When do you go to the Doc?

[SadiesMom]

I'm sure there's a post for this already, but....

My daughter is 18 months old. She didn't have any illness until 14 months when she had her first ear infection (it seems to correspond with teething and her molars coming in). She had another about a month and half later.

She started with sneezing and runny nose and all that fun stuff yesterday. Her appetite is diminished, but not gone, and she cries when she sneezes like it's hurting her (but whatever comes out is clear). She is not running a fever, but just doesn't seem to be herself (i.e. waking up at night, stuffed up nose, etc).

So my question is, when do you call the pediatrician? Do you call right away at the first sign of symptoms? Do you wait and see if it runs itself out? Do you contact the CF clinic first (the last time, they said we could go straight to the pediatrician if it didn't seem CF related, i.e. chest, lungs, etc.)? I know if I take her, they'll put her on antibiotics and it will be her third time in four months, which seems like a lot to me, but then again it might just be "normal" for CF kids. Some of my friends with "normal" (non-CF) babies have had way more bouts of illness and antibiotics and their litte guys seem just fine.

Anyways, thanks in advance for any advice. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

 

[SadiesMom]

I'm sure there's a post for this already, but....

My daughter is 18 months old. She didn't have any illness until 14 months when she had her first ear infection (it seems to correspond with teething and her molars coming in). She had another about a month and half later.

She started with sneezing and runny nose and all that fun stuff yesterday. Her appetite is diminished, but not gone, and she cries when she sneezes like it's hurting her (but whatever comes out is clear). She is not running a fever, but just doesn't seem to be herself (i.e. waking up at night, stuffed up nose, etc).

So my question is, when do you call the pediatrician? Do you call right away at the first sign of symptoms? Do you wait and see if it runs itself out? Do you contact the CF clinic first (the last time, they said we could go straight to the pediatrician if it didn't seem CF related, i.e. chest, lungs, etc.)? I know if I take her, they'll put her on antibiotics and it will be her third time in four months, which seems like a lot to me, but then again it might just be "normal" for CF kids. Some of my friends with "normal" (non-CF) babies have had way more bouts of illness and antibiotics and their litte guys seem just fine.

Anyways, thanks in advance for any advice. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

 

[SadiesMom]

I'm sure there's a post for this already, but....
<br />
<br />My daughter is 18 months old. She didn't have any illness until 14 months when she had her first ear infection (it seems to correspond with teething and her molars coming in). She had another about a month and half later.
<br />
<br />She started with sneezing and runny nose and all that fun stuff yesterday. Her appetite is diminished, but not gone, and she cries when she sneezes like it's hurting her (but whatever comes out is clear). She is not running a fever, but just doesn't seem to be herself (i.e. waking up at night, stuffed up nose, etc).
<br />
<br />So my question is, when do you call the pediatrician? Do you call right away at the first sign of symptoms? Do you wait and see if it runs itself out? Do you contact the CF clinic first (the last time, they said we could go straight to the pediatrician if it didn't seem CF related, i.e. chest, lungs, etc.)? I know if I take her, they'll put her on antibiotics and it will be her third time in four months, which seems like a lot to me, but then again it might just be "normal" for CF kids. Some of my friends with "normal" (non-CF) babies have had way more bouts of illness and antibiotics and their litte guys seem just fine.
<br />
<br />Anyways, thanks in advance for any advice. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

 

[Ratatosk]

If it's a fever, decreased appetite, I usually give DS a fever reducer and keep an eye on him -- digestive issues, respirations. If he develops a cough, then I contact the doctor.

 

[Ratatosk]

If it's a fever, decreased appetite, I usually give DS a fever reducer and keep an eye on him -- digestive issues, respirations. If he develops a cough, then I contact the doctor.

 

[Ratatosk]

If it's a fever, decreased appetite, I usually give DS a fever reducer and keep an eye on him -- digestive issues, respirations. If he develops a cough, then I contact the doctor.

 

[mom2cameron]

Our CF doctor tells us if it last more that 7-10 days then we need to come in and see the pediatrician. They like to put him on antibiotics if it lasts that long. Which is nerve racking because any kind of normal cold usually last that long! We have been good and healthy all summer long. My 5 year old with out CF started kindergarten and one week into it he brought home a cold. Of course it went around the house infecting all of us <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif" border="0"> My cfer was last to get it. It took my other 2 kids almost 2 weeks to get rid of it so I let my cfer go 11 days (which at day 11 he was almost cleared up) then I called the doctor because I thought he may have an ear infection. He was starting to pull at his ear (but he is also teething) Other than that he had just had a cough, running nose during the day, and suffy nose at night. We went to the doctor and he does not have an ear infection. I also asked them to culture him just to make sure. We havent got the culture results back yet. Now if he had been wheezing I would have called sooner, but with this cold he was not.

 

[mom2cameron]

Our CF doctor tells us if it last more that 7-10 days then we need to come in and see the pediatrician. They like to put him on antibiotics if it lasts that long. Which is nerve racking because any kind of normal cold usually last that long! We have been good and healthy all summer long. My 5 year old with out CF started kindergarten and one week into it he brought home a cold. Of course it went around the house infecting all of us <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif" border="0"> My cfer was last to get it. It took my other 2 kids almost 2 weeks to get rid of it so I let my cfer go 11 days (which at day 11 he was almost cleared up) then I called the doctor because I thought he may have an ear infection. He was starting to pull at his ear (but he is also teething) Other than that he had just had a cough, running nose during the day, and suffy nose at night. We went to the doctor and he does not have an ear infection. I also asked them to culture him just to make sure. We havent got the culture results back yet. Now if he had been wheezing I would have called sooner, but with this cold he was not.

