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Effed
Registered: 05/15/02
Posts: 7,370
Loc: Daylight Slavings
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Is there a doctor in the house?
#8657091 - 07/19/08 11:23 PM (15 years, 7 months ago) |
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So I'm going to make this as short and sweet as I can make something as long and sour as this is for me.
My son Ethan is a great kid, he is active and fun. He is two and a half now.
We have been battling him being sick since he was about ten months old. At first it just seemed like normal cold/flu symptoms. Though he did have bouts with the cold and flu many times in his life that is normal. The problem is I can't remember two "good" weeks passing since ten months that he has had. His biggest problem is vomiting, he does it three to seven days out of the week and as many as one to five times per day. This is of the most concern as he is damaging his esophagus with each time he vomits. They said he has acid reflux which is causing this. They also have him on Asthma medication, he coughs (mostly at night) pretty violently at times. Most of the time he has a coughing fit it escalates to a dry heave. He is very prone to vomiting so the coughing brings it up too.
That is a very light background as to how he is symptom wise, I just gave the two major items of concern.
So for over a year and a half now I have been dealing with seeing my baby constantly sick, cleaning up vomit at 2 AM, and relentless doctors bills. All this has aided in ruining the already rocky relationship of five years that I had with my (ex) girlfriend. For the record Elise and I are no longer together, we've been trying to work it out but going on six months now I don't know if will ever get better. She only came to the gathering this year because we still hang out a bit.
So Ethan has been through three pediatricians, which I think is part of the delay in finding out what is wrong with him. As he went from doctor to doctor they only saw a kid with cold/flu symptoms each time, even though we explained to them how long it had been going on and frequent his vomiting was.
Now he is seeing 3 specialists; Ear Nose and Throat, Immune, and a Gastro Intestinal. We are making progress is seems, but I wish it were faster. I know my kid could be a lot sicker and others have it way worse. I can't imagine what it must be like. This seems like more of an inconvenience than life threatening but how accurate that statement is I don't even know. I just want my damn kid to get healthy and grow like normal, he is not getting the proper nutrition with all this puking, and while the doctors get their bills paid and are sleeping well, I am going broke and staying up scrubbing puke!
Whats crazy is that I have supposedly great health care and that has helped with making it cheaper, it hasn't helped my son get better. I can't blame the industry for my son being sick but I can blame it for being so lackluster and overpriced.
Its funny I work construction, if I say I can do a job and I mess it up or don't do the work... its simple, I don't get paid! These doctors have a guarantee to get paid whether they do well or not. Is it fair? There is always that sue factor too, and boy you can tell how gun shy they are due to that.
Kinda a rant/call for help/update.
Much love.
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rugergirl79
lεṡвïαṉ εχτɾøḋïṉ^
Registered: 03/27/08
Posts: 2,113
Loc: cardboard box
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Re: Is there a doctor in the house? [Re: Effed]
#8657097 - 07/19/08 11:28 PM (15 years, 7 months ago) |
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He is a very cute little boy...i hope that he gets better, i can see the love and hear the love that you have for him. you will be in my thoughts and prayers that everything turns out fine.
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drok
carpetbagger
Registered: 06/09/08
Posts: 1,317
Loc: on my high horse
Last seen: 6 years, 9 months
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Re: Is there a doctor in the house? [Re: rugergirl79]
#8657120 - 07/19/08 11:40 PM (15 years, 7 months ago) |
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You have a beautiful son, I hope the best for him man
-------------------- CLICK HERE FOR GOOD MUSIC CLICK HERE FOR GOOD MUSIC
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Dude96
Stranger
Registered: 05/25/08
Posts: 487
Loc: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Last seen: 13 years, 9 months
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Re: Is there a doctor in the house? [Re: Effed]
#8657125 - 07/19/08 11:42 PM (15 years, 7 months ago) |
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I know in a way what you've been through. And I wish you all the best of luck. I'm assuming you're American? One of the things that makes me proud to be Canadian is the only reason i'm still alive is our health care system.
My perspective was different, I was the one who was ill, when I was 7 I had ulcerative colitis, i was bleeding so heavily internally that even with daily transfusions i'd lost 40% of my haemoglobin.
All I can say is pulling through made me closer to my family and appreciate life a hell of a lot more.
I won't try and put into words how you would feel..as i imagine its hardly describable. I wish you the best of luck and your son a quick mend, and hopefully some good will come of it.
Hearing stories like these make me feel pretty blessed to have the doctor's i've had/have. The fact that they ignore what you're saying is pretty disgusting in my opinion.
A simple suggestion, and i'm not sure how helpful/if at all helpful it would be. One to pose to your doctor (Its my intentions to go to med school...but thats a ways off) would your son taking maybe a small dosage of a basic substance help with potential esophagus damage as the acidity would be lower?
Once again, best of luck and keep us posted.
