DS7 - mystery illness

[taximomfor4]

DS started complaining on Thursday that his throat was bugging him. Friday, he wanted to go to school, felt "not too bad." We let him, but called the Dr for a walkin throat culture for strep. Friday afternoon, picked DS up from school, took him in for the strep test (it was positive), filled his prescription for Zythromax, etc. Saturday, he said his throat was "a little better." Sunday, he said the same thing but had trouble eating...said his ear and "cheek" bothered him. Sunday night (monday morning actually) at 4am, DS is up and crying...moaning and crying. His ear and cheek really hurt. He never did go back to sleep -- he kept trying, but would moan and cry again and again.

SO -- we kept him home from school, and called the doc RIGHT at 8am when they open (ds still moaning and crying). They got him a same-day appt for 9:30. We asked about comfort measures till then -- they said probably an ear infection, so put warmth on it. We did, and ds finally dozed.

DH just called -- the doc checked EVERYTHING and found nothing wrong. Nothing. Said MAYBE his ear has a tiny bit of inflammation. NOTHING to cause the pain. Re-checked all over, then prescribed eardrops for the pain.

WHAT ON EARTH is going on with DS7? ANyone have a clue? Dr said to bring him back in a couple of days if it doesn't get better. Well, he can't even eat or sleep. How do I Let that continue for a couple of days? And it is really, really scary that he has this much pain but they can't find anything wrong.

HELP!

Beth

 

[meandtheguys2]

A long shot, I know, but I had a sinus infection that hit the triangle from my temple to my jaw, to my ear once. I also had serious pain problems when my wisdom teeth were coming in.

I hope you can figure it out! It is so miserable whn our kiddos are sick.

 

[speedydisteen]

to your little kiddo!
as for that i have no idea. i have a really bad ear ache and am going to the doctor today. maybe we have the same thing!

 

[kendall]

Sounds like sinus or ear infection, but with the strep infection I don't know - perhaps the strep has somehow spread? On antibiotics for strep since Friday, so this could be a second infection of some sort?

I would keep the warm, moist compresses going on his ear and cheek if that is helping. If no better tonight, I would consider an urgent care visit just to get a second opinion.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

For starters Zithromax is not that great of drug for sinuses, frankly it STINKS!
He said he saw some inflammation, right? So it isn't nothing.

I would get him on another antibiotic.

 

[taximomfor4]

For starters Zithromax is not that great of drug for sinuses, frankly it STINKS!
He said he saw some inflammation, right? So it isn't nothing.

I would get him on another antibiotic.

Sinus problem -- hmmmm.... ds originally seemed to have a little cold going on -- no runny nose but some postnasal drip and a light cough, last week.


DH says when the doc did the second check over everywhere, that is when he said " Well, maybe there is a little inflammation in this right ear." DH says it sounds like the dr was stumped, and just a little inflammation wouldn't necessarily be obvious -- so more like guesswork. The dr didn't switch the antibiotic. If ds is up all night moaning tonight, I will have to call the dr. tomorrow.

 

[mrsv98]

Here's a suggestion out of left field, what about his teeth? Does he have his 6 yr molars? Could he be cutting a molar on that side? DD is almost 7 and her molars are no where near coming in (had an x-ray last Fri) but she is showing signs of "teething". She chews on everything!

If that is not it, then I concur with sinus infection, when I get them, they are horrible! to your little guy

 

[taximomfor4]

Here's a suggestion out of left field, what about his teeth? Does he have his 6 yr molars? Could he be cutting a molar on that side? DD is almost 7 and her molars are no where near coming in (had an x-ray last Fri) but she is showing signs of "teething". She chews on everything!

If that is not it, then I concur with sinus infection, when I get them, they are horrible! to your little guy

Good thought! He was just at the dentist, and his 6-year molars are cut already through the gums, working their way the rest of the way in.

It is very difficult when your child is in pain, and you are helpless to even figure out WHY!

Beth

 

[Hannathy]

What are you giving him for pain? An antibiotic will cure the infection but it doesn't treat the symptoms.

 

[honeymom]

Sometimes they can not feel well for a few days even after starting the antibiotic. I agree with trying painkillers. I think that Ibuprofen works a little better and longer than tylenol.

 

[Fan2CSkr]

I am recently getting over a virus that started with a sore throat, headache, low grade fever - 100 and ear pain that I was SURE it had to be infected. The pain traveled from my throat to mt ear and down my cheek. I went to the doctor 3 times for this sickness! No ear infection and finally after about 3 days the ear pain subsided. Sometimes ear pain is just referred pain and not an infection at all. I hope he starts feeling better quickly!

 

[taximomfor4]

What are you giving him for pain? An antibiotic will cure the infection but it doesn't treat the symptoms.

We gave him ibuprofen (motrin) at 4am. He gets the eardrops in about an hour (Pharmacy is a little behind today), which are for ear pain. We'll see.

I feel somewhat better knowing there is a virus going around with the ear + cheek pain.

Thanks all!

Beth

 

[Temair]

I can understand what your going through. I get nasty sinus infections that spread up the tubes to my ears. So the Dr looks at my ear and the outer part is fine, but inside its all nasty. Ear drops will not take care of it. The antiboitics will take care of it. You might try Musinex to loosen up the mucus in the sinus and up towards the ears. I love Musinex. You can also buy it an a liquid format called Guafinesin (Spelled not right but close) Its sold as a cough expectorant. Its the same main ingerdient at musincex. Hope you all heal up soon

 

[cybrkitn]

That almost sounds like what my DS4 is going through. I was called last Tuesday to pick him up from aftercare early b/c he had a low grade fever and was putting his head down (not like him at all). His right cheek was red only for that day. But he has been dealing with a low grade fever since then.

I took him to the doctor yesterday (yep, DS's doctor's office is open on Sunday's). DS's temp at home (under his arm) was 100.4. At the doctor's office it went down to 99.7 (also done under his arm) and that was without any Motrin or Tylenol, just a little bit of Gatorade. The doctor said his right ear had a little bit of fluid in it. He couldn't even find anything wrong with DS's cheeks. But he did tell us to keep giving him Motrin and Tylenol (Motrin the first time, then switch to Tylenol 4 hours later). The strep test that was done came back negative.

DS4 is due at this age for his first trip to the dentist and I'm thinking of trying that next just to rule out dental problems.

I still don't know what is causing his low grade fevers. It's not like him at all.