 

[mom2cameron]

Our CF doctor tells us if it last more that 7-10 days then we need to come in and see the pediatrician. They like to put him on antibiotics if it lasts that long. Which is nerve racking because any kind of normal cold usually last that long! We have been good and healthy all summer long. My 5 year old with out CF started kindergarten and one week into it he brought home a cold. Of course it went around the house infecting all of us <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif" border="0"> My cfer was last to get it. It took my other 2 kids almost 2 weeks to get rid of it so I let my cfer go 11 days (which at day 11 he was almost cleared up) then I called the doctor because I thought he may have an ear infection. He was starting to pull at his ear (but he is also teething) Other than that he had just had a cough, running nose during the day, and suffy nose at night. We went to the doctor and he does not have an ear infection. I also asked them to culture him just to make sure. We havent got the culture results back yet. Now if he had been wheezing I would have called sooner, but with this cold he was not.

 

[hmw]

We are told that at the very first sign of any congestion to increase treatments, no matter where the congestion is coming from (chest or sinuses.) We use saline sinus rinses; at her age your dd might benefit from a saline spray to help with her stuffy nose. If after several days of increased treatments w/ illness Emily is not doing better we check in with her cf nurse and we decide what to do next. What we do is based on how bad the symptoms are (is she really lethargic, what kind of congestion, what kind of cough, what color is her sputum or nasal discharge, is the cough or congestion keeping her up at night... etc.) Generally speaking, I can't wait much longer than that 'several days' window, otherwise she gets REALLY sick.

We contact her cf center for most of her illnesses... her ped is just not well equipped to handle most of it nor do they have quick access to her culture results knowing what her abx sensitivities are, which are important when she needs to have something prescribed.

I hope Sadie is feeling better soon! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

 

[hmw]

We are told that at the very first sign of any congestion to increase treatments, no matter where the congestion is coming from (chest or sinuses.) We use saline sinus rinses; at her age your dd might benefit from a saline spray to help with her stuffy nose. If after several days of increased treatments w/ illness Emily is not doing better we check in with her cf nurse and we decide what to do next. What we do is based on how bad the symptoms are (is she really lethargic, what kind of congestion, what kind of cough, what color is her sputum or nasal discharge, is the cough or congestion keeping her up at night... etc.) Generally speaking, I can't wait much longer than that 'several days' window, otherwise she gets REALLY sick.

We contact her cf center for most of her illnesses... her ped is just not well equipped to handle most of it nor do they have quick access to her culture results knowing what her abx sensitivities are, which are important when she needs to have something prescribed.

I hope Sadie is feeling better soon! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

 

[hmw]

We are told that at the very first sign of any congestion to increase treatments, no matter where the congestion is coming from (chest or sinuses.) We use saline sinus rinses; at her age your dd might benefit from a saline spray to help with her stuffy nose. If after several days of increased treatments w/ illness Emily is not doing better we check in with her cf nurse and we decide what to do next. What we do is based on how bad the symptoms are (is she really lethargic, what kind of congestion, what kind of cough, what color is her sputum or nasal discharge, is the cough or congestion keeping her up at night... etc.) Generally speaking, I can't wait much longer than that 'several days' window, otherwise she gets REALLY sick.
<br />
<br />We contact her cf center for most of her illnesses... her ped is just not well equipped to handle most of it nor do they have quick access to her culture results knowing what her abx sensitivities are, which are important when she needs to have something prescribed.
<br />
<br />I hope Sadie is feeling better soon! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

 

[SadiesMom]

thanks all! I talked to the CF docs and they scheduled an appt with her pediatrician because they are worried about an ear infection. I've been doing saline spray and medicated baby rub. We also increased her vest to 3x a day and pulmozyme to 2x a day. Seems to help some, but I'm sure they're going to put her on an antibiotic; I guess better safe than sorry. She's still stuffed up and I hate to see her so cranky and not herself.

Thanks again for all your advice. It's good to know I can try and let it run its course though.

 

[SadiesMom]

thanks all! I talked to the CF docs and they scheduled an appt with her pediatrician because they are worried about an ear infection. I've been doing saline spray and medicated baby rub. We also increased her vest to 3x a day and pulmozyme to 2x a day. Seems to help some, but I'm sure they're going to put her on an antibiotic; I guess better safe than sorry. She's still stuffed up and I hate to see her so cranky and not herself.

Thanks again for all your advice. It's good to know I can try and let it run its course though.

 

[SadiesMom]

thanks all! I talked to the CF docs and they scheduled an appt with her pediatrician because they are worried about an ear infection. I've been doing saline spray and medicated baby rub. We also increased her vest to 3x a day and pulmozyme to 2x a day. Seems to help some, but I'm sure they're going to put her on an antibiotic; I guess better safe than sorry. She's still stuffed up and I hate to see her so cranky and not herself.
<br />
<br />Thanks again for all your advice. It's good to know I can try and let it run its course though.