The last 36ish hours have been strange. It all started off after Brice's shot yesterday. He didn't walk from the moment he got it until 24ish hours later (that would be today) in the ER... to fill in those hours, here is a brief synopsis. Brice gets a shot --- I assumed it was antibiotics --- Brice asked me to carry him because he hurt --- we went home --- Brice and I went to the pharmacy to pick up the boys antibiotics --- Brice peed on himself in the car --- we snuggle on the couch --- Brice pees on both of us --- we go to bed --- Brice wakes up screaming/crying that he is peeing... he wasn't so I raced him to the bathroom --- Brice wakes up this morning and wants to be held because he is still hurting --- Brice spend his morning on the couch... not moving... asking for help to sit up --- we get Brice dressed so go visit G's dad and then my mom --- Brice pees on the couch (yay for leather) --- I send an SOS to other moms on FB --- I call our immunologist and she recommends taking him into the ER for a chest x-ray, scans and bloodwork --- we go to Children's, get triaged (Brice FINALLY WALKS after they made me leave the triage room) and wait in the super packed waiting room --- I page our immunologist (because she is awesome like that and gave me her pager #) --- I tell her it's packed and she said she was happy to hear that he walked --- I explained that I was okay with leaving but his cough was changing (yet again) but becoming less frequent (!)... he gets into these coughing fits where he is coughing so much that between coughs he makes this strange, almost exaggerated sound upon inspiration - it sounds like he is gasping for air --- she mentions the possibility of pertussis but I don't think much of it --- we all go to my mom's --- I run to the store and while I am sitting in Hobby Lobby's parking lot I decide to google pertussis sound clips --- sure enough, that is EXACTLY how my kiddo sounds --- I page her again --- we talk about pertussis at length --- basically, at this point there isn't much more that we can do but ride the wave --- we have him (and Pierce) on antibiotics --- it's more of a concern in kids younger than a year (but primarily younger than 6 months) and elderly that have waning immunity --- I am super concerned about other people we've been in contact with --- we will be taking him to the pediatrician on Monday to get swabbed and it takes about a week or so to get the results.
Okay - so a few other things - our immunologist's husband is a pediatrician (what an awesome team!). He is fairly certain that Brice received a shot of Decadron (steroids) versus antibiotics (Rocephin). He thinks that is what caused Brice to not want to walk - well the pain involved with the steroid shot. As for the incontinence, we are thinking that is somehow tied into the pain. He is back to using the toilet successfully and his temperament has changed, for the better, this evening. We are keeping everything crossed that he continues up this slope! If you don't mind, keep the kid in your prayers - specifically, that he does not have pertussis. Thanks!
Now I am off to finish watching LSU win - Geaux Tigers!
Showing posts with label illness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label illness. Show all posts
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Friday, September 23, 2011
Welcome Lung Season
So Brice had croup on Monday. He was fever free on Wednesday and Thursday. We sent him to school yesterday, but an hour after I dropped him off, his teacher called and said that he was crying a lot. When I picked him up she stated that he was not acting like himself. Last night, his cough (which sounded less barky) was much more frequent. He would have moments in between coughs where he was gasping for breath. He couldn't sleep and was very miserable. We gave him a breathing treatment and eventually he was able to fall asleep.
First thing this morning, he said "mom, I need to go to the doctor." Our ST came at 8am and I scheduled a pedi appointment for 1:30pm. He started feeling warm so I took his temp --- 101.3* --- after taking his temp, ST stated that Pierce felt a little warm --- his temp was 100.7* --- yay ;(
The pedi examined Brice and spent a good bit of time listening to his chest... his bout with croup moved into this chest. He now has bronchitis. She could hear crackling sounds throughout his lungs but no focal spot. She gave him a shot in the hopes that if this is a pneumonia trying to occur, maybe it will won't happen. He also has an ear infection (right ear) and is on azithromycin for 5 days. While there, I mentioned that Pierce had a fever this morning and I could hear him coughing during his nap. She listened to his chest and examined him --- he also has bronchitis and is on azithromycin for 5 days. If Brice gets any worse over the weekend, she said to take him into the ER and if he isn't any better by Monday, she is ordering a chest x-ray.
