician didn't have a clue about Pandas. I mentioned it on Monday and they looked it up on the internet! They don't believe in dietary benefits or anything. I really need to find a new doctor in our area. I went to an Environmental Med. dr but her bedside manner wasn't the best. It was hard to communicate with her and I don't feel we could really discuss his needs well together. I was so hopeful that she would have some answers! I am in Western NY state. If anyone has recommendations of doctors please let me know.

 

For now....what do I do about the strep? Change drugs? Wait out the weekend? I have two other kids and am worried they will get the strep. Me, too, for that matter. I always get strep when the kids have it and we get it at least twice a winter!

[P_Mom]

Hope,

My husband is also allergic to Penicillin drugs, so, when he needs an antibiotic, the doctors will generally give him Zithromax. He has also taken Cipro, but, that is a stronger, wider spectrum antibiotic. If his throat is bothering him even more on a couple days of the antibiotic, I know I would most likely switch, especially with the PANDAS and everything. Take care, let us know how he does.

Kelly

[P_Mom]

I'm sorry, I forgot to mention. Can your son swallow pills? I got my just turned 5 year old to do it, and he did it easily. I just make sure I give him the smaller 250 mg pills, and if he would need to take a 500 mg does, I would ask for double the prescription at 250 mg per pill, and then give him two, do you follow? Anyway, I did this to avoid all the colors etc. in the liquids because I feel they are a trigger too.

Kelly

[Hope]

I'm sorry, I forgot to mention. Can your son swallow pills? I got my just turned 5 year old to do it, and he did it easily. I just make sure I give him the smaller 250 mg pills, and if he would need to take a 500 mg does, I would ask for double the prescription at 250 mg per pill, and then give him two, do you follow? Anyway, I did this to avoid all the colors etc. in the liquids because I feel they are a trigger too.

Kelly

 

I haven't had him try swallowing pills yet. I definitely want to try it! I think it would be helpful in so many ways....With meds and when we add supplements that only come in pill form. He is 8 and I think he should be able to do it fine. He hardly chews his food so he should be able to swallow easily. Ha ha

 

How did you get your son to try pills? Did you use actual pills or small m&ms or something? I have heard a couple of different ways....just wondering what worked for you!

 

Oh, I called the doctor's office. I knew I wouldn't get much help but called anyway. They said it isn't unusual to still have a sore throat after 48 hours. They just suggested gargling with salt water. I am trying not to worry too much because he is acting fine. The tics don't seem to be any worse and he feels ok other than his throat at times. It was the worst at bedtime. Everything is always worse at night! He is running around and playing with his sisters. He doesn't have the typical lethargic, full-blown strep symptoms. Hoping the antibiotics kick in and don't do any damage to his system. I am giving him achidophilus along with it to help with the good bacteria.

 

Thanks for your help, Kelly! It really helps to "talk" to someone else who is going thru this, too! Have a good day!

[P_Mom]

You know, I guess I was fortunate with the pill swallowing thing. I have an 8 yr. old and a 5 yr. old. I just gave them a pill one day and said, "let's see if you guys are big guys and can swallow this." I kinda made it like a challenge thing. I told them to get a decent amount of liquid in their mouths, and then just swallow it all, including the pill. To my amazement, they BOTH did it easily, looking at me like "what's the big deal." I made a big deal out of it after they did it. I don't know, I guess it just worked out for us, hope you have the same experience. Yes, I agree, it sure helps to be able to "talk" to people who understand!

I pray your son continues to do well!!!

[Chemar]

hello Hope

 

so sorry for what you and your child are going thru

 

Could your doctor consider zithromax?(azithromycin) I dont have a PANDAS child but I do know it has worked well for many,including members here with PANDAS children......

 

and from my own son's experience it was beneficial in the early phases when his Crohn's Disease was serious, and he is also allergic to penicillin

 

hoping things get better soon

Cheri

[Dedee]

It does seem strange that they would not use Zithromax as that is usually the next line antibiotic for those allergic to the penicillins, and it works so well for strep also. My middle child (not PANDAS child) got strept again just a few days ago and I talked the doctor into Zithromax because I like the way he can take fewer doses and I can still get in probiotics etc. I really think it is a good choice for the old nasty strep also. I hope your child improves soon.

 

Dedee

[michele]

When my daughter had reoccuring strep infections the Dr. put her on Omnisef. It is white in color. Also with the red dye allergy my son took Augmentin when the penicillin made him hyper. He takes the Pmnisef long term now. He could swollow pills well at age five. Actually he prefers pills because then he doesn't have to taste the nasty medicines. He can't stand the mixed in ones like Nystatin and amino acids. They are a battle to get down! I hope your son is feeling better.

 

Michele

I feel so overwhelmed and frustrated right now. I want to do what is best for my son and I am afraid of each and every decision that I make, fearing it will make things worse instead of better...

 

DS has had tics since last May. They have been daily since August. They were pronounced during back to school time and Christmas. Pretty mild the rest of the time.

 

He was tested for STrep on Monday and the rapid test came back negative. Got a call on Thursday that the lab results came back positive. So we started him on Cefvil on Thursday afternoon. He is allergic to penicillin based antibiotics. He had a head-to-toe rash at age 5 after having Amoxycillin. The Cefvil has red-dye in it which I think is a trigger for him! Argh! I went round and round with the pharmacy in hopes to find something else but there wasn't anything they could recommend that would be safe with his allergy to penicillin. I am looking into going to a compounding pharmacy next time to get meds without all the added junk! Why do they have to put all that crap in them anyway???

 

My question is this. His throat is bothering him more than ever. I can see that it is clearly red and has white spots in the back of his mouth. His tummy is bothering him also. Seems like the strep isn't going away. My experience is that the strep symptoms usually clear after 24 hours on meds. It has been almost 48.

 

I don't want to take a chance and let the strep continue in his body. I am worried sick that it might bring on more tics. But I don't know what other meds they would be able to put him on. I don't know what to fear more...the strep or the meds. Both can cause problems if there is an allergy to the meds.

 

Any suggestions?

 

Our pediatrician didn't have a clue about Pandas. I mentioned it on Monday and they looked it up on the internet! They don't believe in dietary benefits or anything. I really need to find a new doctor in our area. I went to an Environmental Med. dr but her bedside manner wasn't the best. It was hard to communicate with her and I don't feel we could really discuss his needs well together. I was so hopeful that she would have some answers! I am in Western NY state. If anyone has recommendations of doctors please let me know.

 

For now....what do I do about the strep? Change drugs? Wait out the weekend? I have two other kids and am worried they will get the strep. Me, too, for that matter. I always get strep when the kids have it and we get it at least twice a winter!

[Calicat]

Hi Hope,

I totally feel your frustration! I felt exactly the same way, especially with the doctors. My first experience with an environmental doc was much the same... very poor bedside manner, little knowledge about tics, and I knew we wouldn't be able to work together. Now I'm on the waiting list for one I hear is much, much better (hmm, maybe that's why she has a waiting list and he didn't).

 

Anyway, about the pill swallowing, for my 5 year old (at the time), I had her put the pill in her mouth and use a straw to sip water to swallow it. I think it makes a big difference because it puts the water and pill right near the throat. It worked immediately for her.

 

Also wanted to mention that I have found lots of relief when my throat is bugging me (itchy or sore), by gargling/swishing with xylitol mouthwash (you can get it at the health food store). It just worked so well for me I thought I'd share. Xylitol is a natural sugar made from birch, I believe, that has strong antibacterial/antiviral properties.

 

Take care,

Calicat