here we go again? | Arthritis Information

 

Older daughter has a day left on her pneumonia treatment.  All was well at her follow-up.

But yesterday, my little one started running a high temp.  Only complaint was a headache.  Just like big sis.

And she was dizzy when she walked.  Big sis passed out cold, remember?

Went to ped, hoping to nip it in the bud also knowing I was probably wasting my time....

Strep was negative.  Just like big sis.

He says its probably viral.  She's not coughing.

Neither was big sis.  He deadpanned, "I know.  I've heard the w-h-o-l-e story."  Ah, we are the stuff of legends at the peds' office.....

So we have to wait.  I understand not wanting to radiate every patient, I do.  But still....she woke up at 101.9 this a.m.  Just like big sis.
Suzanne2008-07-03 08:02:29My goodness....does it ever end?  Don't you feel like that sometime? Hope it turns out not to be the same after all.Thanks, WTB.  No, it never ends.  At least we are home from our trip.  And my mom says at least I don't get sick.  I said I probably do, I just don't have time to notice! When you say my little one I am assuming you mean the 5 year old with the JRA? I think I remember that she's on one of the biologics? Then it would make since with her immune system and all, I am sure I don't have to tell you anything about that. I can tell you from my own personal experience, bboth my had pneumonia when they were small and from taking care of kids with it. As you said sometimes we see NO cough at all. Many times the presenting problem is fever, nausea, vomiting. Often the kids don't complain of shortness of breath like adults do because they aren't up running around. Many times we see kids with pneumonia and their fever is difficult to manage, even with alternating tylenol and ibuprofen. If he thinks it's viral, he probably didn't give her antibiotics either? If she has the symptoms I mentioned, just call the doctor. I really hope he's right and she has a virus and will be good as new in a few days :)It is the one with JRA, but she is not on a biologic and also not immune-suppressed.  She had pneumonia when she was on mtx, and at that time, her lungs sounded clear, too. 

That time, we had to see the ped working the weekend, and won't ever see her again!  Immune-suppressed with more than 24 hours of fever over 102 and coughing, and she says wait and see, come back when your reg. ped is here.

Her reg. ped would be more aggressive at this point if she was immune-suppressed.  She still has a temp and a headache and is sleeping a lot, but no new symptoms, so it could be viral.  I hate waiting!

Oh Suzanne, you and your children are made of strong stuff, you are.  You've all been through so much and you continue to take one step at a time and do whatever needs to be done.  I'll bet you'd like to collapse in a heap about now but you won't.  Hugs to all of you.Good luck to all of you.  Hang in there.

Stay well Suzanne- you know the rule- mothers don't get sick!Suzanne, I think the rule is mothers aren't allowed to get sick, but make sure you get all the rest you need just in case... I do hope it is viral and not bacterial! poor baby. Apparently she doesn't know the rule about not getting sick before a holiday weekend. Do keep us posted on you little one Thanks everyone!  Here is an update - her temp started heading down, and as is the norm for her, she felt the worst when it was lowgrade.  It must be something to do with her disease.  When she has lowgrade temp, you would think it was actually sky high.  She looks awful, feels awful, can't do anything, and is scorching to the touch.  Then the thermometer will read 99.5.

So she spent a few hours in that zone, with me relieved it was going down, but feeling bad that she felt so much worse!

Then she got up and around.   Which usually means no fever or pushing 103 LOL.  It was 99, so I was happy this was over!

Then she threw up.  But after, she said felt good, she wasn't even crying.  Good, I thought, we're done.

Nope. Back in bed now, doesn't even want to watch TV.   Temp back at 100.

The vomiting helps me go with viral (if Wendy hadn't posted about nausea  LOL!).  Oh well, more waiting...
Poor sweetheart - I hope she feels better soon.  It's so hard when they're sick, especially when you're so worried.  Isn't vomiting a symptom of pneumonia?  Normal temp this a.m., so hopefully we are out of the woods!

She slept and slept.  She spent all day yesterday in her lowgrade misery zone, then went up to 101 before bedtime.  Yesterday was her Zithromax day, so if she had what her sister had, maybe it is holding it down.

Even with jra, it is very unusual for her to be 'down' this long.  She hasn't been this sick, this long, since her onset three years ago.  Even pneumonia on mtx didn't do this to her.  But it seems to have passed.
Lets hope she is getting better! Do you have sunshine where you are today? Maybe if she sits out in the fresh air and gets a little sun she will feel better. hope your lil one continues to improve.. Suzanne, hope she is still getting better.  Cathy
Copyright ArthritisInsight.com