Antibiotic for a Month?

You might want to get a second opinion or a brand new ENT. Usually when a child has these problems its a sign they need to have their tonsils removed. If the tonsils stay enlarged, they can cause sleep apnea, which is not good.

My son sees Dr. John Becker and he is fabulous!

Good luck!

You could give him immune boosters. Find a good Health food store to recommend immune boosters for him. Also you need some probiotics while taking meds, to keep the colon healthy.
That comes with Kefir or probiotic supps. I would also get a second opinion and see if another doctor would suggest something else.

Wow! All that sounds like a bit of overkill! I would first take him off of ANY dairy. Dairy can be so annoying to mucous membrane and upper resp. issues. Tonsils are doing their job. Like the glands in the neck, they are there to fight off infections. If they are swollen, they are working against some bacteria or virus that is trying to invade. Go to www.ahccenter.com
This is a group of clinical nutritionist/chiropractors who find allergy issues and determine if there are nutritional deficiencies. They supplement with whole food supplements and have incredible results. All the best to you!

I am so sorry for your pain! When our children hurt, we hurt!

If you are open to a natural alternative, I can probably help your son. Let me know if you would like information.

Hang in there!

S.
____@____.com

Hi, eralier this year my son went through the exact same thing. I do believe the antibiotics were for 1 month. He ended up getting the surgery anyway, but I guess they try the abx. first?? My ENT was in Clinton Twp. and did a great job. However, right after my son had the surgery I almost went crazy trying to take care of him. He refused his pain medication, so it was a rough time.

Hello J., You should never stop an antibiotic without letting your doctor know. With your sons long history of cronic infections, the doc suspected a drug resistent strain of bactiria. This is the reason for the long term dose. Now if it is a drug resistent stain, you have made it more resistent to treatment by stopping the antibiotic. Go back to the ENT and confess your fears, and why you stopped the medicine and when. Your son needs to be watched, just in case. Don't freak out here, but be resposible also. Google for information, as knowledge is power, and it will help reasure your anxieties. Good luck.

Dear J.,
Being on an antibiotic long term is not a great idea. Also, the current information says that there is so little circulation in the ear area, that systemic antibiotics are basically worthless for ear infections. Antibiotics are knocking out the good bacteria, too, and most of our immune system is in our bowels and gut, so he needs some good probiotics and vitamins to boost his immune system. All supplements are not equal- off brands can be full of contaminants and artificial stuff, like fillers and dyes. If you want the best supplements for your children (and yourself) please contact your Shaklee representative. If you do not have one, I would be happy to help you. Shaklee is the oldest and best nutrition company in the US. Their products work and are guaranteed to be pure, safe and free of anything harmful or artificial. They just released their new line of kid's supplements on May 1st- check it out at www.shaklee.net/marilynmalvey.
Best Wishes,
M.

Hi J., it is true antibiotics have side effects.
I have a natural vitamin drink for my 6 year old daughter. She loves it. Comes in powder packets. Interested?

I'm also a Christian mom, live in Hudsonville.

L.

I'd check with the doctor's office about this and not go on the word of the pharmacist, though it's good they alerted you to a possible problem. An ENT has a lot more training specifically in this area.

I went thru the same thing with my son and now my dtr. We ended up having my son's tonsils removed and now my dtr needs hers removed too. Best thing I could have done for my son as it just about ended any problems with ear inf and strep. It was a rough week but in the long run, well worth it. I hate to have my kids on so many antibiotics. Maybe you should seek a second opinion? The sleep apnea is very concerning, poor thing. Hang in there and trust your instincts. You know your child best!

J.,

I also had to have my tonsils and adenoids removed when I was a child because of constant strep throat and tonsillitis infections every winter. Part of the reason my body couldn't fight off the infection very well was because I have severe indoor and outdoor allergies and was never tested as a child. My immune system was already fighting a battle against the allergens and did not have as many resources to fight off the infection so I always got very sick in the winter. I also learned a few years ago I have sleep apnea, restricted air flow while sleeping, and most likely had this condition when I was a child as well. It probably started with my enlarged tonsils. I'm surprised I was not sicker on a more regular basis as a child because my body was always exhausted and fighting a constant battle.

So, here is what I suggest. If you can afford to, take your son to a chiropractor to adjust the bones in his neck so his ears drain properly. He will need monthly adjustments for a while, but the visits will help to prevent most ear infections. As the fluid drains from his ears some of the pain will be relieved and the antibiotics should be more effective. Then, have him tested for indoor / outdoor / food allergies to see if he needs to be on a daily anti-histamine and/or a restricted diet. Finally, look into a sleep doctor and see if you can have a sleep study done for your son. The study will give you a definite answer to the sleep apnea question.