I spoke with our immunologist about our appointment. We are just to keep track of everything. For now, we are still scheduled to see them in December. If infections start happening more frequently, we will be seen sooner. IVIG talks happened (very briefly mentioned but still) and possible prophylactic antibiotics again. Thankfully, if we do wind up on the ER, she is on call this weekend!
Here is to hoping my boys feel better quickly - especially Brice because he is FLAT MISERABLE. It breaks my heart that I can't do anything more to make him feel any better. I am really hoping that he makes some progress over night! I am also hoping that lung season is a little less eventful!
Have a great weekend!
First thing this morning, he said "mom, I need to go to the doctor." Our ST came at 8am and I scheduled a pedi appointment for 1:30pm. He started feeling warm so I took his temp --- 101.3* --- after taking his temp, ST stated that Pierce felt a little warm --- his temp was 100.7* --- yay ;(
The pedi examined Brice and spent a good bit of time listening to his chest... his bout with croup moved into this chest. He now has bronchitis. She could hear crackling sounds throughout his lungs but no focal spot. She gave him a shot in the hopes that if this is a pneumonia trying to occur, maybe it will won't happen. He also has an ear infection (right ear) and is on azithromycin for 5 days. While there, I mentioned that Pierce had a fever this morning and I could hear him coughing during his nap. She listened to his chest and examined him --- he also has bronchitis and is on azithromycin for 5 days. If Brice gets any worse over the weekend, she said to take him into the ER and if he isn't any better by Monday, she is ordering a chest x-ray.
I spoke with our immunologist about our appointment. We are just to keep track of everything. For now, we are still scheduled to see them in December. If infections start happening more frequently, we will be seen sooner. IVIG talks happened (very briefly mentioned but still) and possible prophylactic antibiotics again. Thankfully, if we do wind up on the ER, she is on call this weekend!
Here is to hoping my boys feel better quickly - especially Brice because he is FLAT MISERABLE. It breaks my heart that I can't do anything more to make him feel any better. I am really hoping that he makes some progress over night! I am also hoping that lung season is a little less eventful!
Have a great weekend!
Friday, July 15, 2011
Updates
Sorry for not updating lately... to be honest, I just haven't felt like it. I feel like every time I post something it's like throwing a rock onto the not-so-good news side of my proverbial life scale... but I've come to accept that it is just the way it is right now. I also realized that I need to blog before I forget. My past posts have come in handy in terms of remembering 6+ months ago when I've needed to update a new doctor.
As much as the Type A in me wants to be all organized, this post will be somewhat all over the place...
June 13 --- Pierce's first appointment with Dr. Levine at Children's Hospital (New Orleans). I was very impressed and equally as happy to have him on our team of doctors. He seems extremely knowledgeable. I really liked when he said if he feels strongly that Pierce's health is going in X direction, he will let us know so that we can make an informed decision in a non-stressful environment (vs landing in the ER, being admitted and having to make a big decision for his health). Pierce's lungs looked good - no evidence of any lung disease. He gave us a prescription for Xopenex to use prn for wheezing episodes/night-time coughing. We follow-up with him in September - aka "lung season" - and if we ever feel as though a visit is warranted, his doors are open. He also wanted Pierce to undergo another modified barium swallow study due to choking and aspirating episodes. We scheduled a GI appointment with Dr. Keith at Children's for late July. {{After I typed this, I felt as though I've previously blogged about this but I can't remember}}
June 24 --- Pierce's 18 month well-visit; he was finally put on antibiotics - 12 days of Omnicef. His sinus infection started to clear up and magically his choking episodes started going away --- my mommy brain is telling me it's not truly a mechanical issue. I think it's either (a) his adenoids are/were swollen or (b) when he's sick he becomes weak (normal for anyone) but maybe it's affecting his suck/swallow/breathe function. I plan on discussing my theories with Dr. Keith.
