Is there such a thing as too much medicine?

[lisajl]

Hey everyone!

Just got back from a four hour wait and see at the emergency room.

My DS, 5, got very sick, very quickly this afternoon.

We took him to the ER and this doctor was kind of strange.

Sean was vomiting a little so he ordered a suppository. Then he ordered Benadryl because he was getting a rash. Mind you the Benadryl was a pill, and Sean cannot swallow pills. Then he wanted him to take pepcid to settle his stomach, again, another pill.
We could not get any of the pills down him.

So, we went with liquids. Ok for a couple minutes, then he vomited everything.

So, he decided to give him a shot. The shot is something they give to chemo patients that get sick. Something to settle the stomach. Ok...so now he is screaming because the shot hurts.

By the way, Sean has an ear infection.

So, the nurse brings in all the presriptions. Benadryl (OTC), Pepcid, something else for vomiting and prednisone for his rash, which is gone.

I said, "What do I give him for the ear infection?"
The nurse said...Oh I guess you need a script for that.
Yeah...duh....

So, my Dh and I decided to just fill the zithromax for the ear infection and the prednisone. We did get Benadryl also.

Do you think the doctor was a little to medication happy, or is it just me?

Lisajl

 

[philaround]

In this day and age of sue them till they squell Doctors tend to overdo the testing and prescribing to protect themselves. This is especially true if you have a good health insurance.
Do you have a regular pediatrician and does he/she have 24hr coverage for her patients? My grandson has several medical problems and if anything flairs up my daughter calls the pediatrician right away. She always gets a call back within 20 minutes and with a few questions the doctor tells her to
1. Bring him to the office right away, I'll meet you there.
2. Monitor him and bring him to the office in the morning.
3. Go to the ER, I'll call them to alert them of your arrival.
If it haapens to be the third option this time the ER must call the Pediatrician with there findings before procedeing unless it is a life threatening situation [has not happened yet thank God]
BTW he is 18months old and is already on volume 4 of his medical records at the hospital. I have no idea how big the file is at the Pediatricians.

 

[Breezy_Carol]

Sounds like a lot. I would go with the antibiotic for the ear infection and talk to my regular doctor on Monday.

 

[Matty_Disfan]

Doctors can be a little medicine happy, my dad is one and he has commented on this.

A lot do this because the pressure they are put under. People expect them to cure everything, not you in particular, but society, especially in the U.S. where you pay for their services. They know that they shouldn't miss any problems that their patients are having so they treat any and all problems with whatever medications are at their disposal.

This is the big problem with antibiotics nowadays. They are over-prescribed... if you go in with a cold and want help, the only thing a doctor can do is prescribe antibiotics unless there are more specific symptoms.

They look at it this way: if they don't prescribe the drugs because it looks like the person can deal with the problem themselves, and then the person gets really sick, then they get sued.... bad news.

So when you go to a doctor with a problem assume that the doctor may go overboard to help it, even beyond their good judgement, because if they don't and the problem gets worse, then it can be a big problem.

Just my .02

Hope your son feels better soon.

 

[vald1977]

Sounds like way too much medication! No wonder the poor kid's stomach was upset. If they gave you prednizone for the rash, than why the Benydryl? Or was that for something besides the rash? Sorry to hear your little one had to go to the ER. Hope he is feeling better soon.

 

[janette]

I think some Drs just don't see kids that often. It sounds like they might have been a little medication happy.

I'd call your pediatrician today if you can and just get a 2nd opinion. Prednisone isn't something most pediatricians give out that often. I've never had them prescribe it for a rash.

 

[helenabear]

Truthfully I don't know... sounds like a lot to me, but I am not one to take a lot of meds anyway. I just wanted to say that I hope Sean feels better soon

 

[lisajl]

Thanks everyone! I am calling our regular doctor tomorrow.
The only meds I am giving him right now is the antibiotics for the ear infection.

I was not happy about the other meds and chose not to fill them.

The doctor from the ER called about an hour ago and it scared my DH and I a little bit.
We thought he would ask why we had not filled all the meds.

But, he just wanted to make sure we got the meds for the ear infection.

One thing he did say when we were in the room was, "I don't like him vomiting." He only vomited twice. Then he said, "I have to answer for this."
Kind of bothered me.

At any rate, Sean is feeling better. I am going to hold off on the preds., I work for a vet and know what preds can do.
I just think it was a bit much.
Then if he needs the meds tomorrow, I can always fill it then.

Thanks for your input, my DH and I thought we might be going overboard a bit. But, when it comes to our kids we only medicate when needed.

Thanks....Lisa

 

[Serena]

Lisa, I think you're doing the right thing. I hope he feels better soon.

 

[lisajl]

Serena,
Thanks for the encouragement! I am def. gonna talk to our doctor tomorrow about it.
He and his wife approach medicine the same way I do. I think it is better with as little as possible.
Def. medicate when needed...this just seems like overkill.

Thanks again. By the way, he is feeling so much better he wants a chocolate easter bunny I bought him tonight. Of course, he is not getting yet!

 

[browneyes]

I'd say the dr didn't do too well during his pediatric rotation. Who would give a 5 yo a pill, much less more than 1 pill, and expect him/her to swallow it?

The zithromax will help his ear infection. I prefer it for my ds when he has ear infections.