Lori, Help!

So, Ethan's Pulmonologist has a refill prescription of Prednisone sitting out there for Ethan in case he needs it. I think it is time for me to go ahead and fill and I wanted to get your opinion....

So Ethan has been coughy, congested, wheezy now for over a week. When I took him into the Ped on Tuesday or Wednesday, he said that E had an EI, which was causing sinus drainage, which was causing the coughing, which leads to the Respiratory distress...Well he has been on oral and ear drop antibiotics since the Ped visit and he seems to be getting worse.

The wheeze is very pronounced. I have increased the Duonebs as well as continued with the flovent. I have also had to give him oxygen while he was awake a few times...Ethan's breathing is so labored that you can see his ribs sticking out...he also feels like he is burning up, yet when you take his temp it isn't high. Oh and did I mention that he has been coughing so hard that he throws up, repeatedly? :censored: When I told hid Ped this, he though that Ethan was purposely trying to mske himself throw up:banghead: I think that he may need the steroid to help get his breathing under control. I'm going to try to call the pulmonologist tomorrow...but who knows if I will be able to talk with her or not...what is your take on the whole thing?

Mmm, tough call. The prednisone would certainly help with the breathing, but it can also cause some problems with fighting off bacterial infections. I'm torn honestly, if it were only a virus, I wouldn't hesitate on the steroid, but with a known bacterial infection too, I'm just not sure. Stick with the Duoneb and Flovent tonight and call the pulmo first thing in the am. Keep a close eye on him tonight, too. If his respirations get more labored or you notice his color being off (dusky, gray, or bluish, especially around the fingertips and mouth/nose) DO NOT hesitate to go to the ER. How often are you doing the Duoneb now? If he is needing it more than every 4 hours, I would definitely get to a doc as soon as possible.

Thanks Lori...I was hoping that you would still be on. I didn't know that it could make it harder to kill off the infection! I have been giving him the duonebs just about evry 4 hours...they don't make the wheeze go away but it does improve it for a little while...I'll definately be calling the Ped Pulm tomorrow. I do have a pulse oximeter...I think I will hook him up to it tonight to monitor him and set the alarm for 85. What do you think? His coloring seems to be ok...actually on the red side to be honest...

Good idea about the pulse ox. I wasn't sure if you had one or not, so I didn't mention it. Maybe set the alarm at 87%. That would give you a little room, KWIM.

I'm anxious to hear what the pulmo says. How long has Ethan been on the abx? Hopefully they will kick in and get this knocked out soon. Poor little guy just sounds miserable. Don't be afraid of the prednisone in general - it's very safe.

I'm wiped out and off to bed. I'll be on to catch up with you in the morning. I hope Ethan has a good night.

Thanks Lori for your help. I'll let you know what she says tomorrow. He has been on the abx since either Tuesday or Wednesday night...There has been so much going on that I can't remember:oops:

Hi Lori!

Well, I called his specialist and she said that she thinks that there is probably something viral going on also. She said that the antibiotic should have had enough time to get started on the infection and to start the Prednisone ASAP. I will be getting it filled and starting him on it. Thanks again for your help!

I'm glad that she has decided that it's viral. I hope the prednisone helps ASAP. I'm so glad she's not thinking pneumonia. I hope he's feeling better soon.

Thank you Lori!