Blessings From Home

Last Night's Trip to the ER

Yesterday morning I took my kids to the doctor and was told they all had tonsilitis and it could turn into strep. I was given antibiotics and told to alternate between motrin and tylenol as directed. I followed those instructions all day, but my oldest, Nicholas' fever would not go down below 100 degrees all day. The other kids seemed to be fine.

Around 8pm, he woke up from a nap, screaming. He was on fire. His temp was 104. He was screaming his eyes were burning, he was throwing up, he couldn't even walk because his feet were burning. I put him in an ice cold bath tub, and even though it was not time for more motrin, I gave him another dose. I was really scared. I didn't know if his optic nerves were being burned up, or what.

So we headed out to the ER where I was told that I was wrong he could not have been running a temp of 104, maybe 100. 4, and I should have just called his pediatrician, (who would have told me to bring him to the ER anyways.) I made them take his temp right then, and guess what it was still almost 104. They told me I still would have been better off keeping him home and continuing to do what I was doing because all they would do is give him some tylenol. They didn't care about my concerns of his eyes burning, and him not being able to walk because his fever was so high.

I left there very hurt and very angry. But the good news is Nicholas seems to be doing better this morning. Thanks for letting me vent my frustration.

Blessings, sara

So sorry!

{ 10:57, Friday, May 2, 2008 } { Posted by mamaof2andtwins }

I am sorry you had such a time at the ER. I am glad he is feeling better today.
Blessings,
Jennie

Sorry!

{ 11:14, Friday, May 2, 2008 } { Posted by mulberrylane }

OH, hate those moments! I'm sure the emergency room was just over stressed and for something they considered minor they let their frustrations out on you... so sorry for that!

Even though I am a nurse, I found that tylenol and motrin are not always the best fever relievers... the best on the market for medications, but often a lukewarm bath is better at bringing the temperature down. Not too cold as to chill your child, but just warm enough that it would keep them warm, but bring the temperature down. Once out quickly rub them down and dry them off and dress them warm to keep them from chilling again. (the chilling will tend to cause a fever to rise). I'm not berating you for the ice water... that is useful in times as well. Oh and for your own knowledge base... sometimes even with tylenol and motrin fevers will not drop below 100... those are frustrating days... although a fever between 100 and 101 is a good place to be, it is where our bodies are able to make more of those fighting cells to fight infection. Over 101 our ability to do that is limited, so it is best to try and keep the fever below 101. (mind you fevers often have a mind of their own and we aren't always able to bring it down with tylenol... my daughter had Roseola and her fevers spiked quickly and crazily even with tylenol!... I found that a warm shower or a lukewarm tub did better at fighting the fever.)

I found that doctors and most nurses are trained for how to deal with problems with medications and if it works well enough... don't fuss with home remedies. I was trained that way... we had a small knowledge base of some things you can do... the lukewarm water bath can bring a fever down, and a couple other mild things... but nothing that made me feel confident to not depend on doctors (even as a nurse!) I found over the years that a basic knowledge of home remedies has been so worthy of the time to learn them. You know, the times when the kids get sick friday morning, you can't get an appointment that day and by Saturday they are sicker than anything and your only course for medical care is the emergency room. It has calmed my fears many a times. I've even found that by Monday morning, they are well enough or not critical anymore that I no longer need to go to the doctor.

My kids have learned to endure a few colds and miseries with home remedies and a little tylenol for those peak times of fever. They now have realized that it is often more comfortable to have a foot soak or a cold or warm compress put on than to take pills for 10 days straight. If you'd like some resources, I'd be happy to pass them along to you.

Now, myself, I endured a couple emergency room trips with the same fateful ending as yours... it took a few trips like that (even as a nurse) to finally set my mind to a better way. Now mind you, I'm not saying leave the doctors out of it... no way... if you are not comfortable, it is best to seek care... but doctors and nurses and moms are infallible... I have seen errors on both sides. I guess I just wanted to encourage you that you did what was right... you shouldn't feel helpless at home... seeking help was the right thing to do... it is simply too bad that you were treated as many are... that you simply should have known better... well it's not like we take classes in high school or college that teach us how to know better... it takes experience to feel comfortable with different situations... some handholding is appropriate for those times we have no idea what is going on! Since the doctors and nurses didn't say it... I will. Great job momma!

Warmly, ~Melissa


~~~Melissa, thank you so much. It's not fun being made to feel like you're an idiot when you're doing everything you know that's best and it's not working.

My thoughts as I was walking out of the ER last night were, I would have been better off finding a home remedy that worked instead of dealing with the doctors. I would love for you to share any info you have on home remedies. Thank you again, so much. You made me feel so much better.

Blessings, sara

Edited by Sara on Friday, May 2, 2008 at 11:29

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{ 02:45, Friday, May 2, 2008 } { Posted by gabbie427 }

Geesh, any doctor would have told you at that kind of temp to take them to the ER and the ER told you to keep him at home??? How crazy is that??

Yes the good news is he is ok now. *HUGS* Sorry for the rough night you had.

God's Blessings,
Amy Jo