Antibiotics question

[Mickey'snewestfan]

My 14 year old DS had a sinus infection, secondary to allergies ago. Two weeks ago, I took him to the Dr. who gave him a 2 week prescription for an antibiotic. This week it came back with a vengance, while he was still on the antibiotic. I'll be honest and say I think he skipped a few doses. He's usually really responsible with meds (he's on a ton because his allergies are so bad) but for whatever reason he forgot this one.

Anyway, we went back to the Dr. who added another week of the same antibiotic. This doesn't make sense to me. It seems as though if he got the infection while on the antibiotic, then it's resistant. He needs something new.

He's got an ENT appointment on Monday, but I'm worried he'll be miserable until then. In addition his quarter at school ends next Thursday and he's got a ton of make up tests and assignments from the last few weeks because he's missed so much school from the allergies and infections. I'm worried that if he's not well enough to go back until after he sees the ENT, he won't catch up. Right now, for example, he as a failing grade in math. He's gotten an A or B on every test or assignment he was there for, but he's got 2 big tests that are right now marked as zero. His foreign language is the same way, and his history which should be an A (his strongest subject) is a C for the same reason.

Anyway, that's enough whining, but does it seem weird to put him on the same antibiotic that he was on when this infection started/resurfaced? I'm tempted to take him to the clinic at CVS and see if they'll write him something else.

 

[JessicaR]

Glad he has an appointment with an ENT. What antibiotic did they put him on? He has allergies and sinus infections can be really difficult to treat and resolve. No telling if he even has a bacterial infection at all. I would stay the course until you see the ENT, just make sure he is taking his meds properly.

Hope he feels better. I know the worry when they don't feel well and school suffers.

Oh I wanted to add - not uncommon to start feeling better on an antibiotic and stop or forget to continue the whole course of antibiotics. The infection usually does come back quickly since it was only being held at bay and not eradicated. Can you count to see how many he really missed?

 

[minkydog]

Sinus infections are notoriously hard to cure. It's not uncommon for doctors to put someone on an antibiotic for 21 days, rather than 14. I'm glad he's going to an ENT Monday. Tell him to keep taking the antibiotic and take every dose this time.

We went through this with Christian when he was between 9 & 10. He'd get a sinus infection, lasting 2-3 weeks, then DH would get the sinus infection, lasting 2-3 weeks. Then Christian would get the sinus infection, then pass it back to his dad. It was maddening and it went on for a year! We couldn't get either of them well for very long, and DH has stage 4 lung disease, so he was really suffering with all these infections.

Finally, I took him to an ENT, who did skull & sinus xrays and a CT scan. Lo, and behold! The kid had had a broken nose at some point and we never knew it. The bridge of his nose had collapsed and he had a deviated septum. In addition to that, the turbinates in his sinuses were so big that they were cut off from draining into the nose. Whatever was in there, couldn't get out so it just kept making infection! He had sinus surgery when he was 10 and it was like a miracle--cleared him right up and he has had less than 5 sinus infections in the past 8 years.

 

[LuLuO]

I'd have him finish out this course of antibiotics and I'd make sure that he takes them as he should. I hope the ENT can help him. Poor kiddo.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

My son suffers from chronic sinus infections and a 21 day course of Augmentin is normal. The only time he gets one week is if they try Levaquin instead.

He prefers the 21 days as it really clears up the infection better. He also goes from good to blah, feels a bit better, blah, then it clears up.

 

[MSSANDRA]

we have fought the sinus stuff with two boys, both with major allergies. I learned what antibiotics do and do not work with my kids and learn to be firm in asking the doctor to prescribe the right one. We also tried to correct the underlying cause of them. With both of them, getting the allergies under control helped a huge amount. Allergy shots were necessary for the oldest and will need to be started soon for the little one. Sinus surgery was the BEST choice we ever made. T&A removal was very helpful too. Middle school kids are the worst for following up with meds, so you may want to remind him daily. Stopping an antibiotic before you are finished may cause the bacteria to become stronger and more resistant to treatment.

The grades are a whole different matter. you need to go to the school and set up a plan to help him get caught up and stay caught up. I always told my oldest that I was sorry that he was sick more than most kids, BUT we would not accept that as an excuse. He may have to work twice as hard to stay caught up, and no that is not fair and no it is not his fault that he is sick more, BUT life is not always fair and it is what it is.

 

[stsomewhere]

My son,15, has chronic sinus infections. He has been hospitalized because the infection was eroding his facial bone.

The ENT told us that Z packs do not sure sinus infections.

My son will start with a 10 day amoxiciallian . He has also been on Augmentin for about 30 days. Sinus infections can last a long time.

We have found that the best thing to do is be proactive. He usually gets sinus infections in fall and spring. He takes ClartinD and Flonase everyday. He,also, likes to take Sudafed pressure and pain for sinus headaches.

ETA: We noticed if he cuts gluten out of his diet, he feels much better. But, he is a stubborn teen and refuses to give up pizza and pop tarts. We never had him tested for gluten intolerance or celiac.

 

[Dizneefamily+4]

Both my dh and my ds have already had sinus infections that didn't go away following the full course of the usual z-pack or amoxycillin. They've had to be ramped up to Augmentin, which did the trick each time.

