need some quick advice, please

JenniferTCU · January 2011

Jace has been sick for AGES. He's had a runny nose (icky color), coughing, etc. I called the nurse last week and she said not to come in til his fever is over 101 for 3 days. well, now it has been. So, this morning, I called the nurse line and was told that i should probably either go to the ER (since their office was closed) or the urgent care for the hospital (an hour away).

We went to the ER. they told me that he has an upper respiratory and to alternate tylenol and motrin every 3 hours for 48 hours. They also gave us amoxicillin. I called the nurse I spoke with this morning and told her what the ER (non-pediatric) doc said. She profusely disagreed with him. She said to give Jace motrin every 6 hours and not before that. If his fever reaches 105, take him to the ER. She didn't like "chasing" the fever as it doesn't allow his body time to heal.

I am so tired, sick myself, and just not thinking straight. Which does your doc say to do? Jace's fever has been running about 101 every three hours then I give him more motrin and it goes back down then spikes again in three hours. Rinse and repeat. My poor sweet baby.

Any ideas?

Thanks!

dkays · January 2011

Are you giving motrin then 3 hours later doing tylenol? I've always been told to not give motrin sooner than 6 hours. The bad thing is it does work better than Tylenol. I am cautious with motrin because it was a prescription when my oldest was an infant and they wouldn't give it to freely back then. Did they test for the flu? We have been battling the same symptoms with Miss T since thurs. I finally took her to the dr and she tested positive for both strep & flu. Someone in my house has been sick since Dec 20th. Hope you all feel better soon.

JenniferTCU · January 2011

They did no testing which irked me to no end.

Here's what the ER doc said to do:

12pm: Motrin
3pm: Tylenol
6pm: Motrin
9pm: Tylenol

for 48 straight hours whether he seems to need it or not

daisydana · January 2011

Oh honey. Sorry you are so stressed.

I am no doctor... obviously. But I am of the same mindset your nurse. I would give him the Motrin if his fever keeps spiking, but the motrin/tylenol thing - I don't like. If you aren't supposed to give Motrin for six hours (as per the label) why would you give it every three (alternating) just because someone tells you to? That is just my two cents Jen. I don't know if it helps or not, but I would stick with one or the other and the antibiotics. And just for the record, we do Tylenol and not Motrin - not that it matters.

Feel better soon! Both of you!

JenniferTCU · January 2011

Oh! And most importantly, I hope Miss T feels better soon! It's so, so hard when they're sick.

JenniferTCU · January 2011

I know what you mean, Dana. His rationale was that you are only getting the Motrin every 6 hours because the two work differently. I am usually pretty good at this stuff but feel bewildered.

mtnrider · January 2011

Simon's fever got too high on xmas day and he had a febrile seizure and ended up in the ER. From now on I will be alternating Motrin and Tylenol every 3 hours religiously so that his fever doesn't spike too high or too fast. Also keeping his fever under control makes him feel better so he can sleep. (And to pp, no it doesn't mean you give Motrin sooner than every 6 hours...it looks like this: 9 a.m. Motrin; noon Tylenol; 3 p.m. Motrin; 6 p.m. Tylenol; 9 p.m. Motrin...and so on; the ER doctor actually gave Simon Motrin and Tylenol simultaneously since they are 2 different drugs, but the Dr. Sears website says to give them 3 hours apart and that's what I've always done to keep his fevers in check) Poor Jace, I hope he gets better soon and you can get some rest and get better yourself!

JenniferTCU · January 2011

mtnrider:
Simon's fever got too high on xmas day and he had a febrile seizure and ended up in the ER. From now on I will be alternating Motrin and Tylenol every 3 hours religiously so that his fever doesn't spike too high or too fast. Also keeping his fever under control makes him feel better so he can sleep. (And to pp, no it doesn't mean you give Motrin sooner than every 6 hours...it looks like this: 9 a.m. Motrin; noon Tylenol; 3 p.m. Motrin; 6 p.m. Tylenol; 9 p.m. Motrin...and so on; the ER doctor actually gave Simon Motrin and Tylenol simultaneously since they are 2 different drugs, but the Dr. Sears website says to give them 3 hours apart and that's what I've always done to keep his fevers in check) Poor Jace, I hope he gets better soon and you can get some rest and get better yourself!

That's exactly why we went to the ER. When Jace had a febrile seizure a few months ago, it scared me to death so I didn't want to take the chance again. Did your pedi agree with the dosage?

Daisiesinmygarden · January 2011

Every 6 hours (between Motrin doses) is fine, alternating Tylenol and Motrin every 3 hours. They do work in different ways and Motrin reduces swelling, so that is good for sinuses and also headaches, but with my kids the fever started to come back before I can give them more Motrin. The Tylenol keeps the fever down (during the last few hours) until it's OK to give more Motrin. I can see what the nurse is saying about letting him run a mild fever because fevers work to destroy viruses/bacteria, but if it has already gotten out of hand (as it seems it has) and is running amok and you are using an antibiotic to kill the bacteria, then I would work to keep his fever down so he can rest and recover and just let the medicine (antibiotics) do the work.

It's too bad the nurse didn't have you bring him in sooner - so, IMO, her advice kind of blows ... Even without a fever, I think your pedi could have diagnosed the infection, gotten J on meds sooner and saved a trip to the ER.

I hope he feels better soon.