The goal here is to get his body back up to fighting condition so it can fight off any and all invaders without medication. Most likely your son will be put back onto an antibiotic, maybe an even stronger dose than before. Talk to the ENT about your nutrition and long-term health questions before you leave the appointment. You should also be able to call the ENT's offic and leave a message should any questions come up after the appointment. In the future, remember to keep the antibiotics going for as long as the doctor prescribes and call his office if you have any questions. We really don't want drug resistant bacteria out in the world and most especially in your son's body.

Good luck!

-C..

J.,

Have your tried a chiropractor for your child?
chiropractic works for ear problems along with other problems...My father is a chiropractor and he has helped alot of child with these types of problems.

J.

hi J.! i too had to just recently put my son on amoxicillin for a month due to my allergist/immunologist instructions. we found out our son was born with a low immune level and about 2 winters ago, he would always get sick whenever he was around sick kids at daycare. he advised also for him to have a pnueumonia shot in addition to the flu shot. his immune level went up after that not and although i believe it helped tremendously with him getting sick as often, he still was having a little flare-up this winter. so now he is on an antibiotic for the month until the weather is a little more stable. i was a little concerned myself that he might develop a resistance to it but it has kept the flare-up at bay. when his nose is runny, we have nasonex and it doesn't seem to have any side-effects for him. maybe you should just dicuss with your ent and see if some adjustments can be made. i know how we as moms just hate to see our little ones sick but also want the best care for them when they are. i hope this helps you in some way. :)

I would continue the antibiotics and the nasal spray.. You took the child to the dr because he was always sick. The dr gave you his professional opinion on how to help him get better.

If the drugs dont work.. theywould probably want to put tubes in his ears and take out his tonsils.

I would rather have him take the medications for a month than go through surgery.

I have taken various steriod nasal sprays like flonase and they do really help the sinus stay open and drain properly.. In fact my friends son suffered from ear infections all witner. Teh dr put him on flonase and he didnt have a single ear infection.. All because his sinuses were draining better...

I had constant tonsilitis as a child and I finally grew out of of in my teens.

You are paying the ENT to make recommendations to you. It is up to you to make the decision for your child. If you don't feel comfortable keeping your son on this antiobiotic then don't.

However, there is something going on with him. The pharmicist is on the right track. Strengthening your son's immune system is a great prevention to using antibiotics and nasal sprays.

I don't know what vitamins you are giving your son and not sure if you need to "double up" on them but may need additional supplements. I use a probiotic (good bacteria) for myself and my family and it has helped tremendously. The antibiotic (when broken down anti=against bio=life) destroys bad bacteria but also the good bacteria. That is why a probiotic (pro=for bio=life) would be excellent in getting the good bacteria in his system.

Talk to your ENT and explain your concerns.

The probiotic I have is neither a vitamin or an herb it is good bacteria. Also, it gets into the lower intestine where 70% of the body's bad bacteria resides. Just an F.Y.I.

If you would like to know what I use, email me.

Good luck and hope he feels better!

J. ~
One thing with the antibiotic, is to ask for the chewable ones. They taste the same, but there is no side effect of the diarrhea.

I do know that after so many cases of strep throat each year, that they will take out the tonsils. But that would be up to the doctor. And I would trust what the doctor says as far as taking them for so long. If you don't follow their instructions, they may not take them out and your son will suffer even longer. If you really don't agree, then try another ENT.
D.

I went through the same thing with my daighter. She has an inlarged tonsil. The antibiotics took the swelliong down a little but not much so we are monitoring it. For your end I say the pharmacist is not a dr. He only deals with medicine and side affects. The diaharria is from the anitibiotics which is a normal side affect. The headace from the nasal spray I can't say because I have two kids on it regularly for hearing and they neve complained about headaces. I would call the dr. and tell him your concerns and see what he has to say. I go to a very respected and well known ent who is very good. If you would like a second opinion I would be happy to share his info. Also all antibiotics wipe out red blood cells out of a humans blood. Which the body and ammunie system regenerats. The antibiotic will help with infections and anything else that can get can start up. Like ear infections and stuff. The nasal spray helps open the ear canal along with the sinus canal. My kids are load except when on nasal spray there hearing is good and everythings ok but somehwere where we can't see is blocked and the sparay helps un block it. Well good luck.