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Effed
Registered: 05/15/02
Posts: 7,370
Loc: Daylight Slavings
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Re: Is there a doctor in the house? [Re: Dude96]
#8657131 - 07/19/08 11:44 PM (15 years, 7 months ago) |
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He is on Prevacid right now for the acid reflux. It has reduced his vomiting by about 50%~.
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Effed
Registered: 05/15/02
Posts: 7,370
Loc: Daylight Slavings
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Re: Is there a doctor in the house? [Re: Dude96]
#8657137 - 07/19/08 11:45 PM (15 years, 7 months ago) |
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I don't know though if that will reduce the damage that may be occurring.
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Dude96
Stranger
Registered: 05/25/08
Posts: 487
Loc: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Last seen: 13 years, 9 months
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Re: Is there a doctor in the house? [Re: Effed]
#8657152 - 07/19/08 11:50 PM (15 years, 7 months ago) |
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yea = /.
Is that vomitting just an odd gag reflex or is it when he eats or drinks?
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Gumby
Fishnologist
Registered: 06/13/01
Posts: 26,656
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Re: Is there a doctor in the house? [Re: Effed]
#8657161 - 07/19/08 11:53 PM (15 years, 7 months ago) |
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I'm no doctor, but I love medicine and read a lot about it and have a lot of friends in med school... I'll try my best to help...
Alright, most important topic first, thats Ethan. I know he's getting older, do the symptoms seem to be fading or getting worse? When I was a baby, I had constant ear infections and had horrible asthma. Now I haven't had an ear infection since I was about 5. And I smoke a pack a day (not proud of that), so obviously I don't have asthma. Point of me telling you that is that he might out grow it.
Health problems seem to be pretty common in maturing children/adolescents. Most of the time they grow out of it.
Since you have insurance I would get Ethan to a rheumatologist ASAP. A rheumatologist is a doctor that specializes in the immune system and problems with the immune system. Rheumatologists at research universities tend to be the best, they're up on current literature in their field. Finding a doctor you trust, like, and believe is another story. I know a thing or two about immuno problems, you should shoot me a PM or talk to me on AIM. Or if you're on IRC let me know and I'll log on.
Lastly, I'm sorry to hear about you and Elise are going through some rough times. You guys definitely seemed different as far as you two interacting goes. Elise seemed to enjoy being there at times then at other times wasn't too enthused with the gathering.
Again if you hit me up via PM/AIM/IRC I can tell you about my experience with relationship issues. I've never had a child involved, but my story might help you out.
You can even give me a call if you want, I think you have my number
If we don't talk further, good luck man. I'm sending my best vibes to you and Ethan.
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Entropymancer
Registered: 07/16/05
Posts: 10,207
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Re: Is there a doctor in the house? [Re: Gumby]
#8657170 - 07/19/08 11:58 PM (15 years, 7 months ago) |
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Quote:
Gumby said: I'm sending my best vibes to you and Ethan.
He's speaking for all of us there.
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rugergirl79
lεṡвïαṉ εχτɾøḋïṉ^
Registered: 03/27/08
Posts: 2,113
Loc: cardboard box
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Re: Is there a doctor in the house? [Re: Entropymancer]
#8657179 - 07/20/08 12:01 AM (15 years, 7 months ago) |
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agreed!!! much love from the shroomery!!!
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Effed
Registered: 05/15/02
Posts: 7,370
Loc: Daylight Slavings
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Re: Is there a doctor in the house? [Re: Gumby]
#8657182 - 07/20/08 12:01 AM (15 years, 7 months ago) |
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THanks for the help, yeah my father seems to think he will outgrow it. That would be great.
His symptoms seem to have stayed steady for the past two months, we'll think hes getting better though and then he'll get worse. My friend who is a doctor recommended a rheumatologist also and we are definately going to mention that. He has been tested for immunity and he did have low numbers on some of the cells.. I don't remember the letters off hand T&C?
I don't have your number.
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Prisoner#1
Even Dumber ThanAdvertized!
Registered: 01/22/03
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Re: Is there a doctor in the house? [Re: Effed]
#8657194 - 07/20/08 12:07 AM (15 years, 7 months ago) |
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Quote:
Effed said: He is on Prevacid right now for the acid reflux. It has reduced his vomiting by about 50%~.
first, have they done an H.Pylori test?
if not it sounds like the lower esophageal sphincter muscles may be weak, one thing talk to the doctards about aciphex, it reduces the amount of acid the stomach produces, like prevacid it's a proton pump inhibitor, it's more effective that prevacid, also you may need to discuss laparoscopic fundoplication with him, it's really a minor surgery, minimal discomfort afterwards and it should help tremedously, having him on meds most of his childhood should be a last resort... if his esophagus does start to erode the next thing they'll be prescribing is pain killers
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Effed
Registered: 05/15/02
Posts: 7,370
Loc: Daylight Slavings
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Re: Is there a doctor in the house? [Re: Prisoner#1]
#8657217 - 07/20/08 12:16 AM (15 years, 7 months ago) |
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No but my friend (doctor) did mention that I get him an H.Pylori test. I'm taking everything right now, thanks that post seems like sound advice! I hate having my son on these meds!
