I had asked what were some remedies to ease the pain of the nodules sticking out on the side of her neck. Then I updated it through the next ER visit. I still wonder about some medical things that I'll post at the end of the update.
We took her to the ER Saturday evening and she had started K-Flex. No tests were done at this time but K-Flex is a very good general type antibiotic. She took 4 doses of the med and still was spiking fevers of 103 and 104. Her tongue was swelling up and she couldn't close her mouth.
I took her back to the ER on Monday morning. Her throat was nearly swollen shut, the right tonsil was touching the left one and the uvula was behind them. They were covered with pus too. The ER doc did blood work and did 2 swabs. She tested positive for strep. They changed her antibiotic to Amoxicillan. She took a dose of that Monday morning after getting home from the ER. By 10am she stopped drinking and eating anything. She started gagging and puking up long strands of thick mucus, they look like clear long snakes. I could grab one with a tissue and pull it out...gross!!!! I called the Pediatrician's office and they worked her in. She got a shot of Rocefrin in her leg then went home with instructions to keep giving the Amoxicillian and Tylenol/Motrin roulette. She continued to run a high fever and have the tongue issue along with the thick strands of mucus coming out occasionally. The doc and nurse were completely unconcerned by the tongue swelling up and the tonsils being so swollen.
He wanted to see her again the first thing today, Tuesday. We were at his office at 8am and were on our way to the hospital by 8:30 and he drew blood for a CBC and Mono. Mono was negative. She was admitted and has been getting sugar/salt water and got a 24 hour dose of the Rocefrin by IV. She actually peed once today and can say words. She has slept most of the day and still continues to run the high fever.
I think she'll still be here tomorrow for at least the day if she isn't completely better.
Since her tongue is still swollen and she is still having the high fevers I wonder how long the meds should take, I have taken Rocefrin before and felt better in a couple of hours. She has had 2 days worth and is not much better.
The tongue swelling is from the dehydration. I googled it and I get that it swells up and can even crack open but why? Why does it swell up like that, I would think it would shrivel up instead.
Should she have her tonsils out just because? Several of my FB friends have asked when she's getting them out...is that the next step?
Do they not give children Steriod shots? I know when my throat swelled that is what I got to get the swelling down so I could breath. This was at a medical clinic. I went in thinking I had strep. No swelling at that time. They gave me amoxacillan. The next morning I had to go back as I could see my throat was swelling up to meet each other. One side was worse than the other. Painful, too. Then I got the shot. I had bronchitis and tested negative for strep. Hang in there.
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L.M.
answers from
Dover
on
Poor child. She must feel horrible! First I am surprised the doctor gave Amoxcillin instead of regular penicillin since the latter is supposed to the be best thing for strep. It does sound like she has an extreme case so I am glad they are giving her other antibotics too. It does sound like she's doing better so don't worry that she didn't seem to be cured right away. No medicine will immediately cure an infection, even the best medicine requires rest.
As for the tonsils...she has strep not tonsilitis so strep alone does not indicate they need to be removed. Even if the doctor recommends having them out, keep in mind it will not prevent strep from recurring because strep is a bacteria that causes an infection. Removing the tonsils means the tonsils won't be there to get infected but she can still get strep throat. The same infection that becomes "tonsilitis" can also still occur but without the tonsils it would be calls "pharyngitis". Most people don't understand this and my own cousin didn't believe me until her son ended up with strep again a few months after having his tonsils removed (she does now)!
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J.H.
answers from
San Antonio
on
Is this the first time she's had issues with her tonsils? They're not going to just take them out because. I don't know if they should or shouldn't, that's a question for the doctor.
Honestly though, I doubt they'll put her through surgery when she having so many issues right now. If she's so dehydrated that her tongue is swelling, they're going to try to get her rehydrated first and the infection under control.
*hugs*
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D.M.
answers from
Joplin
on
I heard if you gargle with salt water,it does wonders on helping strep throat.
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L.
answers from
Baton Rouge
on
I have no advice just hugs and prayers for the both of you. That sounds terrifying!
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J.F.
answers from
Fayetteville
on
Get an Ear, Nose and Throat specialist to look at her now. We had a baby die at our hospital due to an ER doctors diagnosis. They may say you don't need one but it is your right to request one and if they do not call one check her out and go to another ER and call the specialist on the way.
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L.C.
answers from
Washington DC
on
Amoxicillin for a case that bad is ineffective at best. My doc usually puts me on Levaquin when I'm that bad... But to each his own, I guess.
I suggest you ask the medical professionals your questions. They are far better equipped to answer those questions.
LBC
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M.P.
answers from
Portland
on
You have good questions but they need to be answered by her doctor/nurse.
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D.H.
answers from
Louisville
on
Not sure, but little one might be at her limit for getting Rocefrin (little one here could only get 3 shots - but not sure how that would translate into the IV for yours).
UGH - why won't doc's give a SHOT of antibiotic when things are like this?? She'd have gotten the benefit of the antibiotic quicker that way and might not have gotten down so much!
Prayers for you and her -- not sure if a T&A should be next or not!
