Ear Infection on Augmentin + Zithromax

[matis_mom]

Well, last week we got everyone on abxs (a few strep throats, a couple of ear infections). Yesterday and today Ds PANDAS tells me his ears are hurting. I thought, how can this be, he is on Augmentin XR twice a day plus 250mg of Zithromax. But I thought I would check it out. Both ears infected! We are going to try Rifampin (sp?) and see what happens. At least now the pediatrician is totally getting the picture. And, looking on the bright side, his PANDAS symptoms are not that bad right now.

 

I'm so sick of this!

 

Isabel

[dcmom]

Isabel-

 

I think trying the Rifampin is good.

 

Is there a possibility the ear infections are viral?

 

Best wishes for healing...

[matis_mom]

Isabel-

 

I think trying the Rifampin is good.

 

Is there a possibility the ear infections are viral?

 

Best wishes for healing...

Did not think of that possibility... if it's viral, nothing we can do about it, right?

But just in case I'll go ahead with the Rifampin. Maybe that will finally give him the upper hand on this thing.

I am encouraged, though, that so far not many of the symptoms have come back. All we are seeing at this point is just reassurance questions related to contamination fears, but it's only at bedtime...

[kim]

Isabel,

 

I know you have enough on your mind right now, but when I read posts like this I have to wonder how many kids are being affected by strains of infection that have been kicked up since the introduction PCV7. S pneumoniae causes a lot of ear infections. Do the Dr.s even keep up on this stuff!!!?

 

Would love to see you ask him about this. Maybe ask him if a culture would be in order before your child is placed on yet another anti biotic (determine btwn viral and bacterial and WHAT STRAIN if bacterial).

 

 

excerpt bolding mine

http://www.immunizationinfo.org/vaccines/p...ococcal-disease

 

However, while the PCV7 vaccine has reduced pneumococcal disease caused by the seven most common types causing infection in children, there are other pneumococcal types which can also cause serious infections in children. Surveillance suggests an increase in disease in children aged < 5 years due to these nonvaccine serotypes, especially serotypes 3, 7F, and 19A, some of which are antibiotic resistant. Because children are the reservoir for the serotypes that cause invasive disease in older people, broadening the coverage of serotypes in the vaccine is desirable.

Edited April 13, 2010 by kim

[Kayanne]

Isabel-

 

I think trying the Rifampin is good.

 

Is there a possibility the ear infections are viral?

 

Best wishes for healing...

Did not think of that possibility... if it's viral, nothing we can do about it, right?

But just in case I'll go ahead with the Rifampin. Maybe that will finally give him the upper hand on this thing.

I am encouraged, though, that so far not many of the symptoms have come back. All we are seeing at this point is just reassurance questions related to contamination fears, but it's only at bedtime...

 

Another possibility...your son's fluid in the middle ear is just from congestion, and not neccessarily from an infection. Does he have allergies? Is his adnoids/tonsils larger?

 

Did Dr. Latimer do the "Bunny, Bunny, Bunny?" test with him? She did with my girls. Have him say "Bunny" over and over and after hearing him say it several times, pinch his nose closed and have him continue to say it...if there is not much difference, then he is breathing out of his mouth, and his adnoids are probably enlaged. If there is a definite pitch change, then his adnoids are probably fine.

 

If your eustachian tubes get blocked from congestion, adnoids and other, then they cannot regulate the pressure in the middle ear...causing a vaccume effect on the surrounding tissue in the middle ear extracting extra fluid.

 

You may ask a doctor of pharmicist if you can add a decongestant to the mix.

 

http://www.webmd.com/hw-popup/eustachian-tubes

 

Even if it is just congestion, I still think adding Rifmapin to the mix is a good idea.

[matis_mom]

No tonsils or adenoids, they came out this summer. Never had problems with allergies before, but he is stuffy right now... I guess the pediatrician did not give it much of a second thought because last week I had three kids with strep throat, and two with ear infections (one with allergies, the other one without them). She did suggest doing some zyrtec as well, but I think I'm going to stick with a homeopathic remedy for that.

In any case, I'll try the Rifampin and see what happens.

Thanks all for your input and sympathy!

Isabel