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Gumby
Fishnologist
Registered: 06/13/01
Posts: 26,656
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Re: Is there a doctor in the house? [Re: Effed]
#8657221 - 07/20/08 12:18 AM (15 years, 7 months ago) |
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My guess would be that his ANA (antinuclear antibodies) count is high. That's usually the first indicator of an immune deficiency.
This list might suck but here are a few things I suspect could be the problem:
Hiatal hernia. Very common problem. Not so much in younger kids though. A hiatal hernia is where the esophagus develops a hernia right above the sphincter muscles of the stomach. Acid reflux goes hand in hand with hiatal hernias. I would know, I have one. Sucks. I take either 40mg of Omeprazole (Prilosec) to control it, works well. You should see if doctors will do that for Ethan. That should help him out, but I have no clue how the drug works on toddlers or what the dose should be. When my reflux gets bad enough I'll take Protonix, which is an UBER expensive proton pump inhibitor (prevents acid reflux by shutting down cells that produce stomach acid [HCl])
My next guess is some sort of immuno problem. It's really hard to say though because he's so young. Immuno problems that you should get him tested for are: Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus, Fibromyalgia, and Leukemia.
There are several genetic tests they can do for various Rheumatoid disorders now, so make sure to ask the rheumatologist about the genetic tests. I just had one show up positive and was fucking amazed that no doctor had tested me for it before.
Also get him checked for IBS, Chrons, and Ulcerative Colitis. Although if he had UC you'd probably know it by now. He would have a lot of trouble keeping weight on and would have blood in his stools (pay very careful attention to stools if he's having a gastrointestinal issue).
Strange but relevant question, does he seem to be developing cognitively the same as other kids his age? That could make a big difference in what the issue is...
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Gumby
Fishnologist
Registered: 06/13/01
Posts: 26,656
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Re: Is there a doctor in the house? [Re: Effed]
#8657227 - 07/20/08 12:20 AM (15 years, 7 months ago) |
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Quote:
Effed said: No but my friend (doctor) did mention that I get him an H.Pylori test. I'm taking everything right now, thanks that post seems like sound advice! I hate having my son on these meds!
If he was infected with H. Pylori and had an ulcer, you'd know it. Been there, done that, it sucks balls. I threw up blood for 2 days. My stools were BLACK, oily and smelled like a combo of shit + death.
Trust me, if Ethan had an ulcer, you'd know it. Anything food that has a pH of less than 6.5 would probably make him cry like crazy. Ulcers are not something you can brush off or "deal with" usually.
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Effed
Registered: 05/15/02
Posts: 7,370
Loc: Daylight Slavings
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Re: Is there a doctor in the house? [Re: Gumby]
#8657228 - 07/20/08 12:22 AM (15 years, 7 months ago) |
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Cognitively he is doing well hes smart like his daddy
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Gumby
Fishnologist
Registered: 06/13/01
Posts: 26,656
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Re: Is there a doctor in the house? [Re: Effed]
#8657229 - 07/20/08 12:23 AM (15 years, 7 months ago) |
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Good to hear. He has a great roll model
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Prisoner#1
Even Dumber ThanAdvertized!
Registered: 01/22/03
Posts: 193,665
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Re: Is there a doctor in the house? [Re: Effed]
#8657232 - 07/20/08 12:27 AM (15 years, 7 months ago) |
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Quote:
Effed said: No but my friend (doctor) did mention that I get him an H.Pylori test. I'm taking everything right now, thanks that post seems like sound advice! I hate having my son on these meds!
the H.Pylori tests are fairly noninvasive, a stool sample or a blood antibody test, the latter can take as little as 5 minutes to get back and the pylori bacteria is one that's persistent, treatment is with an antibiotic regime that could go for more than a month, you can try a little something now that may help and that's green tea extract, maybe mix it with some green tea for taste, in korea they've found an acidic polysaccaride that seems to inhibit the adhesion of H.Pylori, it's cheap enough to try and wont cause any harm if he doesnt have it
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Effed
Registered: 05/15/02
Posts: 7,370
Loc: Daylight Slavings
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Re: Is there a doctor in the house? [Re: Prisoner#1]
#8657238 - 07/20/08 12:29 AM (15 years, 7 months ago) |
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Amen! The holistic approach, I almost trust it more sometimes. Don't understand why the insurance companies don't cover it. It certainly is way cheaper. Thats a conspiracy for another time.
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Prisoner#1
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Registered: 01/22/03
Posts: 193,665
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Re: Is there a doctor in the house? [Re: Gumby]
#8657241 - 07/20/08 12:32 AM (15 years, 7 months ago) |
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Quote:
Gumby said: Trust me, if Ethan had an ulcer, you'd know it.
pylori and ulcers dont always go hand in hand, often times people diagnosed with gastritis have an H.Pylori infection that's missed black stool (smell included) is from blood that's passed through the intestines, that comes from ulcers, pylori alone doesnt cause the problem
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