June 28 --- Pierce received the Pneumovax23 Valent vaccine; Brice saw the same immunologist. We discussed his history and his previous immunology visit in September 2009. Brice had bloodwork to look at his immunoglobulin levels and titers. Brice also received the Pneumovax23 Valent vaccine.
July 5-8 --- Pierce started with fever the day after he completed a 12-day course of Omnicef
July 11 --- Pierce started with fever (again)
July 13 --- Pierce's fever climbed to over 104 with Motrin and Tylenol rotation getting it into the 103s. His heart rate was in the 140-150s and his respiratory rate was in the low 60s. We spoke with the pediatrician on call and she suggested that we take him into the ER given his medical history of mito diseaseand possible hypogammaglobulinemia. So off to Children's we went... 4 hours later + 1 chest x-ray + blood cultures = possibly something bacterial starting to occur but most likely viral
July 15 --- (today) Pierce STILL has fever. I spoke with his immunologist and she suggested that we go into the pedi to rule out strep and ear infections. Either way, she wants him on a 3 week course of antibiotics. She mentioned that it looks like he will ultimately end up needing IVIG therapy. We really won't know more until early September. Both the boys have repeat bloodwork to check their titers on August 23. It takes approximately 2 weeks to receive those results back. And speaking of titers, I received Brice's pneumococcal titers back today... {drum roll please}
They are non-existent --- seriously, what the heck?! His IgG3 level was low and his IGE level was high - allergy testing will most probably be tacked onto his August 23 follow-up.
So it appears as though both of my children do not respond to protein-conjugated vaccines. Fingers crossed that their immune systems will mount a lovely response to Pneumovax23. Come on August 23... and more importantly, come on 2 weeks post August 23.
I really just want answers. If one or both need IVIG therapy, I just want to get to that point. I just want something concrete... something that doesn't involve such lengthy wait times.
That's all for now because Pierce has a doctor appointment in about an hour...
As much as the Type A in me wants to be all organized, this post will be somewhat all over the place...
June 13 --- Pierce's first appointment with Dr. Levine at Children's Hospital (New Orleans). I was very impressed and equally as happy to have him on our team of doctors. He seems extremely knowledgeable. I really liked when he said if he feels strongly that Pierce's health is going in X direction, he will let us know so that we can make an informed decision in a non-stressful environment (vs landing in the ER, being admitted and having to make a big decision for his health). Pierce's lungs looked good - no evidence of any lung disease. He gave us a prescription for Xopenex to use prn for wheezing episodes/night-time coughing. We follow-up with him in September - aka "lung season" - and if we ever feel as though a visit is warranted, his doors are open. He also wanted Pierce to undergo another modified barium swallow study due to choking and aspirating episodes. We scheduled a GI appointment with Dr. Keith at Children's for late July. {{After I typed this, I felt as though I've previously blogged about this but I can't remember}}
June 24 --- Pierce's 18 month well-visit; he was finally put on antibiotics - 12 days of Omnicef. His sinus infection started to clear up and magically his choking episodes started going away --- my mommy brain is telling me it's not truly a mechanical issue. I think it's either (a) his adenoids are/were swollen or (b) when he's sick he becomes weak (normal for anyone) but maybe it's affecting his suck/swallow/breathe function. I plan on discussing my theories with Dr. Keith.
June 28 --- Pierce received the Pneumovax23 Valent vaccine; Brice saw the same immunologist. We discussed his history and his previous immunology visit in September 2009. Brice had bloodwork to look at his immunoglobulin levels and titers. Brice also received the Pneumovax23 Valent vaccine.
