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April 2013 Moms
love4b
member
Advil or Motrin instead of Tylenol
love4b
member
So, B has been screaming for the last few days to the point that my husband and I took her into the pediatrician today. After checking her ears, etc. she took a look in her mouth and said it's definitely teething — her two top front teeth are coming through. (Her bottom two teeth came through already, and though she was uncomfortable it seems a lot worse this time). We have never given her any drugs and I've been really hesitant about it, but she's so uncomfortable that I think I might break down and give her some meds. Here's where I got into a bit of a quandary. Advil or Tylenol?
My sister is schizophrenic. The gene for schizophrenia and autism is the same, so I'm assuming that there is a possibility that B has that gene and thus is potentially genetically predisposed to autism (and thus schizophrenia — which is a whole other scary thing to think about). Most of my research revolves around trying to avoid things that might trigger that gene.
I came across this study: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18445737
It links acetaminophen use after the MMR vaccine to the subsequent onset of autism. Basically, the study indicates that it's not the vaccine itself per se, but the combination of the vaccine and Tylenol given afterwards that can trigger autism. There's other research that links decreased glutathione levels in the brain to autism and schizophrenia. Acetaminophen use results in lowered levels of glutathione (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19537930). It's also really hard on the liver.
Take it for what you will, but if there's an alternative (like ibuprofen) why not use that instead? I'm not trying to start drama or be a troll, and I debated whether to post this at all, but I just thought it's something to be aware of. Autism is a complex disease and I am in no way saying that if you give your baby Tylenol they're going to be autistic — clearly, many kids get Tylenol and they're fine — but the study is just another piece of a complex puzzle and it's something to think about.
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Advil or Motrin instead of Tylenol
Ginny DX 21-Hydroxylase Deficiency Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia
Charlie DX Specific Antibody Deficiency & ASD
If I had mentioned the Spanish study of 20,000 kids that linked acetaminophen to an increase in asthma would I still need a mind eraser? Here's an even stupider thing for me to do, I'll post an NY Times article with links to a whole bunch of other studies talking about the asthma link
https://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/20/health/evidence-mounts-linking-acetaminophen-and-asthma.html?_r=0
I didn't realize Advil v. Tylenol would be such a hot-button issue. Mea culpa.
(Stepping outside the debate to offer practical experience)-
We've had the same scenario (screaming due to teething) lately and per some good advice, baby ibuprofen has really helped and it lasts longer than Tylenol any way. Which is what you want so these poor babies can sleep!
Personally, as soon as 6 months hits, I choose Advil over Tylenol 9 times out of 10. And my decision has nothing to do with statistically insignificant studies. Instead, it has to do with effectiveness. Advil knocks out fever faster and longer, and is great for pain.
Considering the wide use of Tylenol in most populations, you can probably link anything to it. My theory on asthma has to do with the increase in air pollution levels. The number of cars on the road has increased substantially since we were kids (or maybe just me, I'm almost 39). But any study can say anything, you just have to dig into it and see for yourself if it's truly valid. A lot of stuff gets published that isn't strong science, and are simply prelim results of a small study to see if they want to spend the money on a bigger study. Theories and opinions flip flop a lot - eg - Eggs are good, eggs are bad, eggs are good again! Butter is bad, choose margarine instead, less saturated fat! Oh no transfats in margarine are really bad, worse than saturated fat! Go back to butter!
TTC since May 2006. After 3 failed Clomid cycles, 2 failed Injectibles/IUIs, 2 failed IVFs and 1 failed FET, we moved on to adoption!
Last ditch FET resulted in BFP, and identical twin girls!