 

[MAW137]

I wish you all the best. I also have really bad allergies and do allergy shots. I had chronic sinusitis and 5 ear infections last year. I was put on steroids and antibiotics. Normally Levoquin. I had sinus surgery in June, had another round of antibiotics and steroids. I got another sinus infection in the beginning of October but urgent care said it was an ear infection. Two days later my allergist said my ears were fine and ordered an x-ray. Sinusitis in left side of nose and below left eye. I don't get the killer headaches but the constant nose blowing is annoying. I see my ENT doctor tomorrow. He will probably try a different antibiotic or steroid. My ears are constantly popping and filling in. I hope your son gets better soon. Maybe some steroids will help too.

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

It is Augmentin that he's on. My concern isn't with the 21 days, as much as it seems like he got this sinus infection when he was already on Augmentin, and I thought that would be a sign that he needed a different med. I was surprised to get a script for more augmentin. He was on maintance dose of Augmentin for about a year as a baby because of recurrent pneumonitis, and when he'd get a break through infection they'd always switch him to something else, because of the assumption that it was augmentin resistant.

I went to school today and we actually sat and went through his assignments. The issue is that he seems to have done everything he can do from home. Every paper is written, every note taken, every page read etc . . . I've tutored him, and found him online programs, and brought in a foreign language tutor since I can't help him there. There are some things that weren't graded because the teachers didn't get to them yet (e.g. papers got turned in, he wasn't there so they didn't get one from him. He turned it in the first day back but they haven't graded it yet), but they acknowledge they have everything. What he doesnt have grades for are 14 tests. As far as I can tell, they'll only let him make up tests at lunch, so the most he can make up is 1 test a day, so if he's out 3 days in a week and misses 4 or 5 tests, even if he makes up tests every day at lunch he never gets out of the hole. The other thing he's missing is that his English teacher hasn't graded a single paper. They are supposed to write the papers, get feedback, make corrections and submit a final draft. At this point he has gotten zero feedback so he can't submit any final drafts.

Anyway, they agreed to let him take an incomplete in some classes this quarter and catch him up later, hopefully after the ENT fixes him up. And yes, I'll be more on top of him about the antibiotics.

 

[disney1990]

Our doctors no longer prescribe antibiotics for sinus infections.

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

Our doctors no longer prescribe antibiotics for sinus infections.

Do they just let it run it's course, or treat in other ways? I'm a big believer in letting things run it's course for me, but I've only had one sinus infection and it was about 3 days before I was flying to Disney so I got the meds.

For my kid, letting things run their course is kind of a synonym for letting things get out of control, but I've never really tried with a sinus infection.

 

[U2_rocks!]

I managed to get rid of a sinus infection with saline spray and decongestants. It was a bad one too - fever, pain, the works. The doctor I went to told me to try the saline and decongestants first before going on antibiotics, and it worked!

 

[DLgal]

I managed to get rid of a sinus infection with saline spray and decongestants. It was a bad one too - fever, pain, the works. The doctor I went to told me to try the saline and decongestants first before going on antibiotics, and it worked!

Me too. I use Sinex 12 hour nasal spray (really opens up the sinuses) and then Neil Med Sinus Rinse. I do the rinse 2 or 3 times per day. Also do steam inhalation. It works a good 3 out of 4 times.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Our doctors no longer prescribe antibiotics for sinus infections.

That is one of the reasons I just see an ENT/allergist as needed.

What about ear infections caused by a sinus infection?

You do know that it can go into your brain, right? I know at least 3 people that have had that happen too.

 

[SofieMouseketeer]

Ugh that sounds awful! Poor kid! If you think it worsens I would maybe take him to the CVS clinic.

 

[disney1990]

That is one of the reasons I just see an ENT/allergist as needed.

What about ear infections caused by a sinus infection?

You do know that it can go into your brain, right? I know at least 3 people that have had that happen too.

Can't say; haven't had an ear infection caused by a sinus infection. But, I know that they don't recommend antibiotics for children with ear infections any more.

 

[disfan07]

Can't say; haven't had an ear infection caused by a sinus infection. But, I know that they don't recommend antibiotics for children with ear infections any more.

And the majority of cases of sinus infections (sinusitis) are viral not bacterial so that's another reason not to just automatically give antibiotics.

I don't get antibiotics for my sinuses anymore. They never worked and it was determined that they were viral and/or allergy related so we stopped aniobiics and I just have to deal with the chronic sinus problems because we've maxed out on allergy and sinus meds.

 

[aprilchem]

Our doctors no longer prescribe antibiotics for sinus infections.

Neither does mine, unless the sinus infection lasts for more than 6 weeks. I get them about 2x a year and they usually last 3-4 weeks, but never six. I take tylenol/ibuprofin if I'm in really bad pain and also do the saline rinse.

 

[disfan07]

Neither does mine, unless the sinus infection lasts for more than 6 weeks. I get them about 2x a year and they usually last 3-4 weeks, but never six. I take tylenol/ibuprofin if I'm in really bad pain and also do the saline rinse.

Saline rinses are amazing! I do those twice a day because of my environmental allergies and it's not a fix for my congestion and sinus issues it it definitely helps.