July 5-8 --- Pierce started with fever the day after he completed a 12-day course of Omnicef
July 11 --- Pierce started with fever (again)
July 13 --- Pierce's fever climbed to over 104 with Motrin and Tylenol rotation getting it into the 103s. His heart rate was in the 140-150s and his respiratory rate was in the low 60s. We spoke with the pediatrician on call and she suggested that we take him into the ER given his medical history of mito diseaseand possible hypogammaglobulinemia. So off to Children's we went... 4 hours later + 1 chest x-ray + blood cultures = possibly something bacterial starting to occur but most likely viral
July 15 --- (today) Pierce STILL has fever. I spoke with his immunologist and she suggested that we go into the pedi to rule out strep and ear infections. Either way, she wants him on a 3 week course of antibiotics. She mentioned that it looks like he will ultimately end up needing IVIG therapy. We really won't know more until early September. Both the boys have repeat bloodwork to check their titers on August 23. It takes approximately 2 weeks to receive those results back. And speaking of titers, I received Brice's pneumococcal titers back today... {drum roll please}
So it appears as though both of my children do not respond to protein-conjugated vaccines. Fingers crossed that their immune systems will mount a lovely response to Pneumovax23. Come on August 23... and more importantly, come on 2 weeks post August 23.
I really just want answers. If one or both need IVIG therapy, I just want to get to that point. I just want something concrete... something that doesn't involve such lengthy wait times.
That's all for now because Pierce has a doctor appointment in about an hour...
Saturday, June 11, 2011
More Labs
[Before I go into the details of Pierce's labs, I want to welcome my new readers from Kelly's Korner --- and a special thank you to the moms who've reached out because they've been in my shoes before.]
I received a large portion of Pierce's most recent labs - we're still waiting on his CoEnzyme Q10 and Carnitine levels and Organic Acids (those are sent out of state).
Pierce had an upper respiratory infection that started 2.5 weeks ago but he has vastly improved since then. When the URI started he was hoarse, wheezing, sounded very junky, had tennis-ball green nasal discharge, a not-so-lovely cough and mid-grade fever that would come and go. On Memorial Day, I took him into the ER because he started sounding like a bullfrog while breathing - the ER doc heard lots of upper airway congestion but couldn't hear anything in his lower lungs. He said something could have been going on but because we were already doing 3-4 albuterol breathing treatments daily, he couldn't be certain.
He still has an occasional cough - nothing like what it once was or near as frequent - and we can still hear a bit of congestion when he's breathing. I was surprised when I saw his WBC (white blood cell) count...
(1st column = normal results --- 2nd column = abnormal/out of range results --- 3rd column = range)
His platelet count has been high on his last two sets of labs - in addition, his lymphocytes (lymphs) have been high and his neutrophils (segs) have been low ---
(1st column = normal results --- 2nd column = abnormal/out of range results --- 3rd column = range)
Yesterday, I spoke with Dr. P (allergy/immunology). She informed me that platelets are an acute phase reactant - so a high level can indicate a reaction to infection or inflammation. Neutrophils guard against bacterial infections, and are found in the blood stream, which allows them to respond quickly to trauma and move to the site of infection or inflammation. A low neutrophil count can mean depleted or compromised immunity. Lymphocytes are T cells and B cells - they form part of the adaptive immune system, B cells create antibodies in blood which are used to kill foreign bodies, while T cells help in the activation of cells that will neutralize threats. Low neutrophils and high lymphocytes generally signal a viral infection - the elevated count is a result of the body's attempt to fight the infection. So something is definitely going on inside of him at the moment. The good thing is that his body is semi-responding the way it should - he just doesn't have the antibodies he should to fight off infections.
His neutrophils were low and lymphocytes were high in both March and June. His WBC count was normal in March and high in June. Dr. P plans on doing another CBC when she checks his titers after the Pneumovax23 vaccine. If his lymphocytes are still high, they will look deeper into it - whether it's his T-cells or B-cells, etc.