Eighty percent of your immune system is in the gut. Friendly bacteria that reside in the gut are the core of our immunity. While antibiotics can be life-saving, they destroy the friendly bacteria (along with the bad bacteria).

Doctors should prescribe probiotics whenever they prescribe antibiotics. You can ask your doctor for a prescription. You can buy probiotics at the store, but it's hard to find really strong formulas. And you can take probitiocs WHILE you are taking antibiotics... just don't take them at the exact same time.

My favorite probiotic:
http://biokult.org/

Bio-Kult comes in easy-to-open capsules. I just pour it into my son's mouth. He loves the taste. If you are on antibiotics for a month, you probably need to stay on probiotics for a year to recover. Otherwise you might be in an endless cycle of getting sick and needing more antibiotics. It happens all the time. This can all be avoided if doctors simply wrote a prescription for probiotics.

My daughter had an ear infection the entire winter (oct - feb) and her tonsils were HUGE. She had her adenoids and tonsils removed and tubes. She has done great. Are they going to remove his tonsils? It was the best thing we ever did. She was on flonase when she was really little, we didn't have any problems with that at all. But she did have major issues with all of the antibiotics...her bum was so read from diahria...hang in there. I would be very honest with your ENT.

You should really talk to your dr. before stopping the medication. It is a long time...but more intolerance to anti-biodics comes from not completing the dosage. You may be causing the problem you are seeking to avoid.

No matter what you decide, you need to discuss it thoroughly with your pediatrician and ENT specialist. Starting and stopping meds (or taking "a little break") can cause the body to build an immunity to that particular antibiotic and allow the "bug" to grow stronger. As a result, the next time they write a prescription it will have to be for a stronger dose or a different med altogether -- not what you want. If you have concerns you need to get answers and make an informed decision. Also, please remember that your pharmacist recommended you double up on vitamins not stop treatment entirely. Don't be afraid to ask more questions.
You might also discuss a more holistic approach with your doctor. Sometimes they are quick to prescribe meds to appease a frustrated parent (not always, but it happens). Remind the doc that you are not interested in medications that are not necessary and ask for recommendations or resources you might be able to try instead of meds, particularly environmental changes you could make at home that might make him more comfortable.
Talk to your docs, pharmacist and nurses. Get a second opinion if you're still not sure. No matter what, freaking out isn't the solution.

I think I would speak to your pediatrician and ask for a referral to get a second opinion.

How much milk does he consume? (mac and cheese, grilled cheese, yogurt, milk, chocolate milk, pizza, etc etc etc)

Rule out a food allergy, like milk or gluten as a contributor to his tonsil issues.

THE PHARMACIST SHOULD HAVE TOLD YOU ABOUT PRO-BIOTICS! Probiotics put good gut bugs back into the gut, and after a long course of antibiotics, your son may need MONTHS of probiotics to repopulate his gut w/ good gut flora. Ask your pediatrician about them. Get direction from your doctor. (I am not a doctor and this is not medical advice.)

I would definitely get a second opinion. I know that a pharmacist is not a doctor but I would say a pharmacist knows more about the actual medications than doctors do... You have to be careful with antibiotics and extreme use. You may want to look into the root cause of what is making your son's tonsils swell. Like another poster said, they are likely trying to fight something. He may have an allergy or food intolerance to something like dairy. I would look into some all-natural methods of treating (such as adjusted diet) and also ask another ENT for a second opinion.

NEVER downplay your "mommy instinct". If you don't feel something is right, don't ignore it. Doctor's don't know absolutely everything and many would rather jsut throw medication at problems rather than trying to investigate the root cause (because their training is in medicine, not in homeopathic healing).

I agree with Crista and Susan and those who tell you about the risks, your doctor didn't put son son on 1 month antibiotic to "brake down his immune system" who is this pharmacist to say such nonsense ?
Your son has lots of troubles with infections and stopping the antibiotics before is a huge mistake, sorry to say that but your son does not need to get a resistant bacteria on top of his problems... and if you stop the antibiotics too early, some bacteria are still alive and multiply so next time they infect the ears it's way harder to get rid of them.
If you miss only one dose, give the missing dose right away and please don't decide without telling your ENT to sop medecines like that
If you stopped more than a day ago call your doc right away and talk to him honestly !!!

About the side effects of antibiotics : yes people get diarrhea sometimes and you can counteract that if you give probiotics/yogurt. Those will send good bacteria down tye intestinal tract and help with the diarrhea.
The side effects are sometimes bad but especially when there is a bad or long term bacterial infection, the antibiotics are the way to help the body fight !