JenniferTCU · January 2011

I agree about the blowtastic nurse, N. By the way, I miss you!

mtnrider · January 2011

I haven't talked to the pedi, it was only a week ago, we have an appointment tomorrow so I'll ask her. I do know that the people on the toddler board whose LO's had febrile seizures said they were told to be more diligent about keeping fevers in check from now on. I didn't know it happened to Jace too. Scary as *** isn't it? I never want to go through that hell again! Maybe you can just monitor his fever after 3 hours and if it seems like he can go 4 or 5 hours between doses then do that. (ie. 9 a.m. Motrin, 1 p.m. Tylenol, 5 p.m. Motrin, 9 pm. Tylenol then give Motrin at midnight as the last dose before you go to bed so at least you can sleep 6 hours.)

Daisiesinmygarden · January 2011

Awwww.. I miss you, too!! You are one busy lady!

I would definately mention this to the pedi.

Piranha54 · January 2011

Jen - I work at a major Children's Hospital and we highly recommend AGAINST alternating meds. Ibuprofen works much better than acetaminophen in general for fevers. That said, many pedi's do recommend this practice, just be super careful not to mix up the doses, especially if you're tired and stressed (maybe pre fix and put in labeled baggies). If Jace's fever is spiking within an hour or two of getting meds, call your pedi and ask for the true ibuprofen dose for his weight, this should help until the antibiotics start to kick in. GL!!! Ellie went through 3-4 weeks of the yucks, with fevers and multiple antibiotics, and is finally feeling better.

And way to go in the Rose Bowl TCU! Lots of us Boise State fans were happy to see one of our teams shake things up!

JenniferTCU · January 2011

Mtnrider, it was the scariest thing ever. I am so sorry Simon went through it, too.

Piranha, thanks so much for the info. I am glad Ellie is better now. There's hope for us after all!

And yes, YAY for TCU! For the longest time, when someone asked where I graduated from and I said TCU, they had no idea what school I was referring to (southern people knew but others didn't seem to). Now it's nice that we are finally on the map

Thank you all so much. Sorry I am such a slack-friend-bumper. I have been swamped. Hopefully things well let up a little. I really miss you all a lot.

stever · January 2011

IDK, but I'm inclined to agree with the nurse. I don't get alternating between meds.

In any event I hope you both feel better soon.

M.Amy · January 2011

When Matt was sick the dr. at the ER prescribed alternating meds.

I hope everyone who is sick gets better soon!!

carladillon · January 2011

No advice - just hoping your sweet little man is feeling better soon.

Pesky · January 2011

You can double-up on the motrin and tylenol but the dosing of each should be at least 2 hours apart (i.e. don't give him a shot of Tylenol and then a shot of motrin so it's together). And yes, you should follow the rules of the dosing so every 6 hrs for the motrin, every 4 to 6 for the tylenol and don't exceed recommended doses without the pedi's approval. Honestly, make an appointment to follow up with the pedi tomorrow. I think that'll help. Plus amoxicillin? That man is a sadist. That takes days to kick in. And it's one of the antibiotics many bacteria are resistant to. What about augmentin or bactrum or something?

ETA: okay, so you know what to do. Honestly, trust your gut. If you prefer to keep the fever down (I'd likely follow suit), alternate. I'd still see the pedi tomorrow though.

fauxshelley · January 2011

You've gotten some good advice, so I'll not chime in on that. I just wanted to say sorry Jace is STILL sick! ((HUGS))

NewMrs07 · January 2011

Daisiesinmygarden:
Every 6 hours (between Motrin doses) is fine, alternating Tylenol and Motrin every 3 hours. They do work in different ways and Motrin reduces swelling, so that is good for sinuses and also headaches, but with my kids the fever started to come back before I can give them more Motrin. The Tylenol keeps the fever down (during the last few hours) until it's OK to give more Motrin. I can see what the nurse is saying about letting him run a mild fever because fevers work to destroy viruses/bacteria, but if it has already gotten out of hand (as it seems it has) and is running amok and you are using an antibiotic to kill the bacteria, then I would work to keep his fever down so he can rest and recover and just let the medicine (antibiotics) do the work.
It's too bad the nurse didn't have you bring him in sooner - so, IMO, her advice kind of blows ... Even without a fever, I think your pedi could have diagnosed the infection, gotten J on meds sooner and saved a trip to the ER.
I hope he feels better soon.

I agree with this, sounds like either the pedi or the nurse sucks. Maybe it's time for a new doctor?

NewMrs07 · January 2011

Pesky:
You can double-up on the motrin and tylenol but the dosing of each should be at least 2 hours apart (i.e. don't give him a shot of Tylenol and then a shot of motrin so it's together). And yes, you should follow the rules of the dosing so every 6 hrs for the motrin, every 4 to 6 for the tylenol and don't exceed recommended doses without the pedi's approval. Honestly, make an appointment to follow up with the pedi tomorrow. I think that'll help. Plus amoxicillin? That man is a sadist. That takes days to kick in. And it's one of the antibiotics many bacteria are resistant to. What about augmentin or bactrum or something?
ETA: okay, so you know what to do. Honestly, trust your gut. If you prefer to keep the fever down (I'd likely follow suit), alternate. I'd still see the pedi tomorrow though.

I would stay away from Augmentin. I took it once and had horrible stomach cramps. It's a strong drug, I would go with a different one.

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