I also expressed my concern over the Pneumovax vaccine and his age (according to Merck, it's safety and effectiveness has not been established in the under 2 population). Dr. P reassured me. Early childhood vaccines are protein conjugated because that's what the immune system recognizes when it's still developing. Pneumovax is a polysaccharide vaccine - typically young children respond poorly to this. The hope is that since Pierce's immune system responded poorly to protein-conjugated vaccines that his body will mount a different (positive) response. I feel better knowing that he isn't going to have some sort of negative reaction to Pneumovax - the only negative reaction would be his immune system not responding to it and us having to move on to a different path.
For now, we are keeping things a bit more low-key until he receives the Pneumovax vaccine (even though it's not a guarantee then) - we are staying away from large crowds - especially lots of kids, any one sick or recently sick, etc. I am just so thankful that he hasn't been more sick than he has.
That's all for now - a mountain of laundry and two little crazies are calling for me :)
Have a wonderful weekend!
I received a large portion of Pierce's most recent labs - we're still waiting on his CoEnzyme Q10 and Carnitine levels and Organic Acids (those are sent out of state).
Pierce had an upper respiratory infection that started 2.5 weeks ago but he has vastly improved since then. When the URI started he was hoarse, wheezing, sounded very junky, had tennis-ball green nasal discharge, a not-so-lovely cough and mid-grade fever that would come and go. On Memorial Day, I took him into the ER because he started sounding like a bullfrog while breathing - the ER doc heard lots of upper airway congestion but couldn't hear anything in his lower lungs. He said something could have been going on but because we were already doing 3-4 albuterol breathing treatments daily, he couldn't be certain.
He still has an occasional cough - nothing like what it once was or near as frequent - and we can still hear a bit of congestion when he's breathing. I was surprised when I saw his WBC (white blood cell) count...
His platelet count has been high on his last two sets of labs - in addition, his lymphocytes (lymphs) have been high and his neutrophils (segs) have been low ---
6/7/2011
(1st column = normal results --- 2nd column = abnormal/out of range results --- 3rd column = range)
3/7/2011
Yesterday, I spoke with Dr. P (allergy/immunology). She informed me that platelets are an acute phase reactant - so a high level can indicate a reaction to infection or inflammation. Neutrophils guard against bacterial infections, and are found in the blood stream, which allows them to respond quickly to trauma and move to the site of infection or inflammation. A low neutrophil count can mean depleted or compromised immunity. Lymphocytes are T cells and B cells - they form part of the adaptive immune system, B cells create antibodies in blood which are used to kill foreign bodies, while T cells help in the activation of cells that will neutralize threats. Low neutrophils and high lymphocytes generally signal a viral infection - the elevated count is a result of the body's attempt to fight the infection. So something is definitely going on inside of him at the moment. The good thing is that his body is semi-responding the way it should - he just doesn't have the antibodies he should to fight off infections.
His neutrophils were low and lymphocytes were high in both March and June. His WBC count was normal in March and high in June. Dr. P plans on doing another CBC when she checks his titers after the Pneumovax23 vaccine. If his lymphocytes are still high, they will look deeper into it - whether it's his T-cells or B-cells, etc.
I also expressed my concern over the Pneumovax vaccine and his age (according to Merck, it's safety and effectiveness has not been established in the under 2 population). Dr. P reassured me. Early childhood vaccines are protein conjugated because that's what the immune system recognizes when it's still developing. Pneumovax is a polysaccharide vaccine - typically young children respond poorly to this. The hope is that since Pierce's immune system responded poorly to protein-conjugated vaccines that his body will mount a different (positive) response. I feel better knowing that he isn't going to have some sort of negative reaction to Pneumovax - the only negative reaction would be his immune system not responding to it and us having to move on to a different path.
For now, we are keeping things a bit more low-key until he receives the Pneumovax vaccine (even though it's not a guarantee then) - we are staying away from large crowds - especially lots of kids, any one sick or recently sick, etc. I am just so thankful that he hasn't been more sick than he has.
That's all for now - a mountain of laundry and two little crazies are calling for me :)
Have a wonderful weekend!
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